A blanket answer to this question is not likely to satisfy anyone, nor would it be appropriate for all situations. Ultimately, this question can only be answered by the dog's guardian. However, it is always best to make informed decisions and there are good reasons to be concerned. The bottom line is that mixing sizes presents a very real opportunity for severe injury or death to the smaller dog. Even more concerning is that this can happen with "good dogs" who are social, obedient and playing well together.
There is a name for this risk -it is called Predatory Drift.
I would love to feel satisfied that the majority of people disregarding the risks of large sized differences are INFORMED risk-takers, but my experiences at dog parks and in conversations with dog guardians has proved otherwise. Watching small and large dogs play together does not bother me; it is the uninformed, "It will be fine," "My dog is friendly," "He can hold his own," attitudes that concern me. This is what I would like to see change. It would be nice if a shift in attitude regarding this issue could happen before someone either sees his or her dog kill or be killed.
Sadly, there does not seem to be enough knowledge and or understanding in the dog community about the risks, rare though they may be, of allowing small dogs to play near or with larger dogs (dogs with approximately 50% difference in body weight). Furthermore, it is neither small-dog owners, nor large dog owners who bear the brunt of the responsibility; everyone needs to know about Predatory Drift and what it means for their dogs play time.
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Anonymous
March 7, 2009, 11:12 am
I have a Brussels griffon, 8 pounds and a kuvasz,100 pounds and i would never trust them alone playing together. We did have an accident where the kuvasz took out my griffs left eye. It was a split second thing. My griff is fine and healing well but now I won't even let them out to pee at the same time. And, my kuvasz is a sweet gentle, well behaved dog. I just don't trust her with my little guy.
No, different sized dogs should not play together, too much risk for the little dog.
Kelley Filson, CTC, CPDT
March 10, 2009, 11:33 am
San Francisco, CA
Dear 8lbs vs. 100lbs,
Thank you for sharing this story so that others can learn. I am sorry to hear about the accident and glad to know that you have taken measures to keep everyone safe. I am sure that your Kuvasz is a sweetie, I am glad you understand and see it that way too!
Anonymous
March 15, 2009, 2:00 am
You are talking about a change in "attitude" happening because of the size difference but the possibility of the play just getting too rough or accidently the smaller one somehow gets hurt. Just as a 2 year old does not realize their strength, a lot of the time the bigger dog gets caught up in the play - before they start to "hunt". It is always best to err on the side of caution.
Kelley Filson, CTC, CPDT
March 15, 2009, 12:29 pm
San Francisco, CA
Regarding "attitude" -not so much. I am not talking about play winding out of control -although that can happen too. However, if a smaller dog does "accidentally" get hurt, I have serious concerns that the sound/sight of the small dog in pain, might trigger the larger dog -resulting in death or severe injury to the small dog because of Predatory Drift. For more, click on the link above PREDATORY DRIFT.
sheri
July 4, 2009, 9:16 am
Fredericktown, PA
i really don't have a comment, but a question. we have had Angel for about 3 years now. she has been in our family for 7 years until my father died and i adopted her from there. anyway, i got a toy fox terrier in march of this year who is a male and about 8 months old. angel is a terrier/dachshund mix who has been spayed but papi, the TFT wont be neutered until july 17th. Papi is very playfull with angel to the point where angel will snap at him when she has had enough. my first question is, is angel more patient with him because she is spayed? and secondly, will papi ease up a little on her when he is neutered? I do leave them alone together for a few hours on some days when i work...after reading some of these stories, i'm a little afraid of leaving them now. thanks for any information on this.
Anonymous
July 22, 2009, 11:02 am
I have 150lb Great Dane who has gone to the dog park since he was 13 weeks old. I get upset with people who bring their small dogs there and do not put them in the area set aside for small dogs. my dane is as gentle as can be I have a 80 lb Lab and 4 house cats and they all get along great. when at the park my dane loves to run and I am afraid he will run over the small dogs and the small dog owners are worried also but expect me to put hin in the small dog area which is hardly used so we just leave when they arrive
Mike Katz
July 22nd, 2009
sarasota Fl
Anonymous
July 28, 2009, 8:22 am
I have an 18 pound Pembroke Corgi and a 70 pound Weimaraner. Cats are definite no no in our house due to the Weim's intense predatory drive and thankfully nothing has happened to my corgi even when we brought her home at 8 weeks.
He was very gentle with her from the get go and even got on her level to play with her and continues to do so on occasion even now. However, outside in the back yard, he isn't mindful of her when he runs and he will run over her if she doesn't get out of the way.
He will lunge at her for some reason whenever she jumps off the bed, leaves her crate, or jumps off the stoop. I'm not sure if that has anything to do with predatory drift or not. Outside of that, we haven't had any problems as of yet.
Anonymous
August 3, 2009, 9:57 pm
I have a 51/2 month old Yellow Fawn Boxer, i've taken the care to properly socialize him and introduce him to as many situations as i possibly can. He is always gentle never fights and loves a good wrestling match with an equally sized dog. But this whole predatory drift concept has definitely showed itself through my dog Champ. Today at the dog park a lady brought in what had to be a 3 pound fluffy dog into the park. It ran up to Champ and in an instant champ was on it and had it by the neck, i jumped in and managed to get him off but nevertheless it was a very embarrassing moment for me she was screaming about how my "little monster" needs to be shot and everyone there was calling him an aggressive evil dog, even though minutes before he was runnin happy with the rest of the pack. It's no one "fault" but i wish extra small dog owners would use discretion before taking their pup to a park. Champ saw that thing as a squirrel/rat definitely not a fellow dog.
Anonymous
August 4, 2009, 4:50 am
I have three Great Danes. Two 160 pound males and a 120 pound female. The two males have happily played with dogs of all sizes, walks of life, and of different pack orders. My adult male is a dominant and his son is more of a submissive type. I trust them around all dogs. It's usually them playing with smaller dogs at the park and ignoring dogs of their own size.
My female, though? She means well, but she plays rough and she gets a bit carried away.
Anonymous
August 4, 2009, 2:57 pm
I appreciate this post for the simple fact that it's very true. All too many times, I have met people whose dogs are well-socialized among their own size group, but are small- dog "aggressive." Unfortunately, though most of my 5.5 pound Pomeranian's friends are large rotties and danes, not all are friendly. Before he was even 4 months old, we met a Dalmatian whose owner swore up and down that he was great will all dogs. As it turns out, she was seriously mistaken. The dog picked mine up by the belly and shook him, causing 4 hernias and over $1200 in surgery alone. As careful as I have been since then, that doesn't account for the other people who are not. Through no fault of his own (but perhaps a bit of mine), he has been picked up and shaken 3 more times, requiring over 30 more stitches and several drainage tubes, all by people with friendly dogs.
