Tag Archives: little dogs

Military dogs in size small

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Making plans for Memorial Day got us thinking about the dogs who serve. And, because that’s how we think, we wondered if any small dogs have served as military dogs.

As far as we could find out, not officially. All branches of the military in the United States employ dogs. Most have “specific jobs, including: tracking, explosive detection, patrol, search and rescue, and attack,” according to the American Kennel Club. But all of the dogs currently serving in the military seem to be large breeds, with German Shepherds the most numerous. There is mention of Russell Terriers in scent detection, but we couldn’t find confirmation.

Unofficial mascots

However, two of the most famous military dogs of the 20th century were both little dogs. Neither one was officially part of a military training program. Although one, Stubby, was the only dog to be awarded the rank of “Sergeant” through combat.

Military dog Stubby was a Boston Terrier like our very own Booker
Our very own Boston Terrier, Booker

Stubby was a Boston Terrier who served in World War I. He was the unofficial mascot of the 102nd Infantry Division, and served for 18 months. Most of his duties were morale-related, comforting and entertaining the troops. But he also warned of mustard gas attacks. After being injured in one such attack, Stubby was fitted with a custom gas mask. His credits include finding and holding an enemy soldier by the seat of his pants until American soldiers caught up.

After the war, Sgt. Stubby was a celebrity. He met presidents and led parades all across the country. When his owner went to Georgetown, Stubby went along with him and served as the Hoyas’ team mascot. Stubby died in 1926 and is now part of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.

Equal rights

The other notable little dog was a female Yorkshire Terrier named Smoky. Smoky was owned by an airman from Ohio who served in the Pacific in World War II. Her most notable exploit was running a telegraph wire through a mostly-closed conduit at the Luzon airfield in the Philippines. Smoky’s tiny size (less than four pounds) and willingness to learn new “tricks” saved the construction detail three days of digging that would have exposed them to enemy bombing. To Smoky’s credit are 12 combat missions and eight battle star awards.

Smoky is the first recorded therapy dog. In 1944 she started acting as a therapy dog when her owner was in the 233rd Station Hospital in New Guinea. She went on rounds with the nurses and doctors to visit their patients.

There is a life-sized statue commemorating Smoky, the “Yorkie Doodle Dandy” in Lakewood, Ohio.

Honoring War Dogs

There are other memorials to dogs that have accompanied the military into harm’s way. The National War Dog Cemetery is at Naval Base Guam. During World War II, Doberman Pinschers served with the Marine Corps during the Second Battle of Guam in 1944.

There is also a U.S. War Dogs Memorial in New Jersey, as well as other memorials around the country. In support of military dogs, both current and retired, there are several non-profit organizations. Former military dog handlers banded together to support their colleagues and their dogs.

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The truth about teacup dogs

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The truth about “teacup” dogs is: there’s no such thing. It’s a deceptive marketing name for unhealthy, poorly-bred “runts.”

Our shop specializes in stuff for small dogs – up to 30 lbs. We had some trouble finding dog gear to fit the tiniest dogs, but we did it. Supporting all small dog owners is our mission, and we know that mission includes telling the truth about all dogs. The truth is, “teacup” dogs, produced on purpose, are a scheme to take money from people who make emotional decisions.

The pictures are adorable – tiny puppies posed in actual tea cups. It’s probably how the trend started. We know several reputable breeders who take pictures of new puppies in cups and post them. It’s just darling. But it’s a moment captured in time. These particular puppies wouldn’t fit in the cups a week later. And no healthy adult dog should be able to.

Truth hurts

Humans are genetically programmed to like and protect cute little things. That’s why babies are taken care of. They’re a lot of work, without much return. Especially at first. It’s why we all say “Awww, so cute” when we see pictures of tiny little puppies. And our love for small, cute things makes us want them to stay small and cute forever.

Teacup with a dog in it

The problem is that most cute, small puppies grow up to be dogs. We have neighbors that fell for a cute little Husky puppy in a pet store. The kids carried him around, doted on him. And then he grew up into a Husky and has lived in their backyard, howling, for years. 

So while we understand the attraction of a cute little dog that stays little, how little is small enough?

How small is too big?

The smallest of the toy dog breeds are probably the Chihuahua and the Yorkshire Terrier. According to their U.S. breed clubs, which are the guardians of their breeds, the optimal size for a Chihuahua is under six pounds, for a Yorkie the standard says not bigger than seven pounds.

Isn’t that small enough for anyone? Especially when you consider the health risks associated with dogs under two pounds:

  • Hydrocephalus (water on the brain)
  • Liver shunts
  • Heart defects
  • Collapsing trachea
  • Seizures
  • Hypoglycemia
  • Broken bones

Veterinarians will also tell you that treating a tiny dog is more difficult. Imagine the size of the needle to give a “teacup” dog an IV. Not to mention finding a viable vein. 

Don’t leave them

One of the reasons people want teeny dogs is so they can take them wherever they go. As too many “teacup” owners have discovered – the dog has to come along. If they miss a meal, they can pass out and die from hypoglycemia. They’re too small to store the nutrients they need. It’s one thing to want a companion dog. It’s another to be permanently tethered to a dog 24/7.

We mentioned that no reputable breeder is deliberately producing “teacup” dogs. Every breed of dog varies in size, and some puppies are unusually small or large. Just like people. Even within a family, height varies among siblings and cousins. A responsible breeder will make sure that unhealthily tiny puppies are never part of their breeding programs. And that these pups find pet homes aware of the possible issues these dogs may have, and are prepared to deal with them.

Buyer beware

If you’re wealthy and have staff, like a celebrity we can think of who seems to have a new tiny dog often, you can cope with the demands of a “teacup” puppy. 

If you’re a real person, beware. There’s no such thing as a “teacup” dog. It’s clever marketing to drive up prices for the runts that used to be given away. And anyone who is breeding “teacup” dogs on purpose doesn’t care about the health of the puppies they produce. They know that suckers will buy them. By the time health issues crop up, those buyers love that puppy. That’s why these unscrupulous breeders’ “Health Guarantee” often includes a clause that allows return of an unhealthy dog for consideration in a future litter. Return? Most people couldn’t do it. 

Truth about teacup dogs

The truth is that some dogs are small. Some are tiny. And while every dog deserves a loving home, we cannot encourage people to open their hearts to a teacup dog. Wouldn’t a six pound dog be just as wonderful?

Little dogs are brave souls

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Last week we talked about how little dogs have a different view of the world. Can you even imagine living in a world where everything, literally everything, is bigger than you are? It got us thinking that little dogs are brave. Amazingly so.

We aren’t big people – Fran is “taller” at 5’ 2 ¾” (she insists on the ¾), and Hope is downright short at 5-foot nuthin’. And there are lots of things we can’t do, or see, without step stools, or ladders, or climbing foolishly on top of things we probably shouldn’t. The potato chips are stored on top of the refrigerator so giving in to temptation requires effort. It usually works.

Everything requires effort

Picture of a brave little dog in a red sweater next to a person's jeans-clad legs and sneakers.

Think, just for a minute, about the tremendous expenditure of exertion and timing for a Chihuahua to climb a flight of stairs. When the dog isn’t even as tall as two steps. It’s the equivalent of a person climbing a 10+ story building in seconds. How amazing is that! And how daunting for the dog when it’s learning to navigate around the house.

Little dogs can’t see what’s up there – anywhere. Everything they do, or try, is based on the trust they have that you won’t steer them wrong.

Leap of faith

Hope has had French Bulldogs for decades. A few years ago she and her dog Teddy were visiting a friend and staying at their home. Teddy was very accustomed to jumping up on furniture to see better, or get closer. He was following Hope’s friend around her house one day – including into the bathroom. He’d never seen a furniture-styled built-in tub before. He jumped. And landed “PLOP!” in the deep, empty tub. 

He was fine – but a little untrusting for a while. The world as he knew it had sturdy surfaces, not hollow, slippery bits to trap dogs!

Take a look around

Every place your dog goes, everything you do together, is because your dog trusts you. Can you imagine being a visitor on an alien planet where everyone is bigger than you, you can’t understand anything people say, you don’t know how anything works. Not to mention the noise! You have no idea what all the noisy things do, or whether or not they’ll hurt you!

There are terrifying things all around us in the environment. The puppy in the house sits and stares when we’re outside and he hears a car go by. Or lawn mowers, string trimmers, and leaf blowers. Not even mentioning the garbage truck or the sound of backing up!

Appreciate your dog’s courage

If you’re ever impatient because your dog seems wary of some new thing – like your new robotic vacuum cleaner, give them some credit. The only reason they can function in our world is because they love and trust us. Dogs truly are amazing creatures.

Small dogs are different

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In lots of ways, dogs are dogs. Their commonalities far outweigh their differences. But in a few significant ways, small guys differ from their larger counterparts. Some of those ways are purely physical. Others are more a matter of perspective.

Focus on the physical

Just in terms of the size differences – little dogs are prone to some specific maladies. Collapsing trachea is one of the most common, which is why it’s always a good idea for little dogs to wear harnesses instead of collars. Other specific issues common to toy-sized dogs include dental issues, hypoglycemia, and slipping knee caps. 

Bigger dogs also have size-related physical issues, they’re just different issues. Joint dysplasia, bloat, and wobbler syndrome are all more common in giant breeds. 

Every size of dog has something going on. As do we all. To put the physical in context – no one gets only the “best” genetics from their ancestors. There’s good and bad in everybody’s genes. Same for dogs.

Differences in outlook

Picture of a Shih Tzu illustrating that small dogs are different

Small dogs see the world from a different point of view. As a thought experiment – picture yourself walking through a forest of giant Redwood trees. Now imagine that all of those giant trees had two legs and were moving around. And you have no way of knowing which way they’re going. Not mentioning that those trees, with their long legs, are going so fast that you can barely keep up. Or get out of the way.

For a more realistic sample, get down on your floor. Not on your hands and knees. That would be a medium or large dog’s point of view. Get down on your stomach and see your surroundings from your little dog’s viewpoint. Be sure not to kick your dog while you army-crawl around to take a look. 

Small dog issues

The world’s a different place when your sight line is less than a foot off the ground. It’s likely you’ve seen all kinds of nooks and crannies around the place you never noticed. And dust bunnies even the most meticulous housekeeper had no idea were there. Not to mention all the cords there are to chew. When you think about all the trouble your small dog could have gotten into, and didn’t,  it’s marvelous she’s such a good girl. 

Small dogs are often faulted for being hyper, or yappy, or jumping on people. But let’s face it. Behavior that people don’t tolerate in larger dogs, like jumping, is often not addressed with little dogs. Their jumping doesn’t hurt, and likely won’t knock anyone over, so small dogs aren’t trained not to do it.

Same with walking calmly by your side. Little dogs learn quickly how to avoid getting stepped on. And most people don’t care where their dogs are walking, as long as it’s not underfoot. Many little dogs are actually afraid of feet. We can’t blame them. Getting those tiny paws stepped on a couple of times would teach any dog that feet are scary.

Call for attention

Of course there’s no reason that little dogs can’t be trained to behave appropriately at home and out. But many people don’t bother, knowing they can simply pick up their dogs to get out of a difficult situation. It’s certainly more fun to bring your dog anywhere with you, knowing he’ll behave himself. But there is some effort involved in acclimating dogs to society.

We know one woman whose Chihuahua is a hostile, reactive menace. Both at home and, when she used to take it places, away. Offered all kinds of resources to help her dog become more comfortable with the world, this woman refused. She feels safer knowing that no one can approach her, or her home. That’s her choice. But we feel a bit sorry for the dog.

Go against stereotype

Small dogs are just as smart, trainable, and terrific as any other dog. Some are smarter than others. Some are absolutely brilliant. A few may have candlepower that only flickers. But all dogs deserve the chance to live up to their full potential. Understanding your dog’s unique view of the world may be a door to letting your dog unlock the best she can be. The view from under the couch may be different, but it doesn’t limit their lives.