Small Dogs are on the Rise—Why this Sudden Trend?
For the past 10 years small dogs have become increasingly popular. According to the American Kennel Club, the Yorkshire Terrier has become the second most popular dog in America, with Labrador Retrievers being the most common. During 2004-2005 the AKC saw a decline in the registration of Golden Retrievers, an extremely well-loved breed. However, registration for Yorkies increased 9%.
But Yorkies aren’t the only small dogs gaining ground. Each year the AKC publishes it’s registration statistics, which presents the most popular breeds in America.
Out of the top 20 most popular breeds, 12 of them are small dogs. As mentioned earlier, Yorkshire Terriers are #2 on the list. Beagles made it to # 5… Dachshunds to #6… Poodles to #8… with Shit Tzus, Miniature Schnauzers, Chihuahuas, Pugs, Pomeranians, Cocker Spaniels and Maltases following right behind.
Many small breeds, who were formerly not very popular, are now steadily on the rise. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have experienced a 735% increase over the past ten years. Papillions have seen a 132% increase and French Bulldogs a 305% increase.
So why this sudden preference for smaller dogs? In my opinion, one of the main reasons small dogs are becoming so popular is because they are easier to spoil and treat like kids.
Of course you can spoil any dog, regardless of size. But the larger breeds still need time to just be dogs. They need time to exercise, play, run off excess energy and roll around outside. Smaller breeds, on the other hand, don’t really require that. A Dachshund is perfectly content to lay on the couch or sit in your arms all day. He’ll let you dress him up or paint his nails until your blue in the face. But a two year old Lab doesn’t have that kind of patience. She is a bundle of energy. She wants to move. Play fetch and romp outside.
Small dogs are much easier to pamper. They’ll let you dress them up and are less likely to rip their clothes apart. Put a frilly dress on an 8 month old Lab or German Shepherd and watch what happens. It’ll be torn to shreds within 10 minutes.
Small dogs are more portable and fit better with people’s active lifestyles. You can take them with you wherever you go. There are dozens of stylish pet carriers and handbags on the market that allow owners to tote their pets around in style. You can even buy a purse-style carrier that looks like a baby sling. You can slip your pet over your shoulder and troops around the store. But if you have a 75 pound German Shepherd you really can’t do that.
Although large dogs are still very popular and make excellent companions, more and more people are beginning to prefer the smaller toy breeds.
Small dogs are more fun to cuddle and pamper. They are so darn cute they attract a lot of attention. And they seem to fit the image of that perfectly sweet and adorable baby. People enjoy feeling that their dog is a major part of their life-- someone they can spoil and take with them to the store or mall.
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