Think Small: 5 Big Benefits of Owning Little Dogs
I grew up with big dogs. Sweet, slobbery, giant, mixed-breed, rescue dogs. Princess was a Rottweiler mix, Pumpkin, gosh, who knows what she was. I loved them, and I love big dogs, however, I have realized now as an adult and as a tiny-dog owner, that small dogs are actually great for a multitude of reasons.
I was a skeptic until my 5 pound Meka, a spunky Toy Fox Terrier, fell into my life. I inherited her from a customer who passed away. Meka was already 8 years old, and a mere 5 pounds. She is 14 now, still 5 pounds, and one of the most special dogs of my life. She is just incredible. Good, quiet, smart, clean, she completely destroyed the stigma about little dogs that I was raised believing. Meka is very small, but, her soul is giant. Her little heart puts out as much love as an 80 pound dog’s does. A little over a year ago I added a second tiny dog, Emma, to my family. She had 2 hours left on death row. Nobody wanted her because she is a Chihuahua. She is the funniest little thing I have ever met. She has no clue of her size.
One day in the future I may own big dogs again, but, possibly not! I have realized that there are a lot of really big benefits to owning really small dogs.
1.Less food = Less food cost
This one is an obvious benefit. Your dog food bill goes down drastically when you own small dogs. Meka and Emma eat ¼ cup servings, while a large breed may require 2 cups. If you have less income, a small dog may be better on your budget.
2.They are portable!
It is often much easier to bring a small dog along for the ride. Many enjoy riding close to their human in a pouch, purse, or bag, and more restaurant patios will allow you to have a tidy little dog alongside while dining.
3.You can live basically anywhere
Whether you just enjoy the amenities and up-keep of an apartment, or you are in a transitional period, a small-breed (or a cat) are often better choices than a large breed for a tiny-home living situation. With a little dog you can live just about anywhere!
4.They are awesome to snuggle
Little dogs have big hearts. When you have earned the trust of a small dog, they become the cuddliest things ever. My girls sleep right next to me, they curl up as close as they can and make me feel extra calm and comfortable. Small dogs emit rays of pure love.
5. You can have a few of them!
Wouldn’t it be awesome to have like 5 dogs following you around everywhere? With Labradors, that would be expensive, messy, and probably against some kind of city code. If you have Chihuahuas, 5 eat the same or less than 2 labs, they probably will all sleep curled up together, with you. They will become a tiny pack, and you will be the dog shepherd, as they follow you in a little-herd.