Little dog/Big dog people

I'm sort of surprised there are so many people so outspoken about not liking small dogs. People are really sensitive when it comes to pit bulls and such.

I think the point of my thread has been hijacked. I wasn't implying I think small dogs are badly trained or nasty I know some cool as little dogs I was more leaning towards the fact that small dog people tend to be a different type of person to a large dog person, just the same as cat/dog people. You know the real staunch ones

Rolenta, I was thinking the same thing.

My issues aren't with the breeds of small dogs themselves it's the owners.  For some reason my dog needs to be on a leash, trained and housebroken but little dogs get a free pass.  It doesn't seem right.

Again, I have no issue with small dogs themselves.  My brother has a Scottie and some very good friends of mine have small dogs.  But, most, not all owners, excuse them from following rules and allow poor behavior.

I'm a big dog person even though I have 2 small dogs. 
 
My personal rule is that the small dog are expected to be able to do everything the big dogs can do.  I don't pick the little guys up when a large dog is around, because it hurts my feelings when people do this when I have my big guys out.
 
I will say that almost all of my friends have big dogs.  I'm sure that there are some definite personality differences between big, & small dog owners.

That is the type of experiences I've had with most owners of small dogs.

 
You know I have seen just as many poorly trained out of control large dogs. 
 
Lack of training isn't just a small dog issue.
 
 

I've had both...I had Akitas before I had Beagles. No difference. Little dog folks are annoying sometimes...big dog people are annoying at others. Not really about the dogs size but the owner.
 
I also see a real lack of sensitivity on this thread like others have said.
 
I suppose if I was to generalize (they way some have) based on this thread I'd say people who don't like small dogs are insensitive...but I don't think that is the right thing to do...because I think I owe it to someone to get to know them as a person before I judge them based on their choice of companion.

Lack of training isn't just a small dog issue.

I agree, it's not just a small dog issue.  But, the reactions of people to the situation is completely different.

But, the reactions of people to the situation is completely different.

 
Well think if it this way.  You probably wouldn't care too much if your neighbor that doing target practice in their back yard with a bb gun.  But if it were a 44 magnum then I think you would really care.  It is a issue of potential damage.
 

I understand what your saying completely Steve.  But, I still think that whatever that bad behavior is should be corrected, not excused because the dog won't do much damage. 

It is a issue of potential damage.

 
maybe that's true. But it hurts when JUST because of your dogs size, and in some cases breed, it's looked down upon or what not. It's the same thing as judging a person by their looks. my german shepherd may "look mean" or whatever, but you should see him playing with my friend's 4 lb yorkie.
 
That being said, i like small dogs too. i grew up with a dog that weighed less than 10 lbs. I think i just prefer the disposition of a working dog, that's all.

And you can say the same thing about parenting human children til you are blue in the face..."permissiveness leads to spoiled behavior, which is cute in the small and obnoxious in the tall" do you really think many listen tho?
 
You (general you here) should worry about the things that you can control in life...that's my motto...
other people's dogs, children, spending habits, etc NO....my own? yyyyep.
 
To the OP...back to your actual topic...I am a the same erson, at a different phase of life now that I have a smaller breed, than when I had the larger one. But I am still me...someone who isn't defined by the size or breed, of their dog...lol. 
 
ETA: Others can try to define me by that (or my looks or anything else) if they choose...we all need hobbies! Makes not a dollop of difference in how my day runs.

But, I still think that whatever that bad behavior is should be corrected, not excused because the dog won't do much damage.

 
I fully agree.  But when it comes to perceptions an out of control big dog will get a different reaction from folks than a small dog. 
 
Now to my own rant.  Why do toy dogs need dresses and clothes.  They are dogs not dolls!!!!!  My pups would be throughly humiliated if they had to wear that stuff. 
 

ORIGINAL: timsdat

But, the reactions of people to the situation is completely different.

Well think if it this way.  You probably wouldn't care too much if your neighbor that doing target practice in their back yard with a bb gun.  But if it were a 44 magnum then I think you would really care.  It is a issue of potential damage.

I don't know--it kind of depends on what kind of a shot they are....[]

I just sort of ended up being a large dog person by accident.  Sally found us, and she is 55 lbs, and when we decided to get a second dog, we wanted a dog large enough and sturdy enough to stand up to her "full contact" play style.  Therefore, we have Jack.

I actually like mini dachshunds and paps a lot, and so does DH.  He always says that when we retire we are going to have a flock of paps[]. 

Honestly, it really doesn't bother me when people lift their small dogs when I come by with one of mine.  I've gotten used to that sort of thing by now.  In a way I do understand--when Jack was a puppy it was very hard for me not to lift him out of the way of potentially harmful dogs.

I will admit to having a slight chi/chi mix phobia for a while.  A good friend of mine in high school has a chi/poodle/Demon mix who would not allow anyone to touch her, or bring their hand to close to her, or look at her sideways.  She would snarl horribley at anyone who tried to come too close.  She bit my friend's brother's finger and actually hung on when he lifted his hand up--she was all the way off the ground before she finally let go.

But, on the other hand, that same family also had a Great Dane that bit me on the bum, and a wolf hybrid that is pretty much the picture of a hardcore fear aggressive dog (honestly one of the only dogs I have been truely terrified of), so I can't just pick on Pearl, bless her little black heart......

I'd consider myself a big dog person. Why? I often wonder about that. I've always just loved dogs with big paws and big strong faces that I can hold in my hands. There's just something so comforting and reassuring about it. And I am quite tall too so it helps to have a dog that isn't too low to the ground.[]
That said I don't dislike little dogs, in fact I saw the cutest jack russell on a walk to other night. Off lead, following his owner with adoration. He had the smartest expression on his face. I was tempted to run away with him[]. So I think at the end of the day it's about the individual dog and their personality and how you bond with them.
And to say that alot of small dogs owners don't train their dogs and let them get away with bad behavious is like saying people only own big dogs to look macho. It's nonsense.  Blanket statements like that don't help anyone and I don't think it is what the OP intended with this post. We are all dog people, big, small, it doesn't matter, it's all about the love.