Big & Little Dog Families??

Megansmom

New Member
Joined
May 5, 2008
Messages
337
Likes
0
Points
0
#1
I was wondering how many of you have a household with both large and small dogs? We were always planning on getting a larger dog, and Megan kind of fell into my lap. I adore her, and may get another Papillon at some point, but I always wanted to have a larger breed as well. (One of my favorites is the Doberman) Can you live in harmony with both, or would it be dangerous for Megan? BTW, she is probably going to be about 7 pounds at maturity, and we plan on doing some advanced obedience with her, so she should have some manners. Any thoughts??
 

~Jessie~

Chihuahua Power!
Joined
Oct 3, 2006
Messages
19,665
Likes
0
Points
36
Location
Central Florida
#2
I plan on having a bigger dog eventually with my chis as well. I don't foresee any issues with it.

I grew up with a 10lb toy poodle and a 50'ish lb dalmatian. Our dalmatian knew to be more careful around the poodle, and they got along pretty well.
 

milos_mommy

Active Member
Joined
Oct 14, 2006
Messages
15,349
Likes
0
Points
36
#3
Depends on the dogs, honestly. I wouldn't bring a 100 pound, hyperactive puppy into a house with a 7 lb dog, but a young puppy who you'd be willing to train and possibly leash around Megan, or adopting an older, calmer dog, would be fine.
 

Sweet72947

Squishy face
Joined
May 18, 2006
Messages
9,159
Likes
1
Points
38
Location
Northern Virginia
#4
Daisy is 75lbs, and Benji is 20lbs. Daisy has always been good with little dogs - once I let her interact with a friend's maltese. She was very careful with him. She does get bored of them though because they can't play with her like a big dog can. :p
 
Joined
May 30, 2008
Messages
556
Likes
0
Points
0
#6
When Cali was still around(st. bernard), she and my sheltie Peaches got along wonderfully(Peaches is small for a sheltie, about 15 pounds at her lightest).

At this time two Collies above 60 pounds, and a 50+ pound 18 week old st. bernard puppy...Peaches is still doing fine;). I think you would be alright, but again...it depends on the individual dogs. I know some large dogs do not like small dogs, and vis versa.
 

bubbatd

Moderator
Joined
Nov 28, 2004
Messages
64,812
Likes
1
Points
0
Age
91
#7
My Goldens were always good with small dogs . I think females tend to " discipline " more than the males .
 
Joined
Dec 20, 2003
Messages
94,266
Likes
3
Points
36
Location
Where the selas blooms
#8
Kharma, at 125 pounds, is quite good visiting with my mom's tiny little Rat Terrier. Well, until Katie gets between Kharma and Bimmer. Then Kharma moves her out, lol.
 

Lizmo

Water Junkie
Joined
Aug 1, 2006
Messages
17,300
Likes
0
Points
0
Location
AL
#9
Jake is probably going to be around 25lbs and Major is 65lbs.

We've never had any problems, even when we brought Jake home at 2lbs, everything was fine and no one was in danger of getting hurt.
 
Joined
Dec 6, 2005
Messages
4,107
Likes
0
Points
0
Location
California
#10
We only have small dogs currently (2 1/2-18 pounds). But we did have a large dog (A husky mix about 70-80 pounds). But she ended up out of no where killing two of our dogs and my mother won't allow another big dog in her home with the small dogs. I can probably talk her out of it someday when we don't have very many dogs in general. But I do take some of our dogs to the dog park, and they are perfectly okay with large dogs (At first they were terrified of them!)
 
Joined
Apr 25, 2006
Messages
2,947
Likes
0
Points
36
#11
I can't say I've *never* had a problem, but it wasn't a problem that couldn't be managed. My very big dogs have always, for the most part, done well with very little dogs, cats, rodents, etc.

But as mentioned previously, it really depends on the dog. Even the breed. I wouldn't get a breed that's reknowned for it's intense prey drive if I had smaller pets in the home that resembled prey. I know some make it work, but I don't like to live on the edge.
 

Giny

Active Member
Joined
Aug 15, 2005
Messages
5,544
Likes
4
Points
38
Location
Maine
#12
I have to agree with the "depends on the dogs" comment, whether it be big or small.

I've always wanted a standard poodle and will someday but not until my smallest little one is no longer with me. In my experience in the past with fostering a standard it was an accident waiting to happen. Not due to the standard poodle, she was a gentle gale, but with Kassie, my 3 pound toy poodle.

Kassie's to bossy around other dogs and likes to stand her ground. She's not mean with other dogs but when all the dogs would get excited about something, like the door bell ringing, they'd all head towards their interest and Kassie would stand in the middle and not budge and in more then one occasion Kassie would get barreled over by the standard. It almost happened with her falling down the stairs.

So no big dogs in here for now.
 

SizzleDog

Lord Cynical
Joined
Nov 12, 2004
Messages
9,449
Likes
0
Points
0
#13
I have two Dobermans and a corgi (25lbs or so)... they do just fine. I know three or four households with even larger size differences - dobes and italian greyhounds, dobes and chihuahuas, dobes and cresteds. All live in harmony. :D
 

Mayasmydobe

I'm PAWMAZING!
Joined
Jan 27, 2007
Messages
3,291
Likes
0
Points
0
Age
39
Location
Iowa
#15
I have a dobe and a miniature poodle... granted, the doberman is small for breed standard and the miniature poodle is.. well... uhmm fat, lol... but they get along..
The only problem is, the poodle is 10 years old, and just likes to lay and sleep all day, while the doberman is still very very much a puppy, very hyper and she just doesnt seem to understand completely that the poodle just isnt interested in playing.
 

Suzzie

Aging Canine Advocate
Joined
Apr 14, 2006
Messages
1,134
Likes
0
Points
0
Location
Ohio
#16
my smallest is 25# my biggest is 100#.... no way would i ever have a 7# dog around my 100# one... he would tromple it. A lot has to do with the individual dog, I'm sure... but if they get to playing with each other I think it would be fairly difficult to avoid injury.
 

Megansmom

New Member
Joined
May 5, 2008
Messages
337
Likes
0
Points
0
#17
Hmmmmm....seems to be mixed reactions. I would probably stay on the safe side and get a second Papillon and maybe a larger breed in the future.

The video of the Mastiff and the Chi was great, though!!
 

LauraLeigh

Active Member
Joined
Feb 24, 2008
Messages
3,752
Likes
0
Points
36
Location
Brighton Ontario
#18
I have a 60 lb Golden mix, he is tall though.... 3 Jrts all about 15 lbs and Molly who only weighs about 3 lbs...

They all do well, Foster is VERY cute when he plays with Molly as he "tames" it down..... compared to when he roughhouses with his bestest buddy Max.... I would say actually that I watch my Jrts with Molly more so that the big guy!!:D
 

mrose_s

BusterLove
Joined
Mar 27, 2005
Messages
12,169
Likes
0
Points
36
Age
34
Location
QLD, Australia
#19
This is Sophie and Daisy, Sophie in her prime was over 40kg, Daisy never went past 5kg. They were best friends till the end, Sophie hasn't been quite the same since Daisy died. They're games used to involve Sophie running as fast as she could in huge circles, tail tucked in, smile on her face, away from this little ball of fluff tearing after her, you had to see it, it was the funniest thing to watch

Daisy looks bigger than she is in this pic, when she was clipped off she was smaller than our cat.



I also know someone on another forum that has a mini dachsund, its best friend is a bullmastiff, they are so gorgeous together

I think it can be done. In future I would lke a dane, a bullmastiff and a pug. I would probably seperate when unsupervised untill the large dog had matured enough not to leap at the small dog anf hurt it accidentally
 

Laurelin

I'm All Ears
Joined
Nov 2, 2006
Messages
30,963
Likes
3
Points
0
Age
37
Location
Oklahoma
#20
Hmmmmm....seems to be mixed reactions. I would probably stay on the safe side and get a second Papillon and maybe a larger breed in the future.

The video of the Mastiff and the Chi was great, though!!
I'm planning on getting a BC in the future, but I'm really thinking this through.

Summer is 6 lbs and her safety always comes first. Border collies aren't too big, but there will be a size difference.

I wanted an older BC but now I'm thinking a puppy may be the best bet. And maybe even one that I know the background of. I want a rescue but really with such a little dog it may be best to know for sure what you're getting. Some of the working border collie lines are smaller and may be a better choice.

I do know a lot of people with paps and large dogs and it can be done. It takes supervision, though.

I will tell you though that papillons are terribly breedist and will bond best with other papillons. (Though Beau seems to have a thing for Japanese Chin too....)
 

Members online

No members online now.
Top