Full transparency...right up front.

I've never owned a small dog.

I love 'em. I love all animals, but my childhood dog experience was about as far from "purse-sized pup" as you can get.

I grew up with Collies.

Captain ("Cappy"), Friskie, and Honey were my constant companions. When I was a kid, they followed me everywhere... into the woods and whatever ridiculous adventure my imagination had cooked up that day.

So when I think about dogs, my first mental image isn't typically a Chihuahua sitting in a sweater.

It's three Collies charging through the woods behind our house.

But I have friends who absolutely adore their small puppers, which has prompted me to learn more about small dogs, and the more I've come to appreciate something that seems pretty important:

Being small doesn't mean having small needs.

In fact, sometimes the direct opposite is true.

Small Doesn't Mean "Less Dog"

There's a tendency to think of small dogs differently: They're cute...portable...easier to pick up...don't take up much room.

And because they're physically smaller, some behaviors that would immediately concern us in a larger dog can get laughed off when the dog weighs less than a typical Amazon delivery. 

"He's just being feisty."

"She's got a big personality."

"He's just a little guy."

But imagine a 70-pound dog doing the exact same thing?

Suddenly, we're talking about training.

Socialization.

Boundaries.

Behavior.

A little dog is still a dog.

And that little dog still needs to learn how to navigate the world.

Confidence Matters

This is particularly important because many small dogs can be understandably cautious about the world around them.

It's understandable from their perspective, right?

I mean...you're tiny.

A person walking toward you is enormous.

A Golden Retriever coming around the corner might as well be a horse.

And a stranger reaching down from above?

That's a pretty intimidating situation.

Fear and anxiety aren't unique to small breeds, but they're common canine issues generally, and recognizing them early matters.

That's where thoughtful socialization and positive training can make such a difference.

The goal isn't to force a little dog to love everybody.

It's to help the dog become confident enough to handle people, animals, noises, and new situations without immediately feeling threatened.

Don't Confuse Protection With Permission

Here's another tricky part of owning a small dog.

Because they're small, we can protect them very easily. Larger dogs are thought of as being the protectors. Smaller dogs? Well, we protect them, right! 

A dog approaches?

We pick them up.

Someone wants to pet them?

We pick them up.

They bark at something?

We pick them up.

Something scares them?

We pick them up.

And sometimes, that's absolutely the right thing to do.

But if we always remove a dog from situations rather than helping them learn how to navigate appropriate situations, we may accidentally reinforce the idea that the world really is something they need protection from...rather than something to enjoy. 

There's a balance.

Protecting your dog doesn't mean protecting them from every experience.

Sometimes the best thing you can give a small dog is the confidence to handle the world while knowing you're right there.

And Yes... They Still Need to Be Dogs

Small dogs need exercise.

They need play and exploration.

They need mental stimulation and snifari's.

They need opportunities to investigate.

They also need training, boundaries, and plenty of attention and companionship.

So, sure...small dogs may not require the same amount of physical activity as a high-energy working breed, but that doesn't mean they should spend their entire existence being carried from one place to another.

Even many small breeds benefit from regular movement and enrichment.

And there's another area small-dog owners should pay particular attention to:

their teeth.

Small and toy breeds are especially prone to dental problems because their mouths can become crowded with relatively large teeth in a small space.

So yes...

That tiny little face...as absolutely adorable as it is... needs a big commitment to dental care, too.

Looking Back at My Collies

When I think about Cappy, Friskie and Honey, I realize something.

They had that dog persona (for lack of a better word!). They ran.

They explored.

They got dirty.

They chased things--most of which they should not have! 

They investigated every interesting smell in the woods.

They were companions, protectors, explorers and—occasionally—complete lunatics.

But the same is really true of most small dogs...all dogs, actually. 

They come in all shapes and sizes.

A Husky can tower over a Chihuahua.

But both are still dogs.

Both have instincts.

Both have personalities.

Both need guidance.

Both need affection.

And both deserve the opportunity to experience the world as dogs—not simply as accessories we happen to adore.

Big personality. Just a little smaller package.

...more dog packed into a smaller package.

And if you've got one, give that little dog the same things we'd want for any dog...especially the confidence to know that when the world gets a little too big...

their human has their back.