Larger dog owners? Do you "hate" small dogs?

Question

What is your reason/experience/excuse? As detailed as possible, thanks.

I completely agree, I heard somebody saying that people with small dogs should just have gotten a cat. Big or small, all dogs have doggy needs. I'm wondering what everybody else thinks.

Answer 1

I don't hate small dogs. I have one in addition to my giant girl. But, that being said, some small dogs can tend to be rather annoying. Some act tough, out of fear and bark incessantly because they are scared and nervous in the presence of larger dogs. Others can be pesky because they realize the larger dogs move slower and/or less agile than they are - weaving in and out of feet and just making a nuisance of themselves. They find this kind of teasing fun and confidence building. That really bothers me.

But, truly, it's the owners who never take the time to educate their dogs on proper etiquette that I hate. If the dog had been educated it wasn't proper to tease a larger dog, or, at least, the owner took action to prevent or stop it, it wouldn't be so bad - but that usually isn't the case. The owners just look the other way, while these little pups snap at feet and bark forever. Even worse, I've had them smile down on this bad behavior as if it's funny that my large, gentle girl is being harassed by their "little dog", as if she truly was scared and not just being a good girl, as she has been taught to. Overall, though, it's not the dog's fault it's small and my girl is large. It is the owners fault for not controlling their animal when sharing space (a dog park, sidewalk, whatever) with a larger animal.

Luckily my girl just looks this behavior as that of annoying two year olds and by and large ignores them.

Answer 2

As I've grown up, my family has owned both very large and very small dogs. When I was first born, we had a Lab/Shepherd mix and a few years later a Mini Dachshund. When my Mom married my Step-Dad, he had a German Shepherd and we got another Mini Daschie a few years after. My Grandparents currently own a Chihuahua/Terrier mix and about 4 years ago I adopted a mutt from a no-kill shelter that we think is some combo of Australian Shepherd/Golden Retriever/Husky. I've also spent a great deal of time around my friends' and other family members' dogs that include Mini Poodles, Pit Bulls, Labs, Retrievers, etc.

All in all, I really don't like one size of dog over another. I think each type and each breed has their own lovable traits whether it's being able to scoop them up and have them fit in the palm of your hand or being able to get on the floor and wrestle around without fear of hurting them.

What I don't like, however, is when owners of small dogs don't properly train them because they think they're too small to hurt anyone. A dog bite from any size dog can be painful. I've been bit by a Dachshund and a Rottie (both bites were completely my fault and I have no hard feelings towards these great breeds in any way, shape, or form), and while neither bite drew blood, they both still hurt. In fact, I've read about a Pomeranian that killed a young baby, so saying your dog is too small to hurt anyone is foolish. Dogs of all sizes need training and socialization.

Answer 3

No, love all dogs. What I hate is that the small and toy breeds are the ones chosen to be surrogate children. Don't get me wrong, I love my dogs. They are very well cared for and more than spoiled. BUT, some of things I see people do with these small breeds is just too much!!
Consequently they also tend to have less training making them irritating. Don't blame the dog though. The dog knows its a dog...its the people who get confused.

Answer 4

I am a small dog lover to the max, specially chihuahuas. I hate it when I see people say I hate chihuahuas. They are usually the ones who love the pitbulls the most and cannot stand it when someone says something negative about that breed. I love all dogs, small large and in between. I don't like certain breeds because they are just too freaky looking(mainly bulldogs) but I don't hate them.
None of my chihuahuas have been pprofessionally trained but they are some of the most well behaved dogs you will ever meet. Their only bad trait is barking.
I hate it when people call chis rats or yappy little ankle biters. Or say, get a real dog.

Answer 5

I prefer large dogs, but I don't hate all small dogs. If a dog is treated like a dog, they usually turn out great. I have met all different kinds of dogs, all different sized, all different temperaments, and I've met dogs that I like from all categories.

BUT, it does seem like the small dogs tend to be WAY more spoiled than large dogs. This creates a yappy little dog, who will attack anything, and won't let his feet touch the ground. Those are the small dogs that I hate. But I definately don't hate All small dogs.

Answer 6

Nope. I have big dogs... I don't hate small dogs at all. There are some small dog owners that I dislike, mostly the ones who don't BOTHER to train their little dogs. There is no excuse for yappy, nippy, jumpy, pee all over behavior and I assign the blame where it is due... THE OWNER!

Answer 7

I own both large and small dogs but I really prefer large dogs better because there is a lot more I can do with a large dog, such as running or going to the beach, even training is much easier with the large dogs because of their size and height. I also do not have to worry as much when my large dogs are around other dogs as opposed to the small dogs because there are dogs that try to go after my small dogs and I believe that has to do with their small size. My small dogs are not spoiled but they do take longer to learn things, such as housebreaking and training.
I do not dislike any dog for its size, I dislike dogs that are spoiled, pushy and yappy.

Answer 8

I have two german shepherds and I love small dogs too. What I don't like is people who treat their small dogs as human babies or kids, making them spolied little things that "control" their owners. Yes, a dog is a dog is a dog, they are not children or toys, no matter their size. Maybe that is why some people "hate" little dogs.

Answer 9

I don't hate small dogs, I prefer large ones. I have back problems. I don't want to have to lean down all the way to the floor every time I want to pet my dog, or put his leash on for a walk.

A dog is a dog. I love German Shepards. A lot of people hate them too. I love my husbands Chow/mix. A lot of people hate chows. I don't really hate one type of dog. Individual dogs, yes. The neighbor's pit bull I loathe, but I like my brother in laws pit bull.

Answer 10

I'm totally for the big dogs but I like the small ones too...I don't know if I would personally own one but I have friends who have small dogs and they're great :) Growing up, my dad would never allow us to have a small dog...he calls them "foot rockets"..that's probably why I'm a big dog kinda girl...but I certainly don't hate small dogs.