Small breed puppies with large dogs?

Good thing I re-read that title, it said "Smell breed puppies..."


Anyway... for people who have larger dog/a large dog, what precautions do you take for if you get a small breed puppy? Just due to the size difference?

I ask because - as some of you may know () I plan to get a GSD as my next dog, and as I have been told a few times now, that once I get a GSD I will always own GSD's

So chances are at some point, I will be getting another dog, either a third one for "this" group, or one for the "next", and I like french bulldogs and pugs..... but against a full grown GSD the pups would be so mini

Was wondering about any extra precautions taken?

Also pics of large dogs and small puppies?

Please Note:::No fur balls were harmed during the taking of these pictures.

In fact, my poor boy's jowls were the ones hurting....

Last summer





when they first met


And as a pup with his first girlfriend lol
She beat him up regularly

Wow Jenn, I love the photos - your 'gang' are gorgeous!!!

Sorry but no advice on large/small breeds together as I haven't experienced it but I guess the main concern is the larger one treading or playing too roughly with the little one? It obviously isn't too much of a problem after seeing Jenn' photos though.

Thank you...I only have Luke, they were "buddies" of his. I'm very careful though about letting him play with strange small dogs...What he put up with as a pup ( the bitey face, excessive barking,etc) he isn't too keen on now as an adult. Actually I'm careful about choosing any friends for him, to make sure they have the same play style to avoid issues.
It CAN be done obviously provided the larger dog is taught from day one how to play a bit more gentle with smaller dogs. But I think what a lot of people forget, is that it's important to control the behavior of the small dog. A lot of times it's actually the smaller one who gets things going, and even if the large dog doesn't mean to actually hurt them, it can be done accidentally.
I always supervise very carefully and if either dog is getting too rambunctious, Luke is told to calm down and the other dog has a time out away for a minute or so.

I have a giant breed and a medium breed (dont have any pics to hand right now). Coles looks like a tiny breed compared to Buster. The only thing I would say is to watch the bigger dog does not fall onto the smaller dog. This has happened a couple of times with my two boys, but apart from that everything is okay.

I would say just to make sure the larger dog is well-socialised with other dogs and perhaps try to encourage socilisation with little breeds/puppies. Kiki never really tried playing with my mum's pup but adjusted her behaviour around her. Casper was absolutely useless though - but that's not limited to puppies
I think a well socialised dog would be fine and would know to adjust it's play and strength to a smaller dog, but I'd just make sure both dogs get time-out when needed.

Thanks everyone!
Lovely pics Jenn!

I think if I have my GSD when I have Alfie it may not be an issue as much, was just if circumstances were that I only had a large dog at the time

I am sure your two dogs will get along great, just as Marius and Lola do.

The main precaution I took was to ensure I never left them unattended when she was a young pup, just in case playtime got over-exuberant, because of the massive size difference I was apprehensive that Marius could hurt her by accident, just by playing too vigorously, as she is apt to let playtime get to wild and rough (being a bully that she is )



Equally, Lola had no idea of her size and was so gutsy, confident and outgoing, she could easily land herself in trouble if nobody gave her boundaries (as illustrated below!!). Marius hardly ever tells her off, so it's up to Sid and I in the main to put the reins on her so to speak, otherwise she would have zoomie time ALL the time!!

I also crated her when we went out, for the same reasons really and she was used to a crate as her breeder had one that she let the pups play in while hoovering etc.





They share everything - and still do to this day.



Lots of you have seen this one before, but it's one of my favourites. If I remember rightly, this was taken the first week of her being here, which just shows you even then she knew she could boss him. What a fab lad he is with her, his face kills me in this pic!!



I have to thank you for doing this thread, it's given me an excuse to look into my old photos of them both when she first came to us and I've so enjoyed seeing pics of them both when she was younger.

I had quite a size difference with my last pup But no issues ever - my big dogs are calm and well mannered with other dogs ... The only times I was super careful was with things like when we all bundled out of the door to get in the van etc in case in excitement she was forgotten and trodden on!
Never had any issues - but although she was small she wasnt fragile - I'd be more paranoid with a fine boned pup I suspect!

Our last GSD used to love the Cavaliers, she always treated them as puppies & was often found with them using her as a mattress/pillow. She never offered to hurt any puppy brought here whatever the breed & this has been the way with all my GSDs