Normally, I adore everything that comes out of the mouth of Nick Offerman’s character on “Parks & Recreation.” But when he said, “Any dog under 50 pounds is a cat, and cats are pointless,” not so much. To play devil’s advocate, it also wasn’t too long ago that I also fell into the camp of “small dogs are annoying/pointless/etc.” Sometimes, small dogs get a bad rap. They are stereotyped as yappy, guarding, and not as affectionate as big breeds like labradors. I’m here to prove that those stereotypes could not be farther from the truth. Here are five gigantic benefits of small dogs.
Benefits of Small Dogs
About two years ago, I decided it was time to adopt my own dog. I was looking at spaniel mixes, pit mixes, and many other dogs whose weights don’t traditionally dip under 35 or so pounds. Luckily, I found a dog from a rescue, a pointer mix; I fell in love and visited the dog on the foundation’s adoption day. Not only was this dog not the pup described on the website, but she was also cat-friendly, which isn’t something my calico would appreciate. I stood around dumbly, not sure what to do with myself.
“This little girl is great with cats,” a volunteer said. She introduced me to my dog Betty, a terrified nine-pound chihuahua-terrier mix dripping wet. The volunteer saw my apprehension and insisted that I hold her. She looked at me with her big eyes, terrified by all the commotion around her. She nuzzled her face into my armpit to hide. Before I knew it, I was filling out adoption papers. And this little dog taught me the benefits of small dogs and why they’re so awesome.
They are truly affectionate
Before I had a small dog, I always thought of them more as “accessory pets” than anything. I live in Los Angeles and have seen my fair share of teacup designer pups sitting in $3,000 handbags on the arm of a socialite. Something seems cold about a dog whose feet don’t even touch the ground.
Wrong! Small dogs can be INSANELY affectionate, especially if the owner showers them with love and encouragement. They can be scared and nervous (after all – everything else in the world is a LOT bigger than them), but there truly is nothing more rewarding than a little pup knowing that your lap is their sanctuary.
They are more adaptable to living situations
I live in an apartment, so it wouldn’t be fair to a Great Dane if I decided to adopt him over my little pup. Small dogs are pretty great everywhere – they can be as rugged of outdoorsmen as Retrievers but can still travel with you on an airplane. They do well in small apartments but love being taken on long walks. With a small dog, it is like getting the best of everything.
Small dogs live longer!
A wonderful thing about small dogs is that they are going to be your companion for a long time. Smaller breeds tend to live longer than larger ones, and if you are lucky enough to get a mixed little pup such as myself, they may not have the health ailments that come with some traditional purebreds. My dog is three, and I am 25—the thought of this pup being around until I am in my late 30s/early 40s is kind of awesome.
I swear they’re not that yappy
Ever notice how in high-concept comedies, there is always a little dog that manages to hump or yap at the main character incessantly? Smaller dogs will often bark or growl at strangers because they are potentially taking away a food source – you! They are resource guarding. However, with some positive reinforcement training, this behavior can be eradicated.
Smaller dogs can get yappy if they are not receiving enough attention or feel threatened. If you shower your small dog with affection and positive reinforcement, you could have a pup who doesn’t have a “yap” in their vocabulary.
They are just as active, if not more than their bigger counterparts
One of the first questions people ask when they meet my dog (and she gets over her initial shyness) is, “Is she on speed?” This little dog runs around, plays with other dogs and my cat, and jumps like a mountain goat. If you are looking for a running or hiking companion, small dogs are as wonderful as larger breeds!
They are also easier to carry down large hiking trails after they have decided to run way too quickly up it in the first place. I have seen men with giant pit bulls on their backs on the way down from a hot hike after the dog decided he was done walking for the day. Trust me, they didn’t look happy.
By no means am I saying that small dogs are superior to larger breeds. Still, the benefits of owning a small dog are undeniable. On a personal note, a small dog is perfect in my life right now, and it could be in yours, too, if you don’t let negative stereotypes get in the way.
Where are all my small dog parents? I’d love to hear about your amazing little wonderdog.
