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Community Corner

Does Size Really Matter?

Some say it takes a big man to walk a little dog

Awhile back my romantic leading man suggested I dissect this particular topic. I'm sure it was pure coincidence he suggested this shortly after his daughter adopted a teeny, tiny dog of "Pomahuahua" lineage (Pomeranian and Chihuahua mix).

OK, perhaps my sarcastic comment about whether he was confident enough to walk it or not had something to do with it. Let's be honest, we've all heard the stereotype that says if a big guy has a small dog, he must be too feminine. Frankly, I would think it probably takes a more sensitive and vulnerable man, and one who is pretty darn secure in his own masculinity. If the shoe were on the other foot, and you saw a petite woman walking with a massive pooch that looked like it could eat a horse, would you be so apt to think she is more masculine? Or, just assume like I would, that she is probably looking for some serious personal protection. Perhaps for her, the big dog is merely a more practical option than a boyfriend.

History has shown that powerful men, such as emperors and kings, athletes and celebrities, have more often than not owned very small dogs. Take the Emperor of China for instance, who owned several Pekingese dogs, or Winston Churchill who owned a Miniature Poodle named Rufus. Big man Steve McMichael, former NFL football defensive tackle for Patriots, Bears and Packers, turned pro wrestler, favored Chihuahuas. And well-known actor (dating myself back to the days of "Gunsmoke") James Arness, who was a massive 6-foot-7, preferred the delicate Bichon Frise. So what gives? Whatever happened to the image of the rough and tough biker with the fierce-looking Rottweiler with studded collar? 

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There are still plenty of those stereotypical man-dog matchups around. However, some research indicates that while people may choose a dog that reflects their own body image, other personality traits can play into the selection as well.

According to Lavalife, an online dating community for singles, small dog owners are thought to be more detail-oriented or possibly neat freaks. The need to be "The Protector" may lead some macho men to opt for the tiniest tail-wagger. For others, it may simply be a matter of wanting a lap dog or one that is more portable than larger breeds. Picture the hulking Do-It-Yourselfer tooling around Home Depot with Fido in the cart!

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In further analyzing the issue, I found Men's Health magazine's list of the "Best Dogs For Men" very revealing. Twelve breeds that would supposedly appeal to, meet the needs of, and enhance the male lifestyle. While there wasn't a tiny, fluffy white pooch in the bunch, there were definitely some small dogs. Nestled in among the predictable Labrador Retrievers, Great Danes and Bernese Mountain Dogs, was the small-in-stature-but-oh-so-big-on-personality Parson Russell Terrier (which is Flip's breed, the longer-legged, rough coated version of the JRT).

Another option recommended was the Miniature Pinscher. Not exactly the breed you would expect to see a studley Men's Health kinda guy sporting. But as the magazine points out, Min-Pins are great for the active man who is short on space. As an added bonus, the little pint-sized canines are known for being fearless. Any macho ego could appreciate that!  

Therefore, I have to conclude for my leading man that: 1) his manhood is safely intact if he walks his daughter's diminutive dog, 2) don't believe the stereotypes, and 3) if they tell you size doesn't matter, they're lying!

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