It is interesting to know that even though most of us have dogs or have been raising dogs our entire life, we still do not know many things about these adorable fur babies. One of these many things is dog size. Only a handful of breeders and fur owners really understand what the sizes are and what kind of care each need.
This includes the energy levels, the exercise needed, health-related issues, living conditions, everyday dog food and treats (what dog could resist mouth-watering salmon bites), and many others. In today’s article, we talk about how dog sizes are associated with their health. Through this, you will learn the right dog size that will perfectly match your lifestyle and your family.
Small Dogs
Small dogs are the most common apartment dogs, always active even indoors and do not require daily walks. Small dogs appear to have healthier and longer lives and prefer being snuggled at night. But if you are a jogger, small dogs are not your perfect match since they are not really the athletic type. They are also very portable and occupy a small space in your house, making them ideal for small spaces or apartments.
Since they tend to live longer, you are likely to spend long years with their company. One issue that small dog owners should look out for is spinal problems which are very common to this dog size. However, it could still be avoided if you choose a breed which has the length of the legs equivalent to the distance between the rear legs and the front legs.
Medium Dogs
People usually purchase these puppies because they are low energy and are adorable. Unfortunately, they always tend to forget about the low-energy part, which results in serious health issues. But you can still solve this by giving your pet medium dogs vitamins. It can supply vitamins and nutrients that medium dogs need to stay healthy, nourished, and living a longer life.
Medium dogs are very obedient and are very popular among breeders. The most popular breeds of this size are the Retrievers and the Labradors. Although they do not share numerous health issues that larger dogs have, they carry with them lots of benefits like toned down energy levels.
Medium size dogs can sit beside you and enjoy your company without being a ball of energy. But, they are very athletic too as they enjoy playtime out of the house and love to hunt whenever possible. They are very good too if you are a jogger as they will keep up with your speed making them the best companion during your runs.
Additionally, this dog size has longer life spans compared to larger size dogs. They also occupy smaller space in cars and in our homes compared to large breeds. Sadly, they have been bred with serious health issues and the Bulldog and French Bulldog are the most definite examples.
Large Dogs
Large dogs tend to be more sluggish compared to smaller dog breeds but they still like a good walk. This size requires careful rearing while they are still puppies. Owners should learn not to put too much strain on their joints while they are growing up.
Personality wise, large dogs reach their adult maturity much faster compared to smaller breeds. They have shorter life spans and are always gentle and calm. They are athletic breeds and are always into sporting activities. Large sized dogs have outstanding temperaments making them strong enough to handle family life and the attention of young kids. Also, they need to live in a house where there is at least one adult inclined to give them regular training activities.
While they are great family dogs, they are very boisterous and like to bite as puppies. This means that they are not ideal for families with children under five years old. Large breed dogs require a lot of training and exercise which may not be great for families do not have a very active lifestyle. Some large breeds are also anxious and would like their owner to feel safe all the time.
Also, they require more attention in terms of socialization because of their innate guarding instincts. Large sized dogs are also messy puppies, clumsy, and could break fragile items and even chew things. Moreover, large breeds have a lifelong tendency to shed heaps of hair. Large dog breeds are a perfect match for young active families with children older than five years old.
