Little Big Dogs

Some dogs are bigger than others.

You can't necessarily tell just by looking, though. Take the Terriers. Some of them are quite small dogs at first glance, but big dogs at heart, which makes them good breeds to consider when living in an urban environment. But they thrive in the country as well. There's nothing soft about a Terrier except their eyes when they look at their owners.

Rat Terriers, for example. One breeder I know lives out in the sticks and has a double handful of the diminutive dynamos. None of her dogs are much over 15 pounds. One of the males just earned his chance to compete in the weight pull! She's found the four who have the run of the yard worrying at a raccoon, opossums, rabbits and incredibly, a large raven! Her little weight puller has a dream. He's after a wild turkey. So far all he's managed to catch have been tail feathers, but he's giving it his best shot.

And yet, they are affectionate, sweet tempered, wonderful little house dogs, snugglers who would be at home in a town house or condo, happily curled up with their people and going for long walks and some good play sessions at the dog park.

Boston Terriers fit the Terrier description aptly. The mean size is around fifteen pounds, but fifteen pounds in Terrier weight isn't the same as fifteen pounds on the scales. These little dogs have all the Terrier joie de vivre, ready to run and play or run and hunt at the slightest provocation, but loving equally a warm lap or a shared club chair.

Not typically a barky breed, the typical Boston is a perfect choice for apartment or other urban life. They not only enjoy long walks, they have the stamina and energy of larger dogs as well as the Terrier curiosity to propel them forward from one interesting scent to the next. If you keep your Boston in good shape, you'll be in good shape yourself!

There are very few Terriers that don't fit the "big dog in a little dog body" description, unless they're the larger breeds like the Bull Terrier or Airedale, and then you have a much bigger dog in a medium sized dog's body.

Papillons are a tiny breed that packs a lot of dog into a dainty or dandy little body. Lithe and athletic, a Pap on an agility field is a beautiful sight, soaring over the hurdles, racing around the course at top speed, ears adjusted for maximum lift. Some even beat the Border Collie times around the field!

These beautiful little dogs have the hearts of big dogs and will often take on the role of watchdog, even though there's not a lot a ten pound dog can do to prevent someone from coming in, but that doesn't keep them from letting someone strange know they're there and on the job. They are playful, enthusiastic and energetic and will throw themselves wholeheartedly into a wrestling match, a game of chase, or going after a toy that is over half their size. They don't know they aren't big enough.

Shelties, or Shetland Sheepdogs are another breed seen more often in the agility ring, running with the bigger dogs. At less than thirty pounds, they qualify for small dog status on the basis of size, but make no mistake, these are another breed that thinks they are big dogs and pack a lot of rough and tumble canine heart into a beautiful package.

These little dogs often remember their herding roots and are willing to drive animals much larger than themselves, diving in fearlessly. Playful and extremely intelligent, they have been described at times as having a Terrier-like temperament, and we know what that means . . . lotta dog in a little bod.

So, if you love big dogs but aren't in the situation to support one, consider looking at one of the compact models. You might be surprised at how much dog you can get, pound for pound.

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