Big Dog vs. Small Dog Animosity? (aDork)

Shari was a big dog.  When I walked her, people with other dogs, no matter the size, would go to great lengths to walk waaay around us.  One guy picked up his Chihuahua, saying, "let's make room for a real dog".  Shari's body language never, ever indicated she was interested in even greeting other dogs.  She had been attacked by another big dog at the age of 3 and never fought.  She ignored other dogs, went about smelling the smells.  If another dog ever tried to actually get to her, she would attempt to run away.  If I saw that another dog was trying to approach her, I put myself between her and the other dog, short-leashed her, and continued on our way.

Bear is also a big dog, but he is very social.  He simply would love to meet and greet every person and dog we see on our walks.  He'll even start whimpering, as if to say "pleeeease let me say hi."  I use a Gentle Leader Easy Walk harness, sit-stays, easy boys, treats, and praise to keep him in line.  Many people will still go far out of their way not to let their dog(s) -big or small- get close to us.  I read Bear's and the other dog's body language is to know what level of restraint I need to use with Bear. 

The other evening we were walking through the neighborhood and came upon a yard where the people have an underground fence, and their 3 Tzus and one Sheltie were out.  The dogs were distracted by the owner who had just pulled into the driveway, so did not see us until we were almost past the yard.  I'd thought about crossing the street at first, then thought "great training moment" - let's see how Bear handles it.  The Sheltie did run through the barrier, at which point Bear turned around to see where it was.  I had Bear short-leashed, was saying "Bear come" while giving him treats to draw his attention to me.   He did pretty well considering all the stimulation - barking, their owner yelling, their cat outside deciding to help.  His body language clearly said "let me sniff and play".

So anyway, I guess my question is this: do I have the right to utilize the public sidewalks to walk my dog, knowing I have control of him, and knowing I wouldn't purposely antagonize other dogs?  No, Bear is not perfect, but if he doesn't encounter many situations, how will we learn how to handle them?  It's fine to say "people with big dogs should just go the long way around", but until the public sidewalks have signs posted stating "small dogs only", I think I am well within my right to walk my big dog on them.

Harnessess are best for the trachea and also, they are unable to back out of them in case of an emergency. If they get scared or something, they can back out and run from a collar. A great fitting harness is the best way to safely walk them.  

sallya

 also, they are unable to back out of them in case of an emergency. If they get scared or something, they can back out and run from a collar. A great fitting harness is the best way to safely walk them.  

True, which is why my big dogs often wear harnesses, not because I can't control them or am dependent on a "tool" to control my dogs (as was implied by an earlier post).  Quite the contrary, I switch to my harness of choice after I feel my dogs are sufficiently trained and socialized.  The Ruffwear Webmaster is not at all a training harness.  Kenya wears it b/c often she is running while I am biking in which case she is allowed to pull forward a bit, or just for walking b/c I got sick of her always stepping over her leash and getting tangled.  With the leash clipped on the back, the loose part hangs over her side and is out of the way.  Same is true when a dog is on a long line swimming.  And no matter what happens, they can't back out of a Webmaster harness.

I prefer large/medium dogs. I like a "real dog". I have a beagle and a rottweiler and both I love to death, for completely different reasons, however both are able to hike, run, swim, with me whenever I want and they are easy to care for dogs.

Personally, I don't like small dogs. With the exception of Dachshunds, and Whippets...I find pretty much all other small dogs to just be plain ugly (that's just my personal preference, I know a ton of people think they are the cutest things). Most of my dislike for small dogs comes from the owners, not the dogs themselves. I can't stand when I see them being carried around in purses. I also hate how some (not all) small dog owners feel that they can bring their dog in any store they please, and that will be ok, because they are small. I'd like to see just how fast I would get kicked out of the same store with my Rottweiler (perfectly behaved or not). I also can't stand how most small dog owners think it's ok or cute for their dog to approach mine and be aggressive. I've put in  a ton of training work, so I can handle my dog in those situations, and he is not aggressive back (more like he trys to run away!), but the bottom line is, it would always be my dogs fault if something did happen.  - All that being said, I do appreciate the ease of transporting a small dog! Man, that must be nice! I also know there are some great small dogs out there, I just haven't met them yet!

I like my dogs because they are rugged, they require minimal health care, and they require minimal grooming. I love how my Beagle always cuddles, but at the word "walk" she's ready to go for HOURS. I love how my Rottweiler stays up at night listening for strange sounds, watching out for us. I love how hes huge and I can really hug him. We put a lot more effort into training the Rottweiler, than we did the Beagle, the Beagle was our first dog, we were learning (that being said, shes very well behaved, but there is definatly room for improvement). We knew the size and potential problems with not training the Rottie, so we started him in puppy classes at 10 weeks of age. He was a star! haha. We started him off walking on a harness and as he learned not to pull he graduated to the collar, the harness is still there when we are walking, he knows on the harness he can pull a bit, but with the leash, he must be in perfect heel.

 I love all dogs big and small, but I do lean more toward the larger breeds and have a very special affection for the working/guardian/hunting breeds.

  Although I do not dislike them, I will most likely never own a toy breed and if I did have a small dog it would be a terrier as they are large breed dogs in little bodies.

Liesje

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 am seriously considering trying this out the next time the neighbor's JRT attacks us on a walk. The only problem is I think I may have already passed the point in life where I can heft 100lbs and still keep walking........but it would be funny.

Small dogs are cheaper to care for and tend to make better lap dogs because of their size. Large dogs on the other hand tend to make better gaurdians and can take more wear and tear then a little dog. Small dogs can be very smart but the get a bad rap because some owners refuse to train them and let them do what ever they want. Its not the dogs fault their owners never taught them to not bark so much, or to come when called.

I am a large breed person.  Nothing concrete against the little guys just Not truly wowed by them.  There are a few breeds I admire , and a few I would even consider one day having again. The last small dog I had was a toy poodle marked like a Doberman. She trained with me at Ringling Bros Banum and Bailey. Amazing little squirt.  My giant dog friends have tiny dogs too, Irish Wolfhound folks have a mess of Border Terriers, The Mastiff kennel was ruled by a Chihuahua for a decade or more. Good friends in the RR world have a Chinese Crested that is terribly old and frail. 

By the same token Not a giant dog fan... breeds that won't live beyond the average of 7-9 years.  They have to compress the breeding era of the dog's life, often skip tests essential in our own breeding program.  they don't otlerate travel or temps as well and need more work than a busy house like mine could manage...The investment both emotional and finacial are tremendous.  And ironically the Giant breeds , ( more the owners than dogs I am sure) are finicky eaters , picky poopers and all around easily shook up.  I would sooo take a tiny over a giant. A tiny hound possibly ( no beagles too energetic) , Papillions, had one... adored it !  When feeling demented pugs appeal , more an art major thing , the Cresteds are fun, Cavs, Dachshund,  Poms,  Yorkie...   has to have a breeder like me.. lol one who puts temperament over ribbons then health then the ring...

If I have a real prejudice it is long haired breeds and the fault belongs squarly on the owner/handlers shoulders!! They groom at show site pulling hair , brushing small mountains of it , it is blown acrossed parking areas or grooming areas.  You are in the ring with your prey driven hound and a little fuzz ball tumbles across the ring ... whoosh focus for the puppy or younger dog vanishes because some one can't be tidy! There be Dust Bunnies !!

Bonita of Bwana

That "Real dog" comment is always so interesting.

There is a dog for every personality and that it good.

.stacer.

I like a "real dog".

Well, bless your heart, I hope someone gets you one from FAO Schwartz real soon -- imagine only having an imaginary dog for a companion!! 

Er ... you mean that's NOT what you meant???

Stacer -- please laugh, but you gotta know how silly that sounds!

I've had dogs of every size.  I'm a small dog person at heart -- but don't get your knickers in a knot, it's not for any of the above reasons!!

I'm handicapped -- I can't plow down on the floor with my dogs.  Not if I want to get 'up' again in this century.  I like a cuddle and about the only way I get one is to pick one up (after they jump up on the futon) or have them jump up on me and lay their head on me. 

When I had Pris, she used to go in my purse all the time -- but I've never had a purse to match an outfit -- not ever.  *ewwwww*  But dang, it was fun sneaking her into movies.  I was safe in a rattty $1 movie ... the only problem was when she wanted to share someone else's popcorn ... *rolling my eyes*  (yes, I did TO do that ... c'mon folks -- I wasn't BORN old!).  We never even got tossed out!! 

Pris used to ride on my shoulder all the time -- it was her perch -- she could see everything up there.  My hands were free, she was able to see and get tons of attention and when it was time to play with somebuddy four foots she'd get down! 

I never had a fussy foofy dog in my life.  They coulda been ... but I'm not, so they weren't.  But I had a boxer pit mix that I dressed in a t-shirt every day of her life.  She had a damaged heart and crappy lungs (thank you heart worm!) and it kept her chest warm so she coughed less.

Not a fashion statement.

But she was well trained ... and all my dogs are.  They don't dominate my life nor anyone else's.  If I can put my dog in a 'sit' before you get to me, if your dog is ratty I'm gonna step between and take the hit.  And if your dog bites me, I'm likely to bite them back.  No matter the size.  (and I don't taste good either, I have that on good authority)

I think this thread is good -- but ONLY if we all walk away from it thinking a bit more.  Because it's not the dog's fault.  I hate to break this to you folks but a terrier is a terrier.  Whether it's a westie or a staffy - they've got attitude to burn.  It's why terrier people ARE terrier people.

But dog people tend not to get along.  Some have big dog small dog issues.  But shoot -- who here has done rescue?  Just exactly how well do most dog people get along?  Not well. 

Why?  Because we all tend to be a bit passionate.  and opinionated.  and ... set in our ways. 

Well, at least those of us who really care about our dogs -- and the rest of those who have dogs and don't take care of them -- well we all can agree their just too dumb to care. 

But honestly?  it's those folks who don't think ... who see their dog as either an extension of their sexuality, or an ornament, or something they use to impress others, or who use their dog as a shield to protect them from the world -- they're more the ones who cause problems. 

THAT is the person whose dog is probably going to be uncontrolled and aggressive or nasty or barky or whatever.  And that's an untrained dog (or a badly trained dog) and probably a dumb person with little brain.

There isn't much we can do about them other than to understand them enough to anticipate their idiocy and divert it. 

but maybe a good result of this thread would be if those who have small but unreliable dogs and pick them up TO **SAY** "Hi, I picked her up because she's unreliable, not cos I'm afraid of Fido here.  Have a great walk!"

OR ... put your bigger dog in a sit and **SAY** "Hi, we're doing a bit of training here, so he's in a sit ... is your little dog up to a short greeting?"

Whatever ... we can often defuse a situation if we put ourselves in the other guy's shoes for a minute and see how they fit. 

Now, excuse me while I look online for a rolling suitcase big enough to carry Billy and Luna -- I'd need a hydraulic lift to get THEM to my shoulder ... *sigh*  But don't think for a second I'm getting rid of anybuddy.  *grin*

I have a fuzzy foo foo dog and two  "real dogs" usually there's plenty of room between the foo foo and strange dogs, BUT if I have to pass by close to other dogs, I do pick her up sometimes. Reason: she does not like dogs, lol, and just refuses to get too close to them. She's never gained the confidence to believe that all those big dogs are not going to harm the 10 lb fluffball that she is. I love her portability. I have taken her into stores and she was welcome there I would not try to do that with my other two dogs. Her job at home is to wake up the real dogs when needed, lol. yeah she yaps sometimes, but that is a matter of training to be able to get her to stop.She costs more in upkeep than the other two. (learned the hard way not to ever buy a puppy mill dog! But she's worth every penny. As for the big'ns, I love them to bits as well. Rough and tumble, athletic, true lapdogs, lol. Plus I feel safer with a big dog protecting me, truthfully.

I love and admire things about all dogs, but for my own personal pets, I like the 40-70ish pound range. Pick-up-able if really necessary, big enough to roughhouse, a comfy size for cuddling...doesn't take up the whole bed, but isn't small enough to get inadvertantly shoved off, either. A little tug from your end of the leash doesn't knock them down, one from theirs doesn't knock YOU down..you know... Plus it just so happens (or does it?) that pretty much all of my favorite breeds fall in that weight range (exceptions, for two, are papillions and JRTs, thanks to a few key dogs here *cough*Rascal, Emma, and Beau*cough*).

I don't tend to like the average small dog owner a whole lot though (and I-doggers are NOT the average ANYTHING owners, so no offense to anyone here). Most of the small dogs I come across are very poorly trained, yap yap yap while their owners laugh, plus they seem to have way goopier eyes and such, which just isn't terribly asthetically pleasing..

I really do understand why you'd pick up your dog when faced with a scary situation, but could someone explain this one to me?

I was walking Jaz (pitty) tonight through my park, which has a road that runs through it, and then a small grassy strip, a parking lot, and then a sidewalk. I walk the dogs so they're in the grassy strip and I'm right off the curb in the road. Jaz was about 3 or 4 feet from me in the grass, and this dog, chi mix, probably around 12-15 pounds, was walking with a couple on the sidewalk, across the parking lot from us. Woman takes one look at Jaz, and PICKED UP HER DOG. Since these people were AT LEAST 50 feet from us, Jaz was on leash, being perfectly good and fine (boy doesn't have an aggressive bone in his body anyway), I thought it was just a coincidence. But no. They got 20 feet down, turned around to look at us, and put the dog back down! I really really don't get this. If Jaz had been off leash, sure. If they were 4 feet from us, okay. If Jaz was straining or barking, great! If their dog was off leash, FINE, but not one of these things was true! GRRRR. I really think it was just the pit bull factor, which really annoys me.

chelsea_b

I really do understand why you'd pick up your dog when faced with a scary situation, but could someone explain this one to me?

 One day I walked into the building where I work and a "teacup" Yorkie attacked us right in the doorway. It came screaming across the floor looking for all the world like a hairy tennis ball (and about the same size, too) and I PICKED SOFIE UP until the  owner came and got her brainless little thing. Fifty lbs. of very perplexed Sofia, I'm telling you! But I didn't want her to mistake it for a mouse!

I know this little dog and truly, it's almost like live stuffed toy and almost as smart. Seriously. I love all dogs, but I would never get a dog so horribly disadvantaged because of ignorant breeding practices. I actually feel sorry for it. The owners take great care of her and love her, of course, and now are sure to leash her when in the store.
 

I can understand small dog owners picking their dogs up around big dogs. Lots of little dogs get squooshed and hurt.

I had a rescued cocker that was a tiny thing and I loved her so much and I still miss her. As a child I had a tiny little chihuahua mix that was the only dog my parents would allow and I adored her.

I wouldn't get a toy sized dog because I'd be afraid it would get hurt. But something JRT size and up would be fine. In fact I've thought that a JRT pup might be a great pal for Ole and Sofie. But NOT NOW! LOL  (The other candidate is a BC.) 

I love all sizes and types of dogs.  I could enjoy ANY dog, mutt or purebred.  For me it is hard to understand that some doglovers do not care for certain sizes or breeds.  Naughtiness due to not being trained, I understand, but that is not the dog's fault.  Hooray for the differences in dogs so that more can share their lives with their people!

The only times I have had to pick my cairn up due to other dogs was (1) when a snarling rottweiler came charging out of an open garage  at us (my husband got between the rottweiler and I and kept it away until the owner came out and grabbed it and then it broke frree from its owner and charged us again), and (2) when a stray dalmatian/pit mix  silently, but agressively came charging at us. (Thank goodness he stopped when I kept telling him NO!  Hubby wasn't with me on that walk.) 

I use a harness since my cairn has a disc problem in his neck.  He is well behaved around all ages of people and dogs.  He minds his doggie manners, I have had no problem with him around other dogs except for the two incidents I mentioned previously.