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We have two Great Danes. Both extremely good tempered and good with adults, kids, and dogs.

My 9-year old has been asking for a toy poodle for the last year. We have friends that have two toy poodles and two German shepherds. They live together very happily.

I might consider getting a toy poodle if I could be sure it would be happy and healthy with my Danes and my kids (9 yrs, 4 yrs, and 2 yrs--all brought up to treat animals properly). To be honest I'm more worried that my Danes will be jealous and left out--a toy poodle fits on a lap and they most certainly don't.

Anyone with experience of Danes and very small dogs?

Thank you,

KatrinaB

>>We have two Great Danes. Both extremely good tempered and good with adults, kids, and dogs.
>>
>>My 9-year old has been asking for a toy poodle for the last year. We have friends that have two toy poodles and two German shepherds. They live together very happily.
>>
>>I might consider getting a toy poodle if I could be sure it would be happy and healthy with my Danes and my kids (9 yrs, 4 yrs, and 2 yrs--all brought up to treat animals properly). To be honest I'm more worried that my Danes will be jealous and left out--a toy poodle fits on a lap and they most certainly don't.
>>
>>Anyone with experience of Danes and very small dogs?
>>
>>Thank you,
>>
>>KatrinaB

>>>>>>>>>>>>

My concern would be broken bones and death to a Toy breed from even the most innocent play involving such a massive size difference. You would not be able to let them play freely or leave them unsupervised together.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

A standard poodle may be ok with the danes, but a toy, I would n risk it. Accidents are just too hard to stop when dogs are having a fun time together. It's part of the reason so many dog parks now have seperate sections for big and small dogs.
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Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles