Cross Breeds

Why are large dogs more easyoing and laid back compared to small dogs?

I notice the larger sized a dog is, the more easygoing, relaxed and laid back he tends to be than a small sized dog. Small dogs seem restless and unstable. Why such difference?

Public Comments

1. less to worry about
2. its just like fat people are easy going, slow and skinny people are full of energy
3. Its the same reason that short guys have "little man complex", they feel they need to over compinsate. A big guy (or dog) knows he doesnt have to over compensate. They can bark once and everything moves.
4. I think that what you are noticing is that people go to greater lengths to train a larger breed dog, and people with smaller dogs don't think it necessary. Every breed of dog is different in this regard no matter what the size.
5. Big dogs don't have to prove that they've in charge. (over the little dogs) Little dogs assert themselves like Bonaparte. Also, big dogs that are aggressive get put down quickly. Little nasty dogs have a chance of being over-indulged. It affects the gene pool. My pug is pretty laid-back, but he can be a little Napoleon from time to time, even in his senior years.
6. napoleon syndrome
7. There's a couple reasons: Training. Owners of small dogs often place less of a priority on teaching their little dogs to be good citizens. Genetics. Out of control large dogs are a lot more dangerous than out of control small dogs. Crazy small dogs are much more likely to be bred than crazy big dogs. Environment. Being tiny can be more dangerous. A tiny dog around a bunch of wild kids is much more likely to get hurt than a bigger dog. While either dog has the potential to hurt a child (and shouldn't be trusted with kids until they're trustworthy), I can definitely understand the nervousness of some small dogs in some unstable environments. History. A lot of small dogs have a working heritage where they need to be quick and alert. For example, many terriers were ratters that needed to be very quick and active to get all the rats. Also, the smaller you are the more strides you have to take to do the same work. A smaller herding dog has to put in more of an effort to do the same work as a mid-sized herding dog. Compare two dogs that couldn't be more different. The Pyrenean Shepherd is fairly small and a fuzzball of energy. The Great Pyrenees is fairly large and very laidback. These dogs historically worked together. The Pyrenean Shepherd herded the sheep while the Great Pyrenees guarded the sheep. The Great Pyrenees snoozed and watched while the Pyrenean Shepherd zoomed all over the place keeping the flock together. It makes sense that the smaller Pyrenean Shepherd is more active and even could be called "hyper."
8. I agree with the above on a serious note, but maybe also because everything can kill a small dog, so its nervous..... Whats the first answer about anyway...damn I hope its not true
9. I have large dogs and small and the small ones are mcuh more active. Matbe it is because they can get around so much faster then larger ones and larger ones seem to be more cuddliy and kicked back
10. Nearly every owner of a larger breed dog knows that it needs to be trained or it can hurt someone. It's "cute" when a small dog jumps, it can be very bad if a huge dog bowls over someone. Large dogs are often more diligently trained because they can't get away with much. Larger dogs are also bred to be more gentle, because a high-strung larger dog can be dangerous. I don't think it has as much to do with a Napoleon complex, I think little dogs pick this up from their owners who think they're awesome and encourage little dogs to "act big."
11. Perhaps the small dogs feel vulnerable because of their size and become more aggressive to scare of possible foes or rivals. Their aggression is just a form of self-defense. In the animal world size matters... the bigger you are the more you are able to intimidate possible enemies.. The smallest one are more vulnerable for attacks so they have to find creative ways to self-preserve. The big dogs are perceived as strong and physically more capable to win a fight so they are less likely to be provoked. So, they can be more easy going and relaxed. It’s easier to be relaxed and easy-going when they have no perceived threats or danger.
12. This occurs because of the Grand Canine Unification Theory, which posits that each dog in the known universe is at birth endowed with the same quantity of Positive Universal Power (PUP) as all other dogs. Thus, the energy density is lower in large breeds than in small ones. The equation can be expressed as PUP = P x Y where P = Pooch Size and Y = Yelping Activity. Since PUP is constant, there is an inverse relationship between Pooch Size and Yelping Activity; i.e., as Pooch Size increases, Yelping Activity decreases, and vice versa.
13. Because large dogs people seem to be more aware of the need for training. Small breed people tend to leave their dogs and pretend that the dog will grow out of bad behavior. Large dogs are bred for a job and need a good strong temperament. Most small dogs today are bred to do nothing, they get bored, and are anxious and out of control.
14. This is non scientific response, based on observation only. Bulky bodied are always "peace loving", not because the actually love it, its only because they can not with stand the required stamina. The same is true for all animals, including social ones. While this phenomena inversely implies to "Countries" on Globe.