Should I Get a Small Dog or a Big Dog?

I don't know any dog owners that do not just love the dog that they have.  There is so much variety in the different breeds and sizes of dogs that sometimes it might be a little difficult to pick out the one that is best for you and your family.  Not only do you need to consider the personality of the dog, you also need to consider other things. Some of these things are the size of your home, the age of your children, and how much room you have for the dog to run.  Here is a short guide that will help you to get started on your decision of whether you get a small dog or a big dog.

The first thing that you need to consider is your own personal preference.  I know some people that would never own a small dog and then again I know other people that would not do well with a large dog.  Sometimes it is the size of the dog that dictates its personality.  A smaller dog will tend to act more like you would expect a larger dog to act.  While this isn't true in every case, most small dogs that I have ever owned have a Napoleon's complex and feel that they need to be the big dog on the block.  Then again, you might get a large dog, such as a Labrador, and find that they are the mildest and most docile creature that you could ever own.

The next thing that you will need to consider is which dog is best for your family.  Many people that own large dogs and have small children find that it works just perfectly.  But if you have a dog that needs a lot of exercise and is not able to get enough then it may cause some problems.  Not that the dog would intentionally hurt your children, but you also do not want them knocked down by a large dog that is running through the house at top speed.  You also would not want to have a small dog that belongs to a breed with a reputation of being overly protective.  This could cause problems and you may even find that the dog is snapping at the children.

You also need to consider your surroundings and the size of your home.  It would be an unkind thing if you were to get a large active dog and keep them cramped up in an apartment all the time.  If you would like to have a dog companion and you live in an apartment where the dog can not get exercise there are some breeds that are specifically meant for those types of conditions.  If you have room for a dog to run then a large active breed might be perfect for you.

Of course these are just general guidelines.  You will need to make the decision on your own, according to your own personal preferences.  One thing is for certain, however, and that is that the dog that you get will need to have a lot of love from you.  Large, small or somewhere in between, every dog needs a home.