Why Small Dogs Are Fun
Although all dogs are beautiful, the smallest of the species hold a special appeal for many of us. Like a doll or a teddy bear, they are just the right size to carry, cuddle, and care for. Small dogs come in an infinite variety, each with its own wonderful quirks and qualities. The small breed you choose to make your own will depend upon its personal appeal, your particular lifestyle, and a certain inexplicable chemistry. It's a lot like falling in love.
Small dogs are portable pets. The toy breeds can be picked up and toted along like a fashion accessory (think Paris Hilton and Tinkerbelle, her omnipresent Chihuahua). Even at the larger end of the small dog spectrum, most people would have no trouble carrying their dog indoors if it had physical problems. On the other hand, when large dogs experience physical disabilities or are recovering from surgery, managing the daily routine can become very challenging for adults who are not big and strong themselves.
Cute little canines bring out the doting parent in all of us. Most people can't help but respond to their comical antics and exuberant expressions of unconditional love. In the pet-care industry, it's not uncommon to see burly truck driver types talking baby talk to a shih tzu, poodle, or pug.
The world of Lassie and Timmy, where dogs ran free down on the farm, made for good television all those years ago, but things have changed. Both for their own safety and because of legal constraints like leash laws, our dogs stay home with us these days.
They make perfect playmates. Whether you're tossing a ball, playing tug-of-war with a rope toy, or making your petite pup sit up and beg for a biscuit, such activities activate our sense of fun and take our minds off the workaday world. No matter how old or how serious we may be, small dogs give us permission to play and be silly.
