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If you ask a dog owner, any dog owner, you will find they prefer either little dogs or big dogs. Why is that? Cat owners often have many different sizes of cats, or have had, and if asked, will often look misty eyed and say “Oh, I just can’t choose a favorite. I love them all so.” (Unless they are a breeder. In that case they have a favorite and are just a little over the edge of crazy about it).

The title ‘Big Dog Vs. Little Dog’ is a little deceptive. It implies that I haven’t already decided where this piece is going – that there might be some debate. Really, for myself, there is no contest. Size, as has already been stated, does indeed matter.

Let’s look at the little dog, say under thirty-five pounds, right down to the tiny ‘toy’ dogs. Little dog advantages. Hmmm…well…hmmm, I guess they can…no, wait, that’s a cat…ummm…oh, wait! They can fit in a bag to take shopping with you. Honestly, how cute is that? A little dog poking its curly head out of a $700 handbag that is just about to be piddled it. Ah, it warms the heart. Other than that, not a lot comes to mind, except that they fit comfortably on a lap for petting, but then, so does a cat.

Image by dlisbona via Flickr

Exceptions. Of course there are always exceptions. Some little dogs don’t know they are little. Take the beagle, for example. A beagle, while noisy as HELL, is a little dog with a big dog attitude. He plays like a big dog, protects the house like he’s six times the size he is and, hey, Snoopy! He was a WWI flying ace, you know.

Some of my dog owning friends will swear by Chihuahuas. A Chihuahua is not a dog. I don’t know what it is, but is isn’t a dog. Have you seen those little guys? They will fit in $700 handbags, however.

The big and medium sized dogs are the family pets and useful members of society, not just ruiners of handbags, though more than one accessory has been lost to puppy chewing. They can catch a Frisbee, fetch anything thrown that will fit in their mouth (but can’t be swallowed), protect the house and property, snuggle with the kids, warm our feet on a cold night, listen to a nine year old’s dreams, lead the blind around shopping malls so that they can laugh at the sound of people cleaning out their $700 handbags with tissues, search for survivors in rubble after an earth quake and generally be the perfect companion. Of course, when a Mastiff sits on your lap at anytime after it is twelve weeks old, you might find yourself longing for a Toy Poodle. Right before you pass out.

Other things by me:

http://therealowner.com/humor/five-reasons-why-i-love-dogs-more-than-cats/

http://www.socyberty.com/Languages/Top-10-Annoying-Phrases.707339

http://www.socyberty.com/Relationships/The-Worst-Date-Ever-or-How-to-Have-a-Good-First-Date.763877

http://therealowner.com/dogs/potty-training-your-puppy/