Small dogs Big dogs

[Shelties]

I've always been a small dog person and my husband has always been a big dog person. He's not too fond of the little ones with the exception of miniature poodles and shelties. Well months down the road we are considering getting a German Shepherd. I will admit i freaked just because i have never had a dog any bigger than a sheltie. In my other post i meantioned that my cousin has this GSD and she ( the dog ) is just so much fun to play with that you really can't with a smaller dog.

I do like active dogs and after i got a sheltie i decided that i would stick with dogs that are not anymore smaller than a sheltie, Casey keeps me going enough, he's my running/walking buddy and we could go for 1 mile if the weather permits and if it were up to him he'd go 3 miles! LOL....

Anyhow after i visited this GSD ( her name is koadie) several times even though i've tried to get my cousin to give me his dog since i know i can give it more attention that it needs and this dog is outdoors 24/7, but he says no .

I just thought it was funny how me being a small dog person now turning into a big dog person. But i think deep down i will always have a soft spot for the small ones . Who knows when im old and grey i'll purchase a maltese LOL

[linnie]

You know when you relly think about it... a dog is a dog no matter what the size
The only problem I find with a bigger one is that they require much more physical entertainment lol
Oh and they eat more roflmao

[KennelMom]

I'm the opposite. I've always been a big dog person, but after getting to know some italian greyhounds and other small breeds from the kennel, I know that I really want one one day. I'd LOVE to have an IG, but I'm not sure if we'll ever go smaller than a whippet.

Now getting me to switch from a "short-haired-dog person" to a "long-haired-dog person" probably ain't gonna happen. I just don't like to spend very much time grooming LOL

[Mufasas Mommy]

All my life, I've had big dogs, Labs, GS, etc., but after getting Mufasa, I love ALL sizes! The little ones are nice to cuddle with, but the big ones are fun to rough house with.

[Winjammin]

It sounds like what you would need is a Corgi.....big dogs in a little package. I know what you mean though. I used to (and still do) love the big dogs....Pyrs, Newfs, Mals, etc. However, living circumstances have eliminated these breeds from our options.

But, I realized the value in getting a Corgi very quickly...they KNOW they're a big dog who is vertically challenged (LOL!), and can rough and tumble with the best of them. Our dogs run periodically with a Malamute and they all have a grand time playing. We never worry about the Corgis getting hurt.....the Mal on the other hand...LOL (He looks like a pogo stick when 3 Corgis are trying to herd him around...it's hilarious)

[Pearlulm]

I love all dogs. The thing about a larger dog is that they can reach more things to get into trouble with! But then again, isn't that fun!

[DogLover8]

I have always liked big dogs more. They are fun to hike with, and really fun to play with too.

Your dog is adorable, Mufasas Mommy.

[TinyAlbinoDancer]

Shelties, I'm the same way. Our first dog was medium sized, and since him we've only had Missie and Ollie in the last 8 years. Now getting ready to adopt a Greyhound, I'm just glad Greyhounds aren't like typical big dogs that are bulky and slobbery and hairy. LOL (Just kidding! ). I don't know if I'll ever be able to adjust to a large dog with much hair now, but I do hope to try someday.

[Sugardog]

It doesn't really matter to me all that much. I mean, both have their pros and cons. Small dogs are pick up-able, more portable, they sit in your lap, you can carry them, they have a smaller tongue so kisses aren't too slobbery. Big dogs are more to hug, less prone to get injured as easily, sometimes easier to deal with in training, but they slobber more, they're stronger and when they step on you it hurts.

But it doesn't matter all that much to me. I have an 18 pound whippet mix and she's wonderful and I love her to death and I have fun training her. I do therapy work with her, we're working on getting her TDI. And then I have Rosie, an 80 pound german shepherd puppy who I also love to death and have fun training.

[Doglover1988]

I have had and love both. Small medium and large it doesn't matter to me as long as they have a good personality. I hate yippy little dogs that bark at everything. Right now I have a small dog, 2 medium dogs, and one large/medium dog. I love all sizes and have had everything from a toy poodle to a large sized german shepherd mix in the past. I have to say though that the medium sized dogs really win my heart. They have that "big dog" personality but can still sit in your lap.

[Beryl]

ITA with several of the "they are all great" posts. I've had all sizes and loved them all.

Longevity and portability of the little dogs is why I have small dogs right now. I took it very badly after losing my 80 lb GSD after only 11 (too short) years around this time last year. My last small dog (a pom) lived and loved my family and friends for a long 18 years. Also, when I leave on business, I either take a little guy with me or leave him with friends. Many people volunteer to babysit a little dog in their homes.

OTOH, there are no lifespan guarantees and some large dogs live a long time too. Large dogs have lots of advantages besides the obvious -- protection. They are more laid back. My GSD would walk with me around my front yard and in my garage without me worrying about him running off. I've never been as comfortable with my small dogs following me around like that out of doors.

My childhood dogs were all medium sized and they were terrific too. My next dog might be a medium sized Spitz-type. I'm liking Shiba Inus.

[Rivsky]

I was a complete big dog only person (I've always wanted either a long haired GSD or a Sibe) before my living circumstances eliminated all big dog breeds from my list of possibilities - so it was go medium/small or no dog at all - the choice was easy there!!

River has completely changed my view on small dogs - I too always thought of them as yappy little neurotic pains in the butt - but I've now realised that it because all the small dogs I've previously come into contact with haven't been properly trained and socialised.

So now I can definitely say that I love them all!!

[Ritz459]

I'm a big dog person. I like small dogs, but I don't really want to own one. I think around fourteen inches is about as small as I want to go. (That is, if the dog isn't a "big dog" in a little body...say a Bulldog, French Bulldog, Corgi....).
The only real disadvantages of big dogs is that they cost more to maintain and they take up more space. Other than that, I love 'em! You also have to be careful that they are properly trained. An out of control 90lb dog is going to do much more damage than 9lb dog!
Oh, and beware of the tail! We recentally found out that a Labrador's tail and Christmas ortaments at the bottom of the tree don't mix. Sadie's tail would be a'wagging and the poor little Santa Claus ski-doing went flying!

[TribalRats]

We Showed & trained Rat Terriers....now we have one Rat and 2 Labs.

[gaddylovesdogs]

Big dog person here. They're just more dog to me...you can be rougher, they can go longer...little dogs are just very different for me. They're cute and all, and I often do enjoy them, but I have trouble thinking of them as DOG dogs.