Big Dog vs. Small Dog Animosity? (aDork)

i like 'em all. big, small, all shapes and sizes. it doesnt matter to me!

i really appreciate bigger dogs cause i see them SOOO rarely (they are outlawed in the city..), but not that i actually prefer them.

and i am one of those that picks up their dog around other dogs. when you have a small dog that is DA, sometimes you dont have a whole lotta options, especially with other off-leash dogs around.... in fact it has started to make a real differnce in jason's anxiety level around other dogs..

Actually, I am biased toward German Shepherd dogs (and Malinois to a lesser extent), not large dogs in general   There are some small dogs I have met with the personality and all the qualities I like in a German Shepherd dog.  For example an acquaintance has a Schipperke that embodies everything I look for in a GSD, as far as temperament, focus in the ring, drive, and training.

I like all sizes although I wouldn't want a super tiny one - I'd be afraid I'd sit on him or step on him. When an oncoming dog gets picked up or pulled out of the way or off the path, it doesn't necessarily mean that the owner is afraid your dog is going to start something.  It's quite possible that they know their dog may start something and they just want to avoid any unpleasantness. I wouldn't take it personally.

Joyce

Its not the dog, its the owners. Obviously I favor some more then others but that is based on personality, physical traits and purpose. I hope nobody takes offense to my favoritisicm because my bred is highly unfavored by many if only due to lack of education. I guess I've grown to have thick skin but in turn it has taught me to not judge right of the bat.

For example I do not favor chi's, poms, pekinese, shitzu, or mini poodles. Thats not to say that I havnt seen some that appealed to me but they have no purpose for me and tend to be yappy or shakey. So I dislike them for their general diposition versus a outrigth stereotype.

The small dogs I like are Bostons, Frenchies, Italian Greyhounds, Beagles, Schnauzers and most Terriers.....especially Highland's. I like spunky lil dogs, LOL.

But on the other hand there are plenty of big dogs I dont care for so it goes both ways

Owners pick up little ones just to make sure all is fine. They may be like me, had been attacked by big dogs. Just being careful. We all know not all big dogs will attack. It is just a protection thing. Size difference is scary forlots  small dog owners. 

   In the nine years we've taken Jessie for walks, she's been attacked by small dogs more than big dogs. I'm not biased against small dogs, I just don't think their owners bother to teach them to behave because they're small and supposedly harmless. I have a friend whose GSD was bitten in the rear leg by a small dog, tearing the muscle, and now the dog has a permanent limp. The GSD did nothing to antagonize the other dog. I know big dogs like Jessie can do much more harm if they attack small dogs, but in my experience big dog owners are more likely to keep their dogs on leashes and expect them to obey than small dog owners, except for members of this forum, of course. Jessie meets many small dogs that are friendly, but I worry less about meeting big dogs.

sallya

Owners pick up little ones just to make sure all is fine. They may be like me, had been attacked by big dogs. Just being careful. We all know not all big dogs will attack. It is just a protection thing. Size difference is scary forlots  small dog owners. 

Oh that is a shame, I'm sorry this has happened to you. However keep in mind that if you do this when the other big dog is on a leash it is one of the most offensive things you can do. Its like telling the big dog owner "keep that beast away from my precious dog" and makes the big dog owner feel like you think they cant control their dog. Granted a I see a huge number of big dog owners who cannot control their dogs and thats a shame also so I dont blame you.....just trying to point out where some of the problems may start. For example I had Primo in Petsmart and he was in a very nice sit/stay. A lady walked by with a small snarling little dog and she immediately picked up her dog even though Primo didnt even give her dog a second look. It hurt my feelings because I work very hard to make sure my dogs are socialized and her dog obviously had the issues. I wanted to pick Primo up and run form her and her dog, LOL but he's to heavy for me!

jessies_mom

   In the nine years we've taken Jessie for walks, she's been attacked by small dogs more than big dogs. I'm not biased against small dogs, I just don't think their owners bother to teach them to behave because they're small and supposedly harmless. I have a friend whose GSD was bitten in the rear leg by a small dog, tearing the muscle, and now the dog has a permanent limp. The GSD did nothing to antagonize the other dog. I know big dogs like Jessie can do much more harm if they attack small dogs, but in my experience big dog owners are more likely to keep their dogs on leashes and expect them to obey than small dog owners, except for members of this forum, of course. Jessie meets many small dogs that are friendly, but I worry less about meeting big dogs.

Amazing post...I feel 100% the same way.

If I allowed my pit bulls to act in the same manner I see a lot of little dogs act my dogs would be taken away in a heartbeat. That dosnt mean I deny the potential that my dogs can do more harm but thats why I go out of my way to have well behaved dogs.

jessies_mom

   In the nine years we've taken Jessie for walks, she's been attacked by small dogs more than big dogs.

lol, yep, my dogs have been charged at and bit by a PUPPY mini-dachshund (that dog had some balls!  After it bit the ankles of both my dogs, it ran across the street and started biting a jogger!) and two Shih Tzus that are on an e-fence but charge at any dog or person that goes near their house. 

I guess the only difference is, I don't have the option of picking up my dogs when I feel they are in danger. I personally have been bitten and nipped by dogs large and small.  I really can't say that one is more likely to bite (or bite the other) than the other.  Dogs are dogs.... 

These posts usually turn out like this. If you see your small dog being horribly attacked while you try and hold on to your little one, you tend to remember this forever.

 If large dogs don't want to be near a little one, I guess you all can walk a long way around. We can all stay separate no matter the size. We just all have to do our best to care for our sweet pets. No matter the size.

AuroraLove

 For example I had Primo in Petsmart and he was in a very nice sit/stay. A lady walked by with a small snarling little dog and she immediately picked up her dog even though Primo didnt even give her dog a second look. It hurt my feelings because I work very hard to make sure my dogs are socialized and her dog obviously had the issues. I wanted to pick Primo up and run form her and her dog, LOL but he's to heavy for me!

The other day when walking on a narrow little sidewalk with him I came across a lady walking her two Dobermans.  My immediate thought was score, another training opportunity.  Still, at the same time in such close quarters I ushered Kirby to one side and as we neared started to take a wide birth around the women and her dogs.  This had nothing to do with my fear of her lack of control, since both animals were in a tight heel.  Upon seeing me, she even put both into a sit stay while I passed.  At the end I was happy with how well Kirby did.  Not a sound, though there was a tad of pulling/excitement on his part.

I really didn't think much of the whole event till halfway through my walk I suddenly thought back on this board and how sensitive some large dog members on here get to the reactions of owners of small dogs.  I couldn't help but suddenly wonder if the reason the lady put her dogs into a sit was she saw me suddenly trampling of the sidewalk and in the grass, with my dog on the opposite side of me and thought, Oh brother another little dog owner that thinks my perfectly well behaved dogs are going to eat her little precious rat sized dog. Truth is however I make a nice berth around all dogs at this point.  Kirby is getting much better, but I don't trust him yet to walk perfectly past other dogs, and want to make sure if he decides to react he isn't imposing on other people and their dogs and making other's nervous with his display.

I don't have a preference for size.  I have small dogs because they fit my lifestyle better, but there are many large breeds that I like such as dobes, gsd, greyhounds etc...

 I think those who feel offended by people who pick up their small dog while passing by have to remember that while your large dog might get bitten by a small dog, maybe blood drawn at worst, a small dog who is of the type who might start something with another dog can be killed by a larger dog.  It happens.  To me it is not worth the risk just to avoid offending someone.  The life of my dog is more important than anyone elses feelings.

 Also, I don't agree that large dogs are trained more than small dogs.  If that is the case, then why are all these large dogs that I see wearing prongs, chokes and gentle leaders, and their owner STILL can't control them?  Sure, maybe it might help prevent the dog from pulling and lunging but that is NOT training. Often those devices are not an option for very small dogs so we cannot take advantage of these "tools".   Most small dogs are walked in harnesses.  I would love to see how obedient some of these large dogs would be without their "gear".

sallya

These posts usually turn out like this.

What is most unfortunate is that we all can't see the other side.

sallya

If large dogs don't want to be near a little one, I guess you all can walk a long way around.

That is not always the case.  I am so very happy that the owner of 5 small untrained noisy and nippy dogs has left our neighborhood.  Everyday from his puppyhood they came charging at Bugsy, teeth showing nipping his legs and barking and screeching.  They didn't stay in their yard and often would keep at it for about a quarter of a mile.  After two years of this I was starting to see a change in his behavior as it clearly upset him.  We couldn't go around them.

I think most large dog owners realize that if it were 5 large dogs leaving their yard and attacking another dog animal control would have been called in.  Instead the owner would just laugh and tell Bugsy he was a good boy.

That is the double standard that large dog owners hate 

sallya

No matter the size.

Actually, any dog has the ability to learn proper bite inhibition, it shouldn't matter the dog's size.  When I worked in the shelter, I saw no patterns of large dog vs. small dog, just individual dogs that were more aggressive, more mouthy, and more head-strong than others.  I can't say based on size that one group was more often less trained or more dangerous/aggressive than the other.

As an owner of a breed with a bad rap, I personally enjoy the pressure of making sure my dog is well trained and socialized.  I like having that pressure on us to not only succeed, but go beyond and do the titles and certifications that show me Kenya is a good ambassador of her breed.  I was bit in the face by a GSD when I was 3 years old and attacked by two other large dogs in the past year so I'm no stranger to a large dog biting/attacking.  I evaluated those situations based on the individual dog and the role that the owner played rather than making assumptions about large dogs being inherently more dangerous, more aggressive, quicker to bite, etc.  I remember when I was younger someone told me about a dog bite study and I was told the breed that was the quickest to bite was....the cocker spaniel....not the big bad GSD, not the little tiny lap dog, the cocker spaniel.  *shrug*