Why are small breeds so aggressive?

Question

I've seen this in t.v shows, during vet visits, the pet store. I take my 2 pit bulls to the pet store or to the vet, and they won't even growl at those lil dogs. Instead, those lil dogs will start being aggressive towards my dogs......And people say that Pitbulls are mean....

Answer 1

That is not always true but in some cases it is. Small dogs tend to have a big personality and can tend to be bossy but as I said it is not always the case. Their aggression is their defence mechanism. Deep down they know that the big rottweiler down the road could shred them to bits if it got out but the bark and growl to show that they're tough to give the illusion to other dogs that they are really strong and scary and it quite often works. Their aggression makes up for their height.

Another reason for aggression is that since the dog is small and cute the owner has molly-coddled it and the dog think it's boss so it will growl at any other dog in sight. Most small dogs are bought on impulse by young women and the woman just think the dogs are a fashion accessory and the dog is not properly socialised.

I hope that answers your question!!!!

Answer 2

What they lack in size, they make up for in bark.

From a serious POV, a toy dog's needs are often underestimated. Too many owners get a toy dog and force it to sit home all day, don't train it properly, refuse to alter it (and/or breed it recklessly), and/or don't care for it properly in general. People also pay a LOT of money for poorly bred dogs - dogs that are more likely to have temperament issues.

I can tell you that I have a toy dog that is only aggressive (in bark) when people invade our yard (or park in front of our house, or ring our doorbell, or wait for the school bus within view). She's a real pussycat otherwise - and it's because she's been properly trained, is not left home alone for more than 3 hours regularly, is fed GREAT food, and is loved like a child. We would NEVER have considered turning her into a puppy factory or leaving her alone most of the day. But, we are responsible owners, and those are few & far between. Just take a look on here around 5pm Eastern Time - you'll see what I mean. Puppy factories, uncared for dogs, and neglected dogs right and left.

Answer 3

Because their owners don't take their bad behavior seriously. People think, well, my "baby" weighs only 8 pounds so how much damage can s/he inflict? The problem is that even though they are small breeds, they are still dogs and they need/crave rules and discipline --not just affection. By not disciplining their small dogs (and large dogs too, for that matter), people create monsters. I am doing all I can to insure my dog doesn't become another snappy/mean little dog. **I'm sure some of this aggression is based on fear but, again, proper training goes a long way to address this issue.

Answer 4

I have a small dog and he has not shown any aggression to anything on four legs or two legs even. However my neighbor has a small dog and she is aggressive, more-so than my pooch.

When he sees a child playing in their own yard while I am walking him he gets all excited and wants to play with that child, sometimes I wonder if he will ever make a watch dog. he don't even bark at the Mail man even!

Could it be his age? He is almost 6 months old now.

Answer 5

Some little dogs are mean because their owners don't discipline them. They don't treat them like a dog. If your pit pulls at the leash to get another dog, there is a good chance he or she could get away and get the dog. So you (as a responsible owner and pack leader) don't let them. If a little dog pull to get at another dog, there is a good chance the owner can hang on. Some owners find it cute and let them do it.

And there are some breed that are "clannish" like my chihuahuas. They really only like chihuahuas and especially each other. I raised one from birth and he wasn't around other dogs so he doesn't like any other dogs that aren't in the family (he takes a while to warm up). My dogs aren't around big dogs and don't trust them. BUT I don't let them get aggressive with big dogs because if they are giving the signs, one day a big dog may just respond and who is going to win? The big dog. My advice is to teach the dogs to ignore other dogs when walking or out. It's safer.

BTW the only dogs that have actually approached us on walks are not the little dogs barking at us (they stand back), but big dogs. I had a golden retreiver and a rotti run right up on the little dogs (who were ignoring them because they were walking). My little dogs got terrified that the big ones were going to hurt them.

Answer 6

Because of their size, they are probably more likely to feel threatened by things big dogs wouldn’t see as a big deal. I mean, of course a Pit is not going to start trying to ward off a Yorkie, but a Yorkie might feel their life depends on warding off the Pit before it gets too close, so they put on a tough-guy act.

Answer 7

My opinion, is that the breeds themselves aren't nessicarily mean, but spoiled. THey don't know how to act like dogs, because owners carry them around like little stuffed toys. They baby them, so that their dog instinct dies. So when approached by another dog, they have no idea what to do so they freak. I work at a boarding kennel (more like pampered dog hotel) and people bring us their little dog couches, and little doggie outfits and purses to keep their dogs company while they are away. I mean... you wouldn't go stuffing a german shepard in a purse, or buy it a couch now would you? Its the people i'm telling you... THE PEOPLE!

Answer 8

I personally have never seen a min pin, Pomeranian or toy poodle rip someones jugular or cause 400 stitches. Pit bulls have bad raps but you cannot deny what you hear and see about them. Like any dog they can turn and when they do they are usually on the winning end. Pit Bulls, their jaws lock when they bite that makes a huge difference.

Answer 9

I'm not so sure that small breeds are any worse than any others as far as aggression, but I've heard that many of the smaller breeds were developed to kill pests like rats and mice. That may have something to do with it.

Answer 10

Well, think about it... The best defense is a good offense, right? They are small and low on the chain of command so they have to make up for it with a big bark. It's kind of like a guy who has a really small you-know-what so he buys a really nice, expensive, pimped-out sports vehicle to make up for it.

Oh and as someone who has been attacked by a toy poodle and saw my baby cousin have to get stitches because of the same damn poodle... I can relate. Chihuahas (sp?) are also vicious little critters. I think the person above me needs to stop stereo-typing Pit Bulls...