What is your opinion of toy breeds and small dog breeds?
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I don't mind small dogs, but I feel after my two are gone, I won't have anymore, at least for a very long time. I will probably stick to dogs around 30-40 pounds, possibly bigger.
I am tired of having to worry about smaller dogs around bigger dogs, wildlife (eagles/owls/coyote/etc.)
Tired of having them get stepped on by other people that don't watch at all where they are going or just don't see them.
Tired of certain tricks that I have to bend way down to do (such as heeling and pivot work and such). I have never taught my dogs they can't jump up on my leg (unless I say they can't at that time) because I like being able to pet them without bending down lol. Excuses for being lazy but eh lol.
So super excited to have dogs I don't have to bend down for (or at least too much) or worry as much about with other things in the environment.
I am tired of having to worry about smaller dogs around bigger dogs, wildlife (eagles/owls/coyote/etc.)
Tired of having them get stepped on by other people that don't watch at all where they are going or just don't see them.
Tired of certain tricks that I have to bend way down to do (such as heeling and pivot work and such). I have never taught my dogs they can't jump up on my leg (unless I say they can't at that time) because I like being able to pet them without bending down lol. Excuses for being lazy but eh lol.
So super excited to have dogs I don't have to bend down for (or at least too much) or worry as much about with other things in the environment.
I definitely prefer big dogs over little ones, but I like individual small dogs. I mean, Sam is what I consider a small dog and he's great.
Plus teaching Sam rebounds vs teaching Wilson rebounds is much, much less painful.
ETA: but yeah, I encourage Sam to jump up on me so I don't have to reach down to pet him and others encourage it too. Wilson is *not* allowed to jump up unless he is asked to.
Plus teaching Sam rebounds vs teaching Wilson rebounds is much, much less painful.
ETA: but yeah, I encourage Sam to jump up on me so I don't have to reach down to pet him and others encourage it too. Wilson is *not* allowed to jump up unless he is asked to.
I think I used to be a 'big dog' person but I am slowly turning into more of a 'small dog person'. Honestly, they're just... easier imo for so many things. There's definite pros/cons to both though and I definitely wouldn't mind having a bigger dog around again. But I also have no desire to go under like 9-10lbs though. And minus a few breeds, I likely wouldn't ever go over 40-50lbs for a dog ideally.
I like the portability of smaller dogs. I think 30 pounds would be my limit - unless the Collie fairy dropped off a Collie on my porch with a big red bow lol. Always an exception for them!
Addie is so incredibly small (she was the runt) and at 19 weeks is only the size of an adult Chihuahua. Her personality is so big and in my mind she is bigger than she is and I am always surprised when I see how little she is. I do wish she was regular sized though!
Addie is so incredibly small (she was the runt) and at 19 weeks is only the size of an adult Chihuahua. Her personality is so big and in my mind she is bigger than she is and I am always surprised when I see how little she is. I do wish she was regular sized though!
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I would like to add that aside from terriers, I would like to MAYBE someday, possibly perhaps venture into the idea of having an Iggy. But they are just so very tiny...
Really the only reason I like smaller dogs is because they're so much easier to transport. However, Roxie (40lbs) is pretty easy to transport, and light enough to pick up and walk a mile with. I mean, I can't carry her under my coat or anything, but yknow.
Really the only reason I like smaller dogs is because they're so much easier to transport. However, Roxie (40lbs) is pretty easy to transport, and light enough to pick up and walk a mile with. I mean, I can't carry her under my coat or anything, but yknow.
I wouldn't mind having one at a time, maybe, but then again maybe not. I don't know, I like small dogs but don't have a huge desire for them. I like the small hairless breeds (AHT and Cresteds) and a few others..chihuahuas and rat terriers and border terriers and so on.
There are a couple of breeds I have considered for the future but they are more knee height... Buhunds, Field Spaniels, etc. I'm just not sure as I really want something that I can reach, that I can touch their head for heeling.
There are a couple of breeds I have considered for the future but they are more knee height... Buhunds, Field Spaniels, etc. I'm just not sure as I really want something that I can reach, that I can touch their head for heeling.
Small dogs...not a fan. I mean, I *like* small dogs as dogs. But I'd rather not own one. They're too...small.
I do, however, have a huge appreciation for medium sized dogs. 28-40 pounds. Cynder is the *perfect* sized dog at 30 pounds. I always want a big dog around for the security aspect, but I really think I'm going to try to have dogs between 30-55 pounds from here on out. Biggest I'll want to go (aside from large dog) will be the size of a smaller female lab.
If I were to have a small dog, I'd want one that is "sturdy". Like a JRT type dog vs a Chihuahua type dog. But then, I don't really classify most terriers as "small".
I do, however, have a huge appreciation for medium sized dogs. 28-40 pounds. Cynder is the *perfect* sized dog at 30 pounds. I always want a big dog around for the security aspect, but I really think I'm going to try to have dogs between 30-55 pounds from here on out. Biggest I'll want to go (aside from large dog) will be the size of a smaller female lab.
If I were to have a small dog, I'd want one that is "sturdy". Like a JRT type dog vs a Chihuahua type dog. But then, I don't really classify most terriers as "small".
When it comes to ownership, I prefer bigger dogs. I'm wearing a tee-shirt I got at the Pet Expo right now that says "I like big mutts and I cannot lie!" 
But I like all dogs, big and small. I tend to spoil the little ones at work quite a lot. Poodles are so warm and fun to cuddle. There's also a tiny Chihuahua named Juno I enjoy carrying around whenever possible. When I'm old I may own a pug or a Schipperke. Or maybe both.
But I like all dogs, big and small. I tend to spoil the little ones at work quite a lot. Poodles are so warm and fun to cuddle. There's also a tiny Chihuahua named Juno I enjoy carrying around whenever possible. When I'm old I may own a pug or a Schipperke. Or maybe both. 
I'm sure there are small dog breeds that I would like, I just like how sturdy a good medium size dog is. Hugo is around 40 lbs and he's just the perfect size. We can train lift/catch/vault/stall/rebound/heel pretty easily and he's still small enough to be super portable. If we have five people in our car, it's not crazy for him to sit on someones lap.
Hank is in that odd in between small and medium size, I think. He's slightly bigger than most shelties and very hardy. In fact it is more often that he's too much for his playmate than the other way around regardless of size. I really like his size. I'm still a bit bummed he didn't grow like the shelter thought he would though. :lol-sign: Next Dog will be at least 25-30 lbs. If I think about agility jump heights, I want a dog that falls into 16" AKC/18" USDAA.
I may be done with toy dogs though to be honest. They're just so fragile comparatively and it'd be much easier if all my dogs were Hank's hardiness and size or more. Some of the breeds I want are high prey drive too. It would be easier without tiny dogs around. But then again I adore papillons and haven't found another breed that captures what I like about paps. I love Hank but I miss some of the pap things that he lacks. Not sure I could go without having at least one around at all times. They just make me happy.
I may be done with toy dogs though to be honest. They're just so fragile comparatively and it'd be much easier if all my dogs were Hank's hardiness and size or more. Some of the breeds I want are high prey drive too. It would be easier without tiny dogs around. But then again I adore papillons and haven't found another breed that captures what I like about paps. I love Hank but I miss some of the pap things that he lacks. Not sure I could go without having at least one around at all times. They just make me happy.
I'm clumsy. I feel like I probably would trip over a little dog and hurt him/her.
I also like to hike a lot so I prefer a dog that I don't have to worry too much about them getting picked up by a predator - but also small enough that if something happens I can carry the dog out.
My ideal is the 28-45lbs range. Rigby is a great size for me at the 28lbs mark, yet Ruby I feel is too small at 24lbs.
I also like to hike a lot so I prefer a dog that I don't have to worry too much about them getting picked up by a predator - but also small enough that if something happens I can carry the dog out.
My ideal is the 28-45lbs range. Rigby is a great size for me at the 28lbs mark, yet Ruby I feel is too small at 24lbs.
^^^ This.
I've had small, medium and large breeds and mixes. Love them all. I love dogs. I'm obsessed with everything dog.
Right now, my more recent additions are my two toy Poodles. Now there's a breed! I wish I had thought of it sooner. I can't imagine not living with a Poodle now that I've had them. They're not like any other dog I've had and I've had a lot. They're so in tuned to me and scary intelligent. A laugh a minute and well....just a really cool breed.
At this time in my life, as a senior, I doubt I'll ever had a larger sized dog than a toy. They're perfect for me. And they can hike, go anywhere...super easy to travel with, easy to groom when clipped short and one of the best things....drum roll: No shedding! I don't ever need a shedding dog again. And once you've lived with toys for a while, you instinctively are careful. They don't break. lol. (at least not usually) I loved having my Chihuahuas and I love these Poodles. Two terrific breeds.
Isn't it nice there's a breed, a mix or size for everyone?
I've had small, medium and large breeds and mixes. Love them all. I love dogs. I'm obsessed with everything dog.
Right now, my more recent additions are my two toy Poodles. Now there's a breed! I wish I had thought of it sooner. I can't imagine not living with a Poodle now that I've had them. They're not like any other dog I've had and I've had a lot. They're so in tuned to me and scary intelligent. A laugh a minute and well....just a really cool breed.
At this time in my life, as a senior, I doubt I'll ever had a larger sized dog than a toy. They're perfect for me. And they can hike, go anywhere...super easy to travel with, easy to groom when clipped short and one of the best things....drum roll: No shedding! I don't ever need a shedding dog again. And once you've lived with toys for a while, you instinctively are careful. They don't break. lol. (at least not usually) I loved having my Chihuahuas and I love these Poodles. Two terrific breeds.
Isn't it nice there's a breed, a mix or size for everyone?
I used to think 50 lbs was the perfect size...and now after Crossbone I think his 22lbs is perfect. Right now I am really liking the 20ish pound range -- they are super rough and tumble, go anywhere, do anything dogs but still portable and perfect for our little house. I did not enjoy itty bitty baby Pox...the 5-10lb range was just too small and I hated bending over all the time while training.
LOL. The bending over when training I can relate to. It's constant. I guess it keeps me agile. (well, sort of) But yeah, it's a bit of a hardship. There's always a long handled wooden spoon with peanut butter smeared on it. My Poodles are very small; 4 lbs and 6 lbs with an ounce or two added on. But they can still go anywhere and do anything. LOL. In fact, they're so energetic that the smallest one, Maurice really runs me ragged on his walk. (they each get their own walks most of the time) He can go and go and go and he goes fast and I go fast, almost breaking into a run and my God...by the time I can't take it anymore, it's time for the next one's turn. :rofl1: I've been working on their off leash recall so they can go in this big field behind my house off leash now. They come when called fantastically (with no distractions). lol.
I was considering a mini Poodle when I got mine. That might have been nice too. But I loved the Chihuahuas so much I decided to go with the toys. When it's terrible weather outside or as an older person, if something hurts too much like my back or arthritic toes and I don't want to go for a walk now and then, it makes no difference to them. They can zoom through the house and get plenty of exercise and fun. Of course, like most dogs, they love going off the property for walks so we do most days but when we can't, toys are good for that.
I was considering a mini Poodle when I got mine. That might have been nice too. But I loved the Chihuahuas so much I decided to go with the toys. When it's terrible weather outside or as an older person, if something hurts too much like my back or arthritic toes and I don't want to go for a walk now and then, it makes no difference to them. They can zoom through the house and get plenty of exercise and fun. Of course, like most dogs, they love going off the property for walks so we do most days but when we can't, toys are good for that.
^^^ This.
I've had small, medium and large breeds and mixes. Love them all. I love dogs. I'm obsessed with everything dog.
Right now, my more recent additions are my two toy Poodles. Now there's a breed! I wish I had thought of it sooner. I can't imagine not living with a Poodle now that I've had them. They're not like any other dog I've had and I've had a lot. They're so in tuned to me and scary intelligent. A laugh a minute and well....just a really cool breed.
Isn't it nice there's a breed, a mix or size for everyone?
I've had small, medium and large breeds and mixes. Love them all. I love dogs. I'm obsessed with everything dog.
Right now, my more recent additions are my two toy Poodles. Now there's a breed! I wish I had thought of it sooner. I can't imagine not living with a Poodle now that I've had them. They're not like any other dog I've had and I've had a lot. They're so in tuned to me and scary intelligent. A laugh a minute and well....just a really cool breed.
Isn't it nice there's a breed, a mix or size for everyone?
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No? Not really. I'm 6'1 and even a 50lb dog feels too small for me.
I will add that Papillions, JRTs, an Silken Windhounds are small dogs I really like and would consider owning if they made sense. I'm fostering the BF's love of Whippets so that maybe eventually I can push him towards a Silken. It's a long term plan.
I will add that Papillions, JRTs, an Silken Windhounds are small dogs I really like and would consider owning if they made sense. I'm fostering the BF's love of Whippets so that maybe eventually I can push him towards a Silken. It's a long term plan.