Small dogs in cities - Dog article on Pets.ca

Small Dogs in Big Cities

This is a story about a little puppy named Ester. Ester was born into a happy little Italian Greyhound family somewhere in the backwoods of Missouri. As Ester grew older, one-by-one her siblings moved off to far away places. Then it was Ester’s turn. She was crated up with her favorite toys and some food, and was loaded onto a plane headed north, all the way to Toronto! This is the story of the little dog in the Big City. For those of you who don’t know what an Italian Greyhound is, just picture a dog that looks exactly like a greyhound, but is the size of a Shih-Tzu. When Ester arrived in Toronto, she was a whirling three-pound ball of energy! To put it this way, at eight weeks old, Ester was only the size of a twelve-week-old kitten. Wildly funny and playful, she became the center of attention immediately.

Ester is not the only dog in Toronto. In fact, Ester is only one of many city dogs. Just because someone does not live in an area with great open fields and lakes does not mean they cannot have a dog. The limited space in a city apartment may prevent you from getting a St. Bernard, but when you stop to think about it, some dogs are actually very well suited to life in a big city. This is important, because everyone should be entitled to the companionship and joy that a dog can bring. You will find many types of dogs in big cities. But the stereotype is true; many city people tend to have very small dogs. This is because space is a luxury in a city. Many people simply do not have room to house big dogs. Also, everything tends to be more expensive in cities, and small dogs eat less. Even though some people make fun of small dogs, we must remember that these small critters can stuff the personality of a Great Dane into a Chihuahua’s body.

It should be noted that there are disadvantages to having a small dog. For owners who work, small dogs mean small bladders. Most small dogs cannot go the twelve hours without a pee break that a Labrador Retriever may tolerate. Along the same line, little dogs are also more delicate. You must be more careful with them (think about what would happen if three-pound Ester had a book fall on her). Therefore, families with small children should think twice before getting a small dog. There are other reasons that a small dog may not be right for you. In the Toronto winter, Ester will need to wear sweaters and be carried around. She doesn’t have enough fur or body size to keep herself warm when it starts to snow. It may also be hard to convince your little dog to go for a walk or even go to the bathroom outside when it is very cold. Additionally, just as hounds tend to howl, little dogs tend to ‘yap’. In an apartment setting you may have trouble keeping your little dog from barking up a storm when you leave for the day.

We have now gone through the advantages and disadvantages to having a little dog. We will now go through the pros and cons of having a dog in a big city as opposed to the countryside. One advantage that you have with your dog in a big city is that you have many veterinary clinics to choose from. Often, there are also 24-hour emergency clinics and specialty hospitals nearby. Very often there are pet behaviouralists and dog trainers readily available. It is also very easy to socialize your pet. There is probably no better way to make your pet a well-adjusted animal than to bring it to the city with all the people, noises, and distractions!

Of course, there are the disadvantages to being a dog owner in a city. Although there is limited space for your dog to run around, you would be surprised at how many dog-friendly (and even off-leash) parks there are. But dog parks are also a bit of a health risk. When you bring your dog to a dog park, it’s like putting a bunch of kindergartners together; diseases are easily spread. This is not a problem as long as your dog’s vaccinations and yearly health visits are up to date. You must also always make sure your dog gets along with other dogs in the park to avoid any fights. There are also other dangers in the city, such as traffic and distractions that can cause your dog to run into the street.

As you read this, Ester is adjusting well to her new home. She likes to lie on her owner’s bed and watch DVDs on the laptop (her favorite is ‘The Jungle Book’). Ester has her own little wardrobe of warm clothing for the winter. Although she and her owner are still working on the house-training and barking, they are making good progress. Living in a big city did not stop Ester’s owner from enjoying the companionship of a gorgeous little dog. No matter what size of the dog, or where you live, all dogs will take time and patience. If you live in a urban area, maybe it’s time you thought about getting a little dog for the big city!

By Ashley O'Driscoll - Pets.ca writer