Dogs come in all shapes and sizes, but as any puppy aficionado knows, they are always cute—no matter how big or small—even when a dog tall enough to drink from the kitchen sink thinks he's a lapdog.

Meera Pal is a Northern California-based writer with a background in journalism and books. She covers pets, real estate, tech, and everything in between. You can follow her on Twitter @Meerakat Kelly ...

Some dog lovers are drawn to the size of a potential pup—the bigger the better! Large dogs can be loyal companions, offering both protection and a lot of love. However, many big breeds come with one ...