Big dogs getting along with small dogs?

Question

This is for anyone who has ever had a large dog and a small dog simultaneously. I’m really looking for people with personal experience with this. If you have insight on any part of this question, please answer!

I have a 6 month old dachshund. When she is a year old, I plan to get another dog, but I would like it to be a larger one. I have not yet decided on a breed (I still need to do more research), but I wouldn’t go any bigger than a Doberman. My concern is, will these dogs be able to get along? Has anyone ever had their larger dog accidentally harm their smaller one during play? Or maybe harm them on purpose? Is the smaller dog dominated during play? Does the smaller dog feel insecure with the larger one around, and does the larger dog bully or mistreat the smaller one?

I know I want two dogs, but I won’t sacrifice the happiness of my doxie. Ideally, I’d like a larger or medium sized breed, but I’ll get a smaller one if having a big dog in the house will cause her trouble.

Answer 1

We had a medium sized dog (40lbs) when we got our large breed dog (95 lbs)as a puppy. Since she grew up with another dog, and has numerous neighborhood dogs she plays with she has never had a problem on getting along with any dogs. We also have a cat and she gets along well with her as well, the cat mothers the dogs.
We dog sit allot for a friend that had a dachshund. Our dog would allow the visiting dog to eat her food, and would not stop her. They got along well, and would play together. The only incident we had with them, was when the small dog had been here for a week, she went to take a bone away from our dog. Our dog stepped on her and pushed her to the floor, she did do it gently, and gave a low growl, as if to say, I have been letting you get my food for a week, but you are not going to have my bone. If you get your next dog as a puppy, they adjust better to other animals.
Our dogs are so attached to each other, they do not like being seperated

Answer 2

I have a boxer and a collie (the big ones) and a pug and a jack russell (the small ones). In my house, the jack is #1 and the other 3 jockey for the rest of the positions. They all run around the house chasing each other for a little while several times a day until they get tired. Then they all lay around chewing on things. Once one of them gets a bit of energy back, he'll get the others going and it starts all over again. One thing I do is feed them all seperately...that can sometimes lead to problems especially if you have a fast eater and they try to steal :-)

As for problems, I've had multiple dogs all my life...several years ago I had a doberman and 3 basenjis. My doberman thought he was as small as the 3 basenjis and that was always a lot of fun. again, never had a problem.

Always remember when you bring a new dog into the house it's best to introduce them in a neutral environment...never bring a pup into a house without letting them meet first.

Answer 3

I have had both small and medium size dogs (as many as five at one time) and they have all gotten along fairly well.

I think that you will find that they will establish their own pecking order, so to speak, with the first dog in the house being the alpha. Right now I have a daschound and a minature poodle, a French mastaf, and a medium size mixed breed mutt. The poodle is about 12 years old, blind and deaf, but otherwise in good health. And he rules the roost. All of the others defer to him at the water and food bowls, but they also take care of him when he is outside.
All puppies will play with each other, and sometimes it becomes "rough and tumble" but if you teach your dogs what is acceptable play I don't think you have to worry about one hurting the other.
I think it would be a good idea if you gave your dogs obedience training together at the same time.
Generally speaking, dogs are the more intellegent of the domesticated animals and they really are devoted to their humans if they are treated well.

Answer 4

Well I personally haven't but my former boss (the vet I worked for) had 7 dogs-2 dachsunds and 5 dogs no smaller than her 100+ pound rott. In her house she established dominance. She and her husband were Alphas end of story. After that the dachsunds were 2nd in command. She taught her big dogs that the little dogs were their boss that way the big dogs didnt try to attack the little ones. She would allow the dachsunds to eat first and if the other dogs started showing aggression she would reprimand them. They knew if she said no she meant it and because she was the leader of the pack her word was law. She never had problems. Her dachsunds (including the puppy) could back her rottweiler off of his food in an instant. If you rasie it from a puppy and make sure that the puppy knows that the doxie is boss you shouldnt have problems. And i'm sure your dachsund will let the puppy know that it is boss anyway. :) I would recommend if you get a larger breed dog get a puppy so it grows up knowing the doxie is boss and make sure that the doxie is number 2 in the pack. #1 should be all humans who have daily contact with the dogs (you, your family, kids) As long as you establish pack order things should be ok. There may be some dominance challenges but as long as you control who wins you should be ok. In my house it is me and my husband #1, my German Shepherd #2, my male cat # 3, my female cat #4, and my wimpy golden #5. They all get along great because they know I am in charge and if not Dakota (our Shepherd) is. Hope this makes sense and helps. good luck

Answer 5

I have two dogs at the moment. One is a toy poodle and the other is an Irish Wolfhound (how is that for a difference in size?) The Irish is actually getting dominated by the little poodle more than the other way around!! The poodle was the first dog in the house, therefore is the alpha male-and has no problems proving it to the Irish! Sure, when they play around, on the odd occasion the little one will get slightly hurt, but nothing serious, and he gets his revenge every time anyway! When we first brought the new Irish into our homes there was a little jealousy, but just be sure to always give the other as much attention as before and everything should be OK. As for you getting two different breeds together, just be sure that they are both of the non-aggressive type and everything will be good in your home, after the adjustment phase of course. Good luck and good hunting!

Answer 6

I have had Great Danes for years. During that time, I've been fostering for the local SPCA, and I frequently have small dogs and puppies come in. There has never been an injury to any of the small ones. In fact, the small ones generally have the big guys put in their places within 15 minutes of arrival!

When I had a cocker spaniel, I also had a lab, a Rottie and a Dane. The cocker ruled!!

Answer 7

It all depends on the owner..I have taken my little guy to the dog park every weekend. There are always those big dogs that want to bully him, but if you look around the owner is never ever watching the bully. Most of the big dogs at the park are well trained and well behaved. The only problem is that its a way bigger dog, and he might accidently hurt your dog when he is really just trying to play. Sometimes they just don't realize how strong they really are and can accidently cause injury or even death to your little guy. It also could depend on how much excercise you give the dogs.

Answer 8

I have had a German Shepherd for 10 years now and my husband and I got a chihuahua in December. They get along very well, however the shepherd is so much bigger that we have to be careful when they are playing. He is very gentle but I fear the accidental stepping on. Other than that, its really not much of a problem at all. I have a friend with a daschund who is 2 and just recently got another one, and it took 2 months before they got used to each other so maybe its best to go with the larger dog. Good luck.....everything takes time. just remember that.

Answer 9

I had a golden lab and I wanted a small dog, but my boyfriend
didn't like small dogs, but I got one anyway. I bought a maltese.
My lab was very excited over the maltese. He played with her
and he treated her like glass. My maltese would bite his ears
and nose and pretty much everywhere and my lab just took it.
They got along so well. It was like it was his baby.

Feeding time was eventful, cause the lab liked his food and the
maltese would often sneek over to his bowl and try his food.
He didn't bit her but I would always worry.
I think having a small and large dog can work, but it really
depends on the dogs nature. If they are really friendly it should
be ok. But do keep in mind that large dogs can accidently hurt
the little one when they play, so I would also suggest that when
you go out that you separate them.

Answer 10

well i no that all dogs can have there ups and down but yes u can have a big and a small dog but u must take ur 1st dog 2 see ur new dog just 2 see if they do get on b4 u bring the new dog home u will no if the will get on when they meet up just look how ur 1st dog is u will no but plz let them meet up b4 u get 1 or u can get a baby dog and then they will be the same 2 start with ur 1st do then will not no the 2nd dog gets bigger and will just grow up happyer if u get a baby ur 1st dog then will become the boss