My mom is starting to seriously look at and plan for getting a new dog, and I have been enlisted to help her pick the best dog for her as well as helping with the care and training and adjustment period.

She is seriously considering a small dog, Corgis are high on the list, but something truly little like a Pom or Papillon might also be a choice.

So as silly as I feel asking it.....
Are little dogs just like big dogs but in smaller packaging? I assume all of the pack structure, training and behavioral stuff is going to be the same?

I know that you have to be very careful about feeding them often enough when they are small pups, but that is as far as my knowledge really goes with itty bitty dogs.

 Quote: Jennifer Lee

..... I assume all of the pack structure, training and behavioral stuff is going to be the same?

In my Pug, Bichon, and (working) Border Terrier experience, yes.

 Quote: Jennifer Lee

... I know that you have to be very careful about feeding them often enough when they are small pups, but that is as far as my knowledge really goes with itty bitty dogs.

And more frequent bladder-emptying. You want to be good about potty-training from the first minute; it will totally pay off. (Too many people are lax about it, I think, because the mess isn't bad.)

Even toy-breed dogs can be well-trained, un-yappy dogs, great to be around and with good manners.

But you will get more in-depth responses, I am sure, because I know at least a dozen members here have both big (including working) and small dogs.

As you can see from my signature photo, I have a few big dogs, as well as a Cardigan Corgi, which at 25 pounds isn't teeny, but pretty small.

Yes, she is a big dog in a small body. And yes, the training and pack structure issues are the same with big and small dogs.

I'm of the opinion that few generalities can be made about dogs even within the same breed, let alone the variety implied by a criterion like size.

Dogs, like people, are individuals. Some little dogs are very passive, some are very dominant. I think too many people give little dogs a pass on bad behavior because it's less intimidating or less disruptive when a 5-pound dog pulls on the leash, jumps on guests, or behaves in a way that a big dog has a harder time getting away with. But there's no reason why a little dog cannot be as well behaved as a big dog. But the work required on the part of the owner is pretty much the same, regardless of dog size.

 Quote: jennifer lee

So as silly as I feel asking it.....
Are little dogs just like big dogs but in smaller packaging? I assume all of the pack structure, training and behavioral stuff is going to be the same?

Yep, they're dogs too. Kind of like tall people and short people.. they're all the same, just different physical stature.

 Quote: connie sutherland

And more frequent bladder-emptying. You want to be good about potty-training from the first minute; it will totally pay off. (Too many people are lax about it, I think, because the mess isn't bad.)

Even toy-breed dogs can be well-trained, un-yappy dogs, great to be around and with good manners.

What she said. The family dog I had before leaving for school is a Jack Russell Terrier. He took a little longer to potty train than some larger breeds, due to the smaller bladder.

Oh! We also had more of an issue with people leaving him alone when he looked uncomfortable - because he's smaller, people didn't seem to take him (or us) as seriously when his body language was saying "LEAVE ME ALONE!" (even barking and growling.) He was just "too cute". This proved detrimental to helping him through his fearful behavior.

Hi Jennifer,

Recommend that your mom go to a good breeder to get her new dog, as there are just too many mass-produced small dogs (puppy mills) with faulty temperaments and a wealth of physical issues, some of which do not show up until the dog is older. She should see both parents if possible, as well as health clearances. (Neither of which you will find in a pet shop).

Any small dog owners out there know exactly which health clearances (such as OFA, CERF)? I'd look out for luxating patella, knee, back and eye problems.

Was it your mom who kept her very old dog outside full time during the winter? I don't think small/toy dogs can survive if left outside! Is she willing to have this dog as a house dog?

 Quote: tracy collins

I'm of the opinion that few generalities can be made about dogs even within the same breed, let alone the variety implied by a criterion like size.

Dogs, like people, are individuals. Some little dogs are very passive, some are very dominant. I think too many people give little dogs a pass on bad behavior because it's less intimidating or less disruptive when a 5-pound dog pulls on the leash, jumps on guests, or behaves in a way that a big dog has a harder time getting away with. But there's no reason why a little dog cannot be as well behaved as a big dog. But the work required on the part of the owner is pretty much the same, regardless of dog size.

Great post, Tracy - I completely agree.

My family got a Pom when my brother and I were in high school. We knew NOTHING about dogs, so it was probably a good thing that the breed with ended up with maxed out at 7lbs - Edward was a great little dog, but he was 100% unsocialized to dogs (which just manifested in him as aloofness), had absolutely no manners, was incredibly aggressive about grooming, and his favorite language was growling... if he had weighed 90lbs he could have seriously hurt someone. ALL of these issues could have been prevented with proper training, but because he was so small, we never felt incentive to REALLY deal with any of them correctly. Yes, it is frightfully easy for a lazy person (or whole family) to create an ill behaved companion out of a small dog... but not because they're inherently any more difficult than a large breed - their teeth are easier to avoid, and they can't out-muscle you - but I think the issue is entirely related to the way humans relate to little dogs. Half of the problems are actually caused by ENCOURAGING poor behavior that seems "cute" to a human... we were SO guilty of that.

I don't have experience with too many little breeds, but I did love our Pom's personality. He was a crazy good athlete, even at such a small size, and climbed many mountains with my family (we'd pop him in a backpack if the going got REALLY difficult). He was never destructive (probably more his temperament than breed), and he was always the brightest, most alert individual in the room. Like my current large breed, Ed was NOT a snuggler (contrary to the "lap dog" idea) and was never in the mood for sitting still in someone's arms, but he'd hop up for a ride sometimes if we were walking somewhere. The little bugger lived till he was 17, and even then, we made the choice to let him go because his quality of life got quite bad... I've never cried so hard, for so long, in my life.

Best of luck with the search. Let us know what your mom decides!

~Natalya

There are few things that are different with toy dogs and big dogs. Their needs are the same, their general structure and obedience abilities are the same. Just smaller. There are however consequences from making a dog weigh 4 lbs when the natural form of the dog is 40-60lbs.

Housebreaking takes longer and requires more frequent trips for puppies than a larger dog breed of the same age. House soiling is the number one reason papillons and several other toy breeds are given up to rescues so it's something to consider before getting one.

Secondly toy breed dogs are more breakable than a dog just 5 lbs heavier. Broken bones from jumping off couches or from hopping down the stairs in finer boned breeds like italian greyhounds and toy fox terriers are fairly common and expensive. It also means that there is a serious risk from letting tiny dogs play with normal size dogs even with no aggression on anyones part. Accidents happen but to me letting toy dogs play with a standard size dog is a little like letting your preschooler play ball with a high schooler. As careful as the larger person may be serious trauma can occur very easily if someone forgets their own strength. It's also exceptionally easy for a running small dog to get a larger dog into prey drive.

Temperament issues do effect a good number of small dogs no matter what the line is used for, just as there are a good amount of temperament issues in lines of large dogs. The problem is that these issues that a larger dog would have been eliminated from the breeding population for is often not in smaller breeds. This is mostly due to breeder selection based upon looks rather than temperament. That said, also to be considered is that with this not all toy breeds have the same temperament as breed standard any more than GSDs, corgis, and rough collies do even though they're part of the same breed group. A long hair chihuahua, a papillon, and a pom may all look similar but between the three there are very different standard temperaments and breed origins.

Just as for a working dog where you need proof that in their pedigree to me for toy dogs I need proof that the dogs are bred to the standard of being natural companions. Before you buy a puppy check the breeders housing methods closely. If every dog they own is debarked rather than breeding stable non yappy/neurotic dogs, if their adult dogs are fearful and nervous rather than friendly or reserved, if they have their dogs running as a near feral pack in their home, or dogs living in rabbit hutches. Personally I pass on that, I don't care how many champions are in it's pedigree, I still have to live with that dog for potentially 20+ years. My standards however do not have to be your standards, pick what you are comfortable with.

Finally training for a toy breed.... at least with papillons is where my experience lies. It's not unlike a large dog except that training papillons is an entirely unphysical event. There are no collar corrections, first off you'd launch your dog off their feet, and secondly it's just not needed. Most of my dogs I can over correct by tone of voice alone, so over time I've learned to watch my tones with each individual dog. I usually start teaching commands on my kitchen table or a chair. Not because it gains any kind of drive from my dogs, just because simply it saves my back to not have to reach down. Papillons are super trainable, adapt their obedience easily, and are really handler bonded.

There are some huge perks from owning little dogs. Transporting them is much less difficult, find rental housing is possible, insurance premiums generally aren't an issue, they live longer, usually don't have the orthopedic problems older large dogs get, and at least mine are one of the things that just make me happy to get up every morning.

Wow, thanks everyone for the awesome input!!

Melissa, I very much agree with your opinion on breeders, if the dog comes from a breeder I would find none of those things acceptable.

Whether large or small this will be an inside dog, which is partially why I am having so much input. I will be helping with crate training, potty training manners and such. I think having spent time with my dogs she has realized just how much companionship and love they have to offer and is ready to now make one truly part of the family.

She is also not teaching this year so she will have lots of time for a new addition.

A lot of the problem with Caramel (the senior) was that she was uncomfortable in the house after being an outside dog for so long. So even though my mom tried bringing her in she would just stand at the back door and whine the entire time.

I think a corgi would be just great, but my concern is that is will be too much dog for them, I'm just not sure a herding breed is what they need.

I have very little experience with other small dogs and the ones I do have are not that positive to be honest so your input is very helpful!! I do think papillons are about the cutest thing ever though.

I have also been steering her towards standard poodles, but I'm not sure we could ever get my dad on board with that.

My biggest push however has been towards a hound dog rescue, they love both of my black and tan mixes so very much and the temperament is just about spot on for their needs.