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  1. #1
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    Smaller Breed Dogs and Labs

    We are thinking about getting a small breed dog in the next month or two. So my question is for those with experience how are your Labs with smaller breeds? Our remaining Lab is 11 but she still acts like a puppy and even though her older sister that we just lost couldn't stand her I know she would love some company and possible a playmate finally. I should add too our Lab is on the smaller size as she was born in England and is a proper English Lab and was the runt of the litter. So people still think she is a puppy, just to give you an idea of her size, I don't know if her size matters or not. But we are just worried if we get too small of a breed like a Yorkie our Lab might hurt her not by biting or anything but just because she is a bit clumsy and has never really played with a smaller dog except for when she was a puppy.
    Last edited by Stephveda; 12-04-2017 at 08:39 PM.

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  3. #2
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    How is she with smaller dogs and puppies out on walks? If she's calm, you're probably just fine. If you don't know you have time to do some testing.

    My 90 lb. yellow boy Brutus and 70 lb. chocolate boy Hershey were perfect gentlemen with smaller dogs and gentle when they played. They looked fierce and made a bunch of noise (bitey face) but their bite inhibition was excellent and they weren't rowdy. My 65 lb. yellow girl (field) wasn't comfortable around smaller dogs. Hershey and Brutus loved cats, too, but didn't play with them.

    Switching gears....my 37 lb. mix Danny was best friends with our cats and even played chase and bitey face with one of them. This was the cat's decision and Danny's wonderful bite inhibition and respect had a lot to do with that. But Danny doesn't like other dogs coming up to him (fine until he was 2). Danny's mother, 42 lb. Sunnie, is wonderful with other dogs and really liked our cats but has only played with Danny. Sunnie is supposedly 1/2 Lab and so Danny has some in him, too (DNA test).

    I hope it works out for you. There are some folks on here who mix sizes successfully...I'm sure they'll be chiming in.

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    Stephveda (12-05-2017)

  5. #3
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    My lab and my Beagle Shihtzu mix are best buddies. They snuggle together, wrestle together and play together. When they are really wound up, and playing, she even jumps off the couch onto his back and proceeds to ride him (or hump or whatever she is doing)..LOL, we call it wrestling smackdown. He just sits there and let's her do whatever. We got her when she was about 8# and Reese was full grown. They have bonded since the very beginning and 6 years later, they are still joined at the hip. This pic was after a fun day swimming and fetching in the water
    -reese-bella-jpg

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  7. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by SunDance View Post
    How is she with smaller dogs and puppies out on walks? If she's calm, you're probably just fine. If you don't know you have time to do some testing.

    My 90 lb. yellow boy Brutus and 70 lb. chocolate boy Hershey were perfect gentlemen with smaller dogs and gentle when they played. They looked fierce and made a bunch of noise (bitey face) but their bite inhibition was excellent and they weren't rowdy. My 65 lb. yellow girl (field) wasn't comfortable around smaller dogs. Hershey and Brutus loved cats, too, but didn't play with them.

    Switching gears....my 37 lb. mix Danny was best friends with our cats and even played chase and bitey face with one of them. This was the cat's decision and Danny's wonderful bite inhibition and respect had a lot to do with that. But Danny doesn't like other dogs coming up to him (fine until he was 2). Danny's mother, 42 lb. Sunnie, is wonderful with other dogs and really liked our cats but has only played with Danny. Sunnie is supposedly 1/2 Lab and so Danny has some in him, too (DNA test).

    I hope it works out for you. There are some folks on here who mix sizes successfully...I'm sure they'll be chiming in.
    She is ok with smaller dogs but hasn't played with any off the lead since she was about 2 or 3 years. She was pretty careful then but at times had a tendency to roll on top the smaller dogs.

  8. #5
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    Awww they are adorable and thanks for the reply. I am really hoping our pup finds a best friend. She tried so hard with our other Lab but it never happen.

  9. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by niknak View Post
    My lab and my Beagle Shihtzu mix are best buddies. They snuggle together, wrestle together and play together. When they are really wound up, and playing, she even jumps off the couch onto his back and proceeds to ride him (or hump or whatever she is doing)..LOL, we call it wrestling smackdown. He just sits there and let's her do whatever. We got her when she was about 8# and Reese was full grown. They have bonded since the very beginning and 6 years later, they are still joined at the hip. This pic was after a fun day swimming and fetching in the water
    -reese-bella-jpg
    Awww they are adorable and thanks for the reply. I am really hoping our pup finds a best friend. She tried so hard with our other Lab but it never happen.

  10. #7
    Senior Dog dxboon's Avatar
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    Plenty of people have Labs with small breeds, although I don't know anyone personally with Labs and Yorkies. It will depend on your individual dog, and you monitoring their interactions. Several Lab breeders I know have Labs and...

    ...Cavaliers;
    ...Border Terriers;
    ...French Bulldogs;
    ...Norwich Terriers;
    ...Chihuahuas.

    So, it can be done. Your dogs might not be BFFs, some dogs aren't snuggle buddies with their housemates. Nothing wrong with that.

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  12. #8
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    Speaking of Labs and Chihuahuas.....looks like Bamps hasn't been on here since the beginning of September. I hope nothing's wrong. Anyone know?

  13. #9
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    Our little Boston Terrier Ginger gets along just fine with the big dogs that have been in the family since her rescue. The one thing I can say about having a little dog is be prepared for their "Big" personality Ginger thinks she is a great dane LOL and the need to buy clothes.

    I used to laugh at people with dogs in cloths now I understand the need for some extra layers. Ginger needs a sweater or heavier coat depending on the weather when she is outside. I can tell she is getting older as she will want to go outside but waits for me to get her coat on first. You will also need to be cautious of the amount of food given, size of kibble along with treats and toys too. The little ones can't walk as far as the big ones, when Ginger got older and couldn't keep up because of her shoulder I bought a stroller for her so she can enjoy our family outings. I love watching my girls together while they don't snuggle together they do play together and keep each other company.
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  15. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by labsnewfy View Post
    Our little Boston Terrier Ginger gets along just fine with the big dogs that have been in the family since her rescue. The one thing I can say about having a little dog is be prepared for their "Big" personality Ginger thinks she is a great dane LOL and the need to buy clothes.

    I used to laugh at people with dogs in cloths now I understand the need for some extra layers. Ginger needs a sweater or heavier coat depending on the weather when she is outside. I can tell she is getting older as she will want to go outside but waits for me to get her coat on first. You will also need to be cautious of the amount of food given, size of kibble along with treats and toys too. The little ones can't walk as far as the big ones, when Ginger got older and couldn't keep up because of her shoulder I bought a stroller for her so she can enjoy our family outings. I love watching my girls together while they don't snuggle together they do play together and keep each other company.
    Thanks for your reply and tips when it comes to a smaller breed. I didn't think about the cold weather factors and other factors that will differ greatly from a Lab or a dog that is a similar size.

 



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