I prefer big dogs.
I've only had dalmatians (which are sorta medium to big) but have still had experience with small dogs in the family.
From my experience small dogs yap a lot. My dalmatian hardly ever barks. She'll bark only if someone knocks at the door - which is great because most the time we don't hear it ourselves.
There is just something about the personality of big dogs that little dogs don't have.
and I think small dogs have been too overbred - with their squashed up noses and long backs. People have ruined them!!