When we think of cute dogs, there are a number of breeds that immediately come to mind, including the Chihuahua, the Corgi, and the Yorkie. While it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what makes these breeds cute, two things they have in common are their size and pointed ears. However, there are many other small dogs with pointy ears besides the three we’ve listed, and you may be wondering what those breeds are.
The breeds on this list may share these two prominent characteristics, but you’ll find that they otherwise range quite widely in terms of temperament and appearance.
The 13 Different Small Dogs With Pointy Ears
While going through our list, just remember to keep in mind that all breeds have different needs and requirements that should be met, and that all breeds are not suitable for all households.
1. Chihuahua
Average Lifespan: 12-20
Average Size: 4-10 pounds
Coat: short or long
Perhaps one of the most well known small dogs with pointy ears on this list, the Chihuahua originates from Mexico and has pre-Columbian roots. Famous for its small body and disproportionately big attitude, the Chihuahua is loving and protective of its owners and has been known to challenge dogs far larger than it.
A great household companion that does well on its own, the breed is fairly low maintenance and is generally long-lived.
2. Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Average Lifespan: 11-15 years
Average Size: 20-30 pounds
Coat: medium
Originating from Wales, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a spitz-type breed with a sturdy frame and elongated body. Goofy and jovial, members of this breed have served as the companions of British royalty for decades.
One of the larger and more muscular small breeds, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is also more physically active and energetic than many breeds on this list, and can handle a good deal of play and exercise.
The breed standard requires these dogs to have erect and pointed ears, which are one of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi’s signature characteristics.
3. Yorkshire Terrier
Average Lifespan: 13-16 years
Average Size: 4-9 pounds
Coat: medium, sleek
Popularly kept as a companion and support animal, the Yorkshire Terrier, also known as the “Yorkie,” was originally developed in Yorkshire, England, as a companion animal. Known for being a docile and gentle breed, the Yorkshire Terrier is a quiet and loving companion that is devoted to its owner and family.
Like the Chihuahua, this breed is incredibly small and is therefore easy to maintain and feed, and is known for being long-lived.
4. Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Average Lifespan: 10-15 years
Average Size: 18-32 pounds
Coat: medium
The second Corgi breed on this list, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi also originates from Wales and has deep roots in the English countryside. Despite its superficial similarities with the Pembroke Corgi, the Welsh Corgi is a distinct breed.
The Cardigan Corgi possesses a bushier, fox-like tail that is longer than the Pembroke Corgi’s, which is often docked and short. Additionally, the Cardigan Corgi is typically heavier and larger in size than the Pembroke, possessing a more muscular frame.
Also known as a loyal breed, the Cardigan’s ears can be slightly rounded at the top whereas the Pembroke’s ears are sharply pointed.
5. German Spitz
Average Lifespan: 13-15 years
Average Size: 21-29 pounds
Coat: long, fluffy
As its name suggests, the German Spitz is a spitz-type breed originating from central Europe where it was developed as a herding dog. Superficially resembling the Pomeranian, the German Spitz is larger and more muscular.
The breed has a distinct double coat which stands out from the body and is well adapted to colder climates. Now bred as a companion animal, the German Spitz requires moderate exercise and is known to be gentle around children.
6. Scottish Terrier
Average Lifespan: 11-13 years
Average Size: 18-22 pounds
Coat: medium
The Scottish Terrier is a compact breed with a sturdy and well built frame. It is thought to originate in Scotland and was developed as a ratting dog to control pests. Due to its past as a working breed, the Scottish is known to be an energetic and playful companion with a strong prey drive.
Its signature features are its low-hanging beard and pointed ears. One of the more well known small dogs with pointy ears on this list, the breed became popular within the US after several former US presidents kept them as pets.
7. Miniature Pinscher
Average Lifespan: 12-15 years
Average Size: 8-10 pounds
Coat: short
The Miniature Pinscher, also known as the Min Pin, is a small, pinscher-type breed hailing from Germany. The breed’s short and smooth coat make it an easy breed to maintain and keep happy, only requiring a moderate amount of exercise.
Interestingly, the Miniature Pinscher’s ears are cropped, which contributes to their upright and pointy appearance. Ears that have not been cropped are sometimes known to naturally flop forward over the dog’s head.
8. Norwich Terrier
Average Lifespan: 12-14 years
Average Size: 11-12 pounds
Coat: medium, dense
Curious and quirky dogs, the Norwich Terrier is a stout-bodied, small dog breed originally from England. As with the Scottish Terrier, the Norwich Terrier was also bred to hunt rodents and control pests on farms.
The breed is known for being bright and sociable, and many owners have commented on the breed’s unique personality. While Norwich Terriers make great household pets and companions, they have been known to bark at strangers, although their displays of aggression usually end there.
9. Rat Terrier
Average Lifespan: 10-15 years
Average Size: 10-25 pounds
Coat: short, fine
Perhaps one of the most energetic breeds of small dogs with pointy ears on this list, the Rat Terrier is a short haired breed of terrier developed in the US.
Like the Norwich and Scottish terriers before it, the Rat Terrier is also a ratting breed known for its feisty determination and dedication to its job. However, unlike the former two breeds, the Rat terrier continues to be bred and employed on farms across the US, where they are still prized by farmers for their hunting ability.
Although many individuals of this breed possess pointy ears, some genetic lines of Rat Terriers are known to have the folded ear mutation.
10. Swedish Vallhund
Average Lifespan: 12-15 years
Average Size: 20-32 pounds
Coat: medium, dense
While it might look like a cross between a Corgi and a Husky, the Swedish Vallhund is its own distinct breed with roots in Sweden, where it’s the country’s national dog breed. Many breeders have actually traced the ancestry of Corgis back to the Swedish Vallhund, which is considered one of the oldest short-legged breeds in Europe.
Originally developed for its herding ability, the Swedish Vallhund is a resilient and active breed that can tolerate harsh weather conditions thanks to its dense coat.
11. Schipperke
Average Lifespan: 13-20 years
Average Size: 7-20 pounds
Coat: medium-long
Originally developed in Belgium, the Schipperke is a spitz-type breed that was developed for its herding ability. Easy to spot in the field because of its black coat, the breed could be monitored by farmers from a distance.
The Schipperke is considered high-energy and curious, and so requires a great deal of exercise and stimulation to be kept happy and healthy.
Perhaps one of the rarer small dogs with pointy ears on this list, the breed is more prominent in Europe than in the United States, although it can still be acquired from accredited breeders within the states.
12. Boston Terrier
Average Lifespan: 11-13 years
Average Size: 6-25 pounds
Coat: short, fine
The Boston Terrier was originally developed in the United States as a bully-type companion breed. The Boston Terrier is a fairly recent breed that was developed less than 200 years ago.
All true members of the breed can be traced back to a single dog named Judge who possessed the signature frame, pointy ears, and squashed face typical of all modern Boston Terriers.
Considered moderately active and energetic, the breed is known for being agile and curious, as well as one of the healthier squashed face breeds.
13. Japanese Spitz
Average Lifespan: 10-16 years
Average Size: 11-20 pounds
Coat: long, fluffy
The Japanese Spitz superficially resembles the Schipperke in body type and size, and is also a spitz-type breed. In contrast to the Schipperke’s dark black coat, the Japanese Spitz is known for being all white.
Bred in Japan from German Spitz stock, the Japanese Spitz was first developed in the 1900s as a companion animal, and is known for being personable and reliable.
Exceptionally healthy and with few genetic problems, the Japanese Spitz is a long-lived dog breed. However, while it may not suffer from certain genetic defects, the breed’s long coat does require regular upkeep.
