Grrreat Debate: Big Dog Or Small Dog?

    • Daily Mirror
    • Publish Date: Oct 26 2016 12:25PM
    • |
    • Updated Date: Oct 26 2016 12:35PM
Grrreat Debate: Big Dog Or Small Dog?

We have always been known as dog lovers. But a new divide is creeping: big dogs or small. For while the labrador is still our favourite, new figures from The Dogs Trust reveal a barking 244% boom for small pups in the past six years. Experts think the celebrity trend for "handbag dogs" - along with people living in smaller homes without gardens - is fuelling the downsizing of man's best friend. So are chihuahua lovers missing out? Or do Great Dane fans fail to grasp what's so good about the pitter-patter of tiny puppy feet? Two celebs go head to head.


Big dog fan
BY ANDREA MCLEAN of TV's Loose Women
 
In serious matters such as these, I think it best to consult an expert. So I have asked my nine-year-old daughter Amy, who is passionate about dogs of all sizes, for her thoughts. 
After a long, detailed talk, I can reveal the key points boiled down to this:
  • Apparently, if a burglar comes to the house and hears a huge bark, he'd think that you had a big scary dog and would run away, whereas a little dog sounds like a cute puppy and wouldn't scare anyone.
  • Small dogs, however, do smaller poos, which is a big point in their favour. Having listened to this expert advice and considered the many points raised (I have only listed two here to save time. Seriously, this discussion lasted for hours), I have come to my own conclusion.
The kind of dogs I like
  • I like a proper dog. And I say this as the owner of a golden labradoodle Jackson. A dog who doesn't collapse under the weight of your hand when you stroke it.
  • A dog who trots alongside you on the way to the park and runs after a stick like his life depends on it.
  • Who is sturdy and strong, the man of the house once we have all gone to bed, and who sleeps by the front door, guarding us against anyone from scary clowns to the postman who dares to push stuff through our letterbox.
  • I like a dog who sits by my feet at the end of the day, happy to be close and part of the gang but not clamouring to be the centre of attention like a four-legged diva.
  • I wouldn't ever want a petite pooch. Who wants a dog in their handbag? While I'm happy to give any canine a tickle under the chin, I like my hounds like my men; big, strong and handsome. 
  • And under no illusions over who is Top Dog in this house. Because the answer to that is simple: Me.

Small dog fan
BY STEPH & DOM of TV's Gogglebox
 
We have had both big dogs and small ones - but for us small is definitely the best. Our dachshund Gigi got the most extraordinary response on Gogglebox - everyone fell in love with her. She slept so much on the show that a lot of people thought she wasn't real. We used to have a golden retriever called Bubble. We had a lovely country house and the big dog fitted with that. We loved her to pieces but when she jumped on you on the sofa you had an 8st dog on top of you. She also used to slobber and lick us with that hot dog breath. When she died it broke our hearts. It was so painful that we swore we would never get another dog again. That was until our friend brought around her sausage dog and we fell in love and knew we had to get one. That's how we ended up with Gigi.
She is a big dog in a little dog's body. She thinks she's a doberman but with very short legs. She'll be as lazy as anything but if you want to go out and throw a ball or a stick she'll run like the wind. 
Gigi is short-haired so she doesn't moult. She's very low-maintenance, very loving and cheap to keep because she doesn't eat very much.

Why small dogs are better
  • She is very easy to transport. We take her to dog-friendly hotels and can even carry her around in her own little bag. 
  • With our lifestyle Gigi is easier to look after. She doesn't need much walking, which is heaven for us.
  • With a big dog you still have to take them out in the wind and rain.
  • We can throw the ball around the room and chase Gigi up and down the stairs instead, and if you are lazy like us that is perfect.
  • A little dog fits around your lifestyle but with a big dog you have to work around them.
  • If we aren't around, Gigi is quite happy to sleep but she is full of character when she is awake and we can't imagine life without her.



Record holders

THE world's shortest dog is 3.8in tall chihuahua Milly, five, right, from Puerto Rico. The tallest ever was Great Dane Zeus - 3ft 8in tall and 7ft 4in on his hind legs - from Michigan, who died aged five in 2014.

So which pup stars do celebs love?
 
 
Film star Tom Hardy, 39, loves a big mutt, even claiming: "Sausage dogs bite more people than pitbulls do." He is so besotted with large mix Woody that he even took him to the 2015 premiere of his film Legend, right.
And the girls like a big hound too.
 
 
Model Cara Delevingne, 24, has husky cross-breed Leo, which she brought along to a Chanel Couture fashion show.

 
In the small pup camp is TV mogul Simon Cowell, 57, left, who says: "I love my terriers Freddie, Squiddly and Diddly so much I take them on holidays and let them sleep in my bed. One even gets in the bath with me."

 
 
Movie actor Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, 44, is 6ft 5in - but his pet Hobbs is a mini French bulldog.


Big or small, what kind of dogs do you like? What are the advantages and disadvantages of big and small dogs? Register to post your comments.
 

 

 

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Comments

Harini MS NAGARJUNA VIDYANIKETAN

I love big dogs because when they jump on me, it feels like a complete hug. I love small dogs too, because you can carry them, and that feeling is awesome. It is very hard to decide which one I loved more.

Khushi Sharma BHARTI PUBLIC SCHOOL (SWASTHYA VHR)

I guess it entirely depends upon the owner that which kind of dog he would like to have as a pet, how well can he nourish him & with which size of the dog he is comfortable with.

Aditi Sahi D C MODEL SCH PKL-SEC-7

Big dogs....I just love them

Harsh Dhiraj RAMJAS PUBLIC SCHOOL(PUSA ROAD)

I would like a big dog as they are more energetic,always running around and strong and sturdy.

Bhavana Jaison Atomic Energy Central School No 2

Whatever the dogs be please take good care of it. Never abandon after your entertainment is satisfied. We can see such dogs wandering in and around Bandra.

Nanthashree.S PRESIDENCY SCHOOLHMT LAYOUT

Big dogs, preferably Labradors , are my favourite. Big dogs are just huge enough for one to hug and roll around with and what more than a good hugger do we need in these adorable pets!

Aditi Sahi D C MODEL SCH PKL-SEC-7

Big dogs......I just love them.

cxvxcvxcv OXFORD PUBLIC SCHOOL, KANDIVALI W

I might want a major canine as they are more energetic,always circling and solid and durable. https://s3.amazonaws.com/riocodes/bestbullysticks-coupons.html

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