Why a "toy' dog?

[dogma]

I was a cat person! I rescued my first Chi from an abusive boy/man because she needed me. She had an untreated fractured hip and I was afraid she would be euthanized if I turned her over to the pound. She was cute and 4 months old and I scrounged up the money for vet and surgery. Fell in love. She was gentle and friendly. I love most dogs, but the toys are special.

[scarfy]

Yah know, to be honest, I didn't want a small dog. I use to have a Husky mix that passed away. I loved her dearly and wanted another dog like her. (Though now I realize if I got one just like her it might end up breaking my heart)

Since I moved back in with my parents they didn't want a really big dog in the house so I had to scale down my search. I really love all dogs and I managed to see Foofie and I fell in LOVE. She's so great! Even though she's little sometimes she thinks she's a bigger dog I wouldn't trade her for the world.

When I move out I'll be able to get more pets, but she'll always be the lead dog

[k9hullio_sam]

I got Mandi because my mom is a little "anti-animals" and her 'stipulations' were a dog that was small enough that he/she couldn't pull her on a leash, didn't shed and wasn't "stupid." Then we went to the breeders my mom picked Mandi up and she licked her on the face and my mom says "we'll take her." I didn't even have time to ask all my questions. LOL She has been a great dog though. I can take her with me almost everywhere, and she doesn't require too much exercise (although she gets it lol). She is just *perfect.*

[KennelMom]

I'm not really a "small dog person"...I prefer medium to large breeds, BUT, there are a few toys that I board and I absolutely love, love, LOVE when they are here b/c I get my little dog cuddling time. It seems that more often than not, the toy breeds are not socialized well enough - some can't even be handled without their owners present - so the toys that we board who are wonderful really get spoiled when they're here <g>

There's a little shih tzu who I absolutely ADORE. It's funny how you can not particularly care for a particular breed until you meet an awesome dog that represents that breed and you think: I get why people love these dogs LOL

[Tiffany0204]

Originally Posted by KennelMom

There's a little shih tzu who I absolutely ADORE. It's funny how you can not particularly care for a particular breed until you meet an awesome dog that represents that breed and you think: I get why people love these dogs LOL

I know what you mean! Although I am a Shih Tzu lover, so it doesn't surprise me at all that you met one you like. They're hard to resist, that's for sure.

I'm not a fan of large dogs for my own personal life. I love other people's large breeds, but for my life I'm not into the drool and power at the end of a leash. Not to mention that I just do not have the room for a large dog.

I've always loved the Shih Tzu breed, there was something about the huge eyes that I fell in love with. Granted, there's things about the Shih Tzu that I'm sure drive other people crazy, like their tearing and whatnot...but Gizmo's doesn't bother me in the slightest. They've got the best little personalities... not a mean bone in their bodies. If you come across one who is mean, I'd wager it was the result of poor breeding or cruelty. This is just not an agressive/mean breed.

[Beryl]

ITA. My sister and my niece has Shih Tzus and they are both sweet in their own ways. They can warm the coldest heart.

[Shelties]

my first dog was a maltese, i've always loved smaller dogs because i always thought they were much easier to handle than a much larger breed. Then the size of the dog got bigger, went from a maltese to a miniature poodle and now shelties. I've thought about golden retrievers someday in the future but i think my idea of having a large dog changed my mind. My parents have this lab mix, big goof ball you'll ever meet, but man is he strong when he wacks you with his paws!!, he pawed at my leg and now i have a huge scratch/bruise on my leg!! LOL.....

I think i'll just stick with small to medium size dogs

[qwertyasu]

Oh there another reason I thought of-toy dogs don't counter cruise like other dogs tend to, anyone have any idea why???

lol

[ChiPeanut]

I got my chihuahua because no matter how old they are, they always still look like a puppy! Its like they never grow up!

[Amaya-Mazie-Marley]

I've grown up around large dogs all my life. I was raised around APBT and Rotties and now prefer smaller dogs. I have a chinese crested powderpuff who at two years old weighs 8 pounds. I also have a basenji mix that is 9 months old and weighs 19 pounds. My largest dog weighs barely 40 pounds. I just prefer lap dogs and dogs you can sleep and cuddle with that don't take up your whole bed or cut the circulation off in your legs if they sit on you. Also its alot less food, easier to clean up poop in your yard, not hard at all to walk them. The only dowside is alot of smaller or toy breed dogs have more health problems and some breeds are extremely hyper.

[Cassiepeia]

The only dowside is alot of smaller or toy breed dogs have more health problems and some breeds are extremely hyper.

Actually I don't think there is any difference in health problems between large and small dogs. Small dogs just tend to be fussed over a LOT more than your average big dog.
And the hyper thing...again (just my opinion obviously), I think there are just as many hyper big dogs as their are small dogs. Big dogs may get more attention paid to their exercise needs though, because a large number of small dog owners are ignorant to the needs of their tiny furkids (who need way more exercise than people think). So an unexercised dog can appear "hyper".

Cass.

[Rivsky]

I think the main reason people tend to think of small dogs as more hyper is the exercise thing as Cass mentioned but also far less people (generally speaking) actually put the effort into training their small dogs - simply because even if they're out of control they still don't have enough weight behind them to pull you over so people tend to think they don't need any training. Then you end up with a small "hyper" dog simply because it's never been taught how to act appropriately.

[ChiPeanut]

I agree too with hyper and exercise. Peanut was crazy hyper before I started taking him on walks. I had read so many places, that all the exercise a chihuahua needs is the run of an apartment.

I since started taking him for daily walks which he loved and he seemed alot less hyper. I have had to stop the daily walks due to someone following me and scaring me! Thank goodness Peanut was small, I picked him up and ran home! Although a big viscous looking dog could have come in handy! My partner walks with us on evenings when he is not too tired. But my friend is going to start walking with me in the mornings soon so I will have a happy Peanut again!!

[2pups622]

i have always loved all dogs but when i was little my barbies had a little chihuahua & yorkie as i got older and did my research i loved them even more i will always own at Least one of each i do hope to own a few chihuahuas tho there not like any other breed its hard to explain

[Tortilla]

I saw him at the shelter and fell in love. I'm generally not a 'small dog person'.