Anxious about small dog

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J&T

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My daughter is finally getting her first dog after spending a lot of time choosing her breed she was brought up around Goldens as that's all I've ever owned and will only own and she loves the Golden temperament and their personality but their too big for her she knows she could never own a large dog.

I'm very proud of her for taking her time and doing her research to find the right breed for her as she wanted a smaller version of a Golden.

At first she looked at cocker spaniels but even show lines seemed way more energetic than Goldens.

She then looked into cavaliers but she was unsure on the health issues and I advised she come to crufts with me last month and she took her time going round all the small dogs she liked and when I met up with her for lunch she was beyond excited she had found her breed and what sealed it for her is she was told they are like mini Goldens temperament wise ( she didn't tell them she was brought up with goldens that's how those in this breed describe them)

So she told me she has fallen for the coton de tulear.

She then has spoken to many breeders after speaking with the breed club and she has found a really good breeder who is hoping to have a litter late summer and after being interrogated by the breeder she is now on the wait list for the next litter.

My only concern is the size difference between my girl who is currently 32kg and this is a good weight for her my vet says. And Coton's I know can reach up to 8kg I think.

I dog sit for her twice a week ( she's freelance and mainly works from home but does meet clients on those days when I will dog sit for her)

I'm worried if the coton will get hurt playing with her or even when the coton is older and reach full size I'm worried if they can even play together properly.

Lexi my Golden mainly plays with dogs of similar size as have all my Goldens as I'm always anxious about a small dog getting hurt.

Anyone have a small and large dog combo and can they play together properly?
 
Well I know nothing about this breed. They look sweet if you don't mind a coat that looks as if it might be a lot of work. At least it would be to me. However, that's not your question. Looking at the size I had an Italian Greyhound (very similar in size) and a yellow lab at the same time and never had a moment's concern. Little IG adored her big hairy chum, and he cuddled her and washed her ears. So I guess it all comes down to individual temperaments. I hope it all works out for you.
 
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It might be useful for your goldie to meet some smaller dogs between now and then, but in my experience, well-socialised dogs do adapt their play styles to suit smaller dogs or those that play differently.

My 40kg Rottie x GSD was so gentle with our tiny terrier puppy while playing like a WWF fighter with dogs her own size. Of course, all those breeds are quite hands on in their play, so their style matched as long as the big girl pulled her punches. She taught him to wrestle hard, but she never harmed him even by accident.

Of course, monitoring is required esp when the dog is a puppy as accidents can happen esp when energies go up and up and up, which puppies of course love but can't handle as we know.
 
I love CDT, sweet little dogs. Obviously the size difference is quite a bit and it will be up to you and your daughter to manage their interactions, because yes the smaller dog could get hurt if play is rough. But many large dogs are surprisingly gentle with smaller ones.
 
My border Lakeland puppy lived next door to 6 hefty working labs of various ages and a cocker spaniel, all of whom she spent hours playing and walking with. She ran rings round them!
 
My schipperke (7.7kg) lived with two Siberian huskies (27kg) and is currently being dragged around the living room via tug toy by a nearly 20kg puppy that will finish about 35kg. The only time I have to step in to regulate is the first 30 seconds off lead in the paddock, when the puppy briefly forgets she is a giant uncoordinated moose and tries to splat him. Once the excitement has worn off she regulates herself well and they play together frequently.

I do however worry about how vulnerable he is to other large dogs on walks - what would be a minor injury on a large dog could be a life-changing injury or fatality on a very small dog.
 
First interactions will be crucial after that play away!

I had a good sized border collie and a small jrt and had no problems.

My Irish wolfhound was v good around small dogs do I wouldn’t fret too much.
 
I have Flatcoated retrievers, never any problem with small dogs, I regularly look after my daughter’s mini dachshunds and she now has a whippet puppy . The speed the puppy goes round the lawn is a bit daunting but she is never in danger from the big dogs. If your Golden is obedient and well socialised there shouldn’t be a problem.
 
I used to walk a gsd who's best friend was a Boston terrier. The play looked a bit rough but the terrier was always up for it and B seemed to instinctively know her limits.
 
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My lurcher is now a lot bigger than the terriers , him and the hairy one play together all of the time, I just step in if they both get too excited but no one has been hurt yet 🤞
 

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My 2 Lancashire heelers weigh under 8 kg and my young Gsd , 30kg , was a fab with them . Heelers are definitely in charge, just occasionally like blackcob I have to step in and remind her not to splat them.
 
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My avatar shows my tiny pup taking the toy from her big friend..they are mini schnauzer and st poodle..he always backs down to her as he’s a very kind temperament.I bet your golden will be similar.
 
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I have a fox red around 25kg and a parsons pup around 5.5kg. I was a little worried at first but our fox red has been absolutely fantastic with her. We have had to step in when play got rough but that was mainly to protect the big dig from land shark teeth!! Pup is now 6 months and they absolutely love chasing each other round playing. Good luck with the new pup!
 
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Had a 34 kg Golden and a tiny Frenchie pup and they got on fine. The Golden didn’t let him get away with tail pulling and a quick growl tought him that it was not a good idea.
 
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