Small Dogs Gaining in Popularity

They’re ecstatic when we walk in the door. They rarely talk back. And they never, ever roll their eyes at us. They are the only love money can buy. They’re our dogs.

All dog breeds were designed to have a job. But only one category of work is still being done by a majority of dogs bred for it - companion dogs; the little guys whose job it is to warm our laps and our hearts.

According to the American Kennel Club’s registration statistics for 2005, "This may be the Year of the Dog in China, but in this country it's the 'Year of the Yorkie'," said Gail Miller, AKC spokesperson. "… the petite and often-pampered Yorkshire Terrier has taken the coveted number three spot for the first time since becoming AKC - recognized in 1885”

The AKC report continues: “The trend in small dogs continues to be evident with increases in the following breeds over the past 10 years — Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (735%), French Bulldog (305%), Brussels Griffon (231%) and Papillon (132%).”

There’s good sense behind the statistics. Small dogs fit into our lives beautifully. As I write, Dax, my French Bulldog, is warming the chair behind me. Golly, the Brussels Griffon, is on my left side. Roc (Brussels Griffon) is barking at the television (there’s a dog food commercial on) and Ceilidh (Boston Terrier) is snoozing on the couch. When we have a nice, relaxing evening at home, all of us can fit comfortably on the love seat.

My friend Linda is the president of the volunteer organization that runs our local animal shelter. She was a “big dog” person, always teasing me about my “little yappers” (which they’re not) and frou-frou dogs (also, not). Then a little Yorkie came into the shelter. For health reasons the dog had to be fostered and Linda took it home. That was it – she came over to the small dog side of the Force. There are 14 staying with her now, both fosters and her own, only one of them over 20 pounds.

My experience with small dogs is longer, if less intense. I’ve lived with little dogs for almost 40 years, dating back to the childhood companion we begged our mother for – a gorgeous Boston Terrier named Spunky who, despite my efforts to woo him, was persistently my mother’s dog. If I knew then what I know now….we would all have had an easier time.

Sentimental slob that I am – I still have Spunky’s collar. I look at it and shudder – heavy, chain link that he wore all the time. So wrong on so many levels! That’s one of the reasons we (my sister and I) started our shop especially for small dogs - GollyGear. We had no one to answer our questions, show us the right products, address our concerns and solve problems we didn’t even realize we had. There’s a saying in the dog world that “you always ruin your first dog.” We’re hoping to disprove it by helping others avoid our mistakes.

Little dogs are still dogs – they need food and water, shelter, play, training and exercise. Many of these requirements are on a different scale than larger dogs. Small dogs also need socialization, to prevent both fear-aggression and shyness. They may need protection – from everything from adult feet and large dogs to toddlers’ excessive affections.

There are advantages to having small dogs – and many of them. Little dogs are welcome many places that big dogs can’t go. I always feel sorry for the big guys tied to the sign outside the Post Office, when I can sail right in with my little dog in a carrier. And that little face always draws a smile – from the 1,000 people in line with me and from the usually-surly clerk behind the counter. Small dogs are cute and cute things make people happy.

Small dog people have more options for housing – many buildings have weight limits for dogs they will accept as residents. Traveling with small dogs is easier – they’re even allowed in the passenger cabins of airplanes, as long as their carriers fit underneath the seat.

Economically, small dogs are easy on the food budget. However, this argument should only be used sparingly when you’re trying to convince someone of the joys of small dog ownership. Any savings on food are offset by the tendency to spoil them rotten, with toys and treats and a wardrobe of collars, harnesses, leashes, sweaters and coats. And, since they’re addictive like potato chips, most people own more than one. There’s always room for another – especially if a whole pack of toy-size dogs weighs less than a bag of dog food!

Little dogs also need to be valued as wonderful dogs in their own right – companions, friends and family members. They’re doing the job they were meant for; making us happy.

Hope Saidel is the co-owner of GollyGear, a bricks-and-mortar and online small dog shop featuring fun, affordable and practical products for small dogs. She has trained and competed in Obedience with small dogs for over a decade and is on the Board of Directors of the North Shore Dog Training Club. Check out her blog: GollyLog.