What do you consider...?

SangmortSangmort
edited April 2010 in General
...a "big" dog? or a "small" dog? or a "medium" dog?

I think a lot of this has to do with how one is raised.

For example, since I was a kid, I've had exposure to tons of Rotties [ mostly ], GSD's, & Dobies, with the occasional Golden & a few Poms. [ these are the breeds that were constantly in my fam. that I most often interacted with ]

For me, GSD's, Dobies, & Rotties are NOT "big" dogs. For me, I see them as "normal" or maybe even "medium." I'd say, a CO, a Bull Mastiff, or a Neo is a "big" dog to me.

But, to others, like my father, a 50-pound dog is "big." To my friend, a 80-pound dog is "big." For me, a dog really isn't "big" until he hits the 110-pound range lol

Mind you, I'm not talking about the variances in a breed. [ ie: a 30-pound shiba vs a 50 pound shiba ] but, what do you consider a "big dog?"

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I know it seems like a silly question, but I'm very curious as to how growing up around certain dogs / breeds effects our perception & how it compares to others :) ~

Comments

  • AraksAraks
    edited April 2010
    for me, I have 2 main categories...small dogs, and everything else. I think this started when I started volunteering at a rescue shelter and all the dogs were basically divided into small and the medium and large dogs were together. Technically I know a dog thats 20-30 pounds is considered medium but I just see it as the same as say a dog that 50 pounds.

    I've always liked larger breeds better than small but since the only dog I've ever had is a 14 pound miniature pinscher, I see everything bigger than Sevuk as "big."
  • SangmortSangmort
    edited April 2010
    That's interesting! LOL

    I have a "normal" category [ usually a dog around 60 - 100 pounds ] then anything bigger is "big" & anything smaller is "small," even if it's a "medium" size dog breed, I still see it as "small." :) ~
  • okironokiron
    edited November -1
    Dogs the size of Dahmer (or smaller) are small dogs. Dogs that are bigger than Dahmer are medium dogs. Dogs that hit 100lbs (approx) are big dogs. TBH I never considered shibas small dogs till I came here. Even now I have trouble considering them "small".
  • WrylyBrindleWrylyBrindle
    edited November -1
    It's very simple- my dogs are "Regular Size" and anything notably bigger than Reilly is "Big." Anything smaller than Sage is "Medium" and anything below my knees is "Small". :)
  • JessicaRabbitJessicaRabbit
    edited November -1
    most dogs the size of my dogs I would consider small. However I don't consider my dogs small (Ruby is 35lbs, Miko 30, though Miko is larger, Ruby is stacked). I typically consider anything 50lbs- 70ish average size dog. Bigger than that like Mastiff sizes large. And anything that can fit in a purse, teeny.
  • ljowen123ljowen123
    edited November -1
    I go based on height...
    below mid-calf - not a dog
    below knee, above mid-calf small
    knee to mid-thigh - medium
    mid-thigh & above - big
  • dlrobertsdlroberts
    edited November -1
    At the shelter I've spent a fair amount of time at, they'd describe dogs according to four sizes:
    <20 small
    20-50 medium
    51-85 large
    >85 giant

    I've basically adopted that classification.
  • BradA1878BradA1878
    edited April 2010
    I think this is why they have the "Giant Breed" category, because many "big breeds" are a lot smaller than the "giant breeds". Also, you can't go by weight alone as I have seen dogs that were the height of Blue (26" or so) but weighed 150+lb (think Bullmastiff or SAB) - those dogs I don't consider giant, even tho they out weigh most Wolfhounds and Great Danes (who are breeds I would consider giant).

    So I agree with LJ to group it based on heigh, and I agree with Dave that there needs to be a giant category to cover the REALLY big dogs. I go based on height at the withers (shoulders)...

    Small dog: Less than 20 inches
    Medium dog: 20 - 24 inches
    Large dog: 25 - 28 inches
    Giant dog: 28+ inches

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  • aykayk
    edited November -1
    Heh, I go by whether I can lift the dog or not as small, medium, or large. ;-)

    Tucked under one arm = small
    Need to carry with two arms = medium
    Need help to carry = large.
  • SangmortSangmort
    edited November -1
    lmao! @ Ayk

    That's the best system yet hahaha ~
  • KevinKevin
    edited November -1
    Like Brad, I have 4 categories.
  • amesylphamesylph
    edited November -1
    hehe I think my perception of size is painted by being an apartment dweller for so long and the common weight limits but also the way I see Ki.

    Ki is about 50 lbs (a little less in good shape like he is now). I consider him medium and would consider dogs a bit smaller or a decent amount bigger to be medium as well...probably in the 35-75 lb range. If a dog was significantly shorter than him (smaller than 35lbs or so) I would call it small. I have a category for tiny dogs too...too small to be 'small'. lol If a dog is about 100 lbs it is a big dog...and I want to hug it (probably 75lbs and up).
  • AkiraleShibaAkiraleShiba
    edited November -1
    It's funny how my family who's had only toy breeds think that Akira is a big dog!

    for me small: chihuahua to Cocker
    Medium: Cocker to Lab
    Big: Lab to Great dane :)
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