Do small dogs really bark more than their larger counterparts, or is it just a stereotype? The fact is, small dogs often have more reasons to bark than their big brethren. Here, you’ll discover the causes behind this behavior and the facts surrounding barking in small and large dogs.
Do Small Dogs Bark More Than Large Dogs?
No, small dogs do not voluntarily bark more than their large counterparts – although there a differences between breeds. However, you may be familiar with the stereotype that small dogs are yappers:
- little yappers
- foot horn
- calf biter
- pocket alarm
- carpet rat
- ground sausage
- handbag dog
- calf snapper
You don’t even have to own a small dog to recognize these terms. There are several reasons for this perception that might just surprise you.
Little Yappers – Reason 1: Lack of Respect
Have you ever seen a child squeal with joy and rush towards a small dog? Or strangers touching a little Pomeranian as they walk by? People calling or crowding a Chihuahua without asking? A Shih Tzu being chatted at and grabbed by total strangers?
Whether you’re walking a poodle or a pinscher, small dogs are often treated as free petting zoos. Even when in their owners‘ arms or supposedly safe in a dog carrier, they are frequently pressured to the point where they must bark to maintain their personal space. When they bark or growl, they are labeled as yappers, aggressive, or poorly trained. Yet, these vocalizations are entirely normal dog behaviors.
The difference lies in society’s perception of small and large dogs. Rarely would someone approach a strange Rottweiler for a pet. If a Doberman looks concerning, you keep your distance. But a little poodle with funny curls? Oh, that one just wants a pat! If it then barks, shows teeth, growls, lunges, or backs away, it is immediately considered a typical little yapper.
Many people are unaware that they treat large and small dogs differently. If they do notice, they often just say they have “respect” for the larger dog. But no, they don’t have respect – they are afraid! After all, a Doberman can cause significantly more damage than a Maltese.
For this reason, small dogs are repeatedly pressured. When they react with natural dog language, they are labeled as yappers. In this respect, they are usually no different from Malinois or Akita Inus, and often they are even more subdued. The key point is: small dogs are more frequently made into yappers.
Little Yappers – Reason 2: Lack of Protection
Not only do people often not take small dogs seriously, but large dogs can also threaten them. Buses, trains, streets, pedestrian zones, field edges, shopping malls, even their own gardens – small and tiny dogs are chased and knocked over just like they are occasionally seen as prey.
Despite this, the stereotype persists that small dogs are overly protected. The opposite is true. Dogs that feel protected and secure do not need to bark for their lives. They don’t have to constantly assert themselves and become loud.
It’s quite logical, isn’t it? Still, some so-called experts claim that small dogs are often overprotected. Once again, the truth is that small dogs are often not adequately prepared by their owners for supposedly dangerous situations.
Little Yappers – Reason 3: Lack of Training and Socialization
As is often the case, much of whether a dog becomes a barker depends on the owner. Training and socialization are critical factors. Allowing a dog to put on a barking concert at every little noise within three miles may entertain them and their neighbors, but it’s not beneficial.
The same goes for joining in when other dogs bark. Consistently prohibiting such behavior can work wonders.
Also, owners often make mistakes in socializing their dogs that can lead to fearful small and tiny dogs. For example, if a dog is immediately pulled away or picked up whenever a larger dog is seen, while its owner clings to it anxiously, the small dog learns to perceive larger dogs as threats.
Good socialization doesn’t mean they should engage with every strange dog or play with a 180-pound Mastiff. BUT: Friendly sniffing or peacefully passing by should be typical experiences that lead to relaxed coexistence.
That doesn’t mean it’s wrong to pick up a dog if another dog approaches threateningly. In fact, this can be very sensible to avoid negative experiences or injuries, preventing fear-driven barking from even starting. However, owners must be well-acquainted with canine body language.
Many people, instead, judge based on breed and appearance. A Golden Retriever can only mean well and would never be aggressive – after all, it’s a Golden Retriever! Meanwhile, a wagging black Bull Terrier must be up to something bad – because it’s a Bull Terrier!
The misconceptions are widespread. There are plenty of friendly “fighting dogs,” and numerous bite incidents involving Labradors and Golden Retrievers. What should matter to you as an owner is the actual body language displayed, not the appearance or reputation.
Little Yappers – Reason 4: Different Pitch
Large dogs bark in tenor, baritone, or bass. While small dogs might not be able to shatter glass with their high-pitched barks, they aren’t a treat for the eardrums either. Their barking is often perceived as more annoying because of their higher pitch. A low rumble from a car is different from the shrill squeal of a nails on a chalkboard.
So even if they are in fact not barking more often, the perception is different.
Little Yappers – Reason 5: There are More Small Dogs
Whether in a city park, pedestrian zone, shopping mall, or small apartment in a large city, small dogs are often found among many people. Even if they bark only a few times a day, it can seem like frequent barking.
Additionally, they have more reasons to bark. They are exposed to more noises, stimuli, and people than larger dogs, who are still mainly kept in homes in rural areas.
Little Yappers and Big Protectors
Behind a garden fence, a Chihuahua barks – typical little yapper. Behind another fence, a German Shepherd barks its head off – protecting its property and people. That’s its job. Good dog!
This illustrates how differently dogs are judged for the exact same behavior. It’s both sad and ridiculous, but unfortunately, it’s reality. Furthermore, small dogs that hardly bark often go unnoticed. If someone holds a stereotype and believes it, they might even point to a quiet dog and label it a little yapper.
However, this should not be a reason to perpetuate the stereotype or decide against a small dog. Work against others’ prejudices instead and don’t give little dogs more reasons to bark.
PunkRockPudel 
Hinterlasse einen Kommentar