So you’ve made the decision to own a dog… what an adventure you’re in for! Now the only thing left to decide is which dog breed is right for you. Perhaps a better question, though, is which dog breed are YOU right for? If part of your research is to compare big dog breeds to small to discover the pros and cons of each, you’ve landed in the right place. I’m glad you’re here! I’ll save you a lot of time and effort because I’ve done the comparison research for you, and will present everything I discovered right here in one convenient place. In today’s article, we’ll compare the pros and cons as they pertain to big dogs vs small dogs in the following important areas:
- Cost
- Intelligence
- Aggression
- Temperament
- Lifespan
…and that isn’t all! I’ll also include some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQ) I receive when it comes to big dogs vs small dogs, and some interesting facts I’ve learned in my research, as well as quell some common myths.
The information you’ll receive today is accurate, and not based on hearsay. I compile my facts from reputable sources like the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the numerous Canine Clubs in the United States dedicated to specific dog breeds. I utilize knowledge from experts in the field, including my own veterinarian and sites like Pet Md. Additionally, I rely on the owners of specific breeds for first-hand knowledge before making any generalized statements and study the advice from experts like Cesar Milan when it comes to canine behaviors. You can be confident the information you’re about to discover will answer the questions you have about the differences between owning a big dog and a small dog.
We’ve got a lot of information to cover, and I value your time, so let’s dig in!
Big Dog Pro: Intelligence
The overall intelligence of a dog is measured by how trainable he (or she) is, how the dog acts and reacts in a “pack” scenario, and how well the dog responds to the tasks set before him. When I compared exhaustive lists of the smartest breeds, I found the following list (compiled by the AKC) is the most generally accepted by the dog experts. Next to the breed, I will add whether it’s considered a small, medium or big breed dog, and we’ll let the results speak for themselves.
Top 10 Smartest Dogs:
- Border Collie-Medium to Big
- Standard Poodle- Medium to Big
- German Shepherd Dog- Big
- Golden Retriever- Medium to Big
- Doberman Pinscher-Medium to Big
- Shetland Sheepdog (aka Sheltie)- Small to Medium
- Labrador Retriever- Medium to Big
- Papillon- Small
- Rottweiler- Big
- Australian Cattle Dog- Medium
And there we have it! The smartest dogs out there ten to be in the “medium/big” to “big” categories.
DID YOU KNOW? In general, dogs that weigh 20 pounds (9kg) or under are considered to be small. Dogs that weigh from 20-50 pounds (9-22kg) are considered to be medium-sized, and dogs that weigh more than 50 pounds (22kg) are classified as big.
Big Dog Con: Cost
There’s so much more to this category than which is the most expensive to buy, a big dog or a small dog! To count the total cost of pet ownership, we must count the costs that will be incurred over the dog’s entire lifespan. To most accurately determine which dog is more expensive, big or small, I honed my research to cover the following areas of the cost of dog ownership:
- The Initial Purchase or Rescue Shelter Fee- Each year in the United States alone, more than 600,00 dogs are euthanized simply for being unwanted, according to the ASPCA. For this reason, please consider rescuing a dog. If a breeder or pet store is your preference, do your homework to be sure they are following responsible breeding practices.
- Puppy (or adult dog) Supplies- Besides bowls for food any water, any dog will require some other items for his (or her) safety and well-being. This includes, but is not limited to, a collar and/or harness, a leash, a muzzle (yes, a muzzle) and a basic grooming kit to have at home for between appointments with a professional groomer.
- Dog Food- Sound nutrition will be as important to your dog (whether big or small) as it is to you! This is NOT an area to cut corners in. Puppies should eat a diet formulated for puppies, and if you end up with a large breed dog, his (or her) dog food should be formulated accordingly.
- Healthcare- A healthy dog should be seen by a veterinarian twice a year in puppyhood, once a year in adulthood, and twice a year in his (or her) senior years. There are ways to save on healthcare costs like administering worm prevention treatments at home, but I highly recommend you discuss all healthcare issues with your dog’s veterinarian and follow his (or her) advice to the letter. Some dogs, because of inherent or circumstantial health conditions, will need to visit a veterinarian more frequently.
- Training- You’d be hard-pressed to find a dog expert who wouldn’t recommend, at the very least, an 8-week basic obedience course for your dog of any size. I recommend the same. Having a dog that is well-behaved makes the entire dog ownership experience more pleasant and ensure your dog’s safety and the safety of the animals and humans around him.
- Toys (because all dogs need to play)- Toys are important to a dog of any size for several reasons. Toys provide an outlet for a dog’s inherent need to chew. Toys stave off boredom (yes, dogs are susceptible to boredom!) and stimulate dogs mentally. Finally, toys are an excellent medium for training your dog and for reinforcing the life-long bond the two of you will share.
- Housing- This may be a literal dog house for outdoor use, but “housing” also includes a safe dog crate, bedding, or anything else that designates the dog’s sleeping area as his (or her) own.
Overall, owning a big dog is going to be more expensive, but perhaps not in the ways you think. A few months ago, I did an in-depth cost comparison in each of the areas I listed above and wrote an informative and comprehensive report. To glean from the specific information I found, please read “Are Big Dogs More Expensive to Keep?” right here in the Big Dog Den.
FAQ: Are Big Dogs More Aggressive Than Small Dogs?
Is that a Pro or a Con?
Only you can decide if a dog breed that tends toward aggression is a pro or con in dog ownership. I think any dog owner would admit that having the perfect balance of aggression and friendliness in any sized dog would be best. It’s good to know our dog could stop a burglar, but remain kind and loving with his (or her) humans and other non-threatening individuals, be they animal or human.
It’s important for you to know that any sized dog holds the capacity to be aggressive and that no dog attacks without reason or provocation. A dog of any size has the aptitude to become aggressive in the following scenarios:
- When the dog is injured.
- When the dog perceives a threat to himself, his humans or his territory.
- When another animal (or human) acts aggressively toward the dog.
- When the dog is startled.
So, what would be your guess at which dog breed is most aggressive? The “official” answer is the Chow Chow, considered to be a medium-sized breed.
Without question, because a big dog bite (or attack) is more extreme, most people think that big dogs are naturally more aggressive than small dogs. Hollywood has helped to perpetuate this myth, as well as over-zealous news sources looking to make ratings with extreme attack stories. However, research has indicated that smaller dogs are actually more aggressive than big dogs. If you’ve ever been face to face with an agitated Chihuahua, you may already have an inkling that I’m telling you the truth. I assure you, I am.
Because the level of aggression matters so much when it comes to selecting a dog breed, I wrote a complete and detailed report covering all the facts and dispelling all the myths. If you would like to learn all about it, you’ll find my article right here in the Big Dog Den right at the other end of this link.
If you’re looking for a dog that will aptly defend your home or yourself while out jogging, a dog breed that leans toward aggression is a pro. In most cases, the bigger the dog, the more adequate the protection. A dog of any size that has not been trained to master his or her aggression upon command is a con, and the bigger the dog, the bigger the potential for danger.
DID YOU KNOW? The AKC does not recognize the “Pitt Bull” as a specific breed. Instead, it is an umbrella term for breeds that have almond-shaped eyes, a heavy and muscular neck, a tail medium in length that tapers to a point, a short coat and a broad chest. MANY breeds fall into the Pitt Bull category!
Big Dog Pro: Temperament
I have to say before we proceed that in this area, the Big Dogs “win” but only by a narrow margin! There’s a reason for the close call. Your dog’s temperament is developed and affected by the following 4 Factors:
- Ancestry- A primary factor in overall temperament, your dog’s ancestry is one of the two primary factors that influence his (or her) temperament. Dogs inherit more than coat colors and snout length. They also inherit a good portion of their personality.
- Training- This is the second primary factor in your dog’s overall temperament. No dog is naturally a vicious predator that preys on humans or other animals. Certain dogs in just about any breed have been propelled into having a bad temperament (consequently becoming exceedingly aggressive) at the hands of humans. Every interaction you have with your four-legged companion is an opportunity to promote kindness in his (or her) temperament or to promote hostility and aggression.
- Health- A secondary factor regarding a dog’s temperament, but a factor all the same. Illness, injury, sickness, and pain will keep any dog from displaying a good temperament. Just as we find it hard to be cheerful when we’re sick or hurting, so it is with our canine friends.
- Nutrition- Have you ever heard the term “hangry”? It’s used to describe the awful mood we can experience when we’ve gone too long without adequate nutrition. Hunger and inadequate nutrition affect the temperament of humans and animals, alike.
Of course, there are really, really big dogs with excellent overall temperaments and really, really small dogs about which we can say the same. Likewise, there are big dogs that are skittish and nervous, and small dogs with that “jittery” temperament, too! However, ancestry has done its part by passing down inherent tendencies in dogs through the generations and through specific breeding.
The AKC, through more than 100 years of studying a vast variety of dog breeds, has compiled a list of the
Top 10 Breeds for Good Temperaments (Making these breeds excellent family dogs.)
- Labrador Retriever- Big Breed
- Bulldog- Medium Breed
- Golden Retriever- Big Breed
- Beagle- Small Breed
- Pug- Small Breed
- Irish setter- Big Breed
- Brussels Griffon- Small Dog
- Newfoundland- Big Breed
- French Bulldog- Small Breed
- Collie- Big Breed
The facts are there in black and white. Big dogs, by a very narrow margin, generally have a better overall temperament.
Big Dog Con: Travel
This con is simply a matter of size. I am not saying big dogs don’t LOVE to travel! Some love it very much. Some do not. For his size inconvenience ALONE, it is not as easy to travel with a big dog as it is to travel with a small dog. But take heart! It is inconvenient, not impossible.
Last year I dedicated a whole article to traveling with a big dog. I wrote it with a Rottweiler I love in mind but assure you, the information is accurate for any big dog! You’ll find out all you need to know about traveling with your big dog by land, sea or air. This information-packed article can be found at the other end of this link.
FAQ: Is Having a Purebred Dog a Pro or Con?
There are a plethora of pros to owning a purebred dog and only one con. Purebred dogs will come with a certificate (called a pedigree) that will reveal the ancestry of your dog as far back as it’s been recorded. This information is greatly helpful in determining any health issues your dog may face presently or in his (or her) future.
Additionally, a pedigree gives your dog an “official” identity that can be used to enter him (or her) in dog shows.
The one con of the purebred dog (of any size) is the cost. You will DEFINITELY pay more for a purebred dog that comes with his papers and identity than you will for a dog lacking this paperwork. You will also have to register the dog using the same paperwork to make your ownership of the dog “official”. Yep, more money.
Worth it? Absolutely! In my opinion. I like knowing the health history of my dog’s ancestors 🙂
Small Dog Pro: Longer Lifespan
The AKC and Pet Md (along with numerous other experts) agree. Healthy small dogs live longer than healthy big dogs. In many cases, twice as long!
The research to prove it was published in the scientific journal, “The American Naturalist” along with a possible cause for the unusual phenomenon. The journal surmises that because big dogs grow from puppy to adult in more accelerated ways than smaller dogs, their aging process and onset of old-age illnesses may follow suit.
Big dogs, on average, live from about 8-10 years. Small dogs generally have a lifespan of 12-20 years. That is a significant difference and, in my opinion, a significant pro for small dog owners… you’ll have longer to love him!
Please do note that these are statistics for healthy dogs that are not predisposed to illness and are given sufficient healthcare.
DID YOU KNOW? The oldest dog on record is an Australian Cattle Dog named Bluey (who was medium-sized, BTW) who was 29 and 1/2 years of age on the day of his death in 1939.
Small Dog Con: Sociability
I know a Chihuahua named Knut that seems to fit all the stereotypes regarding small dogs with big vocals. Given, of course, by those who don’t own small dogs. Those who do own them may disagree, but many small breeds (including Chihuahuas) can be a smidgen less sociable than big dogs. This is how they earned names like “yappers” and “ankle-biters”.
It is unknown why smaller dogs can be less social than big dogs, even with adequate socialization training. There is a theory that makes sense, though. For a dog that weighs under 20 pounds (and as little as just a few pounds, in some cases!) there really are more things in this world that are threatening to them, and they know it! Perhaps this knowledge keeps them a little more leary of other animals and/or humans. We don’t know for sure.
What we DO know is that it is beneficial for a dog to be well-socialized from his (or her) youth. This simply means you’ll want to expose your dog to as many humans, animals, and new situations as possible from the earliest age possible.
FAQ: Can a Small Dog Be Taught to Be Quiet?
We’ve just learned that small dogs are notorious for being very vocal, and that’s just a simple truth. Don’t let this con deter you, though, if a small dog makes more sense in your life than a big dog. Through proper training, encouragement, time and patience, you can help minimize your small dog’s tendency to yap (and yap and yap and yap).
Training begins the day after your new dog arrives at your home. Experts like Cesar Milan recommend at least 8 weeks of professional training and I do too. Keep your training sessions at home consistent with the obedience training, and you’ll have a solid foundation to build from.
After your dog has mastered the 5 Basic Commands (Come, Heel, Sit, Down & Stay) you’ll want to add a command (in tandem with a gesture) for “Quiet”. I use the word, “Stop!” when my dog gets excessive with his barking (combined with the hand-gesture for stop), but you determine a word that works well for you and for your dog.
I also use a system I’ve coined “Reward or Remove” as motivation. If my dog quiets on command, he is rewarded with recognition, praise or a treat. If he does not, he is removed from the situation. After a while, we try again.
Small Dog Pro: Smaller Means Easy Cuddles
Notice how I worded that up there? “Easy Cuddles”. Not more cuddles. Not better cuddles. Just easier cuddles. I don’t know if you’ve ever had the chance to cuddle with a dog whose weight tops 100 pounds (45kg) but I can tell you there’s nothing easy about it. The experience is delightful, but not easy! LOL! If you’re a snuggler. If you love the idea of toting your dog around in a sling to keep him (or her) near (or have a shopping partner) a small dog is the dog for you!
I would be remiss not to mention that some people really enjoy having their dog with them in bed at night. Although a small dog may think he needs as much space as a big dog (or a human) he really doesn’t, and he’s really easier to snuggle with all night long if that’s your thing. It’s neither better nor worse to have your dog sleep in your bed with you, it’s just a matter of preference.
Small Dog Con: More Fragile
Smaller things are usually more delicate. This is the way of nature. The same is true for a small dog. They are more susceptible to injury than big dogs. Additionally, because a small dog’s face, nose, and eyes are closer to the ground/grass, they are more susceptible to germs, viruses, and “cooties” in general.
For this reason, be ever aware of your small dog’s safety and schedule regular health check-ups with your dog’s veterinarian.
It’s a good idea when you have a small dog to get in the practice of cleaning his (or her) face when the dog comes inside the house. Wiping away any particles (aka “cooties”) that have gathered around the eyes, nose, and mouth is a great step toward your dog’s overall health. I found wipes I’m satisfied with right on Amazon. They’re excellent for quick clean-ups after outings, and a wonderful hack for keeping your dog fresh between groomings. You can grab yours from Amazon by following this link.
FAQ: Should I Get a Big Dog or a Small Dog?
Everything in today’s article was designed specifically to provide you with accurate information. Some of the things others consider a con, you might consider a pro and Vise-Versa. I’m guessing that after all the topics you’ve just read, the right answer for you (and for the dog you will ultimately get) is already forming in the core of your being. Listen to your gut! Don’t get a dog from a breed known for being laid-back if you’re planning a life-style that for you and your dog that will be anything but laid back!
Be aware that a big breed dog will pose a bigger inconvenience if you’re a jet-setter and will be traveling often. If you’re a snuggler, consider that a big breed dog will take up as much (if not more) room on the sofa than you will! If ramen noodles are on your menu often because pennies are tight, a big breed dog will use a lot more pennies up.
Consider all the ways a dog will impact your life if he’s (or she’s) big compared to being small. After this consideration, chose a dog in the size that is most compatible with your life. Then chose accordingly.
Did you discover anything here today that surprised you? Did this article change your mind on the size of the dog you’ll be getting? I appreciate you stopping by to search out the facts! It shows your pet ownership experience is already off to a great start. Responsible dog owners do the research and count the cost, just like you’re doing now! That makes me so happy 🙂 I hope to see you again soon around the Big Dog Den!
*This article has been reviewed in accordance with our editorial policy.
