Dear Miss Behavin’: My family has a shepherd mix and we’d love to add a small-breed dog to our home. Should we worry that our current dog is 100 pounds and our new pup might be closer to 10 pounds?
Reply: You’re definitely wise to consider the potential risks before bringing a pint-sized pooch home. Plenty of large and small dogs can coexist, but the fact remains that a large dog is simply bigger, and therefore more capable of hurting a small dog (either intentionally or accidentally). So before taking the plunge, ask yourself a few questions:
PET OF THE WEEK: Hunter is a 5-year-old neutered male beagle mix. He is a little shy but really likes treats, so if you have something yummy to share, that’s a good start. He loves playing with other dogs. Be sure to speak with an adoption counselor. Ask for Hunter, using ID # A816930. Adoptable pets are available at Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA’s Tom and Annette Lantos Center for Compassion, 1450 Rollins Road, Burlingame. Call 650-340-7022 or visit www.phs-spca.org. (Charles Pitkofsky / Peninsula Humane Society)
First, has your large dog ever been around small dogs before? If your shepherd is a social butterfly and has been fine in the past either playing with smaller dogs or politely greeting them on leash, the odds are good he’ll get along with your new small dog.
A few red flags would be a large dog that gets very excited when he sees smaller dogs, possibly staring, lunging and barking. This could mean your dog might try to chase a smaller dog or treat it like a toy.
Second, which small dog would be the best fit for your family? Here at Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA we strongly urge folks to look past breed and focus on personality. Our Customer Service staff at 1450 Rollins Road, Burlingame (or your local animal shelter), may be able to recommend a smaller dog that gets along well with larger dogs.
It’s always a good idea to bring your dog in to the shelter to meet any potential matches, just to make sure it’s the right fit.
Third, do you have a plan for bringing your new dog home? Due to the size difference, you’ll want to have a way to separate the dogs when no one is at home. A crate or sturdy baby gate work great.
You won’t necessarily need to separate the dogs forever when they’re alone, just for the first few weeks or until you feel comfortable leaving them solo. There’s no need to rush, and it will be another way to ensure your new best friend stays safe.
Read more from Miss Behavin’ in the Mercury News.