Big Breeds Good With Little Dogs

[Bahamutt99]

I see a lot of Danes paired with tiny dogs. Not sure what the idea is behind that, but it seems to work for them.

 

[Aleron]

I think it depends a lot on the dog and the situation. IMO people who have dogs with a great size difference absolutely have to manage the situation so that the small dog is safe. I know several people who have a Papillon or two with Belgians and it works great but the dogs are not together 24/7 and not together unsupervised. We have Ziggy, who's a smaller corgi. He and my one GSD were best friends, played really well together. He and Jagger get along ok but get into it sometimes, superficially. Zig always starts it and will not back down - bad corgi! I used to have to watch letting him out with the whole group of Belgians in the yard to play because their play would start to get a bit too predatory towards him. Haven't had that issue in years but he still isn't allowed unsupervised with them when they are running in the big yard, little yard is ok though.

FWIW I think Leonbergers have pretty short lifespans

 

[Laurelin]

Mia's pretty tiny and she moves extremely fast. I've seen a lot of big dogs lock in on her in a way that makes me very uncomfortable. Personally, I wouldn't get a huge dog with a really little dog. I'm capping my potential breeds at about 40 lbs and even then I'm still planning on doing a lot of separation of the little dogs from the bigger one. They will never be unsupervised together and I will be very careful with them outside running around. I also have to supervise Mia's tennis balls from a bigger dog too because they'd probably choke on it. I have a few years though, I think to figure out all the logistics.

Breeds I've had the most issues with have been huskies and bully types and boxers. Anything really forward and in your face, they don't like. They've had the best luck with calm collie type dogs.

I really do wish they made all papillons about 20 lbs.

 

[~Dixie's_Mom~]

Agreed about huskies. I'm not comfortable with Violet and Chlor being in the backyard together unless VERY heavily supervised. When Chloe gets zoomy Violet will lock in on her and if I'm watching she'll leave her alone for the most part but she makes me uncomfortable. When I have my own place Chloe will come with me and Violet will stay here so when I get my next dog I'm hoping to get a "lighter" big dog. Like a bc or something that size. The only way I can explain it is that they seem to have lighter bones. Violet could roll over on Chloe while playing and break her back. A lighter boned dog wouldn't be as much of a danger. Violets 48lbs but she has pretty heavy bones. She also uses her paws a LOT in play and will paw/claw Chloe. I don't usually let them play much or for long. It's just too risky IMO. I'd rather have dogs that can be together and play and be friends rather than just co-exist. It works and Vi's generally very good with Chloe and other small dogs but I just prefer something different between my personal dogs.

 

[HayleyMarie]

I've always had Bouvies and Terriers together growing up. Never had an issues whats so ever. Emme and Teagan get along great. Emme Lou's about 85lbs give or take and Teagans 16lbs.

Emme plays really well with Teagan, luckly Teagan is a rough player so she does not get upset with getting rough housed.

Now, since my next dog is going to be a mollosser, most likely a Boerboel, which range between 120lbs-150lbs. Im making sure Im getting a dog from a breeder that has placed their dogs successfully in homes with other small dogs. And that they temperment test their puppies so they go into the right home. And it would fit properly in mine and Teagan's.

Also, I would never be letting the dogs together unsupervised.

 

[cloudcandy]

I can saw from my experiences so far that it seems to depend on the dog.I'm guessing there will be certain breed's that most likely wouldn't make a good match but so far from dog's I've met in the park it always depends!
What is predatory drift?I dog sit a Patterdale terrier(Alabama) and her and Coco play well,Coco likes rough play and doesn't seem scared and Alabama plays differently with her then other dogs we meet in the park.However I do notice sometimes she enjoys a bit of "stalking" (If that's the right word?) Today I was watching them play,Coco had taken a toy from Alabama and was on floor chewing it,Alabama was watching her from the bed,she was in the down position and watching Coco very intensely,she then slowly rose up and JUMPED (nearly a meter) right onto Coco,well she would have if I hadn't put my arm out and blocked her.I was like...WTF? Seems something kicked in....I don't know if its because her dad hunts squirrels and Coco is too small,but its something I have to watch.

 

[AussieAshley]

Any breed that is breed specifically to chase/kill would give me pause. However more than anything it would depend on the individual dogs and play styles. I do know of a lot of giant breed owners, mostly Dane owners who have toy breeds and it seems to work out for them because their big guys are so laid back. Duke is around 80lbs and being a pointer is very bouncy and plays roughly. He LOVES all dogs of all sizes but his exuberance makes him poorly matched for play with any toy breeds. He could literally love a tiny dog to death accidentally. The only reason it works out with him and Radar is that they have similar play styles, westies are sturdy little dogs and Radar doesn't put up with crap Still their play times are supervised and I would rather a more medium sized breed as my next 'big' dog.