# Do you have a preference for small or large dogs?šŸ• **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 29, 2022, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-preference-for-small-or-large-dogs/963641 "2022-04-29T02:28:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2022, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-preference-for-small-or-large-dogs/963641/21 "2022-04-29T04:35:00Z")
We currently have a Miniature Aussie and the breeder has an ā€œoopsieā€ litter of Border with Miniature Aussie. We are meeting the litter Sunday with plans to take home three weeks later. The expectation is smaller than typical Borders. Weā€™ll see. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2022, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-preference-for-small-or-large-dogs/963641/22 "2022-04-29T04:50:18Z")
As an Aussie, can I ask what an Aussie is? ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2022, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-preference-for-small-or-large-dogs/963641/23 "2022-04-29T05:02:33Z")
> **[Australian Shepherd Dog Breed Information](https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/australian-shepherd/)** > > Right breed for you? Australian Shepherd information including personality, history, grooming, pictures, videos, and the AKC breed standard. The miniature version is its own breed, now officially called Miniature American Shepherd. > **[Miniature American Shepherd Dog Breed Information](https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/miniature-american-shepherd/)** > > Right breed for you? Miniature American Shepherd information including personality, history, grooming, pictures, videos, and the AKC breed standard. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2022, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-preference-for-small-or-large-dogs/963641/24 "2022-04-29T05:03:35Z")
Yeah, our guys are definitely mixes, But about 50% Border Collie and have Pit Bull in them per DNA test. An odd combo. One looks more like a pointer with all the spots. We are in Hawaii on vacation, and look at them every day at the place they are boarded. We miss them as much as they miss us. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2022, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-preference-for-small-or-large-dogs/963641/25 "2022-04-29T07:48:38Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > The dachshund definitely had a big-dog personality. The dachshunds Iā€™ve been acquainted with generally seem to have a voice and an attitude about 10x the actual size of the dog. šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2022, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-preference-for-small-or-large-dogs/963641/26 "2022-04-29T08:00:54Z")
> [@Seanette](#): > > > [@Senegoid](#): > > > > The dachshund definitely had a big-dog personality. > > The dachshunds Iā€™ve been acquainted with generally seem to have a voice and an attitude about 10x the actual size of the dog. šŸ™‚   True. [begin not-so-humblebrag] And our dachshund was the biggest dachshund Iā€™ve ever seen. All others seemed kind of scrawny by comparison. His pedigree listed a long line of the world-famous champion Heying-Teckle dachshunds, the breeders of which lived in an orange grove just a block from where I grew up. I only learned of their illustrious history many many years later. [The Heying-Teckle Story](http://www.dachshundhistoryonline.com/historic-information/notable-dachshund-people/tribute-to-rose-heying/) [Heying-Teckle Dachshunds](https://duckduckgo.com/?q=heying+teckel+dachshund) [end not-so-humblebrag] ---
**Author:** ![Dereknocue67](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6de8d8/32.png) [@Dereknocue67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dereknocue67)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2022, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-preference-for-small-or-large-dogs/963641/27 "2022-04-29T08:44:12Z")
I have had 5 dogs in my life and all weighed under 30 lbs. so I guess I fall in the medium category. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2022, 9:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-preference-for-small-or-large-dogs/963641/28 "2022-04-29T09:48:09Z")
Not size, but a disinclination to yappiness and drooliness. Call it in a pinch medium to large, wolfish, nondrooly [definitely not a newfie!] so schiperke/shiba inu up to my 150 pound wolf hybrid {I miss Llugh!] I donā€™t like yappy dogs, they also can be hyper and I donā€™t like that. With the medium to large dogs, it seems like they tend to be more mellow =) ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2022, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-preference-for-small-or-large-dogs/963641/29 "2022-04-29T10:53:37Z")
Ours are 37 lbs and 50 lbs as of last veterinary visit. Thatā€™s a good size but TBH I like most all dogs if they have a good temperament. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2022, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-preference-for-small-or-large-dogs/963641/30 "2022-04-29T11:06:13Z")
Same here. I can even be fond of the purse vermin style if theyā€™re not super-hyper-yappy. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2022, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-preference-for-small-or-large-dogs/963641/31 "2022-04-29T11:18:10Z")
I like giant oversized dogs. Mastiffs, St Bernards, Inuits, Great Danes, etc. Basically any dog thatā€™s so large it looks like someone photoshopped them. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2022, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-preference-for-small-or-large-dogs/963641/32 "2022-04-29T11:22:12Z")
Being a cat person, I naturally lean towards small dogs. Also, the dogs that are statistically a much greater threat to attack and kill you are the large, powerful breeds like Pit Bulls and Rottweilers. I donā€™t want these creatures around me because, quite frankly, I donā€™t trust them. Now, before we cue in the dog lovers who want to vehemently protest this, let me say that, in my experience, dog lovers/owners are a lot like parents. The first words of protest they utter are usually, "But MY baby would never ā€¦ " [**Americaā€™s Most Dangerous Dog Breeds**](https://www.forbes.com/sites/niallmccarthy/2018/09/13/americas-most-dangerous-dog-breeds-infographic/?sh=4888843262f8) > The following infographic shows that the Pit Bull is still responsible for the most fatal attacks in the U.S. by far, killing 284 people over that 13-year period - 66 percent of total fatalities. The Rottweiler came second with 45 fatal attacks recorded while the German Shepherd was third with 20. Even some breeds that are not associated with aggression, such as the Labrador Retriever, also make the top-10 list with 9 fatal attacks documented. > According to [DogsBite.org](http://DogsBite.org), injuries caused by canines accounted for more than a third of all homeownersā€™ liability claim dollars paid out last year, costing almost $700 million. Fatalities aside, 28,000 people had reconstructive surgery after being attacked by dogs in the U.S. in 2015 with canine-related hospitalization stays increasing 86 percent between 1993 and 2008. On average, the cost of a dog bite-related hospital stay is $18,200. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2022, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-preference-for-small-or-large-dogs/963641/33 "2022-04-29T11:29:04Z")
I have cats and guinea pigs right now, but I feel some sort of affinity for larger dogs. Growing up we had little dogs, and I have siblings with little dogs, theyā€™re not really doing it for me. When out and about, if thereā€™s a big friendly dog around, I gravitate towards it. Thereā€™s something right about a dog I can pet without having to pick it up, or sit on the floor. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2022, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-preference-for-small-or-large-dogs/963641/34 "2022-04-29T11:32:59Z")
> [@Seanette](#): > > I find big dogs tend to be calmer and perhaps smarter than the tiny yip-monster types I tend to call ā€œrodent in a dog suitā€. Way to poison the thread there mate. My small maltese is neither yappy or a rodent in a dog suit. Heā€™s confident, robust, gentle, friendly, and great on long walks. Plus I can pick him up when thereā€™s a big muddy puddle. The perfect dog. Iā€™m not keen on big dogs because they tend to shed fur a lot, stink the house up, often drool, and generally get in the way. Itā€™s bad enough with my small dog trying not to trip over him or find enough space to sit on my own sofa. Iā€™ll take a small dog thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2022, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-preference-for-small-or-large-dogs/963641/35 "2022-04-29T11:48:16Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > [**Americaā€™s Most Dangerous Dog Breeds**](https://www.forbes.com/sites/niallmccarthy/2018/09/13/americas-most-dangerous-dog-breeds-infographic/?sh=4888843262f8) > > > The following infographic shows that the Pit Bull is still responsible for the most fatal attacks in the U.S. by far, killing 284 people over that 13-year period - 66 percent of total fatalities. The Rottweiler came second with 45 fatal attacks recorded while the German Shepherd was third with 20. Great Og, now youā€™ve done it. You have summoned the Pit Bull etc defenders. They will be here any moment now to tell you that Pit Bulls etc are the saviours of all mankind but are badly wronged by those that seek to cruelly blame them for dog bites caused by other breeds for which they are mistaken. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2022, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-preference-for-small-or-large-dogs/963641/36 "2022-04-29T11:56:57Z")
Nah. Thereā€™s already been a million threads for that. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2022, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-preference-for-small-or-large-dogs/963641/37 "2022-04-29T11:58:07Z")
We have had so many so many so many long tiresome threads between the ā€œPitā€ haters and ā€œPitā€lovers, that I humbly beg that no one takes this bait and allow this post to hijack the thread. Please. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2022, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-preference-for-small-or-large-dogs/963641/38 "2022-04-29T12:04:05Z")
> [@SmartAleq](#): > > I had a border collie/Jack Russell mix (confirmed by the rescue, they knew exactly what his breeding was since he was rescued from a neighbor) and he ran about 50 lbs for most of his life until he got skinny with the cancer and all. I was surprised he got as big as he didā€“I got him at about six months old. Probably just very muscular, he was a very active dog, would run a marathon while I did a few miles walking. Border Jacks are a deliberate cross made by competitive dog sport people, to get super high energy dogs which run in a lower height class than Border Collies, who completely dominate Agility and Flyball. Since Jacks are about 15 lbs on average and BCā€™s rarely top 50 lbs, Iā€™d say it is likely that the parentage was not as stated. Bitches can carry a litter with multiple sires, so the mom could have just gotten out and met a stranger that one time. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2022, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-preference-for-small-or-large-dogs/963641/39 "2022-04-29T12:15:41Z")
Weā€™ve never picked out a dog based on size. Itā€™s always just been the result of a series of coincidences. Our current pack (3 is our ideal number) is (from right) a 50 pounder, a 68 pounder, and a pup who I have no idea about. [![](https://i.imgur.com/e5IXZTD.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/e5IXZTD.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2022, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-preference-for-small-or-large-dogs/963641/40 "2022-04-29T12:17:04Z")
They all look like very lovable dogs. šŸ™‚ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-preference-for-small-or-large-dogs/963641.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-preference-for-small-or-large-dogs/963641.md?page=3)