After Larger Dogs, Can I Be Happy With a Small Dog?

[AZIggy]

Gotta say. My Italian Greyhound can run with the big dogs. And by the way she out runs them all.
To each their own. She's not a barker & doesn't have huge poops like your lab.

[stan4]

Originally Posted by AlaskaErik

Your opinion.

It's not my opinion that small dogs can go hiking and riding a Jeep and fix you your paper. Or go hunting with you. Or whatever pursuit you define your masculinity by.
They simply can.

[nomnom]

Originally Posted by AlaskaErik

Small dogs are pointless to me. They don't go Jeeping, they don't go hiking, they don't go out and get the morning paper, they don't do much except bark and poop. I have a chocolate lab and I don't see myself having anything else. Certainly not an ankle biter.

I love labs but in terms of activity, my mini Aussie can do more than most labs. My 30 lb dog can swim, outrun most big dogs, go hiking, jump, etc.

[chiluvr1228]

It really depends on the dog. I read that you are now looking in the 40 pound range but I adopted a 7 pound, 8 year old Chihuahua from the shelter in 2013. She was smart and I trained her not to be a yapper plus she loved everybody and that came naturally. I have had many Chihuahuas over the years and only one other had the wonderful personality that my Maggie did. She was even great with little kids which is rare for a Chihuahua. She passed last May and my Abby (also a Chi) died in August and I still miss them terribly so I have an idea how you feel about the loss of your two Greyhounds.


Every dog is different and knowing their specific breed standards doesn't always give you the full picture. Go to your shelter, spend time with the different dogs you are considering and see which one you have a connection with.


Good luck