The dog is said to be our best friend, yet of late it seems above all to have become society’s worst enemy. People are afraid of its droppings, which no longer bring good luck; afraid of its teeth, which it actually uses rather to eat its gourmet meals; afraid of its size, which has nothing to do with its temperament; and even afraid of its colour, which frankly becomes utter nonsense.
In contrast to the kinds of dog unlucky enough to be big, strong and boldly marked, and whose teeth build up tartar less quickly, a rapid craze for small breeds, even micro-breeds, soon took hold.
And why not? A small dog is easier to fit in at home, at friends’ houses, in a restaurant or in the car. It does not pull on the lead, it costs less to feed and it often lives for many years. Its main drawback lies in its health, which is frequently marked by congenital defects or flaws of every kind.
A second drawback is that they tend to bite (a nip is a bite) readily when something does not really suit them. Their owners quickly forget that this animal is still a dog, and not a cuddly toy to be sat at the table, taken into bed, carried about constantly rather than allowed to walk, and smothered in wet kisses on the nose and so on. Tempting though it sometimes is, this kind of display of affection is best left to children and their stuffed toy dogs!
For it is just as liable to pick up the same diseases or the same parasites as a big dog; it too licks up the smells (and more!) of the outdoors that it finds so appealing, and it eats the same kind of food. When it comes to behaviour, what it needs above all is clearly defined rules that set the framework for its life, socialisation with other people and other dogs, and an owner who is firm and clear. Praise is welcome, and a stroke will be every bit as appreciated.
They are quickly thrown by contradictory messages from the members of a family, by commands that are not enforced, and by anthropomorphic expectations on the part of their owners. In truth it is like any dog: whether big or small, long-haired or short-coated, brachycephalic or not, young or old, its upbringing and way of life must follow certain basic rules; it is not a toy or a cuddly plaything. In this way, people and their dogs can go on forming that well-integrated partnership so much a part of our society today.
Take care not to forget certain ground rules in the training of every dog, big, small, or even micro-dogs!