While I absolutely love ALL dogs no matter their size or breed, I’ve only ever had small-ish dogs. My biggest dog was a Corgi, who weighed around 30lbs. I have a thing for small dogs, as their compact stature is perfect for my lifestyle. I’m sure one day I will have a big dog, but for now I can’t help but appreciate all of the benefits of having a small dog. Sometimes I feel like tiny dogs are severely underestimated, so in this post I outline the benefits of choosing a smaller pooch as your bestie.
Benefits of Having a Small Dog
They are easy to travel with (and cheaper).
Small dogs are super easy to travel with. Their size doesn’t restrict you to car traveling, as a small pup will comfortably fit in an airplane cabin with you. Plus, smaller dogs are easy to handle when traveling in the airport, on road trips and in hotels. If you have multiple small dogs, they will be able to share space in a car without any hassle, whereas bigger dogs take up at least one seat per pup.
As a full time traveler, I often hear from pet parents that they won’t travel with their dog due to their size. And when I’m sitting on an airplane, I commonly hear, “I don’t travel much because my dog would have to go in cargo. He’s too big.” A small dog doesn’t need to be left behind! It’s also much cheaper to fly with your dog in the cabin as opposed to having to pay the fee to transport your large dog in cargo. I put Wynston in the Gen7Pets Roller Carrier when we travel via airplane.
They are easier to take care of in case of injury.
Wynston broke his foot in September 2017. Although it was a difficult 12 week ordeal, it could have been SO much worse. Wynston was in a full cast, but I could put him in a stroller and carry him anywhere. Because I was able to hold him, vet visits and traveling weren’t an issue. I’d just swoop him up in my arms!
If a large dog gets injured, it can require a lot more work. You can’t exactly carry a large dog up the stairs or carry them into a vet office. It requires much more effort to care for a large, injured dog with limited mobility.
Their accessories are less expensive.
Halloween costumes, collars and pet beds will all be cheaper if you’re a small dog parent. A small dog harness can be less than half the price of a large dog harness. Need a cute Christmas sweater for your furry friend? A small size one will be less expensive. Overall, accessories are just cheaper for tiny pups!
Spend less on dog food and treats.
Small dogs eat a lot less food than big dogs. The same can be said for treats. Because your dog eats substantially less, you will save an immense amount of cash! Wynston eats one small bag of dog food every 6 weeks or so, whereas a large dog may go through a small bag of food every week. Generally it’s less expensive to feed and treat a small dog. Zuke’s Natural Training Treats are my favorite small dog treats.
They are easy to pick up and hold.
Arizona summers are absolutely scorching. They get so hot that you cannot walk your dog during the day. However, if you have a small dog you can pick them up so they don’t need to walk on hot pavement. This is also helpful if you need to go to a vet visit or you’re traveling. You can carry your dog to protect their paws, but a large dog would need booties, which just means an extra expensive. And speaking of protecting, if another dog or child is running toward your dog, you can quickly pick them up to avoid confrontation.
Small dogs take up less space.
If you live in a small home or apartment, a tiny pooch won’t take up much space! Large dogs require more space, even if they are a low energy breed. Dog beds and kennels can take up a considerable amount of floor space. The same can be said for traveling in the car. Small dogs simply don’t require a ton of room to keep them happy and healthy!
Vet bills will generally be cheaper.
Veterinarian services can cost substantially less for small dogs. For example, if your pup needs surgery they will also need anesthesia. The cost of the anesthesia goes up the bigger your dog is because they require a larger amount of it. And it’s definitely not a cheap medical necessity. Medications, heart worm preventative and flea and tick treatments will all be cheaper for small dog breeds.
Grooming services for small dogs will also typically cost less. The less dog there is to groom, the less money you’ll shell out. If you bathe your dog at home, pet shampoo will last you much longer with a small breed dog.
Final Thoughts
Generally speaking, small dogs are just easier and cheaper to house, care for and enjoy life with. Of course there are benefits of having a large dog as well, such as the ability to guard your home more effectively, or go on more strenuous adventures. All that matters is that you love your dog, no matter what size or breed they are!
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Linda Monforte says
I haven’t traveled on a plane with my lea yet, but that’s something I’d like to try.
Amanda says
Wynston is so great with flying. He’s quiet and calm the whole time. People never even know he’s with me!