Surely you have ever thought how can a Chihuahua and a Bulldog be of the same species? And the truth is that it seems impossible, but they are. Between small and large breeds there is a world of differences in terms of food, characteristics, care they require … and that is something that we always have to take into account when we want to adopt a dog.
Small breeds last longer because they seem to age more slowly than large breeds. Specifically, the longest-lived is the Chihuahua, which can live up to 18 years in extreme cases. As for its diet, the small dog generally needs a diet with a high content of calories and protein , since its metabolism is faster. That is not at odds, of course, with a controlled amount of food.
Wet food is usually chosen more frequently than large ones, but we must bear in mind that small dogs have a greater tendency to accumulate dirt on their teeth, which can lead to bad breath . They are also prone to digestive problems to a greater extent than the big ones, something to keep in mind.
On the other hand, many small breeds, such as the pug, suffer from congenital respiratory problems due to the flattened shape of their snout.
Regarding their behavior , there is a myth that small dogs are more nervous, bark more and are less sociable . What’s the truth in that? It seems, as some studies support, that there is a scientific basis in all this.
Specifically, a study from the University of Sydney found that there was a strong relationship between the aggressiveness factor and the size of the dog, and that the little ones had a greater tendency to problem behaviors. However, there is also controversy about whether this is the case because of their size or because of the attitude that humans have towards them, unconsciously more protective than towards the great ones. In any case, the character of each dog is the decisive factor in its behavior.
Do you want to know which are the 15 smallest breeds? Take a look at our gallery.
