Dog Community

Big Dogs & Small Dogs

sierra2002

Posted : 1/1/2007 12:39:07 AM

I've always been a fan of larger dogs... anything smaller than, say, 25 pounds wasn't really my cup of tea.

It's always been my impression (partly from experience) that small dogs are not as smart, very yappy, and not a "real" dog. It didn't really help that the only dog that has ever bitten me was a small toy poodle.

Well for the past 3 days, I've been "dogsitting" two Shih Tzu's. And wow, what a difference these two have made on me (I have one sitting on my lap as I type!). They're not too yappy (just a little..) they're not that dumb (though I will admit, not nearly as smart as Sierra), but I'm finally discovering the joys of having little dogs..

They actually *fit* in my lap
I can pick them up to get them out of trouble on walks
When they pull on the leash, you bearly feel it
I can keep up with them when I take them for a run
They fit almost anywhere
Their poops are puny
And the funnest of all.. they look like fuzzy teddy bears (ok, this isn't restricted to small dogs, but it is SO cute!)

You know, I might not give them back to their owners... lol.

Although I still do prefer bigger dogs.. I love that I can be rough when I play with them, and that their barks aren't high-pitched (most of them, anyways) and they're just.. big. lol [

]

Anyone else notice significant differences in small & big dogs? This really has nothing to do with personality... just the hard fact that they are different sizes.

sallya

Posted : 1/1/2007 12:48:22 AM

I am the opposite of you, I love small dogs. Shih Tzu's for SURE! They are most certainly at least as smart as big dogs. They are wonderful in many ways. Traveling and staying in really nice places is nice too. Many nice B&B's have a weight limit of 20 lbs. Great breed, lots of fun.

Liz

Posted : 1/1/2007 1:04:49 AM

I like big dogs WAY more. I really do not care for small dogs.

I never have liked them. I've never owner any, neither has any of my family.

I did one meet the cutest flippin Maltese I had ever seen! He had one blue eye [

] The cutest thing ever.
(Or was it a Shih Tzu???) Oh! It was a clipped Shih with one blue eye! Gawd, so flippin cute!

Actually, I did own a Chihuahua/Corgi mix (he now lives with my grandma) and we really didn't..what's the word....click? work out?

Anyway, I have met small dogs that I liked. But they aren't my cup of tea [

]

lisa baker

Posted : 1/1/2007 1:18:20 AM

i have always been a large breed lover. danes being my favorite of the large breeds... last year my daughter bought zoey and we have been sharing our home with a little 4lb long hair chihuahua for just over a year.
i love this little dog, a great personality, not yappy, not snippy, just a fun, playful, puny pup

gayle

Posted : 1/1/2007 1:48:12 AM

i think little dogs are evil. they use their cuteness to manipulate you.

Anyone else notice significant differences in small & big dogs? This really has nothing to do with personality... just the hard fact that they are different sizes.

if i take what you said literally, i would have to say yes, i have noticed HUGE pyhysical differences between large and small dogs. but i think im confused as to what you are really asking [&:]

grab01

Posted : 1/1/2007 1:48:21 AM

I have one of each[

] Each has their "benefits" if you want to call it that. But, I can't very well say that small breeds aren't as smart. My yorkie is eerily intelligent..he can problem solve at an alarming rate. I think a big issue is that many people see examples of small breeds that aren't treated as dogs..carried absolutely everywhere (not just in certain instances, where safety may be a concern, for instance), no training, etc. And these are the yappy, snippy, etc dogs that make people think every small dog is like that. So not true[

]

DPU

Posted : 1/1/2007 2:11:25 AM

I have large breed dogs and I foster medium size dogs. Every now and then I get a little guy and its a nice change. I tend to be more lenient and treat them babyish.

Liz

Posted : 1/1/2007 3:09:47 AM

DPU--Is that your dog???

Haleigh

Posted : 1/1/2007 7:33:18 AM

Knox is a CDX with two legs...Eros is the dog that piddles when you pick him up, his best trick is only sometimes coming when you call, and he gets purple footy pajamas with lambs. Eros is the kind of dog where he could be chewing out your eye balls and you just laugh. Knox is an immediate crating (ok, maybe not that extreme, but you get the point) Eros must have the worst manners ever!

Ratsicles

Posted : 1/1/2007 8:27:20 AM

I've always preferred big dogs- the bigger the better. I LOVE giant breeds and if there were cow-sized dogs, I would probably have one. [

]

I've had a bit of variety in the size department- I have a chihuahua now, lived with a miniature poodle growing up...I've also had a few medium sized mutts. But overall, I've had mainly large breeds- 3 of my 4 dogs are over 50 pounds or will be at adulthood.

My experience with little dogs...eh. I haven't met any that I've been overly fond of. *Even* if they aren't yappy and untrained, most of the ones I've met have been nervous. I HATE dogs with alot of nervous energy. Big dogs I love because I can wrestle with them without worrying about breaking them, go on long runs with them...and hopefully, people with ill intent would think twice before breaking into my house once they see my Akita and Bulldog in the window. Even if big dogs are sweet doofuses who would probably show an intruder where the silver is, (which luckily, mine are not) the appearance is usually enough to deter someone. I've had a few things stolen, and I know people who have been downright burglarized in my area- so having dogs who are a part of the family, but still guard my house, is important to me.

My chihuahua, though I'm sure he'd try, probably wouldn't be terribly effective against a burglar. That's *one* of the main reasons I'll always prefer larger dogs.

georgie4682

Posted : 1/1/2007 10:38:15 AM

I've always liked big dogs too, never caring much for the little dogs. I couldn't tell all the little dog breeds apart, until I started working at the hotel at Petsmart. My first favorite small dog was a jack russell named Oreo. He is such a sweetheart and loves to be held. I'm starting to be able to tell a maltese from a bichon and a few others are getting easier. I do still prefer the big doggies, but those little ones are just so darn cute.[

]

spiritdogs

Posted : 1/1/2007 10:44:55 AM

Fergie is really upset that anyone would think she's dumb because she only weighs six pounds. [:@] I must say, she's the smartest little dog I've ever owned. And, I wouldn't have known that unless I picked up a clicker one day when BF had the other dogs outside playing. She had that game down pat in a heartbeat, and now knows most of the behaviors the others do.

I have always loved the medium dogs and the medium large dogs - and Aussies are a perfect fit for me. But, my hound, all 75 pounds of him, is a great "bed pillow". [

]

Luvntzus

Posted : 1/1/2007 10:48:37 AM

Believe it or not, I used to be a big dog person and the bigger the dog, the more I liked them- Newfoundlands, Saint Bernards, German Shepherds, Akitas, etc. I thought little dogs weren't "real" dogs. Then I met Shih Tzu!!! I will never again be without one of these amazing dogs.

I like them for all the reasons that you posted Sierra- those adorable little Ewok faces, the fact that when they occasionally pull on the leash you can barely even feel it. (My Shar Pei who is now at the rainbow bridge could practically pull my arm out of the socket when he saw a squirrel). And then if you don't feel like training, you can just pick them up. They don't eat much, they're super easy to pick up after, Etc. Basically all the things you outlined. [

]

Although I have to say that Gingerbread is much more than "not that dumb". [

] In fact he's a very smart little cookie and every bit as smart as any big dog, if not smarter than a lot of them.

DPU

Posted : 1/1/2007 11:00:34 AM

ORIGINAL: Dulce Pit Bull

DPU--Is that your dog???

There are a lot of dogs in the picture. The harlequin Great Dane is Drizzle and my avatar is a Great Dane name Blizzard. The little guy, oops gal is Amy that I was fostering for a couple of months. She found her forever home and doing great.

smilee1079

Posted : 1/1/2007 11:20:48 AM

I wanted a small dog and BF is a big dog guy. Well, he could not love Zoe any more than he does. He melts for her, does anything she wants

. He still loves big dogs but enjoys having her around. We'll probably get a big dog to go with her eventually, but he no longer hates little dogs!