14 Small Dogs Who Boss Big Dogs Around, Like a 10-Pound Dachshund Leading Three Bullmastiffs

Animals
10/30/2026
14 Small Dogs Who Boss Big Dogs Around, Like a 10-Pound Dachshund Leading Three Bullmastiffs

I’ve pet-sat for about 40 families in Milwaukee, and most of the notes they leave on the fridge are about the smallest pet in the house. One said, “Peanut will tell the Newfoundland when it’s dinner. Do not let Peanut lie to you.” These 14 small dogs run homes shared with big dogs, and their owners have the photos to prove who is in charge.

A 6-Pound Chihuahua Who Kisses a 150-Pound French Mastiff

“150 Pound French Mastiff gets a kiss from a 6 pound Chihuahua”

A 105-Pound Great Dane Meets a 3.5-Pound Chihuahua

Duke is a 105-pound Great Dane. The Chihuahua belongs to his owner’s mother and weighs 3.5 pounds. This was the first time the two of them met.

“This is Duke, our 105 lb dane, backed up scared by my mothers 3.5 lb chihuahua when they first met.”

Bruiser, 19, a Chihuahua Who Runs a House With Three Huskies

“My little buddy Bruiser is 19 years old this month. He lives with 5 other dogs including 3 huskies and is the King of his castle”

His nicknames are “Boss” “Sir” and “The Don”

The fur on his back was jet black when we adopted him 13 years ago lol

They’re also wayyy smarter than most people give them credit for.

From the author:

Peanut is a 9-pound terrier mix, and the Newfoundland she lives with, Moose, weighs about 140. The first time I sat for them, Moose waited at his bowl until Peanut finished and walked away. The fridge note hadn’t mentioned that part. Their owner says nobody taught them. Peanut just decided.

A 10-Pound Dachshund Who Leads Three 120-Pound Bullmastiffs

“Three 120+ pound bullmastiff and the 10 pound weeny is the boss and leader of the pack”

They follow her. They move out of her way when she walks around. It’s a crazy dynamic.

The 3 bullmastiffs are all males

A Big Dog Bed, a Little Dog Bed and Who Ended Up Where

“I bought a big dog bed and a little dog bed...”

Hopper and Jeffrey, 45 Pounds Apart, and a Rule About Bones

“My dogs are friends despite the 45 lb. size difference”

My favorite part is that the big one (Hopper) has learned how to play with the little one (Jeffrey). He is very gentle with him and scales back his usual boundless exuberance.

If he takes a bone, he keeps the bone.

A Foster Chihuahua Who Runs a Great Dane Rescue

At Paws of Austin, a Great Dane rescue in Texas, a tiny foster Chihuahua shares the house with a Great Dane and a giant poodle while she waits for her own family.

“This tiny Chihuahua loves bossing her giant foster siblings, a Great Dane, and a giant poodle around. Soon she will be available for adoption, but in the meantime she runs this shelter.”

From the author:
Every owner who leaves me a big dog and a small one writes the same line in the notes: feed the little one first. I used to think it was about manners. Now I think it’s about keeping the peace. I’ve never once seen the big dog argue.

A 7-Pound Yorkie in Charge of a 60-Pound Pit Mix

“It’s pretty obvious who is in charge at my house..”

That’s a Pit Heeler in back, a shih tzu/Maltese in the middle, and a yorkie in charge. 7 lb yorkie vs a 60 lb pit heeler mix.

If anyone gets punished it’s the little brat in front. The big one always sleeps in tight spots.

A 6-Month-Old Corgi and His Two 90-Pound Malamute Friends

“Does anyone else’s corgi have giant friends?”

My partners parents have two 90lb malamutes that our 6 month old corgi Luffy absolutely adores! The big dogs are so sweet with him, and he’s just a little terror, running around them and nipping at their ears, but they allow it!

Little and Large on a Mountaintop: Guess Who the Boss Is

“Little and large. I bet you can all guess who the boss is...”

A 25-Pound Corgi Who Only Plays With the Big Dogs

“He may be 25 lbs, but he only likes to play with the big dogs.”

He also has the big dog confidence! 😂

A Chihuahua Runs Into a Great Dane on the Street

“My girlfriend’s Chihuahua ran into a Great Dane...”

Good Thing They Got a Big Bed and a Little One

“Good thing I got a big and little bed for my dogs”

A Pit Bull and a Chihuahua, a True Odd Couple

“My Pit and Chihuahua are a true odd couple (One was a pound puppy and one was a stray).”

The last pair on this list sleeps curled into one shape, and it’s hard to tell where the pit bull ends. Peanut and Moose do that too, on the one dog bed in their house big enough for Moose. Peanut gets the middle. Moose gets whatever is left, and by the look on his face, he thinks that’s fair.

Who’s the real boss among the pets in your house? Tell us in the comments.

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