Is It Too Dangerous To Keep A Large Dog With A Much Smaller Dog?
September 14, 2009 by admin
Filed under Care & Training Q&As
Right now, I have a two year old Papillon. But I love the Great Danes breed and have been wanting one for several years. In the near future, I may move to a place where I am able to have a Dane.
It would of course go through some training on not how to be rough with people (or dogs) but, aside from the fact that it may be odd or funny looking, is there any danger of keeping dogs of two drastically different sizes?
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Get a puppy dane and you’ll be fine. I made the mistake of letting my papy play with a pit… That was a very expensive stay with the vet… But a dane will be fine–but do get a puppy.
If either dog is aggressive, then it would be dangerous. Other than that, if they get along, they will be just fine.
Growing up I owned a Rottweiler and a Chihuahua mix and they were best friends.
It depends to a great deal on the dogs involved. The risk is not so much the sizes but whether the large dog has any history of dog aggression or has high prey drive (may mistake the small dog for prey). If the large dog is raised as a puppy with small dogs, they are more likely to understand they are dogs, not prey. Danes are not often dog aggressive and if properly socialized with other dogs from a young age, I doubt there would be a problem.
My two goldens have a shih tzu friend and two corgi friends. The size difference is not a problem. Also I know someone who has a Boston terrier and Rhodesian ridgeback. The Boston is in charge.
I think it depends on the breed of dog & its disposition as well as training. & sometimes gender factors in as well.I had a very docile black lab (male & now deceased), & then got a tiny little female poodle. They ADORED each other. He was very gentle with her. Hence his name was “Gentle Ben”. She really loved him & after he had to be put to sleep, she went looking for him everywhere, & grieved & cried for him. She is now nearly 18 herself. But sometimes same gender dogs can be vicious with one another. So training will help I think. Hope this helps you to make your decision. Good luck!
NO PROBLEMS!! Great Danes are sooo good natured that you should have no problems. Watch them during play however. Even the most laid back Dane can get carried away during playing. The large majority of them would NEVER hurt a smaller breed. It would be best however to get the Dane as a pup. We have a 195 pound great Dane that plays with our 3 pound Boston terrier pup and we have never had any type of accidents. Great Danes are sooooo gentle.
For a year I had a Great Dane and a Miniature Dachshund, both neutered males, and they were fine. But I kept an eye out for rough play, as the doxie has a more fragile back, and the Dane jumped a lot. Lost my Dane to bone cancer, doxie really loved him.
no it isn’t and it’s even better if you get the dane as a puppy so it grows up with the other smaller dog. make sure you monitor their play together at first and correct any aggressive behavior, on BOTH dogs.
i have a german shepherd who gets along GREAT with my cat =]
A Great Dane could be good with a much smaller dog; best advice would be to get a Dane puppy who could be raised to respect your Papillon, and supervise them to make sure the little dog isn’t accidentally stepped on. Also go through obedience classes with your Dane. Best wishes!
It *can* be hard. It depends on the dogs. A Great Dane should be okay.
HOWEVER, the thing is, a very large dog could easily step/sit/lay on a small dog and injure/kill it. I’d just say be careful and always be with them when they’re together.
No as long as your dogs are well socialized and properly trained there should be no problem.
No.
I have a bunch of Pomeranians.
And am getting a Foxhound X Pitbull.
I know a young couple with a Chihuahua and a mastiff.
I dont think the size really matters.
Getting a well bred Great Dane and training it – should be fine – if you were to get a more prey driven large dog – that might not be the case.
ITs fine IF you train them right! My neo is 115 pounds and 8 months old, my 3 pound chihuahua sleeps on his back! Train them right and no worries
raise it as a puppy.and let your other dog make friends.and make sure you give both of them attention.
theres no problem.
Just make sure that you both dogs are not both males or else they will fight.
nope none at all, as long as the dogs are trained and socialised properly they should get along
no problem