Bit of a dodgy title but I ensure you it's completely innocent!

I have always been more comfortable handling larger dogs. I feel a lot more confident around them for some reason. I remember being much happier handling our golden retriever than our cavalier. I mean our cavalier was lovely and very friendly but I hated ever having to pick her up... I suppose I was worried I might hurt her, I never felt I could hold her securely. Is anybody else like me in that they are more confident with big dogs? Or do people tend to feel more confident handling smaller dogs? Has anyone started off with larger breeds and moved to smaller or vice versa?

Yes, ridiculous isn't it.  When I am helping at Ringcraft going over the dogs I am so used to being 'heavy handed' with my dogs that I feel that when I am going over (especially the teeth) that I have to be gentle with the small breeds (toys etc).  The owners always tell me that I can be more firm but I feel because I have a big breed that I personally may be too rough.

Totally understand where you are coming from :)   My father bred Border Terriers, and I spent my childhood and teenage years surrounded by them ...  I never felt comfortable in the ring or even recreational walking with them... although that could be something to do with my father.... hell mend me if I damaged a perfectly groomed hair on their perfect little heads lol... was always conscious of them being around my ankles and tripping over them, standing on paws etc... even though they were anything but delicate lol

I feel much more confident with a large robust breed :)

gone from rottie to a german spitz, and i have to admit that i am more gentle around his mouth when looking at his teeth than my rottie, but apart from that he is as tough as my rottie and can give as good as he gets . when i see him hanging off my collies tails and throats i think he is not as fragile as he makes out
carolann

Bigger breeds are more cuddly! I love giving my Lab a big bear hug, thats why I would love to have a Newfie!

This will probably sound awful but i don't mean it to be.

I much prefer and feel more confident with my 2 adult dogs, than with our pup.  She's gorgeous but i'm always thinking "what if i drop her" etc  In fact i'm willing her to grow a little more just so she looks a bit more robust :-)

the bigger the better for me im afraid....mainly due to the hug issue, i love to give a big, arms just touching round the bg beastie hug,nothing against little dogs i really like those norfolk terriers.quite fancy one of those actually........:rolleyes:

If I ever ran out of the necessary physical energy and mental agility to cope with my current breed I'd probably consider down sizing (but then again I'd probably stick with the same breed and take in some golden oldies from rescue instead :P )

I prefer medium sized breeds upwards but like some of the smaller terrier breeds such as Westies, Scotties, Norfolk and Norwich ...... and I kinda like SCWT and Kerries (notice I'm getting bigger again :D )

I prefer larger breeds although have a very strange feeling lately for cav's and bulldogs I LOVE 'EM!  Not sure I'd feel uncomfortable with a cav though- I always assumed it would be thrown in with the GSD's and treat the same (wonder if it would grow up believing it was a GSD :-D

Stacey x

I prefer large dogs :) If I'm talking to someone with a small/smaller breed I feel guilty not making a fuss of them but only because, having a dodgy back, it hurts bending over for too long and if I squatted down to their level, I might not get up again :P  And of course theres the cuddle factor :) and the huge sloppy kisses :)

I hug them all - just some from the ground and some in the air ;-) Of course, I have always had to make a fuss over any dog that an owner would let me get my hands on so I'm 'well socialized' to dogs of all sizes. :-D I do prefer the biggin's though.