Big Dogs and Maltese
by Adara & Abigail
ORIGINAL MESSAGE:
I have an interesting observation to make. I'm very proud of my two Labrador retreivers, Molly and Bruno, for the way they treat my little furbaby. She's only 10 weeks old, and a little ball of pure energy. I was terrified that they would be clumsy and step on her, but so far they have taken great pains to watch where their feet go, and are so gentle with her. They let her take their bones away, nip their ears, everything. The cat is a different story, but she's getting better with Abby. I was just wondering if anyone else out there has raised a baby with large dogs/cats, and had any suggestions to keep things running smoothly.
DISCUSSION:
Hi! I have a Maltese, a Bullmastiff and a Pitbull/Boxer mix. The big dogs were three years old when I got the Malt and the Malt was five years old at that time. Thankfully, they all get along very well and I don't have strong concerns about any agression but I take certain precautions anyway, due to size differences. My Malt is under six pounds and the Bully is over 100 and the Pitboxer is around 70! I do not let the Malt sleep with the big dogs because at night, in the dark, in a drowsy state, they could roll over on him or step on him or something like that. I don't let the dogs have any edible specialities as a group, without my supervision and I don't allow the Malt to go anywhere near the big guys mouths when they are eating or playing. I don't let the Malt rush out the door with them because if there's a squirrel in the yard it's like a stampede and he could easily get rolled or worse. I do not let the Malt loose in the car when they are in it. It's a small space, packed with excited dog bodies and he could easily be trampled. I keep him in a hard sided carrier when we all travel together in the car. You know, my big dogs are sweeties, more gentle in nature than my Malt in many ways (he can be very sassy!) but the fact remains that one little nip from them or one little misplacing of their feet and he could be permanently injured or even killed. Just one mistake, one time, with or without intention and he could be history. So, be vigilant, please!! As your Malt is a pup, she will probably end up fast friends with your Labs. Labs are generally very even tempered and gentle. But remember, this is one situation where SIZE does matter!
Chris M.
I have a mutt (Cowboy) that has been with Rooster since we got him, he puts up with everything. Cowboy is very old and very crippled but he has never been cross with the little fur ball. His ears have been chewed, food taken away from him, fur ball in his bed, matter of fact Rooster will growl at Cowboy for moving when he is asleep. I leave Cowboy in the kitchen with Rooster when I am at work. Cowboy's days are numbered and I worry about Rooster when I have to make that last trip with Cowboy. I also have two outside dogs and both tolerate Rooster, but I watch them pertty close.
PK
HI! I have a 55 lb. Aussie. At 6 years old she "mothers" Sam who is 4 months. I at first didn't think they would get along because Katie is soooo jealous. But after about 2 weeks she started "watching" over him.
It was cold out one day and I was sick. I had let the dogs outside and forgot about them. When I realized Sam had been out for an hour I panicked and quickly ran to the door to let him in. I looked outside and saw Katie snuggled into him keeping him warm. It was so cute. That was the turning point. They are now inseparatable. Sam licks Kates face while wagging his tail. They also sleep, eat, pee, and play together. I think it is good to have at least two dogs if you can afford it since dogs genetically are pack animals.
Sam has been so good for my Kate. Just make sure you treat all the dogs the same so feelings aren't hurt. Dani and Sam.
Dani and Sam
Oh, I forgot to add. The cutest thing Sam and Kate do together is tug-o-war. They love it. But- I always make sure that is supervised. They get wild and shake their heads and pull. I don't allow Kate to do that since she shakes so hard and has such power compared to Sam. I would be afraid of her unintentionally breaking Sam's neck. Dani and Sam.
Dani and Sam
I have two Cockers (not Labs or Bullmastiffs but still a size difference) and my new maltese puppy. My Cockers are very hyper and jumpy and not typically what I would call careful about anything. My male is very gentle with her. I'm still in the process of introducing my female as she has a tendency to be very dominant with other dogs. I'm pretty sure she'd growl, roll her and be done with it as this is what she did to her own puppies but I'm still nervous about it. And if I'm nervous it will transfer to the dogs so I'm going very slowly. I also second everything Chris says.
Mary and Mischief
Hi, I have 2 Golden Retrievers and a Maltese. My male Golden, Romeo, weighs close to 90 lbs. And my female, Jasmine, weighs about 65 lbs. The Malty is only 5 lbs. I was very worried in the beginning that they would step on her and injure her. But under my constant observation they are most gentle with her. Jasmine lays herself on her back and Selena (Maltese) sits on her chest and they play bite or play tug of war with a toy. It's too funny. Romeo learned to be careful. It took him a bit longer. He is almost 10 years old but still acts like a puppy at times. So I would slow him down and say "easy". He learned that when he plays tug of war with Selena that he has to be very gentle or he ends up flinging her to the other side of the room. So now he is just super with her. Selena learned on the other hand to get out of the way when the big guys get excited for whatever the reason is. She judges them. If they all walk in from the yard she knows they let her go first but on the way out to the yard she stands back waiting for them to exit first. So it's working out perfect. The cat is a different story. But actually even the cat tolerates an awful lot from her. She is not the kind of cat that will get scared and leave. So she stands her ground (declawed in the front) until Selena gives up and leaves her alone. It's like a new joy everyday to watch them all how well they get along.
Claudia
Lilly is 3 Months now and full of enery too. Our black lab is about 6 and at first he did not seem too interested at all. But in the last few weeks he has definately frown very attached to her. He weill grab the chew toy and run so she follows and skake so she jumps up. She loves to jump and roll and walk all over him and he is very toleraant when he has had enough he makes a low groan sound that we are teaching her to respect. I also separate them at night and when I am not in the house. Since we are still working on house training Dodger is very interested when I take Lilly to the back yard and he will oblige and relieve himself so he too can get a treat. After our walk today (what a site an 80lb lab and a 3lb fluffball we do get the stares) Lilly was very dirty so I had her up on the counter to clean her off and Dodger was very concerned and stood right by licking her and giving her moral support. Good Luck with your mixed combo
Karen M, Lilly and Dodger
Karen Morin
Thanks for all the advice ya'll. I have been really really careful since the beginning, since Bruno, my chocolate, weighs 130 lb (weighed that much when I got him) and Molly, my black, weighs a muscular 80 lb. They are so big, excitable, clumsy--the typical Labrador Retrievers. Lucy the cat (short for Lucy-fur--she has her moments of evil) is doing a little better socially with my furbaby. She has been ignoring Abby, but has now taken an interest in her carrier she sleeps in, and frustrates Abby by standing in front of it and not letting her in. I take them all for regular car rides, and they LOVE the attention they invariably get form passers-by and drive through clerks (even the cat).
Adara and Abigail
Hello, I have several maltese and a yorkshire. I also have big breeds, such as "Rosebud" Doberman(passive and a sweetheart) "Dakota" Timber Wolf,(rather count sheep then Maltese) and of course "Chopper" the Great Prynese (an easy going 115 lbs. of bouncing joy).I've never had a problem with any of them. I do more backing up into or stepping on the smaller breeds, than they do. I guess some dogs just plain old get along,regardless,of size or breed.During play time, the smaller ones have the advantage of hiding under the table or furniture and attacking (their prey) and retreating. It's very comical. I do hope your pets friendships last forever. Thanks for sharing! Windsong
Windsong
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