"smaller" dogs

to me a 50 pound dog is a very small dog. I like a dog that you can pet or treat without having to bend over and you don't have to worry about accidently injuring by stepping on or falling on.

they both have their benefits. My hounds are nice because yes the medical costs are cheaper as those typically go by weight. That's likely the single greatest benefit along with ease of transport.

50lbs is a medium size to me and even a small dog now that Miss Cleo is with us.

I am a big dog person at my core tho...over 80lbs is really ideal for me. But I do love the hounds and they are easier to show and whelp which is a big plus.

My husband and I were just talking about the same thing. Rosco and Lexi are both 50 pounders and we always thought that was a perfect size, until Luna. She's about 42 lbs, 19.5 inches at the withers and I love her size. Rosco is actually only 18 inches at the shoulder, but he's my little tank. My parents' Bouvier is a pony by comparison, and his dog bed takes up half the living room. LOL.

Heartworm and flea meds cost less??? Not by much that I've found.

My kids believe we prefers smaller dogs so they'll all fit in bed with us.

 To me I suppose officially a 50lb dog is medium and I sort of thought that 70+ was large but that has all been redefined LOL

I am so used to Bugsy's size now that my friend's 90lb lab looked small  - in that case because he was so much shorter than B. And very large dogs look 'normal'

It is amazing how much cheaper the meds are and also in general there are less feeding costs for smaller dogs and no doubt they are more portable - I had to change cars to accommodate the beast.  Another thing is the crate - wow was I glad to get that out of the kitchen

When I was just visiting I was around 4 dogs - the above lab, my cousin has two mixes probably 50-60lbs and my sis's elderly lab and they do take up much less space but I am very used to not having to bend down to B or look for him as I walk around.

I really can't see myself with a dog shorter than 25-26", the height seems more of a factor for me than the weight

I'll be the old lady chiming in -- I'm a small dog person at heart but I HATE a yappy dog.  My small dogs aren't ever allowed to *be* your stereotypical nasty whatever-big-dog-folks-think-small-dogs-are.

In the last 20 years most of my dogs have been kinda medium  (30 - 50) but I'm thrilled Tinkerbell is going to be a "small" dog (and Kee, being a small dog just means it's a smaller step to step OVER her, Mudpuppy!! LOL)

For me it's truly MORE about practicality.  Most everyone knows I'm somewhat handicapped so frankly, I don't want a dog that *I* can't pick up!!  How do you get a dog TO the vet if you can't pick it up if it's sick or injured?  For the kind of rescue and stuff we do, that's always important and I love the fact that typically our dogs are very long-lived.  How would I have dealt with the 19 year old Foxy the MOstlie Sheltie if I hadn't been able to pick him up and carry him outside for the last 3 weeks of his life?

When Billy had IMHA -- yep, I had to pick him up and carry him into the vets more than once when he was too weak to walk. 

With the pug?  It's more simply the fact of the matter of being able to catch her in mid-air when she LAUNCHES herself at something *grin*.

Luna isn't heavy -- she's only about 30 pounds but she's so darned long I think I need a freight car to carry both ends! LOL. 

I get intense enjoyment of taking them with us.  If I can get Tink trained the way I want to, she'll ride on my shoulder like Prissy used to do.  Given how difficult footing is for me that gives me hands-free to keep my balance or to use at least one hand on a hand-rail. 

But I see folks with giant breeds ... or even big dogs, and the thought ALWAYS occurs to me HOW do you cope when they are sick or hurt?  What about when they get old and stairs are too difficult?  If you are completely able-bodied fine -- but a dog is a 15 - 20 year commitment and at least SOME of you out there are not going to feel like "kids" in that length of time.

Gina and you others with small kis -- you, by necessity, will never grow old (at least until the kids graduate -- then you'll instantly be 'old' *grin* -- at least MY mother was).

Add to that the size of my tiny wee little house ... a big dog tends to meet his butt coming and going LOL

Since I've had rheumatoid arthritis since I was a kid, this truly has ALWAYS defined what dogs I'm comfortable with -- and I've always had the same "gotta be able to carry them IN to the vet" rule for myself.

calliecritturs

or even big dogs, and the thought ALWAYS occurs to me HOW do you cope when they are sick or hurt?  What about when they get old and stairs are too difficult?  If you are completely able-bodied fine -- but a dog is a 15 - 20 year commitment

Giant breeds do not typically live 15-20 years Callie more like 6-11. I don't have stairs in my homes and never have...with kids it's too much of an incovenience. When they are sick or hurt? they have butt slings....and you can always put your dog on a blanket and carry it that way with help. I also have people that could help me out.

Giant breeds also tend to require LESS exercise than small to medium breeds to...tho Toys can require less. They flat out don't have the frenetic energy that requires a good run, and just aren't as "busy" about the house when out fo that puppy stage...they are content with daily walks or ball tossing in the backyard. Cleo sleeps most of the day in the hall and she is just shy of a year old! As she ages I expect she'll mellow further.

Bending to administer to or feed a small dog isn't any easier on the joints..and the only dogs I have ever honestly tripped over to the point of falling, are my hounds...because they get under your feet literally, and have no sense of themselves. Cleo is often at my side, but never under my feet if that makes sense. But much of that is training...which you tend to need more of for a larger dog anyways just because of the walking and interacting with society issue...jqp's expectations of how a large dog should behave vs a smaller one. BUt we've had that debate before.

My son's aussie Noel is a petite 31 lbs and I must admit it is wonderful to hold her in my arms.Jewel's 85lbs and will try to get 1/2 in my lap if I sit on the floor.They both eat the same portion of food.The reasonable side of my brain says my next dog should be 30 to 50 lbs but every time I visit the shelter I'm drawn to the big-lugs that have been there way too long.The only thing I truely dislike about a larger dog is bathtime.

Tena

 I have an itty bitty tiny house too (1k sf) and ahve 4 dogs. I never thought I'd have 4 dogs in such a small house but I found that the size of the house vs the size of the dog really doesn't matter. 3 of my 4 are pretty mellow in the house. Abbie is still quite the spazoid but she hasn't reached a year yet. I take the dogs away from the house every day for their exercise and for my mental sanity so living in such a small house isn't an issue at all. The issue is crate sizes! ugh. I can't wait to be rid of all of the crates.

Plus, when I'm trying to clean, say the bathroom, and I have 4 dogs trying to squeeze in the bathroom with me. That can be a little crowded ;)

Maybe I don't mind 4 dogs in my tiny house because only 1 of them has a tail and she hardly every wags it. I don't think I could handle 4 lab-style tails in the house! oy!

rwbeagles

Giant breeds also tend to require LESS exercise than small to medium breeds

That's why I have Thor...

But I love "smaller dogs" too... baset hounds awww!

Edited to add: and we lived in an apartment... no problem at all, having Thor there... I actually would say he is the perfect apartment dog

 oh Baset Hounds! There are several that go to our dog park. They are so funny to watch - they hardly ever run, just waddle along howling at everyone and every thing. Very cute dogs.

Jewlieee

they hardly ever run, just waddle along howling at everyone and every thing

oh yes...they are GREAT at that..."you there young whippersnapper...yer running MUCH too fast!"..."HEY...you with the stick...you'll putch'er EYE out son!"

Calinisima

But I love "smaller dogs" too... baset hounds awww!

 

Lol don't convince "low" with small....they can get to 60-70lbs, the males.

Jewlieee

I have 4 dogs trying to squeeze in the bathroom with me. That can be a little crowded ;)

OK that made me laugh!

BTW our last class (that takes place in the dog park) Bugsy was obsessed with a basset hound - he desperately wanted to play with him