Many of us welcomed new four-legged family members over the last few years, as the Kennel Club saw pedigree dog ownership soar to record levels.
When looking for a new pet dog there are many options to choose from, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.
Small dogs are ideal for those with smaller homes, need less exercise, are easier to groom, and tend to live on average longer than large dogs.
Perhaps because of these reasons, several of the more diminutive breeds of pooches appear near the top of the Kennel Club’s list of most popular dogs.
Here are the top 10 most popular breeds of small dog.
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Small dogs are ideal for those with smaller homes, need less exercise, are easier to groom, and tend to live on average longer than large dogs.
![A total of 2,979 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels were registered in 2020, putting the wee dogs with the cute faces sixth on our list.](https://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjFkNGQxYWJmLTZkOTgtNDYyMi04NGU4LTM4MGM2MmY2OWY5MjphZmQ1NDBkMS00NzFlLTRkNjUtOTE2NS1hOWQ3N2U3OThmZmU=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
5. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
A total of 2,979 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels were registered in 2020, putting the wee dogs with the cute faces sixth on our list.Photo: Canva/Getty Images
![Known for its wrinkly, short-muzzled face, the Pug is another dog that has seen its popularity soar over lockdown, with 6,033 registrations in 2020.](https://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjkyMmExYmM4LTE4YTItNDhlOC1iOGNkLThlMjU2OWUxOTdhODo5OGEwZjIwZS02NDA4LTQzMTYtOThmNC1iMWRkMTQzMGIyNjI=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
6. Pug
Known for its wrinkly, short-muzzled face, the Pug is another dog that has seen its popularity soar over lockdown, with 6,033 registrations in 2020.Photo: Canva/Getty Images
![The smallest of all the dogs, the Smooth Coat Chihuahua had 1,508 Kennel Club registrations in 2020, putting into eighth spot.](https://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjBlMjgxMjM3LWZmYWEtNDZkOC05ZjY1LTUzNmJjMTQ1MmVkMzphMmI0YmE5My05NGQyLTQyZTAtYWE1NC1mYTk0ZDBhNTUyY2Y=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
7. Smooth Coat Chihuahua
The smallest of all the dogs, the Smooth Coat Chihuahua had 1,508 Kennel Club registrations in 2020, putting into eighth spot.Photo: Canva/Getty Images
![From the Spitz family of dogs, the Pomeranian is known for being playful, intelligent, friendly and sociable. No wonder they are popular - with 1,757 registrations last year.](https://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmMxMDA4YzcxLTgzY2MtNGFjYi1hMTJlLTljNDA3MzZiM2QwYjpmOGIxOGU0ZC0wOTA5LTQ0Y2QtOTVhYi01OTcwZGU4YTMzYWI=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
8. Pomeranian
From the Spitz family of dogs, the Pomeranian is known for being playful, intelligent, friendly and sociable. No wonder they are popular - with 1,757 registrations last year.Photo: Canva/Getty Images