I’m convinced that the intention of each of the dogs (chihuahua & teacup poodle) was indeed to maul me, if they had been big enough to achieve their aim. These dogs are in separate houses and each lunged at me, leaping off chairs, snarling, with teeth bared. They each did it on more than one occasion. Each time their owners laughed it off because of the size of the dogs; the owners thought the dogs were “cute”. No, they were displaying vicious behavior and their actions would have been dangerous if the dogs were bigger or if I had been a small child.
That was the point of my comment, BTW, that it’s temperament and owner leadership which is imperative. ANY DOG, regardless of size or breed, can be dangerous if the owners don’t take responsibility.
I agree that the toy dogs have no concept of size. Little dogs think they are huge, but the point is they cannot do the damage of pits or larger breeds. Most dogs give warning before they attack unless they are a running pack of various dogs on the loose...in that case it doesn’t matter what their breeds are they will go after anything they choose.