Big or Small: A Dog Lover's Dilemma

Chris Jones, 44, releases Precious – a Shih Tzu-Pekingese mix – from her leash and lets her scurry off into the dog park in White Plains. Noticing some other dog owners and park-goers around him, he quickly makes it clear that Precious is not his, but his girlfriend’s.

“I’ve always had big dogs,” he said. “In the past, I’ve owned an Akita, Black Lab and a German Sheppard. I just prefer them because I can wrestle with them. You can’t do that with a little dog.”

In the world of dogs, misconceptions – if you can pardon the pun – quite literally run wild. Little dogs evoke images of Yorkshire Terriers, also known as Yorkies, peeking arrogantly from out of the top of a woman’s pocketbook, snipping and cowering as soon as you get too close. Then there is the often annoying Chihuahua that barks and nips relentlessly at one’s ankles, as though it were ten feet tall.

On the other side of the spectrum, big dogs range from Chocolate Labs – gentle, protective, eager to fetch or roll around in the grass – to Pit Bulls, notoriously aggressive and territorial animals.

According to Kristen Collins, MS, a certified professional dog trainer and animal behaviorist with the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ (ASPCA) Animal Behavior Center, a dog’s genetic heritage can significantly influence how it will behave, but one should avoid jumping to conclusions about any particular animal based on its appearance.

“Through generations of breeding we’ve selected certain traits that make different dog breeds physically and behaviorally distinct,” says Collins. “Terriers, for example, have a well-deserved reputation for tenacity – a characteristic that once helped them do the tough jobs they were originally bred to do, like killing vermin. However, a dog’s environment and experiences play an important role in the development of his behavior too. Some small dog owners put up with excessive barking and even outright aggression in their dogs because of the dog’s size. A Chihuahua yipping and nipping at your heels is certainly annoying, but he poses much less of a threat than a Mastiff exhibiting the exact same behaviors.”

Mark Lieberman, a Westchester-based dog trainer and certified Grand Master Dog Trainer and Behavioral Therapist, warns owners against allowing aggressive behavior in any dog, regardless of size.   

“People need to remember that a dog is a dog,” said Liberman, who is a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals. “They should stop coddling and babying their dogs and be better pack leaders.” 

In a recent newsletter released by Liberman, “Tips N’ Tales,” he states that dogs are not born aggressive, but when aggression occurs, especially when directed towards humans, the problem must be dealt with firmly.  He also says a dominant aggressive canine may think it is head of the household and in turn direct its aggression towards family members.  For example, a dog may refuse to get off the couch or bed and when a family member attempts to move it respond by growling and biting.

According to the Center for Disease Control, approximately 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs in the United States each year.  One in five of those, about 885,000, require medical attention, half of which are children. 

“If your dog has a problem with aggression, immediately get help from a professional trainer or animal behaviorist who will train and expose your dog to people and other dogs safely,” advises Lieberman.

Another common misconception about dogs is that smaller breeds require more socializing and training than larger dogs. Not so, says Gina DiNardo, Assistant Vice President of the American Kennel Club (AKC), who points out that training intelligence is linked to breed, not size. According to DiNardo, sporting and working dogs have a higher desire to please, while hounds and terriers tend to have more of an independent nature.  

“All dogs need the same amount of social training,” Dinardo said. “Ten weeks to four months are a critical time in socialization. It doesn’t matter what breed or mix they are.” 

According to the ASPCA, exercising your dog regularly will help eliminate problem behavior such as chewing and barking, keep him healthy and agile and help a timid dog build confidence and trust.  Unfortunately, many people do not believe small dogs require much exercise – another prevalent misconception.

So, where does all of this leave our local dog owners, and which way – big or small – are today’s dog-lovers leaning towards?

As it turns out, when it comes to popularity, both small and large dogs give each other a run for their money. According to the AKC, the most popular breed in the United States is the Labrador Retriever, which has now held the top spot for over 20 consecutive years.  The second most popular breed in the U.S. is the Yorkie, which coincidently is also the most popular dog in New York City.  Locally, Lieberman says he has noted a significant upward trend in the ownership of small dogs, including breeds like the Shih Tzu, Havanese, King Charles Spaniel, French Bulldog and Dachshund. Becoming a bit less trendy are some of the larger breeds, including Dalmatians and Irish Setters, which Lieberman notes that he hardly sees anymore.

Big or small, what specialists say is most important is choosing the right breed for you.  

“There are so many different types of dogs out there – long hair, short hair, five pound dogs up to twenty pound dogs,” says DiNardo, who owns a Doberman Pincher, a Whippet and a Manchester Terrier. “There is a perfect one for every lifestyle and preference. I considered myself a big dog person until I adopted a Manchester Terrier. I never had a dog I could carry around in my arms before. What I don’t like are long hairy coats, so I guess my preference is simply short hair dogs.”

Two things to consider when adopting a dog are health and cost of treatment, as both small and big breeds are prone to different ailments and health problems. According to Dr. Louise Murray, Vice President of the ASPCA's Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital, common health problems faced by small breeds are dental disease, a type of heart condition called mitral valve disease and the development of a collapsing trachea which worsens with age. Yorkies have an increased incidence of port systemic shunts, a congenital condition in which an abnormal blood vessel bypasses the liver, causing seizures and other neurological symptoms. 

Large dogs are more prone to hip dysplasia and torn curiae ligaments in the knee. Specific breeds like the Golden Retriever and Boxer are more prone to cancer than other dogs. Giant breeds like the Great Dane and large dogs like the Doberman have an increased incident of dilated cardiomyopath, a kind of heart disease where the heart cannot pump normally. Across all dog breeds, purebreds are more prone to genetic diseases.

Local resident Evelyn Chassagne, 42, recently adopted a Chow, which she named Mady.  Her last two dogs were a Shih Tzu and a Pekingese, although for her, it doesn’t matter what size a dog is, as long as it is furry and lovable. 

“Small dogs are adorable and you can put them in your pocket and go, while larger dogs, like Mady, are great to wrestle with and she makes me feel safe,” Chassagne said.

Following the advice of some local experts, Chassagne thoroughly researched the breed before adopting Mady, and says she has been extremely happy with her choice.

“I spoke to dog handlers, breeders and pet owners to make sure it would be a safe and positive decision, especially since I have a young son,” she said. “Mady is really good, naturally smart and has an awesome temperament.  Besides from chewing my slippers, I think we made a good choice.”