The smaller a dog is the bigger it acts, and vice versa...?

Question

I have had chihuahuas and they act like the biggest, meanest dogs in the universe.

i have had, (and currently do have) pitbulls that believe they are nothing more than lap dogs.

It seems that alot of, (not all) small dogs consider themselves to be the biggest, baddest thing walking, while alot of, (again not all) think they are the smallest, fragile flowers on earth.

Why is this?

Answer 1

Some of it has to do with training. Many people let little dogs get away with a lot more - barking, biting, dominance - because they're little. It's obvious that a German Shepherd could cause serious damage with that behavior, so people make sure their larger dogs know how to behave.

People also spoil smaller dogs differently than they do larger dogs. A big dog would be in heaven if s/he were taken on long walks and got to be a lap dog, small dogs tend to get clothes, ribbons, and carried around in bags. People treat little dogs like royalty, instead of realizing that they're still dogs; they still need exercise and training. I digress.

Some breeds are more dominant than others, just like some dogs are more dominant than others. Training and environment are too big of a variable to be left out.

Answer 2

I only have two Dobes at the moment and they are just the same. Tori was given a plush musical fish for her birthday last week, so of course it was the toy that JJ wanted most in the world and was sighing gustily over and the attempt to slide it away when he thought Tori wasn't looking. ~ Plush fish now semi broken and already been sewn up once! ~ When I had the Bedlingtons (smallish) I purchased medium/ large size toys, so that the Dobes were less likely to be in danger of choking. Dobes can wreck a toy very quickly, so I still have to keep an eagle eye on their toys.

Answer 3

Small animals try and compromise for lack of size.

When we just got our last daschund, we took her to the beach, which seemed totally deserted. She took one look up and down it, and scooted wioth all her might into the distance, barking. We knew she's probably spotted another dog we couldn't see, and ran after her. When we got there we collapsed laughing, she was standing under a Rottie, barking at it with all her might, the Rottie just looked at her, not even growling at her, it just looked bemused. Us and the Rottie owner just laughed so hard we could hardly say a thing. That is typical.

Answer 4

A dog cannot tell the difference in size. That is the reason that a small dog will jump on a larger dog without hesitation. And a larger one doesn't hold back when they attack a much smaller dog.

Answer 5

Chihuahuas are known for this attitude they can take on a rott they think My mas actually chases off the pit that comes to her yard she has 2 and the pit out weighs them 12 times over

Answer 6

Small dogs are aggressive because they have something to prove. Because of their size they are constantly bluffing to protect themselves. On the other hand, big dogs, like pitbulls or st. bernards especially, can be as goofy and gentle as they want. Who's gonna call them out on it, the chihuahuas?

Answer 7

My dog tries to chase dogs 10 times bigger than he is and acts like he is the boss of the dog world. But it's in his personality, i just keep him on a leash when he'soutside just in case he see's the big dogs again.

Answer 8

Maybe it is a survival mechanism.
I find people to be this way as well.
The badder you are the less you have to prove.

Answer 9

Napoleon syndrome. J/K They have to make up in attitude, what they lack in size.

Answer 10

My dog is a terrible actor!