Raising a Large Breed vs a Small Breed

[MysticRealm]

I have only had small dogs in my life (I am only 20), the biggest dog being my dog Bear, who is a little bit overweight (working on it) at like 23 pounds or something. My mini poodle is 10 pounds.

I am getting my Standard Poodle in July (hopefully) and want to know everyones experiences in raising a small breed versus a big breed. Differences in training, feeding, socialization and such like that.

Also, male versus female. My poodle is hopefully gonna be a female but I have only had males. She also probably won't be spayed right away cause I am planning on showing conformation with her. So again same thing, differences in training, feeding, socialization

 

[JennaT]

No difference in my opinion. A dog is a dog and no matter the size, training and socialiation would be the same. For feeding though the amounts would obviously be different and they may require different kinds of food.

I will tell you that poodles are great dogs though you probably don't need me to tell you Good luck with your new addition and congratulations!

 

[Maxy24]

I don't think socialization would be any different. IME training small dogs is harder than large dogs, I don't like having to sit on the floor to work with Phoebe, i prefer to stand. Large dogs don't seem as quick to dodge around you, like when I'm training Phoebe to back up, I walk towards her she either goes through my legs or up on her back legs at which point I'm risking knocking her over. Big dogs have just been easier to me, I'm not entirely sure why. large dogs tend to need more exercise compared to companion breeds, not terriers. You don't have to feed them as often as small dogs but you need to feed them more of course. I've noticed females to be more independent than males and it takes them forever to find a place to pee, though if you train them to go quick they will. I've never owned a wide range though, I'm comparing Max (male Shar-Pei/Dane mix) to Phoebe (Female Shih-Tzu) so some things might also be because of their breeds.

 

[Hillside]

Personally I think big dogs are easier to train. A) you don't have to bend over as much and b) when luring you have a larger margin for error. I had a Boston in one of my puppy classes that was a terror to lure because your movements had to be so minute, whereas with the bigger dogs you had a lot more freedom to get the same response with bigger, more natural ( for me at least) movements.

 

[Romy]

Larger dogs seem to housebreak easier in my experience. Larger bladders maybe? Strider began sleeping through the night when he was only 12 weeks old.

 

[Paige]

To be honest I think bigger dogs are expected to have better manners. A big dog jumping p on you is a huge no no. A lot of smaller dog owners allow their dogs to do it. Bigger dogs seem to have an easier time with house breaking and it's nice not having to get down low o teach them everything. But really it's the individual dog.

ps - Standard Poodles are such amazing dogs. One of my favorite breeds.

 

[MysticRealm]

Thanks guys.
Yes I have done a ton of research on the breed, know several of them (tho never enough), and know their temperaments in general. I have been researching them and wanting one for prob over 4 yrs

 

[Sweet72947]

I have a 75lb lab mix who will do anything for a treat, and a 20lb terrier mix who will do anything for HIMSELF. The lab mix learns things in a matter of minutes, whereas it takes the terrier a matter of months. He now sits and downs reliably, and he is housetrained (that took about four months). We are now working on leash manners. Sometimes he'll decide to be reactive to things he's never been reactive to before. For example, he decided to start barking and freaking out right when we went outside for a walk. So, we just took him right back inside again. Freaking out = no walk, and he loves walks, so that behavior stopped real quick. You just have to stay one step ahead of him at all times.

Working with mostly big dogs at rescue, in my experience they aren't nearly so quirky as the little dogs.

 

[Melissa_W]

I think you can get away with more with a little dog.

If I really want Kai to be somewhere I can just pick him up and put him there. Occasionally, when he gets really excited he will jump up a little. But it's not that big of a deal because he weighs 20 lbs. Just little things like that. But the principles are the same.

 

[Sunnierhawk0]

Honestly, the socializatio/training should be the same, no matter the size of the dog. Thats what irks alot of us "big dog owners", if you will, about small dog owners. *SOME* think that because FooFoo is 10 lbs that gives FooFoo the right to be as unruley as possible. Sure there is a difference in a 10 lb dog compared to a 50lb dog jumping on you, but its all the same in my eyes. Its just as annoying and just as much a pain.

Our house is a mix, I have a 103lb Rottie, 90lb Rottie, 97lb Bullmastiff, then i also have a 30lb ACD and my mother has a 10 lb yorkie. Now, the yorkie is as old as dirt, who can't see so Im really not gonna use her as the best example, but the ACD knows how to behave, not to jump, ect exactly like the bigger crowd. They all whats right and whats not. I didnt "lack" on her training just because she is smaller.

ETA: As far as show training and stuff, differing than your pets, I would check with your local kennel club and see if they offer handling classes, or know someone who does. You still want basic obedience on the puppy, because it will do you no good if the puppy doesnt listen to you.

 

[MysticRealm]

thanks for the opinions guys

 

[Melissa_W]

Honestly, the socializatio/training should be the same, no matter the size of the dog. Thats what irks alot of us "big dog owners", if you will, about small dog owners. *SOME* think that because FooFoo is 10 lbs that gives FooFoo the right to be as unruley as possible. Sure there is a difference in a 10 lb dog compared to a 50lb dog jumping on you, but its all the same in my eyes. Its just as annoying and just as much a pain.

Our house is a mix, I have a 103lb Rottie, 90lb Rottie, 97lb Bullmastiff, then i also have a 30lb ACD and my mother has a 10 lb yorkie. Now, the yorkie is as old as dirt, who can't see so Im really not gonna use her as the best example, but the ACD knows how to behave, not to jump, ect exactly like the bigger crowd. They all whats right and whats not. I didnt "lack" on her training just because she is smaller.

ETA: As far as show training and stuff, differing than your pets, I would check with your local kennel club and see if they offer handling classes, or know someone who does. You still want basic obedience on the puppy, because it will do you no good if the puppy doesnt listen to you.

Just to clarify, Kai doesn't jump on other people and he has his CGC certification. So I wouldn't say that I've "lacked" on his training. He has impeccable public manners. I let little things around the house slide sometimes because I honestly don't care if he jumps on me once or twice when I first walk in the house, because it's not exactly like he's going to knock me on my ass. But I realize that other people mind. He doesn't take it to the extreme and he doesn't do it to other people, so I don't see a problem with it. Maybe it's a double standard I have, because I probably wouldn't let a 100lb dog jump on me even a little. But whatever. That's my prerogative I guess.

And he's definitely not "unruly". Apparently I made it sound that way, but that was not my intent. I definitely don't want to add to the little dog hatred. When I said "get away with things" I guess I meant I let little things around the house slide sometimes. Sometimes when I post it comes across wrong because I know what I mean but other people don't. I always get comments from friends, family, and strangers about how well behaved Kai is, but of course not everyone here knows that. So when I say I let him get away with little things now and again it probably makes him sound like an unruly terror. But believe me, he is not. We take him places all the time and he never causes any trouble or makes a peep. When we go out to eat at a place with a patio, you wouldn't even know he was there. If a stranger approaches, he automatically sits and waits to be petted. So, he's a good dog and I've worked hard with him, so I'm sorry if I made it seem otherwise.

I've edited this post like 100 times, but I guess I just feel like I stuck my foot in my mouth before. I've never had anyone call Kai unruly. lol

 

[Rosefern]

Well, I've only technically raised (from puppyhood) large breeds. But one thing I've noticed with other people...

When Pepe does something he's not supposed to - jumps up on someone, grrrs at another dog, whatever - people are like "Oh, no, it's alright. I don't mind."

When Flicka does something she's not supposed to - jumps up, grrrs, whatever - people are offended.

Could this perhaps be because Pepe is 18 lbs, and Flicka is 65 lbs?

-Rosefern

 

[RD]

Honestly I find training small dogs to be more difficult than the bigger guys. Small dogs also get lost (from you, anyway) more easily if you have a big house with lots of hiding places.

 

[Sunnierhawk0]

Just to clarify, Kai doesn't jump on other people and he has his CGC certification. So I wouldn't say that I've "lacked" on his training. He has impeccable public manners. I let little things around the house slide sometimes because I honestly don't care if he jumps on me once or twice when I first walk in the house, because it's not exactly like he's going to knock me on my ass. But I realize that other people mind. He doesn't take it to the extreme and he doesn't do it to other people, so I don't see a problem with it. Maybe it's a double standard I have, because I probably wouldn't let a 100lb dog jump on me even a little. But whatever. That's my prerogative I guess.

And he's definitely not "unruly". Apparently I made it sound that way, but that was not my intent. I definitely don't want to add to the little dog hatred. When I said "get away with things" I guess I meant I let little things around the house slide sometimes. Sometimes when I post it comes across wrong because I know what I mean but other people don't. I always get comments from friends, family, and strangers about how well behaved Kai is, but of course not everyone here knows that. So when I say I let him get away with little things now and again it probably makes him sound like an unruly terror. But believe me, he is not. We take him places all the time and he never causes any trouble or makes a peep. When we go out to eat at a place with a patio, you wouldn't even know he was there. If a stranger approaches, he automatically sits and waits to be petted. So, he's a good dog and I've worked hard with him, so I'm sorry if I made it seem otherwise.

I've edited this post like 100 times, but I guess I just feel like I stuck my foot in my mouth before. I've never had anyone call Kai unruly. lol

My post wasnt directed at you . LOL Sorry you thought it was.

 

[Melissa_W]

My bad! lol It looked like it was to me. Stupid internets.

 

[MysticRealm]

thanks guys

 

[Sweet72947]

Honestly I find training small dogs to be more difficult than the bigger guys. Small dogs also get lost (from you, anyway) more easily if you have a big house with lots of hiding places.

Funny you should mention that. I babysat once at this HUGE house. The people owned a "pocket pom" rolleyes, basically a really small pomeranian. I lost that dog in the house! For about an hour and a half I looked everywhere for that dog. I finally found her in the closet in the master bedroom.

 

[RD]

I used to lose Ripley all the time, because he was so tiny and inconspicuous that he could sneak out of a room without me even noticing. Once he disappeared and I searched the house for hours, calling him. Only once I sat down to bawl my eyes out did he re-appear. I still don't know where he went when he hid like that, but he seemed to think it was great fun.