Well, I've been around all sizes and how you couldn't hug a small dog is beyond me. I used to thump on my little JRT just like I did my 40# cattle dog mix when I wanted to pet her and she took it very well. If you are tripping over your dog, it's time to teach heeling so the dog will learn to get out of the way. My mother went from Viszlas to Border Terriers because they were "easier to handle now that I'm getting older..." and they are great little dogs, but the Viszlas were fantastic dogs, too. When I had a big bed, I had three dogs and a cat or two sleeping with me and I never squished one. All I can say to you big dog afficianados, don't knock the little guys until you've tried one -- they don't know they're little and we aren't telling them.