Multiple Dogs and Their Sizes

[Phoebe's Mom]

The other night I was trolling PetFinder and I saw the most adorable yorki-poo puppies and, while not in a position at this time to get one, I have always wanted two dogs and I hope to have another one day.  That said, I would love a small(er) dog but I worry about how Phoebe might handle a small one (would she think it was another toy for her???).  I know there are people on DK who own doodles and smaller dogs and I was just hoping for some insight and advice as to how they make it work.  I do not have my heart set on such a tiny dog but I have to admit, I do wonder how people make it work!  Thanks for your input.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

When we got Ned he was about 12 pounds (Wow, just thinking about his puppy stuff - fun) and we had a calm mature 63 pound lab mix and a 52 pound Springer.  Our lab mix put Ned in his place and Ned, in turn, stole everything from the Springer.  Ned matured to his 27 pound self and we got Clancy - all 63 pounds of him.  Since our lab mix is gone now, Ned is our pack leader, but he and Clancy play a lot.  One once has Clancy 'gotten' Ned and that was at a dog park when the were running all out and Clancy just mowed Ned down.  If Ned had been tiny, he would have been hurt, but perhaps they would not have been playing.

[Suzanne & Jack]

In our household Jack is by far the largest at 90 lbs.,but Ivan, our schnauzer, is the boss.  I think they easily adapt to the size differences.  At our dog park there are two families with size different dogs.  One is a Siberian Husky with a toy dachsund brother.  Peyton and Max run and play like best friends.  The is also a lab mix with a tiny dachsund.  Duke, the lab, is very protective of Audrey and will come to her rescue if anyone is getting too rough with her.