Do you prefer them big or small?

According to the 2021 Companion Animals in Korea report, the number-one pet in Korea is the Maltese, followed by poodles and Pomeranians in the second and third places. These three breeds have something in common: they’re all cute! And they’re cute because they’re small.

I visited Spain several years ago, and there were lots of dogs in that country. And also lots of dog poop, much of which was left unattended for days, like Hansel and Gretel’s breadcrumb trail to help me navigate my way. A German I met there raised a quizzical eyebrow upon seeing the dogs doing their business and leaving nonchalantly. But his disapproval wasn’t about what was left behind; “Spanish dogs are so small,” he said. I had been surprised by the many Cocker Spaniels and beagles I saw in Spain, as Yorkshire terriers were popular in Korea at the time for being the perfect size to hold in your arms. But even the medium-size breeds seemed to be too small for Germans. Are German Shepherds the only dogs for them?

The seventh and eighth dog breeds listed in the Korean pet ownership report were the golden retriever and Jindo, respectively. So that means Korean preference for dogs isn’t limited to small dogs. After all, Korean children watching the nursemaid Nana in Peter Pan dream of owning a St. Bernard. The obvious obstacle to realizing their dreams is space limitations. In a country where 60% of the people reside in apartments, even medium size dogs are difficult to accommodate. So much so that Beagles, Cocker Spaniels and Schnauzers, three highly energetic midsize dogs, are referred to as the “delirious trio.” But given the right environment, these are friendly, well-behaved dogs.

Owning a large-breed dog in Korea is seen as a sign of affluence. A friend I was strolling in the park with one day pointed to someone with her eyes and said, “That guy must be rich.” My eyes followed hers to find a man with two Afghan hounds. We marveled at how he must live in a house spacious enough for not one, but two large, expensive dogs.

The neighborhood I used to live in had a dog park where dog owners gather in small groups at dusk. It was a place where Maltese and Pomeranians roam, but one day, a German Shepherd appeared. Something came over the dog owners, and they slowly formed a ring around the haughty Shepherd and its owner. The commanding presence of a large breed in a world of small dogs was palpable that day, and the Shepherd and its owner were gazed upon with great admiration. Even the weighty poop bag in the owner’s hand received envious stares.

Translator: Culture Flipper English Team
Original Content in Korean: cultureflipper.com/blog/do-you-prefer-them-big-or-small-ko
Japanese Translation: cultureflipper.com/blog/do-you-prefer-them-big-or-small-ja