Small dogs

[Anita Cholaine]

People usually don't like Anita... Maybe because she is not a typical little cute doggie, she loves barking and she makes it really loud... Dachshunds aren't small dogs, though... They are big dogs with short legs

I don't know if people preffer small breeds. Labs and goldens are really popular here now, and I think that they are the dogs that are getting more attention... The opposite thing happens with dachshunds: I don't know many people who likes them...

[beeniesmom]

I don't know many people who likes them...

I LOVE them! My grandparents (RIP) used to have one named Mickey (after M. Mouse). She was a doll!

[pnance]

Sandy my RB terrier who was only 10 lbs always got a lot more attention than Savannah who weighs about 55 lbs. Currently all mine are large dogs and my 2 girls never get the attention my 2 boys do, so I think it may also be dog dependent. Bear looks like a big stuffed teddy bear and usually gets a lot of attention even though he weighs in at about 90 lbs. Hunter just looks goofy because of his ears and I usually hear a lot of comments about them. Savannah and Nikka are both sweethearts but don't have the cute cuddly look which is why I think my boys get more attention.

[BC_MoM]

I think more people "AWWWW" over small dogs because they're... small, lol.

Personally, I'm not a small dog owner. I don't like owning anything below my knee. I just.. don't like the smallness.

But I do love small dogs.. they're really cute. I especially love Shih Tzu's.

More people "AWWWW" over Molly than they do Mickey. So, I usually chime in "Aww.. Mickey's a good boyyyyyy" when someone is mollycoddling Molly. He's always forgotten now by strangers and it sort of upsets me.

[elizabethann]

Fenway is a chick magnet...which doesn't do me any good. He's also a magnet for children. Everybody thinks he's cute (which he is ) and everybody has to pat him and ask about him. Doesn't bother me. But why can't he be a man magnet?

[Daisy and Delilah]

I agree with Carmen. Just the opposite. My girls seems to not get much of a reaction at all compared to big dogs. Especially from my family. They're all big dog people. If I take the girls to Pet Supermarket it's usually the older ladies that stop and comment about them.

[Roxyluvsme13]

Nobody pays attention to Roxy, I guess she's uhh..."vicious" (Although she wouldnt hurt a FLY!) But when Lily is with us, everybody goes Aww! What a cutie! Can I pet her? Etc...

[Flatcoatluver]

since i have never had a small dog (my dad dosn't really like small dogs)

But with t.j he get all the attention!!!! but i guess his coat pattern is a little rare. But with zoey there is tons of all black dogs out there, nobody looks at her twice. But I don't care she is beautiful in my eyes.

[Pembroke_Corgi]

I think it depends on where we are. Usually, Marta gets more attention, but I think maybe because she is a purebred and people know what she is. People that like mixes better are usually more attracted to Adele. Either way, they usually both get pets, so I don't mind too much. Marta is more well-behaved around strangers and will "visit" with everyone, while Adele gets excited and goes bonkers (she jumps up...I've tried SO HARD to train her not to do this, but I've only successfully trained her not to jump on me).

[Tollers-n-Dobes]

That's exactly what happens with my dogs too. Tia always gets all of the attention, and the bigger ones rarely ever do (Part of it is their breed, but it also has to do with the size). Tia doesn't even like the attention of strangers while the others do. I don't get it, perosnally, I don't think small dogs are any cuter than large dogs....

[Pam]

When I am walking Bella and Ripley most people will say "AWWWW" about Ripley which I guess is because he is small. People are interested in Bella too, but I think it is because of her size. You wouldn't believe how many people never knew that there were three sizes of poodles. Most are only familiar with toys and minis. I have actually had people ask me if she is a poodle.

[dogzr#1]

Well, my three usually get an equal amount of attention. Astra sometimes gets a little more attention because of her color and eyes. But usually they all get the same amount.

[cyber-sibes]

I have actually had people ask me if she is a poodle.

LOL! what did you say, "No, she's a greyhound!" I've always thought the large poodles were really cool, if I got one, that's what I'd want!

I've only had big dogs, too, but Star & Sherman get ooos and ahhhs whereever we go. i think most people think huskies are kind of exotic. plus every kid in the world thinks they're "Snow Dogs!"

My RB dog, Rosie, never got as much attention and she suffered through "big black dog" syndrome-- people would always ask if she was friendly, I guess black dogs are supposed to be mean.

[ParNone]

It's been my experience that uniqueness wins out over small and cute. Oz and Gull, by far, get more notice then Murph. Murph does pretty good with lil' kids and lil' old ladies, but Oz and Gull attract attention from everybody, especially guys. There's a certain kewl factor to them I guess.

Par...

[Giselle]

It's been my experience that uniqueness wins out over small and cute. Oz and Gull, by far, get more notice then Murph. Murph does pretty good with lil' kids and lil' old ladies, but Oz and Gull attract attention from everybody, especially guys. There's a certain kewl factor to them I guess.

Par...

You got to it before I did

Needless to say, I definitely agree with Par. The uniqueness of a dog by FAR exceeds its "cuteness" factor. Since I have both ends of the dog spectrum, strangers often look bewildered when they see my pair. Naturally, their eyes rest on Giselle first. The reasons are obvious: Greyhounds are very elegant dogs and Giselle has awesome "eyeliner" that really emphasizes her eyes. She gets the most attention, without a doubt. On the other hand, while Lucky could hold his own if he was alone is just not as unique/"cool"/attractive as Giselle. Many people dislike Pekes because they're the stereotypical Toy breed. They're small, fluffy, and they have a smushed-in nose. Therefore, nobody really cares about him when he's walking with his 'sister', Giselle. Even though Giselle is very tall and quite large compared to your average 22-24-something-inch Golden Retriever, people have no problems approaching her. I don't think it has to do with size, but uniqueness.

In our eyes, of course, Zeke is probably one of the most gorgeous dogs with so much to offer. However, many others are used to his "utilitarian" build and so are not as drawn to him as, let's say, a Poodle in a Continental Clip. People are attracted to the exotic and rare. It's just human nature. I don't think it has much to do with cuteness or size, IMO.

Edited to add: As a testament to the size VS. uniqueness issue, I've been stopped multiple times by strangers who scream at me (from their cars), "IS THAT A WHIPPET?"