Dog Community

Big dogs vs small dogs?

Posted : 9/3/2006 3:11:32 PM

For just about all of my life I have always had fairly small dogs. I had a lahasa apso, English Cocker and a cockapoo. I believe the largest dog I have ever had was a Springer Spanial and we could not keep him because he got too big for the house and just was not happy here. My question is this. I dont really mind big dogs but, I like having a little cuddle bunny some times. I also have more experiance with smaller dogs. ( I like a dog that is bigger than about 8 or 9 lbs but no larger than about 40ish) Do you tend to like the big ones or the small ones? Why?

glenmar

Posted : 9/3/2006 3:16:23 PM

Cockers are about as small as I'm comfy with...the really little ones make me VERY nervous....always afraid I'll step on them, trip over them or somehow break them. And, shepherds are BIG enough. Anything any BIGGER and I'd have to move into the RV and leave the house to them....

whatsh0uldmyl0ginbe?

Posted : 9/3/2006 3:18:01 PM

I have a small dog, but to be honest, I like bigger dogs better. I got Maisie when my dalmation/lab mix passed away. It just seems that bigger dogs tend to be better behaved. Don't get me wrong, I love my crazy Maisie!

meilani

Posted : 9/3/2006 3:21:49 PM

I own both. Shiloh is about 100lbs and Shelby and Souffle are 15lbs and 10lbs. I like all sorts of dogs but I can honestly say that when Shiloh goes to the Rainbow Bridge, I will probably not get another big dog. I plan on sticking with Boston Terriers as in the very near future I plan on showing and perhaps breeding them. [

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ColleenC

Posted : 9/3/2006 3:28:54 PM

I don't really have a preference. I love all of them. However, I'm always afraid I'm going to break the tiny ones. Step on them or something. I have two Parson Russells and they are perfect. Small (12 and 13 lbs) but they are sturdy dogs. I don't have to worry about stepping on them and breaking them. I would love to have a big dog, but since I live in a one bedroom apartment, that is kind of difficult. I had a friend's Borzoi here one day and it was too crowded.

Aimee

Posted : 9/3/2006 3:30:26 PM

I guess it is what you grow up too. I live in a rather small house so I never had the option of having a big dog. I did know a lab and two shepards and one HUGE dog who lives in the neighborhood. I like to joke that Bailey and this huge white dog are boyfriend and girlfriend because on the first day they met they went nose to nose!

Anya

Posted : 9/3/2006 3:32:38 PM

I am actually afraid of small dogs. Maggie used to hate me and was very mean.. because I practically tortured her with love as a kid, she would automatically bite if I said the word "kiss" to her. But then she had surgery with only me to take care of her.. not to mention WHO controls her food intake.. [

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I love everything about having "gentle giant"s.. such a terrific experience. [

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dubilpie

Posted : 9/3/2006 3:53:39 PM

I grew up having big dogs, after I got married, we got a Bernese Mountain dog. I never really liked little dogs, I was ignorant about them and thought they were all yappy ankle biters, even though the only dogs I have ever been bitten by were not small. I really don't know why I had that misperception. I now have Shih Tzu's and will never go back to big dogs. I still like them, but don't want to own any again. My 2 hardly ever bark, are easy to take anywhere and are the most well behaved dogs I have ever owned. Much easier to travel with too. Like big dogs, they like to play fetch and go for walks and occasionally a swim.
Honestly haven't met many dogs I don't like though, just wouldn't want to own them.

I'm not afraid of tripping over them, they do get out of the way, but I am afraid that they are under the reclining chair and have to check for them before I put the leg rest down.[

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KCSO

Posted : 9/3/2006 3:53:44 PM

I definitely dont like small dogs. Unfortunately I've only ever known spoiled, obnoxious, yappy, bite-y, aggressive, or downright strange little dogs. I grew up with a ridgeback and he sort of set the standard for what I thought dogs should be like. He was (mostly) quiet, gentle, friendly, and saintly patient. I dont want a dog I need to pick up to go anywhere. I dont want a dog (like my inlaws cocker) that pees every time someone breathes. I dont want a dog (like my parents tiny mutt) that barks at me every minute I'm in their house.

For practical reasons I wouldnt actually get a L/XL dog. If I had a giant house and an SUV I'd think about it!

orangedog

Posted : 9/3/2006 3:56:58 PM

I live with a 7lb miniature Dachshund, and probably won't ever have another dog as small as her again. If I do get another Dachshund ever, it will be a standard. I prefer medium-large dogs. Somewhere between 20-60lbs is my preference but I'm happy with anything up to 100lbs. There are many, many reasons why I do't really like small dogs (well, I like them but I don't like to live with them...if that makes any sense...lol).

jones

Posted : 9/3/2006 4:40:45 PM

Size isn't a factor for me. I like some breeds more than others but it doesn't break down into big dog little dog. I think a lot of small breeds get a bad rap that is really not their fault but the fault of their owners, and the same goes for a lot of big dogs too.

glenmar

Posted : 9/3/2006 4:44:30 PM

Erin, I completely agree with you. I think often little dogs are yip, yappy, bitey, etc, because they ARE little and their people don't think that you need to train them and socialize them. I'm sure that there are wonderful little dogs who ARE properly trained and absolute joys.

sallya

Posted : 9/3/2006 5:01:38 PM

Funny how people are so different! I don't like big dogs, at least for me. Small dogs are wonderful for taking on trips, vacations, and just being with you. Just the most wonderful companions. The Shih Tzu was bred just for that. Just to be with you. The largest dog I had was a Cocker.

I have a LOT of experience with little dogs. My family has only had small dogs, all of my friends etc. They are not yappy unless they are not trained. No different than big dogs. I can say all big dogs bark loudly, jump on you and attack small dogs. That has been my experience, but that is not true for all of them. So, it is good if we do not say toy dogs are yippy.

Spend time with the breed you are considering. Get to know the breed.

glenmar

Posted : 9/3/2006 5:13:20 PM

As I defended little dogs, now in defense of BIG dogs....

My big dogs will bark loudly....until they are told QUIET or ENOUGH. However, they will not jump on you, nor will they attack your small dogs.

It's all in the training regardless of the size of the dog.

Benedict

Posted : 9/3/2006 5:19:30 PM

On the whole, I'd have to say big dogs. There are small breeds I love, but like some others have said I'd be nervous of stepping on or tripping over one. Ben's a Lab, my next dog will be a Saint Bernard. Doesn't get much bigger than that lol.

Kate