Here is what I think, and I am not sure if it already been said or not, but (and i have a small dog, a toy fox terrier), I think people with small dogs tend to treat them more like "babies" than they would with larger dogs (ie picking them up, carry them, etc etc) and maybe let them get away with a lot more. I do this too sometimes so I am not criticizing! Perhaps not with dogs like pugs or bostons, but I think with poms, mini poodles, bichons, yorkies, etc etc.

But I have noticed, that it can be a lot harder to establish that "pack structure" that you mentioned. My dog is a little dog, but she thinks she is a big one sometimes, and she thinks she is the alpha sometimes.

So in short, I think small dogs are great, but I think it's important to watch out for this kind of thing. I am not saying your mom would be like this at all, but this is the impression i get from some people with their little dogs (including me - although I am trying to get better about it!)

IMO and experience, when choosing a small breed one needs to consider what group they're from. Sure a Corgi is smaller than a GSD or Rottie, yet having owned one they are members of the herding group and with sound temperments act accordingly. Someone mentioned the fragile bones of the toy breeds. Great info. Terriers can be tough. Small breeds like the french bulldog require less activity. I suppose it depends on how much time your Mom wants to put into exercise and so on. Great question due to so many variables. I think we all have an idea of what we like,doesn't mean it's the best match. Italien greyhounds are nice as well as min-pins. I've trained a few of both.
Regards,
Kerri

how could i forget to recommend a Chinese Crested, lol....
they ARE more cat like than dog like, but i like cats, so it doesn't bother me.
as with ANY breed, but i would venture to say especially any hairless breed, choose your dog carefully. I would not rescue in this case, you would be in for a world of skin issues.
They bark very little(though to alert to someone at the door), and really are little cuddle bugs. they are also plenty active, but generally not exercise crazy(well, mine is, but hes weird, lol). There are varying levels of hairlessness, some need regular clipping, others barely even have hair on their head and tails...they DO need sunscreen, but i generally don't do it unless its bad outside. i just throw a light shirt on the dog.

Hi Jennifer,

I just wanted to bring up your mom's activity level and age. (YOu don't have to tell us!) Because I am helping my mother in law find a dog right now and she is looking at small breeds because she can't physically handle a large dog pulling on the leash. Of course she's going to train and all of that, but in the event a bull terrier decided to chase a rabbit she'd be on the ground the rabbit would be dinner! The benefits of a small dog (that we came up with) are:

1. Cheaper to feed
2. Cheaper to groom (for your poodles, schnauzers, shih tzus etc.)
3. Easier to physically handle (pick up, put in the car etc)
4. Cheaper crates, cheaper toys

In my opinion the bully breeds (including Frenchies) are pretty independant and stubborn and harder to train.

You mentioned a standard poodle, I have three and ADORE them, tell your dad that you don't have to get the froo-froo hair cut! People want goldendoodles, but all you have to do is the poodle's hair get long on the face and vwa-la, goldendoodle!

Google it and you can find that you can make a standard poodle look like anything you want. Plus there are also parti poodles which have multi colored, even brindle hair! I have a black and white parti standard and no one ever knows what she is. I get everything from afghan hound to old english sheepdog. She was potty trained in 48 hours and is (i'm bragging) a genius.

Plus they dont shed AT ALL and don't have the same "doggy" smell. Downside, grooming every 4-8 weeks. My females are 22" and my male is 27"

Not quite on the golden doodle. They tend to be much... much... much heavier than a standard poodle. However you are right. I have several poodles that I clip to look *not like a poodle.* My favorite is one we clip to look like a giant schnauzer, but I have several that get the doodle cut as well.

That said, I can give someone a million reasons to pick one dog over another but in the end it's their personal choice. I'm the first to admit a papillon just isn't for everyone and that there are problems with the breed and the current way breeders overwhelmingly are breeding them. For me however, they're the one. It doesn't mean that what other people are saying isn't true about their breed o choice it just means that each of us have our own complex system of what appeals to us. The toy dog group is a complicated mesh of personality, temperaments, common health issues, with the only thing really in common is that they're small for the most part because each of them has a history based upon other breeds unless they're an ancient breed to begin with like the maltese or peke. The papillon is a spaniel, the pom has a spitz history, etc and usually the behaviors and temperaments associated with that history follow suit.

Personally I wish we could get away from looks being the reason to choose a dog or not. I have met so many people who have dogs that they resent, are frustrated with, or even downright hate because of something so silly as picking their dogs by looks alone,or hair( all dogs shed, poodle or not) but not selected based upon temperament and activity level.

Yes I agree about picking dogs based on looks, but until actors are ugly and models are fat, I'm afraid we'll be stuck with people picking pretty dogs! Or tough dogs I guess, that's the worst! Getting a powerful breed just because they're powerful.