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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]OP here,

What I really want are issues related specifically to size.  For example, I've heard that hypoglycemia can be an issue.  I also know that socialization is important for all dogs, and particularly for dogs that will hopefully be spending time in classes and settings with a lot of other dogs, but I don't know how that works with a tiny dog.  Is it risky for a tiny dog to socialize with bigger ones?

We have time to make this decision, hopefully a lot of time since I don't think we'll add a new dog while our older dog is still with us.  He's doing OK, but he's 16, so he won't be with us forever.  But I know that these breeds can have waiting lists for puppies that are checked out, so we want to research now.  [/quote]

Small dogs have the same needs as large dogs.  Mental and physical stimulation, training, housebreaking, etc.  They really aren't any easier/harder.  People let them get away with more because a 10 lb dog jumping on you isn't the scary danger that a 100 lb dog jumping is, but it's the same process to train it.  Housebreaking might take longer because their bladders are little, but I haven't had a noticeable difference.

A good sports dog is handler focused, not interested in other dogs.  "Socializing" a sports dog (of any size) means exposing them to things but asking them to focus on you.  When you are on course and there are barking dogs and judges shouting scores and teeters banging and timers buzzing and the next dog walking into the ring, you want your dog to look at you. We practice walking through petco without "saying hi" to any people or dogs, rewarding focus.  Standing on the corner as the cars and busses go by and training goofy tricks as vehicles rumble.  Walking on 9283579 different surfaces and textures and things of various levels of stability.  I put my puppies on grass, concrete, carpet, tile, wood...but also bubble wrap and warped cookie sheets that make weird noises and those blow up butt cushion things that wobble a little bit and a trash can lid that collapses when they go over it.  My puppies get used to car rides and crates and people touching their ears and paws (we go to the vet/chiro a lot...I need them to be comfortable with being manipulated) We go to the dog park and stand 10 feet outside the fence practicing sit/down/stay with chaos on the other side--we never go in.

My sports dogs (both large and small) have only ever interacted with a handful of known dogs.  The most critical skill they can learn is to walk through a crowded staging area on leash without approaching any other dog or person to go to the line focused and ready to work.  There are a lot of super reactive, overstimulated sports dogs that will justifiably snap at nosey dogs that get in their space.

I have never had a hypoglycemic episode with any of my dogs (all under 20 lbs).  I feed them 3 times per day as puppies, but only once a day as an adult.

Common small dog issues are teeth.  Their teeth are almost universally too big for their tiny mouths, so they have to have some pulled/end up with dental issues.

Many papillon breeders will not sell to a house with a large dog or small children.  They are fragile.  Sports breeders seem to be more flexible than show ring breeders (but also much rarer).  You will just have to reach out and see.

Sara Brueske is a phenomenal trainer who just got a papillon named Pop Rocks for sport (she also has border collies, koolies, and malinois).  She's created a patreon to detail her journey taking a tiny puppy to what will surely be a successful agility career.  Might be worth checking out.  https://www.patreon.com/poprockspuppyjournal[/quote]

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