Do big dogs and little dogs get along? The answer is yes…depending on the breed!
Whether or not big dogs and little dogs get along with each other has a lot to do with socialization and the disposition of both dogs. Some breeds prefer to be loners while other breeds love to be around more doggy members of their pack.
For instance, if you have a Labrador Retriever and a Beagle living together you shouldn’t have any problems at all. Both breeds typically get along well with other dogs.
However, if you have an Airedale Terrier and a Chow Chow you might not have very good luck because both breeds typically like to be the only dog in the household.
Remember though, that even breeds that don’t love other dogs can usually be trained to get along with other dogs if they are properly socialized when they are puppies
Socializing Dogs to Get Along with Other Dogs
If you want to have multiple dogs in a household that aren’t litter mates, then you need to make sure that you socialize your dogs early and often. You want to do this with every dog you have, big or small, purebred, or mixed breed.
Socialization simply involves the controlled exposure of your dog to other dogs, people, and situations. It’s a good idea to socialize every dog, but if you want them to live with other dogs successfully socialization becomes even more important.
Choosing the Right Dog
If you are getting a purebred dog or a mixed breed where you know their breed background, you can help yourself get dogs that will get along by choosing breeds that are known for friendliness to other dogs.
If you are getting a mixed breed dog and you don’t know the breed background, watch carefully how the dog interacts with other dogs and see if there are any signs of aggression. You’ll want to see that the dog is friendly to the other dogs in their environment.
Breeds That Are Friendly to Other Dogs
This is not an exhaustive list, but these are some of the more popular breeds that are friendly with other dogs. You can check any breed’s “good with other dogs” rating at AKC.org. They have a graph that goes with each dog breed.
Big Dogs That Get Along Best With Small Dogs
Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers are large dogs that don’t know a stranger. They have wonderful personalities and are great with other dogs and love kids and their families. You should have no problems with a Labrador getting along with small dogs.
Labradors are loyal companions but because they love everybody, they don’t make very good watch dogs. They are more likely to make friends with an intruder rather than try to stop them.
They do need a lot of exercise and swimming is one of their favorite activities.
Golden Retriever
Like Labradors, Golden Retrievers get along with other dogs excellently, big or small. They are also great with little kids and people – including perfect strangers. Like the Labrador, there fondness for everyone means they are not good watch dogs.
Golden Retrievers have long fur on their coats and need to be groomed regularly. They need a lot of exercise and are joyful dogs that delight everyone who interacts with them.
Little Dogs That Get Along Best With Big Dogs
Shih Tsu
Shih Tzus are tiny dogs with a funny and playful disposition.
Shih Tzus are true lap dogs with an easygoing nature. These dogs were bred to look pretty for royals and to live in palaces. They are calm, don’t bark a whole lot, and love to look beautiful sitting on the back of a couch or soaking up the sun on a staircase.
This breed gets along well with other dogs and likes nothing more than to be cute and adorable. They will get along fine with your large dog.
Shih Tzus have hair, not fur, and need regular grooming. Many people that own Shih Tzus as family pets keep their luxurious coats cut short for ease of management.
On the plus side, since they have hair rather than fur, they do well around people with allergies.
Pug
What can you say about Pugs? They are simply adorable!
They do well in either houses or apartments. It doesn’t matter to them as long as they get plenty of attention from their owners.
Pugs surged in popularity when The Men in Black Movies came out. Pugs love their people and love to love. They get along very well with other dogs. With their laid-back attitude, they will mix well in a household with any other size dog.
That said, if they are not given enough cuddles and love they can become jealous of a new dog in the house, whether that dog is big or small.
Pugs can easily get fat, so they need to have their food controlled and are fairly temperature-sensitive. This smart and lovable breed can easily become your very best friend.
Dachshund
Dachshunds are also known as weiner dogs because of their unusual body shape. These dogs have big personalities in a little package and charm their owners.
They get along well with bigger dogs but often other dogs, but often prefer dogs that are closer to their size and generally enjoy the company of other Dachshunds.
They can be very stubborn and bark a lot, especially when they are home alone. If you get a dachshund be prepared to have an occasional battle of wills with your dog and have strangers stop you on the street to comment on your dog when you are walking your companion.
Dachshunds can be territorial and brave. They are fearless and won’t back down for anyone or anything. More than other breeds, whether or not a Dachshund will get along with another dog will depend on their individual personality.
If you have a dachshund and have children, they must be old enough to realize that a toy dog isn’t a toy. They are good with older children, but not great with toddlers.
It would probably be best to pair a Dachshund with one of the more friendly and laid back large breeds, such as a Lab or a Golden Retriever.
Boston Terrier
Boston Terriers are well-loved by their owners, and it’s not unusual to see a single-family have 2, 3, or even 4 of these wonderful dogs.
If you walk down the street with a Boston Terrier you are sure to get smiles back. These dogs have tuxedo patterned coats and flatter faces that give them almost human-like expressions.
Boston’s get along well with other dogs, including big dogs, small children, and people in general. They are known for their tuxedo markings and with regular walks do well in apartments and cities.
They will easily adapt to having a large dog friend.
French Bulldog
French Bulldogs are also known as Frenchies and they are wonderful companions to other dogs and love people, including little kids.
Frenchies get along well with almost everybody and if they are introduced slowly will almost always welcome another dog into the house, regardless of its size.
One of the nice things about Frenchies is that they don’t bark much. These dogs are happy in apartments or just about any other location where they can hang out with their people. They have big personalities and are a lot of fun to be around.
Beagle
Beagles are hounds that get along smashingly with other dogs. They are described as happy-go-lucky dogs and have easy and fun dispositions. They are happy to be around and are not intimidated by bigger dogs.
Beagles have long droopy ears and they need a lot of exercise and playtime to be their best curious and wonderful selves.
Fun-loving and happy to be your companion, the sturdy Beagle is the number one hound dog in America.
Little Dogs That May or May Not be Friendly With Big Dogs
The breeds in this section can get along with other dogs but it will take some work. They need quality socialization, gradual introductions, and good training to have a harmonious experience.
Pomeranian
This is a tiny breed with a huge personality. Pomeranians are often described as feisty and bossy. Don’t bother telling a Pom that she is a toy dog (no more than 7 pounds). She doesn’t know that and won’t act like it either.
Pomeranians are wonderful companions and can do well with other dogs when properly introduced and socialized. They aren’t great with young children, but with older kids, they make good family pets.
Poms can get along with large dogs but generally prefer smaller breeds. They will snap if they are provoked and a bigger, enthusiastic dog can push them to their limits. It’s best to pair a Pomeranian with a calm and laid-back large breed, such as a Newfoundland.
Don’t be surprised if your Pom is the king of the castle and bosses your bigger dog around. This is a common occurrence and as long as no dog is getting hurt, it’s fine.
This breed has a long and fluffy coat that needs regular grooming to stay beautiful and unmatted. Poms have big personalities in a tiny body and will always keep you engaged and laughing.
Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire terriers are tiny dogs that are surprisingly good with young kids given their small stature. They make great family pets, but can be bossy and stubborn.
If you have a Yorkie you may not need or want another dog. These tiny dogs with long flowing coats are true terriers and have a terrier’s big personality.
Yorkies can get along with big dogs, but it will take some work. it’s important to make the introductions slowly and to keep your Yorkie well socialized.
Chihuahua
These tiny dogs have huge personalities and insist on being the center of attention everywhere they go.
Notoriously hard to potty train, Chihuahuas make great companions for adults and older children, but they do not like little kids at all.
Chihuahuas benefit from early training and socialization. They want to be the boss and can attempt to take over your house if they are not trained from an early age.
While Chihuahuas can integrate with other dogs, they will often boss bigger dogs around. Make sure that you take the time to introduce a Chihuahua properly to another doggy member of the family.
Breeds That Are Not Friendly to Other Dogs – big or small
Chow Chow
Chow Chows are unique-looking red dogs with black tongues. They are notorious for attaching to one person and disliking other dogs and other people.
If you are a single person looking for a guard dog, this is a great breed. Chows are aloof, but not typically aggressive with strangers and live well in cities and apartments.
Akita Inu
The Akita Inu is a handsome dog with a large, curled tail. They are intolerant of other dogs and other animals.
These dogs make great family guard dogs and are incredibly loyal and protective, but not super affectionate.
The Bottom Line
The question isn’t so much “do big dogs and little dogs get along”.
Generally speaking, if a big dog gets along with little dogs, it probably gets along with all dogs. Similarly, if a little dog gets along with big dogs then it gets along with all dogs.
It’s not size so much that determines if dogs get along, but rather the breeds of the dogs involved. Some breeds are happy-go-lucky and get along with all dogs, while others are more aloof. It’s a personality trait issue, not one of size.
Your Labrador will welcome any dog into your house. Your Chow Chow, not so much!
Choose one of the more laid-back breeds and you’ll likely have no trouble with them interacting with any size dog. And this can even include cats!