Small but long; standard and miniature sizes exist. Length matters for furniture jumps and safe lifting technique.

Toy-sized and very light. Easy to carry but also easy to hurt without meaning to; not ideal for chaotic foot traffic.

Many live into their teens when weight stays lean. Back problems can affect quality of life; prevention beats surgery when possible.

Often long-lived with dental care and safety from trauma. Small size does not remove need for regular veterinary checkups.

Enjoys walks and sniffing games; avoid forced jumping and long flights of stairs. Mental enrichment satisfies hound instincts.

Short walks and indoor play often suffice. Still needs outings for confidence; hiding at home can worsen fearfulness.

Smooth coats are easy; long and wire varieties need more brushing or stripping. Nails and ears need routine attention.

Short coat is simple; long-coated lines need brushing. Dental care is critical in tiny mouths.

Clever but hound-independent; patience and rewards beat repetition drills. Barking at visitors is a common training project.

Alert and quick; can be sassy without boundaries. Socialization reduces snapping at strangers when nervous.

Fun for families who prevent rough handling and jumping off beds. Supervise with large dogs to avoid back injuries.

Devoted to their people; may not tolerate rough toddler play. Older respectful kids often work better than toddler chaos.

Intervertebral disc disease is the headline risk; keep lean and use ramps. Discuss dental and knee issues with your vet.

Patellas, dental disease, and heart screening topics vary by line. Hypoglycemia can concern tiny puppies; follow breeder feeding advice.

Small food bills; back emergencies can be expensive. Ramps and pet stairs are cheaper than emergency surgery.

Low feeding cost; dental procedures may be the largest predictable bills over a lifetime.