At Furbo, we love all doggos, big and small, from Chihuahuas to Great Danes. But some dog sizes may be more suited to your personality and lifestyle than others, which is very important to consider when bringing a new furry friend home. So if you’re considering a small dog, meaning a dog less than 22 pounds, it’s best to go over the pros and cons first so you can make an informed decision.

Pros:

• Small breeds are great for apartment living. They don’t need all that space to play, and often are okay with using a “pee pad” if you work outside of the house. However, they still need regular walks and exercise to be happy!
• Small dogs live longer. It’s been found that small dogs live around 11 years on average (and often much longer), while their larger counterparts live around 8 years on average. So if you want to maximize the time you have with your pooch, this could be a great choice for you.      
• Small dogs can accompany you on your travels. Little doggos are much easier to travel with, whether you’re taking a car trip or a flight. They usually can fit under the seat in front of you on the airplane, sparing them the dreaded trip with the airline baggage. 
• Small pups are a bit easier on your budget. They eat less, and their accessories (harnesses, etc.) are cheaper. Even their spay/neuter surgeries are cheaper on average, as well as other necessary surgeries. 

Cons: 

• Small dogs are more fragile. It’s just how they’re made: you will need to pay more care to how your dog is handled, petted, and even groomed, as their bones are very fine. When walking your tiny treasure, you need to keep an eye out for things you may not normally regard as dangerous. This includes other dogs, since they may eye your pup as prey. 
• Small dogs are often more anxious. This one just makes sense! At their size, almost everything is bigger than they are, including swinging human feet. With a small dog, you may need to cater more to their moods than with a larger dog. 
• Small breeds often don’t play well with children. Since children may play more roughly than they realize, they may end up hurting your dog without meaning to. In turn, your dog may bite to protect themselves, even if they’re normally very gentle. 
• Small dogs tend to bark more. It’s been found that breeds like the Chihuahua bark more than the average large-sized dog, which may not win you any fans if you live in an apartment. Moreover, it makes it harder to know when something’s actually wrong. With training, however, this can often be overcome.