You know dogs come in all shapes and sizes, but there's something especially interesting about short-legged dogs. These miniature pets with short legs are extremely attractive. Of course, they won't make the list of the fastest dog breeds, but the way their little bodies sway awkwardly as they run is adorable.
Whether you're looking to get a new puppy or just want to learn more about cute little dogs, we've ranked the most popular short-legged breeds with photos and short descriptions.
Pomeranian Spitz
Dogs with short legs are naturally small, but the Pomeranian, also known as the Pomeranian, is especially tiny! Even though he only weighs about 3.6kg, this little furball can really hold his own against the big dogs. Pomeranian Spitz is a breed of decorative dogs. He descended from sled dogs and is known for his bold character and playful disposition .
Moreover, dog experts claim that this breed is easy to train and even makes effective guard dogs. It is also worth noting that Pomeranians have a beautiful double coat, presented in more than two dozen variations; it requires proper care three to five times a week.
Miniature Pinscher (Miniature Pinscher)
5998435 - the miniature pinscher (zwergpinscher, min pin) is a small breed of dog of the pinscher type, developed in germany. miniature pinschers were first bred to hunt vermin, especially rats. pinscher, like terrier refers to the behavioral traits of the breed an
Miniature pinschers have a pronounced protective instinct and a self-confident, freedom-loving character; they can try to dominate their owner. No wonder they are called mini-Dobermans.
| Height | Weight | Lifespan |
| 25-30 cm | 3.6 – 4.5 kg | 12-16 years old |
Energetic temperament and high intelligence require training. With proper training, the miniature pinscher will be an excellent companion. Miniatures love physical activity, so they are especially suitable for people involved in sports.
In winter, it is advisable to walk the Pinscher in clothes and special shoes, since due to the single-layer coat without undercoat, the dogs freeze. They practically do not shed and are suitable for keeping in a small apartment, although they require personal space. They usually get along with children, don’t let themselves be offended, and don’t like strangers.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Loved by Queen Elizabeth, the intelligent and sweet Pembroke Welsh Corgi is one of the most popular herding dogs in the world. Although his paws are small, his muscular thighs and strong chest give him power. This Corgi breed is also very easy to train and is known for its hard work and energy.
These qualities, combined with alertness and independence, make the Pembroke Welsh Corgi an excellent guard dog. Another advantage of this breed is that it is relatively easy to care for: its thick double coat comes in five different colors and requires grooming every four to six weeks.
Italian Greyhound
The name of the breed comes from the French lievre - translated as hare. During the Renaissance, dogs were the pets of aristocrats. At the same time, Italian greyhounds were willingly taken for hunting.
Other names for the Italian greyhound are Italian greyhound, small greyhound.
Italian Greyhounds look sophisticated and elegant, but are actually relatively strong and hardy. In European countries, graceful dogs still hunt hares. The coat is thin and silky. Colors - plain gray, isabella, black, sometimes with light inclusions on the paws and chest.
The height of the Italian Greyhound is 33 – 38 cm, maximum weight is 5 kg.
At home, Italian greyhounds behave softly and delicately, adapting to the mood of the owner. They do not offend children and are peaceful towards pets. They obediently fulfill the owner's demands and are not prone to destructive behavior.
Welsh Corgi Cardigan
It should not be confused with the Pembroke variety, which we discussed in detail above. The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is slightly larger. This is a very smart, loyal and especially affectionate pet. Compared to the Pembroke, the ears of this breed are more rounded and they have a long, fox-like tail. In addition to their adorable appearance, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi is good with children and has a very sociable and affectionate disposition.
This breed needs a lot of mental stimulation and is quite energetic, so be sure to allow plenty of play time.
The Cardigan Welsh Corgi also sheds seasonally and needs to be brushed at least once a week to keep its coat shiny and healthy.
Russian hunting spaniel
An unrecognized breed of cops, it is characterized by good functionality, but the lack of an exact standard. Animals began to appear after the Great Patriotic War, when a stream of different Cockers poured into the country. Selection was carried out randomly, without any particular purpose.
Recently, efforts have been made to bring the appearance of the Russian Spaniel to a unified description. At the moment, the animals reach 36-44 cm at the withers, have an elegant body, short paws, a narrow muzzle and wavy coat of one-color, two-color or tri-color.
Animals are very active and require a firm hand and constant training. This is an excellent companion, friend, pet, and hunting assistant. Dogs are smart, perceptive, quickly grasp commands, have a keen sense of smell, vision and good physical abilities.
Cost – 20-25 thousand rubles.
American Bulldog
Strongly built, reliable and always loyal, the Bulldog is another of the most popular short-legged dogs. Originally bred to help butchers move cattle to market, bulldogs have since become gentler, friendlier companions. They are now known as one of the calmest dog breeds . These small, muscular dogs can weigh up to 22 kg and require about an hour of moderate exercise every day, although at first glance this may not seem like much.
Also note that their short, wrinkled snout can sometimes lead to difficulty breathing in warm, humid weather; Experts recommend keeping American Bulldogs indoors during the summer. Their smooth, shiny coat is naturally clean, although it should be thoroughly washed every four weeks. Gentle brushing at least once a week will also keep this dog looking nice and happy.
Slugi and Saluki
Incredibly fast Arabian greyhound from North Africa. Outwardly, Slugi resembles an Azawakh: the same tall, lean, long-legged. Colors are shades of red, from light sand to reddish.
The slug's fur is so smooth, thin and short that it is almost invisible.
In Russia, purebred Slugs are rare. The only nursery operates in St. Petersburg.
Shorthaired Salukis.
Due to their external similarity and consonant names, the Slugi is sometimes confused with another Arabian greyhound, the short-haired Saluki. But DNA studies have proven that these are two separate breeds.
Basset Hound
The Basset Hound is a breed of short hound dog with English roots. It is easily recognized by its drooping neck, long floppy ears, expressive eyes and small paws. Compared to other short-legged dogs, the Basset Hound is a larger breed, weighing between 18 and 29.5 kg.
Like most hounds, Basset Hounds are pack dogs, bred for long runs rather than fast paced runs.
However, what they lack in speed, they more than make up for with their incredible olfactory abilities! Basset Hounds' short, smooth coats require brushing several times a week to control hair loss. They also need to take a bath from time to time.
Skye Terrier
This funny-looking little dog with a long body, short legs and large protruding ears belongs to the hunting breed, its place of origin is considered to be the Isle of Skye, which is located near Scotland. Skye terriers are active and love long walks. They are loyal to their owner, but are suspicious of strangers, and will never take food from someone else's hands. Dogs of this breed are big fans of car travel. They enjoy watching the landscapes passing by from the car window, and in the absence of the owner they will conscientiously guard the car, not allowing anyone to get close to it.
Miniature Schnauzer
The fearless but friendly miniature schnauzer with his shaggy beard and expressive eyebrows is a true miracle of nature! Surprisingly, this breed with its strong little paws was originally bred as a farm dog . But since then, the miniature schnauzer has changed its role, becoming a charming, devoted pet.
Miniature Schnauzers are also renowned for their outgoing nature and eagerness to please their owners, making this breed particularly easy to train. These barbels have a coarse topcoat and a soft undercoat that sheds infrequently but requires brushing every five to eight weeks. With this care, the bearded muzzle and shiny coat will look impeccable.
Pekingese
These miniature (height at the withers is only 20 cm), charming dogs have been the favorites of kings and queens for centuries. The Pekingese combines visual attractiveness, high intelligence, self-esteem and confidence in its irresistibility. The Pekingese is capable of strong affection and devotion, and when protecting its owner, it shows amazing fearlessness. Such a dog can be an excellent companion for elderly single people, but dogs of this breed are often found in families with children.
Scottish Terrier
Sophisticated, charming and independent, the iconic Scottish Terrier looks like a formidable dog in a miniature package. Keen insight combined with strong hunting instincts make Scotch Terriers exceptional guard dogs.
Like other terrier breeds, Scottish Terriers are renowned for their energetic and lively personalities. They do need frequent playful exercise and especially enjoy short periods of dynamic play throughout the day.
The Scottish Terrier's double coat consists of a hard top coat and a soft undercoat. They should be groomed regularly, brushed two to three times a week to help control shedding.
English Mastiff
The English Mastiff is an old breed from Great Britain.
At the dawn of their appearance, mastiffs guarded property, accompanied hunters, and took part in a popular British pastime - bloody fights with bears. Now aggression in the breed has been completely eradicated, and the dogs have turned into good-natured companions and family pets.
English mastiff puppy
"English" are the largest among mastiffs. Minimum height – 75 cm, weight – 70 kg. The upper limits are not limited by the standard.
The fur of giants is equally short over the entire surface. Colors - fawn, blue, brindle, apricot, fawn of all shades. The muzzle is always decorated with a black mask.
Dachshund
The Dachshund is a brave, strong-willed and curious German breed with an iconic, unmistakable appearance. Although we know them exclusively as pets, their narrow body with a long back and short legs, combined with the instincts of a hound, make dachshunds excellent hunting dogs. Their name translates from German as “badger dog” (one of their main prey). Natural hunting instincts also make dachshunds outstanding guard dogs.
Although small, this breed barks furiously at strangers and quickly accumulates large amounts of energy, so they require a lot of activity throughout the day. In addition to standard-sized dachshunds, there are also miniature versions. Their fur can be short or long, rough or smooth.
What to take care of before purchasing a puppy
Bambino cat or sphinx with short legs
Before you buy a puppy, you need to carefully check its pedigree and all documents to determine the absence of genetic diseases. You need to keep an eye on the puppy for several days. The breeder must show the dog's passport and be able to answer all questions.
Short-legged dogs are very cute, but before purchasing them you should decide in what capacity they will be used. It is imperative to take into account all their characteristics. Some are more suitable for hunting, others will become wonderful friends. In any case, these are very beautiful, friendly dogs.
French Bulldog
Like other bulldogs, the French Bulldog has a square, wrinkled, flat muzzle. The most distinctive feature of this breed, besides its strong build and short legs, is its set of large, wide ears, hard and pointed upward.
Dog trainers describe French Bulldogs as playful and adaptable pets, meaning they can get along with almost anyone, including other pets.
Because French Bulldogs are low-energy dogs, they only require a short walk each day to stay healthy, making them excellent apartment dogs . Also note that their flat face can create some breathing difficulties if there is too much activity or hot weather. Weekly brushing combined with an occasional bath can help control shedding, although it is minimal in this breed.
Features of short-legged dogs
Each stocky breed is characterized by "compressed" but straight bones in the paws. The body proportions of low-slung pets are non-standard - they have a relatively large body and head . The fingers have thick pads that soften the load on the animal's musculoskeletal system. Puppies of short breeds take much longer than others to learn to control their bodies and are more likely to get injured.
Video: mini bulldog trying to get the ball
If you think that short dogs only walk on level ground and are not able to climb to heights, then I will refute such a misconception. Climbing mountain slopes and hilly terrain is a common thing for them. And at home, short pets can easily stand on their hind legs to explore the assortment of food on the kitchen table. And the bed is not an obstacle to soak up on it next to the owner.
Australian Terrier
A member of the terrier family, this Australian dog breed has a feisty and energetic personality despite its diminutive size. Australian Terriers love to dig, chase small animals, and spend most of their time with their people.
With a long and strong body, this breed is no stranger to hard work ; Owners may find it difficult to control Australian Terriers' tendency to chase and hunt small rodents. This is a plus if you need someone to keep field mice out of the house, but it can turn into a bit of a nuisance if you're trying to maintain a well-kept lawn.
These short-legged dogs have a long, weather-resistant double coat on the neck and legs with much softer fur on the head. Their coat rarely sheds and only needs brushing once a week to maintain a healthy appearance.
Based on materials from: www.rd.com
Animal nutrition
When it comes to food, your pet is absolutely unpretentious. Even a crust of bread will delight the dog. However, in order for the Corgi to feel good and have enough physical strength, the owner should take care of the correct diet. Like the terrier, an animal of this breed can eat dry food or natural products. If you choose the second option, be sure to ensure that the menu includes:
- boiled meat, chicken, veal, turkey are suitable;
- any cereals, except pearl barley;
- sea fish, which should be added to porridge;
- dairy products;
- chicken eggs;
- boiled offal;
- vegetables and fruits, with the exception of citrus fruits.
When developing a diet, it is necessary to maintain the correct ratio of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. If natural products are used for feeding, you also need to give your dog vitamins and mineral supplements. The number of meals per day depends on the age of the pet. Puppies are fed 4-6 times, an adult corgi - 2 times. It is necessary to ensure that there is always clean water in the bowl.
Sources:
- https://kotsobaka.com/sobaki/porody-s/korotkie-lapy.html
- https://sobaka.guru/porody/malenkie/s-korotkimi-lapami/
- https://hidogs.ru/porody/malenkie-porody-sobak-s-korotkimi-lapami.html
- https://dajlapu.com/porody-sobak-s-korotkimi-lapami-foto-i-nazvaniya/
- https://dogvdome.ru/porody/sobaka-s-korotkimi-lapami-i-bolshimi-ushami-chto-eto-za-poroda.html
- https://usatiki.ru/sobaka-s-bolshimi-ushami-i-korotkimi-lapami-poroda/
- https://petstime.ru/article/10-karlikovyh-porod-sobak-porody-s-korotkimi-lapami
- https://4lapki.com/2017/03/kak-uhazhivat-za-sobakami-porodyi-korgi
Dogue de Bordeaux
The French breed gained worldwide fame after the premiere of the feature film “Turner and Hooch” in 1989, the second name is the French Mastiff.
Dogues de Bordeaux are massive, squat dogs 57–68 cm tall.
The head and body are covered with thick folded skin. The short coat lies tightly to the body. The classic color is red in all shades.
Three month old Dogue de Bordeaux puppy
According to owners' reviews, Dogues de Bordeaux are reserved and docile, with a phlegmatic temperament. They love to sleep, rarely bark, don’t chew things even when changing teeth, and easily take root in a city apartment.
Wirehaired
Affenpinscher
Welsh Corgi Cardigan and life with him
Affenpinscher is a hard-coated pinscher that first appeared in Germany. These dogs are characterized by loyalty, sharp intelligence, endurance and courage. The main color shades are black, brown, red and blue with tan. Previously, the dog was used to catch rodents and small animals, but is now popular as a pet.
Brussels Griffon
The Brussels Griffon, like the Belgian Griffon, originated in Belgium and is a small ornamental breed. The pet has hard, wire-like fur; its main colors are red with a black mask. The peculiarity of the animal is the almost human expression of its muzzle. The character is based on liveliness, intelligence and sociability.
Welsh Corgi
Welsh Corgis are a breed of small dogs from England that were bred to herd livestock. The peculiarity of the pet is short legs, hard wool of white, brown, beige and dark colors with markings. This pet is characterized by kindness, sociability, activity, and playfulness. Corgis often bark for no reason, and you need to be prepared for this.
By the way, there is a legend according to which Welsh corgis were a gift from forest fairies to people. To prove this, the animal has a saddle-shaped spot on its back, because fairies used them as riding horses.
Jack Russell Terrier
The Jack Russell Terrier is a hunting breed that originated in England, but became popular in Australia. They used the pet for burrow hunting, now as a companion and protector. The dog's coat is hard, short, and its color is white with dark or red markings. Maximum pet weight – 6 kg
Thanks to intelligence, independence and courage, the dog can be used on the farm
Deerhound
The Deerhound is also a hunting dog for catching animals without weapons. This breed is considered one of the oldest in the world, originating in Scotland. The Deerhound is considered one of the largest breeds, weighing up to 45 kg. The dog has an excellent sense of smell, good reaction, excellent health and shape. The pet is also calm, loyal, sociable and friendly.
Wirehaired dachshund
The wire-haired dachshund was bred specifically for hunting, since in the process of crossing an ordinary dachshund and some terriers, the animal's coat turned out to be hard and dense. The main colors are brown, beige, and sometimes wild boar. The average weight of a pet does not exceed 5 kg. The dachshund will become not only an excellent hunter, but also a companion, companion, and nanny for children. And all this thanks to loyalty, ingenuity, insight, and independence.
Wire Fox Terrier
The Wire Fox Terrier belongs to the terrier group and originated in England. The size of the dog is medium, the coat is short and stiff, the main color is white with dark or red tan markings. The average weight of a pet is 8 kg. The Terrier has a peaceful disposition, calmness, friendliness and loyalty.
Miniature Schnauzer
The Miniature Schnauzer is a medium-sized dog, weighing up to 20 kg. It has a hard, black or pepper-and-salt coat. By nature, they are peaceful, kind, active animals, they love games and long walks. The pet can be used in service or to protect the home, since the schnauzer is distrustful and suspicious of strangers and makes decisions himself.
By the way, during the Second World War, miniature schnauzers were used by the Red Cross for sanitary assistance or transmitting messages.
Norwich Terrier
The Norwich Terrier is a small apartment dog, bred in England for hunting, and is now used as a companion. Despite its small body, the pet has strong legs and weighs up to 7 kg. The dog's coat is hard and the color is wheat, gray or red. By nature, they are sweet, good-natured, loyal animals. You need to walk, play and educate them a lot.
Scottish Terrier
The Scottish Terrier was bred in England to catch rodents and small animals. Externally, it is a muscular, compact dog, weighing up to 10 kg. The dog's coat is short and stiff, the main shades are black and sand. The dog can even be used for protection, as it is characterized by fearlessness, endurance, independence, and energy.
Papillon
Adorable lap dogs of French origin. The official name of the breed is Continental Toy Spaniel, and Papillons are an inbreed species with large open ears.
The Papillon's height does not exceed 28 cm.
All shades of color are allowed on a basic white background. The long silky coat grows up to 7 cm, and the fringes on the tail - up to 15 cm. The ears are open and directed to the sides at an angle of 45⁰. The top is decorated with flowing fringe and the inside is decorated with wavy wool. Papillons are in the top ten of S. Koren's ranking of the most trainable dogs.
Papillon puppy.
The cute dog was born in Tokyo after mating a Papillon with a Maltese. Thanks to his toy appearance and funny ears, like a cartoon mouse, he became a real Instagram star.
The dog Goma is a Papillon mix.
