Choosing a dog is quite a challenge that should be carefully considered. A young puppy can grow up to be a large family protector or a small companion pet. This is where the question arises, big or small dog? What kind of pet should you choose for your home or apartment living? It turns out that both solutions bring a number of benefits and sometimes difficulties.
If you’re looking for more advice and information, check out the dog questions articles here as well.
Big or small dog? Maintenance costs
Each large and small breed has its own individual predispositions and requirements. This is one of the first things to consider when making your choice. In many cases, we also consider the cost of living.
Both the small dog living in the apartment and the large pet in the yard require regular veterinary visits. The cost of vaccinations, consultations, and tests is generally lower for small-sized dogs. The large mass of the dog also means the need to purchase larger, more durable toys and a spacious bed for the home. The larger the dog accessories, the higher the purchase price.
Our companion’s food turns out to be another regular expense. A large breed requires much more food. All this means that a small dog living in an apartment weighing a few kilograms will be cheaper to maintain than a large Caucasian Shepherd in the yard.
Big or small dog in the apartment? Requirements for activity and living space
Both a small puppy and an adult dog do not require a lot of space. They will be great in an apartment, as long as we provide them with the right dose of activity. Contrary to appearances, even a small area in an apartment is not an obstacle if the owner of the dog is an active person who has more free time.
Both large and small dogs can run alone in the yard, but it is not sufficient for their proper functioning. Every dog or female dog requires regular walks of adequate intensity. This applies to any dog, regardless of size or breed. During walks, the dog has the opportunity to meet new companions, sniff, explore new places and joyfully explore new areas.
A great need for activity (e.g. in breeds such as the Siberian husky) must be properly utilized. Therefore, before choosing a puppy, it is worth thinking about his needs. This is one of the key issues in the responsible choice of a pet.
Perfect for sport or defense
An adult, large dog or a female dog is generally respected by their stature. It’s hard to say about small Yorkies or miniature Chihuahuas. A large adult dog is generally more balanced. Properly trained, he will not provoke conflicts during walks. The smaller breed is also more spontaneous and often also a loud disposition. Of course, this is not a rule, and the behavior of a pet will largely depend on socialization with the environment, as well as on thoughtful training.
Both a large dog and a small dog can be your best friend, but you need to choose their size and breed according to your lifestyle
A large breed of dog will be perfect for many of the sports of obedience. Larger dogs can also be selected for specific functions (e.g. guard dog, guide dog, etc.). A small dog or female dog will be perfect for an apartment or a house where less physically active people live. Or maybe he will also be interested this article for tips on how to teach your dog to walk on a leash.
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Big or small dog? Length of life
An adult dog or female dog may survive for several or several years. Life expectancy is one of the considerations we often consider when choosing a pet size. Unfortunately, a large breed of dog generally comes with a shorter life. Molossian dogs live up to 10 years on average, and the larger the breed, the shorter the average life expectancy.
A small and miniature breed is also a long life. Some miniature breeds live up to 18 years, which is not possible for dogs with a very large body weight. Therefore, when you want to choose a home companion for many years, it is worth taking into account the conditions of the breed and its size.
We also note that some breeds have certain genetic loads that significantly affect life expectancy. A good example is the cavalier king charles spaniel. It is a small, extremely cute breed that is perfect for both an apartment and a home. Unfortunately, cavaliers often suffer from mitral regurgitation. It is a severe heart disease, which means that adult dogs have a life expectancy of 9 to 14 years.
An adult dog from a shelter or a puppy from a kennel?
Big or small dog? Each option has certain advantages and difficulties that should be carefully considered. The last issue is the source of the purchase of the pet. We can choose a puppy from the kennel as well as a charming dog from the shelter. Both solutions have their supporters. A purebred dog or female dog will be the perfect choice for people who expect specific predispositions from the dog (e.g. an ideal candidate for sports). A young, well-bred puppy will be properly socialized, which will facilitate further training. Choosing a specific breed will also allow us to determine how big your pet will be in adulthood.
The second solution is a dog from a shelter. We can find both puppies and adult dogs in Polish shelters. The person who decides to choose a dog from the shelter gives the pet a chance for a joyful, adventurous life. Unfortunately, an adult dog or shelter female dog can have a bad experience, which in turn can lead to some behavioral problems. Therefore, choosing a dog from a shelter will be a good solution for people who are aware of possible difficulties and want to take care of the dog with empathy. Even a very fearful shelter dog can show his full potential if he trusts the new owner. At the same time, he will repay you with great love and affection.
A shy dog from a shelter requires very gentle treatment. Allow him time to get used to the new situation and environment. Such a pet should not be left alone in the yard. A much better solution would be to bring him home and provide all his basic necessities. A fearful dog from a shelter will not be the type of pet that immediately demands petting and stroking. In general, the opposite is true. The dog should be kept calm, not petted or forced into contact. We can persuade him to come with a delicacy or a gentle tone. A shy dog from a shelter should also have its own corner. In many cases, a kennel cage works great, which, when properly introduced, gives the pet a full sense of security and shelter.
If you want more information about pets, check out our other articles. We will suggest, among other things, how to tame a dog with a bath, we will discuss the most important requirements of dogs and we will suggest how to properly care for a barking dog. In the remaining articles, you will also learn whether a dog can live in the yard, and you will learn about the most important requirements that a fearful dog from a shelter has.
The Brabantian, or the Brabant Griffon, is one of the three Belgian Griffon breeds. In the taxonomy of FCI breeds, it is the only situation where individuals of three different breeds can be freely crossed with each other, and the born puppies are included in each of them – depending on the features of their exterior. Brabantczyk is the rarest of griffons. Let’s get to know him better.
If you’re looking for more tips and information, check out the Griffons articles here too.
Griffons – breed overview, appearance, character
A brief description of the griffon breeds
All griffons are small, mobile dogs descended from small wirehaired dogs called smousje. These dogs were kept in farmyards to exterminate rats in stables, coach houses and rooms where supplies were stored. Only in the nineteenth century, planned breeding began in order to improve the exterior of these dogs and obtain their purebred numbers.
Initially, the black smousje was associated with a red cavalier king charles spaniel (ruby), and then with a pug. As a result, three types were obtained, which were subsequently registered as separate breeds. Those are:
Brussels griffon – with a rough coat with an undercoat (like a wirehaired pointer) not silky or woolly, which is a serious drawback. The outer coat is longer on the head (beard and mustache) and longest above the eyes (eyebrows). Longer hair is strong and tough. A long coat all over the body spoils the figure is undesirable, display griffons are trimmed. Red or rusty color (also similar to Wirehaired Vizsla), a small amount of black on the head is allowed
Belgian griffon – the structure of the coat is the same as that of the Brussels coat, but the breed differs in color. In the Belgian griffon it is uniformly black or black and tan, the tanning must be uniform and saturated, intense. It is visible on the feet up to the wrists, on the hind legs to the ankles, on the inside of the legs, on the chest, above the eyes (“candles”), on the cheeks, on the underside of the tail and around the anus. Black top coat may be slightly rust-sifted, however pure black is preferred for both black and black and tan dogs.
Brabant Griffon (Brabantian) – the only short-haired breed among griffons, with a flat, shiny coat and a hair length of no more than 2 cm. All griffon colors are allowed, while reds and rusts have a darker mask (such as perro de presa mallorquin). Due to the short hair, the Brabantian’s muzzle appears slightly longer than that of the Brussels and Belgian griffons, but this is an illusion.
In all three breeds, the length of the muzzle does not exceed 1.5 cm, and the strongly recessed bridge of the nose forms one plane with the forehead and chin. Overshot is a feature typical of all griffons, the upper and lower incisors are straight, the lower jaw is wide and prominent, the mouth is always tightly closed, the teeth and tongue are invisible. The wide-set eyes are large and round, but never bulging, brown, the darker the better. Ears small, set high and wide. Uncopped, worn half-folded forward. attention: From 2025, dogs with copied ears and tails cannot be judged at shows under the auspices of the FCI. Griffons weigh from 3.5 to 6 kg, measure 24 – 26 cm at the withers. Dogs are slightly larger than female dogs.
Disqualifying defects for all griffons:
Aggression, timidity
Nose other than black
Tongue visible when mouth closed
The curve of the lower jaw
Jaw protruding in front of the mandible
Any color other than that specified in the pattern
White patches (a small white spot on the forechest is acceptable but undesirable).
Male animals should have both fully developed testicles descended into the scrotum.
Brabantczyk – characteristics, disposition
Brabantczyk is a typical companion dog. He is very attached to the caregiver, he is neither fearful nor aggressive. He likes children, towards whom he is patient and friendly, affectionate and gentle, despite his considerable temperament. It is a small dog, but very obedient and easy to arrange (such as a collie), so it is suitable as the first dog for people with no experience.
Brabantczyk is a very good choice for living in a block of flats because it is not barking. Gets along well with other pets in the home, including cats and other dogs. He needs the company of a human all the time, but is not intrusive. When traveling, he is polite and calm.
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Brabant dog, an interesting, little-known breed of dog with a nice disposition, his breeding and requirements
Sometimes a large dog (for example a collie or a perro de presa mallorquin) can arouse anxiety in a Brabantian, so it is important that puppies are well socialized as early as possible, at the breeder’s home. The Brabantian has a very curious disposition, so when walking where you can meet other animals, it is better to keep him on a leash and let him run out in a fenced area.
Brabantczyk – requirements, care
Conditions for a Brabant boy, care, nutrition, health
Unlike Brussels and Belgian griffons, the care of a Brabant fish is simple, because it has a short hair. It is enough to brush systematically every few days and wiping with a chamois leather. However, it is worth checking your ears and cleaning them regularly, as well as taking care of the teeth, because you like to deposit stone on them. If necessary, the Brabantczyk’s claws should be shortened, if he does not rub them himself. In addition, it is necessary to wipe the doggy with a moistened cotton swab over the furrow above the nose. If food debris gets in it, they can deteriorate and cause inflammation.
Nutrition of the Brabantian is important because it is a brachycephalic breed and the appropriate bowl should be selected for him to ensure the comfort of eating. Such bowls are available in good pet, stationary and online stores. However, the food should be specially intended for small breed dogs with fine granules. The Brabant Griffon can also receive home-made food, but then you need to remember about appropriate supplementation with calcium and vitamin preparations. The dog should have access to a bowl of water around the clock.
The Brabant dog is a very healthy, long-lived breed and a properly kept dog can live up to 17 years. He should be systematically vaccinated against all infectious diseases, of course obligatorily against rabies, and a week before the vaccination date, he should be dewormed. Show dogs should be dewormed more often. Also check this article on the Brabant Griffon.
Brabantczyk – breeding, puppies
When we start breeding a Brabant fish, we can even start with a different griffon, because – as we already know – three breeds of griffons can be associated with each other. However, it should be taken into account that these are large-headed breeds and very often births are performed by caesarean section. Unfortunately, the Polish Kennel Club does not allow griffon bitches to be mated earlier than after the age of 18 months, but it is worth doing it as early as possible.
A Brabantian female dog can give birth to puppies of both her own breed and Griffon puppies – Belgian and Brussels dogs in one litter. It depends on the matching of her and her father’s genes. Before the planned mating, the female dog must obtain breeding qualifications. They can now be obtained in two ways:
Three times participation in shows, including at least one of international or club rank in any class, aged over 15 months and obtaining three minimum very good marks from at least two different judges. Participation in the exhibition costs from 110 to 150 PLN (depending on the rank of the exhibition), sometimes you have to go quite far to see it
Passing a breeding inspection with a positive result, carried out in the home branch of the Polish Kennel Club (or with the consent of the Board of the Polish Kennel Club – in another) by an international cynological judge, after reporting on a special form and paying the payment to the account of the branch where the inspection takes place or at the cash desk of this branch. The breeding inspection costs PLN 580.
The same requirements apply to a stud dog which, however, unlike a bitch, must receive excellent marks.
The price of a Brabantian puppy depends on many factors and can range from a few to several thousand zlotys, although such a high price occurs only when buying a puppy from import with delivery costs. Currently, Russia is a tycoon in griffon breeding. In Poland, griffons are rare, they appear sporadically at exhibitions.
