Choosing a small dog

A common sense approach

Matching you and your dog

You already have the perfect tool for this task. When choosing a small dog, use good ole' common sense as your ultimate guide.

We "human people" tend to view small dogs much differently than we would a larger dog.

As an example; I mentioned earlier that we have both large dogs (German Shepherds) and small dogs (Pomeranians). We make every effort to take them out and socialize them whenever we can.

Sometimes we'll take one of the "big dogs" with us, other times we'll bring a couple of the "small ones" with us.

People will respond differently to them depending on their size. If a "big dog" we'll get comments like "Oh how beautiful" or "He/She's gorgeous" or "He's a big boy".

Now if we happen to have the "little ones" with us, the comments will be more like, "Oh how cute", "he/she's adorable", or "I want one!, can I take him/her home with me!".

People, in general, tend to view the "small dogs" as cute and cuddly and of course, we all know they really are; but we need to realize that they are much, much more than just cute little balls of fluff.

Cute and Cuddly to the back of the bus please

So for now, anyway, let's just take our "cute and cuddly" thoughts and toss them to the back of our mind. While we are choosing a small dog, we need to make room up there for some practical considerations.

Most small dogs are actually quite intelligent. They love being with you, love getting attention and are exited and eager to learn lots of new things.

Regardless of which dog you finally decide on, be prepared to spend time interacting with and training your little one. You will enjoy your dog much more and your dog will be much happier if you treat it like the bright, intelligent dog he/she really is..

Training your little one is a must and will begin on day one when you first bring them home. So be prepared, at the very least you will be dealing with house breaking your dog. If you are planning to use a crate then you will need to get him used to that. A basic program of obedience training for your dog is something you really need to consider. It'll make you and your dog's life together much more enjoyable.

If this is your first dog and you are new to training techniques you may want to visit your local bookstore and pick up a good book on small dog training.You may also find a local obedience class and monitor it to see if it's something you will want to do.

Or if your anxious to get started and want to jump right into it here's a great resource for you to check out. Written by a breeder, show person, and trainer with over 30 years experience, this guide covers most any training needs you may have.
Check out Training a small dog

Your perfect little companion has everything to do with who you are, what kind of a lifestyle you prefer, your own personality, and last but not least, the needs of your family members.

Here are a few other areas to explore before making your decision.

Designer Dogs - The latest craze, find out if this popular dog type is right for you.

Dog Adoption - Small dog rescue and shelters can be a great place for you to find your new companion.

Dog Allergies - If you or a family member have allergies, find out which dogs might be good for you.

Make a list and check it twice!!

To help you in your "choosing a small dog" decision you might want to compose a listing of everything you are looking for in a dog.

Do you have toddlers or very small children? Small dogs have small bones that are easily broken. Your precious little one could be seriously injured simply by a child accidentally stepping or falling on her.

Consider waiting until your toddler reaches school age before bringing home a new small dog. Or..... check out our listing of some dogs that are good with small children to find a dog that may be better for your toddler.

Do you or family members have allergies? You may need to confine your search to only dogs that are low shedding or non shedding hypoallergenic dogs.

High energy dog or Low energy dog? All dogs need regular exercise but some breeds have a much higher activity level than others. If you're the athletic, outdoors type or very active type then a high energy dog may be just the thing for you.

On the other hand, if you'd just as soon curl up in front of the TV with your little dog in your lap or by your side, you'll probably do better getting a small dog with a lower energy level.

High energy dogs normally require several walks per day and constant attention.

Behavior problems (barking, digging holes, destroying household items, etc) are commonly the result of a dog not getting the attention and/or exercise they need.

Don't forget the cost of caring for your dog. At first you might think "well how much can a little tiny dog cost!!". Don't kid yourself, their small size doesn't make them any less expensive to take care of.

Consider the cost of things such as dog food, grooming cost, licensing, vaccinations, vet bills, insurance, and even the cost of a pet sitter when you go on vacation.

Even small dogs will cost you a minimum of $300 - $500 per year.

When all is said and done, choosing a small dog is up to you; use common sense to match your dog to your own personal needs and those of your family. Make a list of your needs and then visit the small dog breeds page to find the perfect small dog for you.

A word about Teacups

If you really have your heart set on an extra small dog ("Teacup") a word of caution is in order here. "Teacup" although not a recognized dog breed, is a term used to refer to very small, tiny dogs.

The standard for a Toy Dog is normally 4 - 7 pounds. Anything smaller than this is what is commonly referred to as "Teacup" size.

The problem is there are many unscrupulous people out there trying to make a profit on these tiny dogs without regard to the dog's health or the person willing to purchase one. Because of their interesting size they have become very popular and sell very quickly.

Often times the so called "Teacup dog" is actually a puppy that was born prematurely and didn't have a chance to mature before birth. Or, this "Teacup" was born with health problems.

Many teacup dogs carry increased health risks; heart problems, dental problems, behavior/temperamental problems and other complications.

Either way, buying a tiny dog, in my opinion, is risky at best. Make sure you have them checked out completely and thoroughly by your vet first.