Do You Have These Misconceptions About Small Dogs?

It’s very interesting to hear how many dog owners end up getting a different dog breed from what they initially had in mind. There is nothing unusual about this. Our life is constantly evolving, so are our choices. However, what amaze me is when dog owners made the drastic change of acquiring a big dog instead of their smaller cousins or vice verse.

For most cases, their swift change in mindset is largely due to insufficient research and a lot of hearsays. Not all hearsays are bad, but some are very much misinformed.

Upon probing, these are some misconceptions about small dogs that you might find them entertaining.

• Small dogs are better with children because of their size, weight, and strength. First of all, no dogs can be trusted with children without supervision. Any dog with no proper socialization skills is a hassle to all humans, let alone children.
• Small dogs don’t need as much exercise as bigger dogs do. Never equate their size with lacking in energy or drive to exercise. Many small dogs (i.e. Jack Russell Terriers, Beagles, Miniature Schnauzers, Italian Greyhounds, Cocker Spaniels) are very active and demand active lifestyle. These dogs require just as much exercise if not more than larger dogs. Many small dogs are able to outrun, outdo, outplay, outwit, outlast (sounds like Survivor’s tagline, =O) some larger dogs like St. Bernard’s or Chow Chows.
• Small dogs don’t require training because many are lap dogs. Can I say infants require less (or no) interaction as children do, since all infants do is sleep and eat? All dogs need training. No buts. At the very least, they need to learn are basic commands, proper behavior and social skill. By the way, any dogs can become lap dogs or couch pe-totoes if you let them be.
• Small dogs require more grooming because of their long coat and are high maintenance. All dogs require grooming regardless of their coat length and texture. There is no rule to say owners cannot adopt puppy-cut look for their long coated adult dog. I suspect this misconception comes largely by trying to emulate show dogs. These dogs are basically of a different league than many pet dogs. Take my Maltese for example; after my dogs retired from show rings, I groomed them down to puppy cut. They’ve never been any happier with a different look. As such, they’re more energetic and were more apt in agility courses.
• Small dogs are ladies’ dogs, as they don’t require great strength to control compare to larger dogs. First all, we’re in the 21st century. Today’s women are in a different “caliber” of yesteryear women (not saying our great grandmothers were anywhere inferior to us). Secondly, dogs aren’t designed to be ordered around nor regulate as we please. If that’s the intention, get a robotic dog made from Japan. At least no blood is shed. Thirdly, I’m only 5’2″, and I have owned, handled, and trained many big dogs. Yet I’m able to be their alpha dog without using my strength or lack of.
• Small dogs are excellent barkers. I wonder where that came from. I do agree that some small dogs are more vocal than their larger counterparts, but they aren’t lunatic by birth. Dogs, be it small or large, don’t bark for no reason. I’ve said quite a bit here, so shan’t go barking nagging for more.
• When small dogs jump on people, they don’t mind as they’re able to sustain the dog’s weight. My words to those who have this thought, “Don’t kid yourself into thinking that! Not everyone is as crazy about your dog as you are, and certainly don’t like to be startled upon entering your home.” Also any small dogs with this jumping habit can easily knock down any young children, especially toddlers.
• Small dogs are great escape artists. Just because small dogs require digging a smaller hole underneath a fence or able to jump over the fence with less effort, qualified them the better escape artists compare to larger dogs. All dogs are escape artists when they lack stimulus at home or on walks. All entire (not neutered) dogs will attempt to escape for mating when they sensed the love in the air.

Whatever your decision is getting that dream dog, be sure to equip yourself with sounding knowledge through dog related books and some googling. Don’t just take my words for it even though I put my best effort to inform, you will fare better to listen to different opinions. Be discerning.

Lastly, never rush through the process of learning. It pays greatly considering your dog will be your “soul-mate” for a long time.

Special note: What’s this Beginners’ Course for Soon-To-Be Dog Owners? Basically, over the next few months, I will put up one post per fornightly for those folks in search for their dream dog. Though I have covered a few related topics, but as I look through my many incoming inquires, I realized there are many still uncertain about the type of dogs they are sutiable for.

If you are these folks, you certainly don’t have to wait for the next issue to learn more about dogs. You can always go to my Archives to read those topics that interest you. Good luck.