Top 18 Reasons To Choose Small Dog Breeds Over Big Ones

People love to own big dogs because they're protective and defensive. Anyone who breaks into a home or trespasses onto private property will run away quickly if a big dog is there to intimidate them. And, of course, big dogs can be loveable and loyal to their owners too. Just take care of them and they will take care of you.

However, there is a growing trend among pet owners. Many of them are now choosing small dogs instead of large dogs. According to MarketResearch.com, roughly 48% of American households have a dog that weighs under 25 pounds. Meanwhile, only 36% of American households have large dogs.

Why is this happening? Traditionally, dogs served as the protectors of their owners and property. That is why big dogs were always so popular in the past. But now, it seems as if people purchase small dogs because they're cuddly and affectionate. The concept of home protection does not even enter people's minds anymore when they are buying their dogs.

Let's explore this new trend further. Below are the top 18 reasons to choose small dog breeds over big ones.

1) Less Poop and Urine to Clean Up

Bigger dogs will leave bigger messes on the floor. One of the most convenient things about small dogs like mini goldendoodle is they don't poop and pee as much. And when they do, it is not nearly as much as what a bigger dog would release from their body.

For this reason, it is easier to clean up after a small dog if they poop or urinate in the house. Also, if you live in a city like New York and you walk your dog outside, you're expected to pick up their feces after they leave it on the sidewalk. Many New Yorkers own small dogs to make this process easier on themselves.

2) Lightweight

A small dog weighs under 25 pounds. Most pet owners have the strength to lift and carry a dog that only weighs this much. It might be necessary to lift up a dog if you need to move them somewhere or take them with you to more confined places. Some owners may even squeeze their small dogs into their purses and take them on planes.

Big dogs can weigh anywhere from 50 to 100 pounds on average. They are a lot more challenging to control when they weigh that much. You have to rely on a leash to manage them, which can be difficult if they try to pull away from you.

3) Less Space Needed

If you live in a cramped apartment or some other confined area, you don't need to make much room for a small dog. They can stay comfortable in almost any size room that you put them in.

In fact, if you ever need to keep them safe during a trip, you can put them in a cage just like you would a cat.

4) Less Drool and Slobber

Dogs tend to drool and slobber all over the place, especially after they eat. Big dogs produce more drool and slobber than small dogs. Sometimes it becomes so bad that the owners have to clean up the slobber from their floor, furniture and clothes.

If the dog is affectionate with the owner by licking them, the slobber gets all over their face. But with a small dog, the slobber is much easier to manage because it is not as messy.

5) More Huggable and Cuddly

Rather than using dogs for home security and protection, more people want a dog that is huggable and cuddly. Small dogs serve this purpose just fine. You can wrap your arms around a small dog and conveniently cuddle with them anywhere, whether it's on the couch or bed.

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You can hug a big dog, but you usually have to get down on your knees to do it. It can get messy to bring a big dog onto your bed or couch. They're dirty it up quickly with their fur, drool and whatever else they might have tracked into the home.

6) Doggie Clothes Fit Easily

Are you the type of dog owner that likes to dress up their pet in doggie clothes? If so, then it is much easier to get a small dog to wear clothing than it is for a large dog.

Finding clothes that can fit a large dog is more difficult. And even if you manage to find such clothing, it will probably be too tight on them. Not only that, but bigger dogs will usually find a way to chew up their clothing and ruin it. Small dogs are more accepting of their clothing.

7) Great with Kids

If you have kids in your household, then it is safer to have a small dog around them than a large dog. Every dog has a different personality, but sometimes large dogs can play rough if they're provoked unintentionally.

Kids won't be as scared of small dogs. They are more friendly when they play with each other too.

8) Cheaper to Feed

Small dogs don't eat as much food as large dogs. Because of this, you won't spend as much money on dog food if you have a small dog. A big bag of dry dog food could probably last you for several months. There are no other real expenses beyond that except for their doggie toys.

9) Great Watch Dogs

Small dogs might not have as much strength and power, but they do have a high pitch bark. If someone were to trespass on your property or come to your door, then a small dog can still alert you with their bark. Most criminals would run away at the sound of a dog barking because they know it will alert the owner.

10) Longer Lifespan

Studies have shown that smaller dog breeds live longer than larger dog breeds. The average lifespan of a larger dog breed is between 5 to 10 years, while the lifespan of a smaller dog breed is between 12 to 15 years.

Therefore, you can enjoy more time with a smaller dog. Just make sure you feed it a steady diet and let it move around and exercise regularly.

11) Easier to Potty Train

Small dogs are easier to potty train than large dogs. If you are not always home to take your dogs outside to do their business, then you can train them to use training pads inside your home.

Training pads are almost like kitty litter boxes. In fact, you will need to set up a puppy litter box and put the training pads inside of them. Then your dog will go to the litter box and do their business in it.

That way, when you come home, you won't have to clean up any messes on your rug or carpet. You can simply empty the litter box and replace the pads.

12) More Companionship

Small dogs make better companions than large dogs. The reason is that you can take small dogs with you to almost any public place, such as the supermarket, gym, and most retail stores.

This is something you cannot do with large dogs. You usually have to leave large dogs at home because they're too much of an inconvenience to bring with you to public places. For this reason, you'll have more opportunities to spend time with small dogs. Perhaps this will give you some additional companionship that you might be looking for in your life.

13) Pet-Friendly Hotels Will Accept Them

If you take a trip with a dog and find a hotel that claims to be "pet-friendly," it might still have restrictions regarding the size and weight of the pet. For instance, some pet-friendly hotels won't accept pets over 50 pounds in their rooms. If you're traveling with a big dog, then you would have a problem in this scenario.

Small dogs that weigh under 25 pounds are almost always accepted in pet-friendly hotels. Your small dog will be more comfortable in a tiny hotel room anyway in comparison to a large dog. Plus, small dogs won't make as much noise or disturb other guests.

14) Faster to Bathe

You can bathe a small dog in no time. Just put them in the bathtub and pour a pitcher of water over their head and body a few times. Use some light liquid soap in the initial water for further cleansing. Then use subsequent water pouring to rinse off your dog.

It is so much faster and easier to bathe a small dog. If you try to bathe a large dog, then you have to take them outside and spray them with the hose. Either that or you have to spend a longer time washing and scrubbing their body in the bathtub.

15) Less Stinky

Small dogs won't stink up as fast as large dogs. You can smell the foul aroma of a large dog in any room of your home, especially if they're sweating or have just been outside recently.

It typically takes a longer time for a small dog to stink up a room under the same conditions. It also takes less time to eliminate the aroma from the room and its furniture.

16) Much Cuter

If you're on the hunt for a cute dog, then no one will argue that small dogs are cuter than large dogs. There is just something about small dogs and all their fur on their bodies that make them emit cuteness all over.

It doesn't even matter what small dog breed you choose either. Each small dog breed is cute in its own way. Your choice all depends on the fur length and color you prefer on your small dog.

17) Less Chance of Injury or Sickness

Did you know that large dogs have a higher risk of getting arthritis, hip dysplasia, ligament tears and other injuries and diseases? A lot of their joint issues can be attributed to their heavier size and weight.

Small dogs can typically avoid arthritis problems because their light weight does not put much pressure on their joints. That means they have a less chance of physical injury too.

18) Bones and Toys Last Longer

Large dogs tend to chew up bones and toys much faster than small dogs. Pet owners must replace these bones and toys by purchasing new ones every week or so.

But with a small dog, it will take them a longer time to chew through their bones and toys, which means you won't have to replace them very often.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many advantages to choosing a small dog over a large dog. To sum up these reasons quickly, it is cheaper and easier to care for smaller dogs. They live longer and provide you with the love and affection that you would expect from your pet.

Some of the most popular small dog breeds are Chihuahuas, Boston Terriers, Beagles, and Shih Tzus. All of them offer something unique to their owners.