Chubs

Belgium is famous for two things: chocolate and the fabulous Papillon pup. Small and charming, this lovable breed will instantly warm up to their owners, and they make great companions for young families. Full-grown, they typically weigh 5-10 pounds and stand 8-11 inches tall.

Papillons are generally excellent with children of all ages. They respond best to a gentle training approach and are good with children and other household pets, as long as they've been trained to respect one another. These dogs typically have longer than average lifespans, meaning you'll have a close friend for a long time. They're very vocal and bark quite a lot.

The Papillon will adapt to their family’s lifestyle and do not require tons of exercise. They need a daily walk and a bit of play time to cover their exercise needs. They don't need a ton of space to run, but they do like to get outside and play occasionally. Overall, their exercise needs are high.

Papillons have have long white, hair with partlially colored patches of brown, black, or tannish-red. Their coat does require frequent (e.g. weekly) and thorough brushing to remove dead hairs, especially around their ears, to keep them healthy and free from matting. Grooming-wise, this breed is low-maintenance.

Papillons are best suited for apartments and smaller homes. They respond best to a gentle training approach and are good with children and other household pets, as long as they've been trained to respect one another. They are small, but they tend to be a bit yappy, so they might not be a good fit for apartment life. They are highly trainable and eager to learn.

The Shih Tzu is small, popular, and friendly, so what more could you ask for in a companion dog? Their intelligence and loyalty, along with their independence, will have you cuddling up with this bunch of cheerfulness in no time. Full-grown, they typically weigh 9-16 pounds and stand 9-11 inches tall.

Shih Tzus are generally excellent with children of all ages. Shih Tzus are indoor dogs who get along with other pets very well and love to cuddle in your lap, making them great family companions. You would never want to limit these small dogs to just the outdoors. They're moderate barkers — they'll alert you when something's up but aren't excessive.

Shih Tzu need short, daily walk but should also occasionally be exercised indoors. They do not adapt to hot weather very well, so they must be a primarily indoor dog. Care must be taken not to over or under exercise them as well. Overall, their exercise needs are moderate.

Shih Tzus' long coat is somewhat high maintenance and requires everyday brushing to prevent tangles. These dogs should be taken to a professional groomer every couple of months. They are usually easier to maintain when their coats are clipped short, but you can't argue that those who have the long, dreamy coats are dramatic and eye catching. Grooming-wise, this breed is fairly high-maintenance. Shih Tzus are considered hypoallergenic, which can be a plus for allergy sufferers.

Shih Tzus are best suited for apartments and smaller homes. Since they are small, this breed can adapt to apartment living or a big house. Shih Tzus are indoor dogs who get along with other pets very well and love to cuddle in your lap, making them great family companions. They are fairly easy to train.