Little dog/Big dog people

Sometimes big dogs wear clothes too []

I have two big dogs, but I like the little ones too. If later in life a small dog will suit my lifestyle moreso than a large dog, I wouldn't hesitate.
 
I admit that when I think of a small dog being picked up upon being approached by my large dogs, I feel offended. However, when I step in their shoes, I can see if differently. A small dog cannot defend itself against a large dog, should the large dog decide that the small dog is a toy or prey. Even if the large dog just wanted to play, how does the small dog owner know that the large dog will adjust his or her playing style according to the dog's size? When approaching a strange dog, friendly or not [and who's to say since it is strange], small dog owners have a lot to think about.

Sometimes big dogs wear clothes too

 
But those are functional.  If you had a dog with a real coat you wouldn't need these.[]

I don't think big dog people/small dog people (or inbetweeners ) are different in personality but just preference.
 
I have two ISs, one who is about 65 lbs and one who will be about 80 lbs when full grown, and I love that I can put my arms around them and give them a big hug! I like that I can run with Cadie, not only can she keep up but I run in the evenings and I feel much safer with her running alongside me. I love how big dogs can do lots of things without tiring easily. Obviously, I'm more of a big dog person.
 
But...for example, last time I volunteered at the HS, I walked this guy. Had I had time for another dog right now, I surely would've considered adopting him...
 

 
I love all dogs. If I click with one and it's small, I wouldn't "rule it out" because of that.
 
This was kind of a ramble. oh well. [8D]

well said Glenda
I am a big dog person - I am an above average sized person, so is DH and I've always just loved big dogs
I definitely have issues with small dogs BECAUSE they are so often poorly trained, aggressive, noisy and I don't really care for the dog in a basket thing
I find it insulting when people pick up their dog or cross the road because Bugsy and I are walking in their direction
I find it unacceptable that places have weight restrictions on dogs - the last B&B we stayed out hte owner said the ONLY dogs that had damaged anything had been all less than 20lbs
I find it appalling when stores say no dogs and the priveleged small dog owner struts in with dog in basket - this is like the smoker standing under the NO SMOKING and lighting up
The only dogs I have seen crap and pee in Petsmart have been small dogs
Bugsy has been aggressively harassed by small dogs
I was bit as a child by a small dog - chi and as an adult nipped by a jrt

I have not spenta ton of time around small dogs but I honestly don't have a positive image to work from
my sister currently has a Westie who is cute but very spoiled and untrained
some good friends have a Welsh terrier that is the only quiet small dog I've ever known and he is sweet but if Bugsy jumped on you like this 20lber he be carted off by animal control.  He also came into my house and marked.  Apparently at 4 he still sometimes just pees on their bed where he sleeps. I honestly don't know any large dog owner that would have a 4 year old dog peeing in the house, on their bed.

Those of you that train your small dogs - great but unfortunately society lets small dogs be pretty unruly and holds large dogs to a much higher standard - what you see as cute no one appreciates in a 105lb dog.  BTW I don't think any dog is 'cute' when its jumping on me, snapping at me or peeing on my kitchen floor.  And the next small dog that nips at Bugsy aggressively I plan on taking the owner to task.  Because my very large dog has NO aggression and shouldn't be attacked by their small aggressive noisy dog.

flame away

Thanks Houndlove, that is the kind of  ost I love. Keep it fun! Big dogs were tshirts also. Just fun stuff. Your post shows such personality!

I never thought I would be a small dog person, especially since I had such bad experience with the neighbor hood dog who attacked me for no reason. However being a dog lover I had to adapt and find a dog that would be good in an apartment and that meant a small dog. Well researching different breeds and finding one I thought was adorable and then reading about their temperment totally turned me off to them. Then I saw the little Corgi face and I fell in love.. took some convincing for my Marine Bf.. we never thought my small dog would Swim, Hike, Cuddle AND Herd. She is an amazing little dog and with her personality sometimes you forget she is only 19 pounds. I do want a boxer someday I do miss having a big dog however Jody changed my perspective about all little dogs...

Maggie is only 25 lbs, and she loves to play with the biggest dog at the dog park at the time. She will find that dog and get him to play. I notice that alot of times when they start playing with each other the big dogs owner will call his dog saying "quit picking on that little dog" when in fact its my dog that wanted to play! I guess the owner is afraid that his dog will hurt mine, but its annoying because Maggie doesn't like dogs her size to play with. I guess she thinks she's a big dog  herself I always have to say, oh no its ok, she likes the big dogs!

One definite plus to little dogs:  They tend to live longer.
 
Also, I have seen a lot of dressed up big dogs, so I wouldn't say that is a little dog thing.

I woke up hoping the thread would be better today. I know the forum is mostly for big dog stuff, but I would like to be able to enjoy talking about dogs.

 
I just wanted to share something with you.  The happiest and proudest small dogs I've EVER seen were competing in agility.  (Yes they do have small and toy sized classes.)  These min-pins, manchesters and papillons were knocking me out with how well they were doing.  They were every bit as intense, and in some cases much more intense, than the large dogs.  If you ever get a chance to attend an agility event, watch the small dogs-you will be amazed and inspired.[]

When I am walking my 2 little dogs and a big dog is heading right toward us, I am definately on guard and do pick them up. There have been too many times bigger dogs have tried to go after my little ones. I really don't care if the owners are insulted, my dogs need me to protect them, one good bite and they are seriously hurt or dead. If that hurts the owners feelings, oh well. My feelings don't get hurt if an owner crosses the street when we are coming,
 
In my area there are about the same amount of big dogs as little, very rarely do we see loose ones and if we do it's usually the big ones.
I think because they tend to be out in their yard alone more often. I never see dogs of any size in stores, they are just not allowed in them except Petco. The only time I ever saw a dog pop or pee in there was not long ago, it was this huge dog and his poop was enormous, the guy tried to bustle away but I caught his eye and told him there was stuff to clean it up in the front of the store.
 
I do have to say it seems I see the big dog owners with poop bags in their hands more often than the little dog owners, don't know if they have them in their pockets like I do.
I love big and small dogs, but right now I prefer to own small dogs. They fit my lifestyle more. The 2 I have now are the first little ones I have ever owned, they have completely won my heart.  It will be little dogs, most likely Shih Tzu's that I own from now on.

Your Shih Tzu's are darling Linda...What a  sweet breed. We adore our girl.

I say "I don't like little dogs"

And I torment my mom by making fun of her 3 little dogs.

But  when I'm at her house, guess what?  There are 3 little dogs in my lap.  lol  And I love em all.

I just prefer to have a dog I can thump and play with and wrestle, a dog with physical presence.  lol  So when I say I don't like them, I don't mean it.  I just mean if I'm going to have a dog, it's gonna be big enough to play rough with.        

ORIGINAL: sallya

I read the post about dog dolls. Really is hurtful. The big dog people hate being treated badly, little dog owners do too. Wish we had a rule about it. 

Just thought I'd mention that the person that said this does not own "big dogs".......

Up until now I had always had small dogs - a doxie, a cocker/poo/terrier X and a lab /cocker X.  For me, small is cocker size. Then came Max. [] After walking a little black dog on a leash for so many years, it was hard getting used to seeing this big yellow goof leaping along beside me. I'm still the same person and my personality didn't change when I went from "little" dog to "big" dog. Our obedience school trainer did say one  thing that kind of stuck in my mind.  She said "If you wouldn't accept the behavior from a 100 lb. dog, don't accept it from a 10 lb. dog."  That makes sense to me.
 
Joyce