Small Dogs?

[Linds]

This might be a stupid question but I figured I would ask anyway!

For those that have had not small dogs and added a small dog, what were the biggest differences?
Things that surprised you?
Anything I should keep in mind if I were to add a small dog?

Basically anything I should know?

And if anyone wants to throw in benefits and things they really like about having a small dog feel free to do that!

Yes, small dogs are completely foreign to me. Completely.

 

[milos_mommy]

They're....pretty much the same and big dogs lol.

Some can be a tiny bit harder to housebreak (smaller bladders)
Some people have a problems training when they can just pick the dog up to remove it instead of actually training, which is quite tempting

Um, I had to put a little ottoman at the foot of the bed so he could jump up easier. He still can jump up into a truck or anything though, just not as easily.

They can obviously escape through smaller holes in fencing or slip out of doors easier so that's one thing to watch for.

If it's a tiny dog obviously be careful when they're with big rambunctious dogs, also predators, like you have to watch for Hawks and stuff.

That's pretty much all I can think of.

 

[Laurelin]

Yep, pretty much just dogs. Nothing too special imo.

Hank is 'small' but not tiny. He's one of the toughest and highest energy dogs I've met. Hank is often too much dog for his playmates regardless of their size. He plays best with super high energy kinds of dogs.

Summer on the other hand is a soft little girl.

And Mia is... Mia.

Quite a range of temperaments in small breeds!

 

[JustaLilBitaLuck]

For those that have had not small dogs and added a small dog, what were the biggest differences?
Things that surprised you?
Anything I should keep in mind if I were to add a small dog?

Basically anything I should know?

And if anyone wants to throw in benefits and things they really like about having a small dog feel free to do that!

I grew up with big dogs (65lbs and 90lbs), and I now have two small dogs (both 25lbs) and one big dog (90lb). I had Missy before I had Jack and Heidi.

There aren't a whole lot of differences or things that surprised me. They're still dogs and they do normal dog things lol.

I will say that it's nice having dogs that are really portable! They fit in vehicles easier (and I have a very small vehicle), their crates take up less room in the house, they take up less room when I bring them to work, etc. I can carry them by myself if necessary, which comes in handy for any injuries or anything - it would take at least two people to lift Missy.

They eat less, so less money on food, supplements, chews because everything's in smaller amounts or sizes.

I would worry about having a smaller dog and a larger dog in a situation where one or both of them want to roughhouse or play really hard. Both of mine are pretty sturdy, and while they play with each other, they don't really play with Missy very much. But something to keep in mind.

They don't really offer anything in the way of a visual deterrent like large dogs do, and they seem to be more of a stranger magnet - although that could very well be the "cute and fluffy" thing compared to a Rottweiler.

Obviously smaller dogs can slip through holes in fences and things easier than larger dogs. I have several baby gates with cat doors throughout my house, and I had a chihuahua mix foster dog that slipped right through them, so that did no good in keeping her confined.

Predators! Not something I've personally experienced living in a fairly urban area, but we have a lot of clients at work that are in more rural areas. I have seen dogs come into the clinic that have been attacked by a variety of wild animals, and they're nearly always small dogs. The larger dogs that come in after a wild animal encounter usually have less severe injuries and it's nearly always a case of the dog going after the raccoon or whatever and the raccoon fighting back. I've had clients say that they've witnessed hawks or owls swoop down and attack their smaller dogs.

 

[Grab]

As others have said, they're pretty much the same. A little more portable, but otherwise the same.

 

[pinkspore]

I think most >10 pounders are basically just dogs. Toy breeds can be a very different experience.

As mentioned above, they are obviously delicious. I have to be careful where and when I let my tinydog run loose.

Encounters with strange dogs become significantly more risky. I have a shot at breaking up a fight between my 40-pounder and a big dog, but my chihuahua could be dead in half a second if a large dog decides to go for him.

I can tote him around in a bag or stuff in my jacket.

Cat-dog relations can change a lot when the cats are at a distinct advantage. My cats love pouncing on things moving under blankets. Ru loves sleeping under blankets and tends to turn into a tornado of biting when squashed. "It wouldn't be OK for a 50-pound dog so it's not OK for a 5-pound dog" is what I'm told, but a 50-pound dog is never going to have to deal with a 100-pound cat sitting on him.

 

[Laurelin]

I am a lot more careful with the toy dogs and other dogs. Hank is still < 25 lbs but I don't worry about him at all. That is the big downside of the papillons, in my opinion. They are just so much smaller than other dogs and can get hurt. That said, they are the most charming dogs I've ever owned. So intelligent, so in tune to their people, so happy and excitable. I wish they were bigger but I haven't found another breed that really has the same charm to me. My papillons love to work and do things with me. They're not as thoughtful about it as Hank and can be a little more frantic but they love it.

 

[Sekah]

House breaking is tougher. Cold weather is tougher. I've heard horror stories of a pack of larger dogs turning on a smaller dog through misplaced prey drive even after living together without incident for years. Teaching the dog to heel is tougher. Smaller size can often come with structural issues that make training/sport tougher.

I'm not particularly protective of Mega at dog parks. She's a pretty easy dog, all told. At home all she really wants is a soft, warm spot to hang out, and the occasional toy to be thrown.

 

[milos_mommy]

Teaching the dog to heel is tougher. Smaller size can often come with structural issues that make training/sport tougher.
.

Can you elaborate on this? I've often heard the first, but never found it to be true. At least not for LLW. And I've never heard or experienced the latter, although Im not that immersed in the dog sport world...

 

[Laurelin]

Well some sports you just can't do with tiny dogs. Disc would be hard and schutzhund probably very unlikely. I think agility favors around 20-50 lbs. not that small dogs or giant dogs can't but there's additional things to consider. I think in agility even though small dogs get a couple extra seconds that small dogs have to be relatively faster to Q because of the shorter stride. What I mean is I sometimes see big dogs barely trot or walk a lot of the course and Q and I don't think Summer could do that and Q in a big dog venue (she could in TDAA). If you get too small then the dog might be too light to tip the teeter or trigger the box in flyball. That said I know a 3.5 lb yorkie that has her AKC masters titles so obviously it's pretty inclusive. I just don't think they're as ideal.

Heeling sucks with a 9" dog. I have to bend down and the paps are very aware of my feet and are very disinclined to be right next to my feet (with good reason). Hank is 15.5" wicketed yesterday and it makes a lot of difference. I still would prefer a taller dog for training a heel.

You can't shove paps around to ramp them up like you can hank. If you do that they go flying 10'. Lol.

Bonuses for me: small poops. A heck of a lot of charm. Fun to carry around. Adorable. Portable. Less mess. Less cost. Eats less and goes through way less toys and chews. If they climb and stomp all over you it doesn't hurt you (I may be sporting a black eye from a Hank headbutt last night) Being the best dogs ever doesn't hurt.

I'm not honestly sure if I'll have another for a while. There are clear downsides but there's a lot of good there too. I'm not sure if I can be without a papillon for very long so they may be here to stay. But if I'm logical sticking to 20-40 lbs for a while makes more sense. I enjoy other breeds a lot too and just as much but papillons just bring a *something* I can't quite put my finger on. I just like 'em so I may be willing to deal with the downsides and alter my other choices around them. I haven't decided yet.


I would never take my paps to a dog park. I have seen a greyhound shake a toy dog before and want no part of that.

 

[StompinT]

Oh gawd yes, teaching a small dog to heel is a PIA. You spend your life (seemingly) crouched way over, blood rushing to your pounding head, as you lure or treat.

Our shih tzu was not easy to house train. But super fun to train otherwise. Aside from all that bending over.

Turns out I might prefer training my large (85lb) dog. He's right at hand height. Easy to deliver treats

 

[Michiyo-Fir]

My one biggest complaint about small dogs is that if you're training a heel or something that doesn't allow you to sit on the ground, they are hard to treat. It takes a longer time to get the reward to their mouths, and if you're treating a lot, you have to bend way down continuously.

Edit: oops I didn't read the replies before I posted, I guess someone else already mentioned this.

 

[PlottMom]

We just added Bruce because he was dumped, and fit in well, and Daisy chose him so I couldn't give him up.

He showed up neutered and housebroken, and he's always been really good about letting me handle him/dremel nails/trim feet, etc. I've gotten poor reports from groomers and other techs, and he was a total a-hole for the ultrasound lab, but otherwise I enjoy him a lot.

The only thing I don't like is the barking, and the fact that he fits through my fence. The big dogs don't mind him at all/adjusted seamlessly to his presence.

So really, it was like adding a big dog except he's really portable...

 

[PlottMom]

toy breeds can be a very different experience.

As mentioned above, they are obviously delicious. I have to be careful where and when i let my tinydog run loose.

rofl.

 

[milos_mommy]

Our only severe injury at day care resulted in death was a small dog (2.5)....a greyhound ran when she bolted and grabbed her, punctured her lungs. It never would have happened with a 10+ lb dog and we didn't allow dogs under 5 after that.

I never experienced the heeling issue. I just used a target or treated with a stick and PB.

 

[Raegan]

Can you elaborate on this? I've often heard the first, but never found it to be true. At least not for LLW. And I've never heard or experienced the latter, although Im not that immersed in the dog sport world...

Other people have elaborated on the heeling thing, but also, it's harder to be precise. A big dog 1/2 an inch crooked on a front is barely noticeable, but really obvious with a tiny dog. They also get full faster, so treat management is something you have to be aware of.

None of that makes it impossible to sport train small dogs, but it does reduce your margin of error.

 

[pinkspore]

Other people have elaborated on the heeling thing, but also, it's harder to be precise. A big dog 1/2 an inch crooked on a front is barely noticeable, but really obvious with a tiny dog. They also get full faster, so treat management is something you have to be aware of.

None of that makes it impossible to sport train small dogs, but it does reduce your margin of error.

This! Less food means less training opportunity. Not sure if it's a small dog thing or not, but Ru is also sort of iffy about food in general. He likes food, but he doesn't LOVE it.

Again, 10+ lb dogs seem to be more portable but otherwise basically the same as big dogs. Less than that and you're getting into the snack-size, prey-animal department.

 

[LMost]

There basicly the same.
Saints and Mastiff are surprisingly gentle with small toy size dogs.

Current Mastiff pups 175ish and plays with a Pom and a Shitz. He pretty much bows to them and generally lays down when playing with them. Past Saints and mastiffs basicly did the same.

Anything that's around 35lb or less he does this with when playing.

Lulu in the pic is around 30lbs.

 

[Maxy24]

Filling up on treats is a big one for me and Tucker isn't even THAT small. There are many days when I decide I can't do any training (trick or obedience) with Tucker because I had to give him lots of treats on his walk or because a lot of dogs walked by the house and I had to treat him to keep him quiet or I did his nails and had to give him lots of cheese. I hate it. My dad also insists on giving him scraps and even though it's not a lot of food it's packed some weight on him.


Otherwise not a big difference. It's easier to be lax on manners like leash pulling and jumping up so I guess you have to be a little more careful about not "spoiling" them in that way.

 

[DenoLo]

Most of it's just what everybody said- you have to be pretty cautious when letting them loose in areas where loose dogs can be. I do still go to the dog park on occasion, but we only go to the small side. I do take her to a daycare sometimes, but I would never in a million years use one that I didn't trust to separate big and small dogs. Hawks, coyotes, fishers, bears are a thing, but i don't let either of my dogs out unsupervised, and most wild animals are pretty skiddish here.

All in all though, my 7 pound dog is a really doggy dog. Much moreso actually than my 40 pound BC Mix.

We do all sorts of things, but she doesn't really excel at any of them.
She does play disk, and will catch rollers all day long. She's not really fast enough to catch them in the air, or I'm not a good enough thrower.n

She'll pick up giant sticks off the ground and bring them to me.

We go off leash hiking (she's good for 5-7 miles with no break, but if she gets tired it's pretty easy to just slip her in my backpack). she digs on the beach, plays agility (and isn't a superstar but we Q sometimes and have a couple novice titles) When I go for bike rides, I've got a little basket that she goes in.

One thing that nobody has mentioned is that if you live where there's a lot of snow, even something as small as 6 inches of snow means you need to go out and shovel a path for them. I live in the northeast and we had 20-30 inch storms every week it seemed like, so Lola really was confined to trails that I snowblower or snowshoes for her for months on end.