Why big dogs are better?

Generally, large dogs such as the Golden Retriever and American Staffordshire Terrier weigh at least 50 pounds and can grow up to 70 pounds. There are also giant dog breeds such as the Great Dane or Bernese Mountain Dog that can grow past 100 pounds.

If you’re looking to purchase or adopt a large dog then you should carefully consider the pros and cons before bringing one home.

Pros:

Intelligence

While all dogs, regardless of size and breed, are trainable, large dogs are found to be more easy to train and intelligent. Some of the smartest dog breeds including Border Collie, German Shepherd, and Labrador Retriever all fall between the medium to large size category. Big dogs are excellent learners and can pick up a variety of tricks and good behavior faster.

Temperament

Big dogs, especially boxers and bullies, have a reputation for being dangerous. However, big dog breeds are actually more emotionally stable, well-mannered, and child-friendly than smaller breeds like chihuahuas. Large dogs tolerate rougher play and are really just gentle giants with big hearts.

Big dogs bark less

A shocking fact about big dogs is that they don’t bark nearly as much as small dogs. Most dogs will bark in situations such as alert, anxiety, or attention; however, small breeds tend to be more vocal about their wants and needs. While there is no such thing as a silent dog, you can rest assured knowing that lots of big dog breeds prefer to stay quiet.

The best cuddle buddy

You never have to worry about accidentally crushing your pup during a cuddle session. Most large dogs, like golden retrievers, are very affectionate, fun, patient, and devoted to their owners. If you’re looking for an adorable human-size cuddle buddy, then large dogs are a great option!

Protection

You can count on a big dog during emergencies such as home break-ins or robberies. Criminals will definitely think twice before intruding your home. Bonus points if you have a big and scary-looking dog such as a Rottweiler or Leonberger!

Cons:

Double the exercise

Exercise is a must for all dogs to live a healthy and happy life. Generally, big dogs require more exercise than smaller breeds, which is the perfect opportunity for you to get your fitness on. However, if the activity is not your forté you might want to reconsider owning a large dog.

Related Blog: Exercise Improves Dog Behavior

Big dogs cost more

On average, big dogs cost more to maintain because of their large size. You’d be surprised at how much food and treats a big dog can consume daily. Big dogs also go through their dog supplies more often because they are a bit rougher with toys, crates, and beds.

They shed everywhere

Although most dogs will shed fur, big dogs tend to shed more than their smaller cousins. If you decide to bring a large dog home, you will quickly find your house dominated by your dog’s coat.

Not the most travel-and store-friendly

Traveling with any pet can be a stressful experience, but traveling with a large dog can be extra difficult. It’s usually a bit easier with a small dog because they don’t take up much space and can be easily carried around. There are lots of things to consider and plan when you own a large dog.

1. They are majestic.

Large dogs, especially the fluffiest like Great Pyrenees and St. Bernards, hold a certain majestic stoicism unparalleled by their smaller canine cousins.

2. Large dogs are easily mistaken for bears.

I may live in the United States, in an area where temperatures reach 103 degrees fahrenheit, but that doesn't deter people from swearing my dog (pictured above) is a polar bear. And you may be surprised by how many people think it's insanely cool to own a bear.

3. They are the life of the party.

When your friends start coming to your house or apartment more often, they are coming to see your dogs, not you.

4. They are protectors.

Really, what will a Pomeranian protect you from?

5. Big dogs are great at breaking the ice.

Step One: Bring your giant dog on a downtown walk.

Step Two: The dog will attract.

Step Three: Get dates.

6. They love to cuddle.

You can cuddle with any dog, but can lap dogs ever be the big spoon?

7. You can share your clothes with them.

No need to buy dog clothes when your trench coat or winter hat fit your dog perfectly.

8. Big dog means big heart.

Their hearts are literally larger than those of small dogs.

9. They will force you to exercise.

Just try keeping up with a big dog on a morning run or walk. You will always get tired before the dog does.

10. The bigger the dog, the smaller you look.

Forget vertical stripes and all black—your dog is the solution to all your slimming needs.

Pictured: Liam, Great Pyrnenees, dog of author.

Larger-breed dogs are not as fragile as itty-bitty pooches, and they tend not to mind rougher handling (like kids might dish out). “Large-breed dogs are not as fragile, and they can keep up with human youngsters in the household,” says Flaim.

Dogs are a man’s best friend. They offer companionship, unconditional love, and plenty of cuddles. Although there isn’t any one breed of dog that is superior to the rest, there seem to be two communities of dog lovers; one group that prefers large breeds, and a second group that prefers small breeds. These two groups often overlap to a degree; after all, dog lovers usually just love dogs in general. But there are plenty of individuals who only like small dogs and individuals who only like big dogs.

There may be advantages to both small and large breed dogs. A lot of these advantages are similar, because dogs in general are just great. But – spoiler alert – I’m partial to the large breeds. And here are 5 reasons why:

They’re great guard dogs. I’m not saying that you should get a large dog just to patrol your home, but large dogs are much more likely to frighten off an intruder than a small dog. If you see a German Shepherd heading towards you, you’re going to be more likely to run off than if a chihuahua starts yapping at your heels. So, if one of your reasons for getting a dog was for security and companionship, a large dog might suit your needs better.

Large dogs are also easier to train. This may be less of an issue with the dogs themselves, but with the owners. Small dogs tend to get less training than a large dog, because they can be held and easily “controlled.” This isn’t to say that little dogs can’t be trained, but it’s much more important for a large dog to understand and heed basic commands from the whole family. Once a large dog is sufficiently trained, it’s a great asset for your home. After all, most large dogs have been historically bred to work with humans, and to help get work done, or to guard and protect.

True service dogs are always large breed dogs. Emotional Service Animals can be a wide variety of animals, although they’re still found to be the most effective when they’re large breed dogs. The reason that large breed dogs are better service dogs is because they’re capable of doing more than a small dog can do. Service dogs can physically block you and others, can calm your body during a seizure, and because they’re more effective as a service dog, they’re generally better accepted as a service dog by the public.

It would make sense that a large dog would be able to give more comfort than a smaller dog. Imagine having a long, hard day, and coming home to cuddle your dog. If you have a large Saint Bernard, you’ll be cuddling against something large and soft, like a loving pillow. Coming home to cuddle your Maltese is also enjoyable, but it lacks the feeling of being surrounded by comfort like cuddling a large dog gives you.

Out of the ten healthiest dog breeds (Australian Cattle Dog, Foxhound, German Shorthaired Pointer, Border Collie, Chihuahua, Havanese, Australian Shepherd, Poodle, Mixed breeds, and Siberian Husky) only two of the dogs on the list are small breed dogs, and the rest are large breed dogs. Although no dog is without health problems for the full duration of their life, having a dog with less health problems means less vet bills and less heartache. While this is largely in part due to the genetic makeup of the breed, it could also be because larger dogs are more willing to exercise and therefore live healthier lifestyles.

Speaking of healthy lifestyles, most of us forget that the mental health of your animal is important too. Small dogs are over twice as likely to suffer from anxiety, which can make things like moving or traveling out of town a nightmare.

Yes, a large dog is going to have a bark that’s much more substantial than a small dog. But they tend to bark less often and aren’t provoked as easily. In addition, they often calm down a lot quicker. If the postman knocks on your door, a large dog will often bark just a few times to announce their presence and then quiet down, if they even bark at all. Small dogs will bark and bark even after you’ve opened the door and the postman has left.

Small dogs are more likely to refuse certain types of foods. And if you adopt your dog when they’re no longer a puppy, a small dog generally needs to stay on the same food that they were raised on, to keep their digestive system healthy. Big dogs are just happy to eat whatever you give to them, whether specialized dog food for large breeds or a simple homemade chicken and rice meal, their bodies can handle it. This means that a large dog is also a lot less likely to receive considerable harm if they eat something that’s toxic to dogs, such as chocolate.

If you’re a small-dog lover, I’m absolutely not opposed to hearing your rebuttal to the large-dog argument. Share the reasons you love your small dog below. And to the rest of you large-dog lovers, what’s your favorite thing about having a bigger animal around?

It’s time to put an end to the ultimate face-off of big dogs vs small dogs. Which size is objectively better? Which personality traits of big dogs or small dogs give them the furry leg up? And who deserves to wear the crown and put the big dog vs small dogs debate to rest?

Alright, you guessed it: we’re totally kidding. Big dogs and small dogs each have their own amazing quirks and qualities that make them loveable and unique. There can be no objective winner, because they’re both incredible in their own way. And our only hope is that by the end of this article, you’ll agree: both big dogs and small dogs deserve the title of the best companions we humans could have ever asked for.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the reasons we love big and little doggos!

If you’re an avid runner, hiker, or all-around adventurist, a big dog is your ideal companion. Thanks to their longer legs and larger lung capacity, big dogs are able to keep up more easily. Plus, many large dogs have a working background, such as hunting, farming, or cart-pulling, so don’t be surprised if they’ve still got energy reserves when you’re ready to call it a day.

That said, don’t rule out little dogs completely. Some small dogs, especially terriers and small hounds, were once bred to outrun bigger dogs. With some athletic training, the right small dog can surely keep up with your outdoor adventures.

Remember that all dogs, regardless of size, need some daily exercise. Both small dogs and big ones will love a visit from their trusted Dog Walker.

Whether it’s on an airplane or the back of a camper van, small dogs are much easier to transport. And that’s a huge advantage if you’re looking to see more of the world with your canine companion at your side. Small dogs can make great road trip buddies, and they tend to be accepted at more hotels and restaurants than bigger doggos.

There’s nothing quite like a cuddle with a big fluffy pupper. Whether you’re sharing the couch with a Golden Retriever or napping alongside an affectionate Boxer, big dogs can be masters of cuddling. Who needs a weighted blanket when you can have a 30kg dog to keep you warm?

Of course, not all big dogs are happy to play the role of living teddy bear. If you want a cuddly pupper, you’ll want to seek out the more affection breeds, like Bernese Mountain Dogs or Newfies.

Maybe you want all of the love of a gentle giant in a convenient lap-sized pupper? That’s the benefit of a little dog. Many small dogs were bred specifically to be sweet little side-kicks to royalty. So, they’ll gladly sit on your lap through your movie marathons or work-from-home meetings.

The key is to opt for a small dog with a background in lap lounging. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Maltese are wonderfully calm little dogs who will be happy to cuddle up.

It takes a large dog breed anywhere from 9 to 18 months to enter their adult phase. After all, those big bones need plenty of time to grow!

That means you’ll enjoy up to a year and a half of the joys and challenges that come with having a puppy. And, it will also mean more opportunities for adorable puppy pictures.

Compared to the big dogs, small dogs speed through puppyhood. By the time that many big dogs enter the adolescent phase, small dogs have already settled into adulthood.

But not to worry, because small dogs never lose that cute puppy look. In fact, many little doggos were bred exactly for the purpose of looking adorable their whole lives. It’s like having a forever puppy, but hopefully without the indoor potty accidents.

For years, neuroscientists have wondered what makes a certain animal intelligent. Is it brain size? Brain-to-body ratio? Or should we be looking at the number of neurons or neural pathways?

Based on a study from the University of Arizona, dog intelligence may come down to brain size, after all. By collecting data from Dog Owners all over the United States, they found that big dogs tended to excel at short-term memory and self control tests. Exactly why this may be true is still a mystery. However, it shows that big dogs probably have the upper paw when it comes to executive functioning.

Hold on a minute, brainy big dogs. The scientific community hasn’t concluded, once and for all, that big dogs are smarter. In fact, that same study found that small dogs performed equally well in tests of social intelligence and inferential reasoning.

Here’s another reason to hold off on handing the big dogs the grey matter crown: the study was based on participant submitted data. Without more controlled scientific studies, we simply can’t say that small dogs aren’t secretly the most intelligent beings in the universe.

In all honesty, there’s no way to compare the personality of big dogs vs small dogs. That’s because there’s huge variety in both groups. Some big dogs make excellent watch dogs. Others don’t have a protective bone in their body. Some little dogs are wonderful with children. Others are quite cranky. As you can see, dog breeds and individual dogs can vary in terms of affection, independence, how much they bark, trainability, and much more.

And true, small dogs can suffer from Small Dog Syndrome. But with proper training and socialisation, little puppers can be just as calm and polite as their big canine cousins. On the flip side, big dogs can sometimes adopt not-so-nice qualities when they haven’t been properly trained. And in many cases, a Dog Owner can affect their pup’s personality with training, exercise, the ideal environment, and of course, plenty of love.

There’s no denying it: both big dogs and small dogs are the winner. And so are we! Dog Owners get to spend our lives with tiny terriers, hefty hunting dogs, and pups of all shapes and sizes.

Whether you own a small dog or a big dog, chances are, you feel like your pup is the best in the world. And you’re right! The big dogs vs small dogs debate only goes to show how great all dogs really are.

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A wise men once said, if you can chuck a dog over a fence, it’s probably not a real dog.

Poo tax aside (the larger the dog, the larger its deposits), large dogs are an all-round joy to have around.

If you feel similarly fondly of the more substantial pooches of this world, you’ll probably agree with the below reasons why many of us prefer big dogs to little dogs.

1. They’ve got more character

You wouldn’t catch one of these bad boys drooping wanly out of a handbag. No sir.

2. They’re generally quieter

Because there’s no such thing as ‘big dog syndrome’ – they know they’re the hardest dog in the room so there’s no need to yap.

3. They’re SO cuddly

Oh, that fur. Armfuls of love.

4. They can stand in a puddle and still breathe

You can throw a stick into the river for them and not worry they’ll drown upon entry.

5. There’s no chance of mistaking one for a cat

Some dogs are so piddling that they may as well be cats. This dog is definitely a dog.

6. They could give you a good mauling if they wanted to (but don’t)

Whereas some little dogs give you the impression they’d really like to eat you (if only they could get their jaws around your wrist).

7. Big dogs go for real walks

You’ll always get tired before he does.

8. They back up their drama with the goods

They look more dramatic because they are more dramatic. They’re also a lot sturdier than smaller fragile dogs.

9. They’re not fussy eaters

Edible? They’ll eat it. Inedible? They’ll eat that too.

10. They’re not afraid of a bit of weather

11. They’ve the potential to be of practical use

Can you picture a Chihuahua being this helpful?

12. They’re a decent burglar alarm

And a burglar will be more likely to be deterred by this than by a miniature dachshund.

13. They don’t take themselves too seriously

They don’t yap endlessly for your attention – they’re just glad you’re there.

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