Dogs come in all sizes, from the under-6-pound Chihuahua to the up-to-180-pound Saint Bernard. Dog lovers often long to live with small and large dog breeds for the variety of benefits they offer. The tiny English Toy Spaniel will snuggle on your lap, while the athletic Labrador Retriever will run and hike with you for miles.
Small breeds and large breeds can live together peacefully and successfully. But there are some factors you should consider and accommodations to make before you have a match.
Consider These Dog Characteristics
Amber Quann, CEO and head trainer at Summit Dog Training in Fort Collins, Colorado, has advised owners on techniques to make sure small and large dogs live together companionably and sees many of these matches become a great success. “I live with a 4-year-old, 10-pound Papillon named Jamie, and some of his favorite dog friends are big dogs,” she says.
Individual dogs have different characteristics that can make it easier or harder to integrate a second dog into a home, especially one of a different size. For example:
Age and Energy Level
An older dog with health issues or aches and pains may not welcome a younger energetic dog. “Let’s say you have an older small dog, and you bring in a large puppy,” says Quann. “It’s best to provide the small dog with plenty of space to be alone and away from the rambunctious puppy who could unintentionally cause pain.”
Breed
“Breed and genetics always plays a role in every dog-dog relationship,” adds Quann. It’s especially important to think about whether the large dog breed has the propensity to view small animals as prey. There’s nothing negative about dog breeds that have those tendencies; but as a safety factor for a small dog, you don’t want to put them in a situation where they could be considered prey and potentially be harmed.
Ability to Get Along With Other Dogs
“This is a huge factor,” says Quann. “If I know that a dog has a history with other dogs that has not been positive, I move much more slowly in my introduction.” If you’re adopting a slightly older dog, it’s important to consider the dog’s past living experience and whether they lived with other dogs. Small dogs might come with preconceived expectations that the large dog is potentially harmful and compensate with behaviors like barking or growling.
Resource Guarding
Whether it’s of food, toys, or even you, if one or both dogs have guarding tendencies, Quann recommends managing these situations so they’re few and far between. She also suggests working on skills to help dogs be successful together. For example, you can teach the dog who is resource guarding you to be more comfortable with other dogs in your vicinity.
Is Your Living Situation Suitable?
Bringing any new dog into your household takes time and attention, especially if you’re pairing a small and large dog. It’s critical to have lots of time to be available. You won’t be able to leave a small and large dog unsupervised until you’re confident in their relationship and safety, and that could take several months.
You must also have the space you need to separate the dogs, whether or not you’re home, for when they need some alone time. You can use crates or baby gates, but they must be escape-proof.
Consider your exercise routine. Meeting the exercise needs of two very different dogs takes time and may require separate outings, at least at first. “If your large dog gets enough exercise, he may be more composed around the small one,” says Quann. “That can be true of the small dog, as well, because enrichment and exercise is an important component of small and large dog interactions.”
Introducing the Dogs
It’s time to introduce the little dictator and the gentle giant. What’s the best way to do that?
“This isn’t something to take lightly,” warns Quann. Small dogs are vulnerable because of their size. Even when a big dog just wants to play or give a warning, the result of their actions can cause serious injury to a small dog. That’s why Quann recommends lots of management and planning:
- Practice obedience and self-control skills with the dogs. Make sure you can redirect the attention of your dogs to you when necessary.
- Teach one or both dogs to go to a designated spot or “place” away from the other one when they need a break.
- Set up baby gates and other dividers, so the dogs can get used to each other without being in the same space.
- Start your introduction with help from another person—each of you taking one dog on leash on a parallel walk across the street and moving closer as they become comfortable.
- Meet at a park and go for a sniff walk where they’re side-by-side rather than nose-to-nose.
- When you move inside, have plenty of places where the small dog can escape, avoid being trampled, and pause the interaction by getting under or on top of a chair or table, and the large dog must go around and slow down.
- Train cooperative sharing. Have both dogs in front of you and ask them to wait their turn for food or treats.
- Supervise all interactions for as long as it takes for the dogs to interact calmly, comfortably, and safely with each other. Emphasize short, quality interactions.
Benefits of Mixing David and Goliath Breeds of Dogs
For Quann, one main benefit of having different-sized dogs is that they can join you on different types of adventures. “Small dogs more easily travel with you, while big dogs are capable of more strenuous exercise,” she explains.” Also, a large dog offers a small dog some protection from predators like coyotes or birds of prey.”
The benefit of a small dog-large dog relationship can also extend to the dogs themselves if they enjoy socializing with other dogs. The bottom line is that dogs of all sizes can make great friends with the right support from their owners.
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