Big Dog Little Dog

by Pat Hennessy

One of the best decisions you will ever make is to get a companion animal. One of the most important decisions about getting your companion is to select the breed that is right for you and your lifestyle.

Choosing a Breed
There are several things to consider when it comes to breed. Each breed class has some common characteristics, for example herding dogs may be more territorial to space, terriers may dig, hounds will bark (or bay as it referred to because it is a very distinctive sound), etc. Some breeds are more susceptible to certain medical conditions. Some dogs need more exercise than others. Every dog needs a “job” to do, so you will need to consider what “job” they are going to perform in your household, besides being your loving companion.
When it comes to dogs some people like the big ones, while others prefer to have the little ones. Each has their own set of considerations.

Medium to Big Dogs
Big dogs give you more dog to love and cuddle and can create a feeling of security (without being trained specifically for protection). Many of the medium-to-larger dogs are easier to train because their breed characteristics have evolved over time performing functions that interact with humans, such as herding, hunting, and retrieving. When selecting your big dog keep that in mind, and for mixed breeds you can test them with play scenarios to see what characteristics they display. However, you must consider that big dogs will cost you more, not only in food and supplies but in veterinary care as well. A bed, bowl, and crate for a big dog are more expensive. Boarding, grooming and medical costs are higher. And for as much unconditional love as you will get from your big pup, he will most likely not live as long as his smaller canine cousins. Along with size, breed specific characteristics should be considerations as well, not only temperament but potential health risks to certain breeds.
One challenge for big dogs is that they really need good skills, so training is a must. If you have a “wild and crazy” canine, he can get himself and you in more trouble. Tearing stuff up or biting someone can cause more damage. While some small breeds have more bite statistics with the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), the big dogs are the ones that cause more damage and end up with the vicious reputations.

Small Dogs
Small dogs are just little bundles of joy with just as much unconditional love as their bigger cousins. They will cost you less in food, supplies, and veterinary care (however may cost more in grooming for the longer haired varieties). They are easier to physically handle, for example picking up and putting in the car if they become ill. They live longer than most large breeds and they take up less space on the bed or couch. However some small breeds are prone to health issues, such as dogs with bulging eyes are more susceptible to eye trauma, toy breeds are prone to teeth issues, and short-nose/flat-faced dogs may have nasal or breathing problems. Several of the small dog breeds take longer to train because their breed characteristics did not include human relationships to perform their “jobs” or they were bred for physical characteristics vs. obedience.
Another item to consider about small dogs is that they make great lap warmers — but don’t make a habit of it or it could come back to bite someone (in their intense effort to keep you as a resource all to themselves). One of the biggest problems with small dogs is that they are often picked up and carried too much, not giving them enough time to be on the floor and be a dog. Having as much time on the ground as they do on the lap will help balance them physically, which helps balance the mental and emotional state as well. Giving them more time on the ground logically makes them more grounded. Giving them more time to be a dog helps to balance the relationship with you. After all you want a well-balanced dog, not just a purse ornament.

Activities to Share
So whether you like a big fur kid or a small wonder we all know they come with a canine mind and need a healthy human-canine relationship. More things you can add to your list of relationship builders would be to look for activities that are breed or size appropriate. If you have a dog that has high energy you may want to consider agility. If you have a dog that likes to follow her nose you may want to consider an activity like tracking, canine scent work or search and rescue. If you have a very low-key temperament canine, you may want to consider doing some therapy work as a team. Of course, doing some basic obedience/family manners is always a good thing. It will increase your dog’s vocabulary and your ability to communicate with her in a variety of circumstances (giving you more options if you need to get her attention or redirect a behavior).

As you can see, thought and research should go into your choice. But we all agree that our animal companions bring us such joy, regardless of age, breed or size. Charles Schultz was certainly right when he said, “Happiness is a warm puppy,” whether you are picking one from a litter or a senior from a shelter.

Pat Hennessy is the founder of N2paws, LLC, an organization that provides a holistic approach to companion animal care through behavior education, energy work, and positive training methods. Pat is a Level 2 TTouch® practitioner, CPDT and member of the IAABC, IAATH and AWA. You may contact N2Paws via email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , phone 816-522-7005, or visit the website www.n2paws.com.