Problems with Dog's Napoleon complexes

[Ben Curtis]

Leo has been so great with every dog he has ever met. Sometimes he doesn't realize his size and makes me nervous he will crush other dogs by stepping on them, but that is it for worries.

My problem is that most other dogs don't seem to like Leo. My brothers Golden is the most passive dog you have ever met, but he attacked Leo. This is not an isolated incident. Many other usually calm dogs seem to growl at Leo.

My best guess is that they are put off by his size. I can guarantee you it is nothing Leo is doing. He lets other dogs approach him, he stands there calm with his chin up, and sometimes will paw other dogs, but this never seems to set them off.

Has anyone else seen this Napoleon complex in other smaller dogs?

 

[Ben Curtis]

I also think that Leo recognizes that these dogs are no threat to him, and does not let there aggression bother him. It seems to just perk his curiosity.

 

[Smart_Family]

It could be size and if he's intact it could be that as well.

 

[Eeyore311]

I have similar problems with Eeyore. In the past week or two he had been attacked in the leg/foot/ankle by a small fluffy dog, unsure of the breed, but it was no more then 10lbs while we are on a walk. The other dog's owner wasn't paying any attention, but there dog also wasn't showing aggression toward any of the other dogs at the park. He was also attacked and bitten in the face/ear by a large husky and a large rottweiler had charged him with his hackles up and teeth showing and his owner was couple hundred feet back in the forest. Thankfully Eeyore doesn't fight back or show aggression unless the dog bites him first and is big enough to do any damage to him. Had this been my boxer/pit it likely would have seriously injured/killed the small dog in a matter of seconds and attacked the rottweiler when it charged.

 

[LizB]

Every BM I've had has had this problem, the spayed, the neutered and the intact. There is something about a large confident dog that gets other dogs into high alert. I'm sure it is how it is with Leo. Dogs of all breeds can be playing happily and then a mastiff comes onto the scene and some of them just lose it. I have had the same thing happen with my solid black Dane, with a tiny little fluffball actually attacking him and biting his face while he was on leash walking down the road, determined to wipe out this menace. Amazing!

 

[Daniel]

Hunter has gotten this at the dog park the past couple weeks. I think it's because he is getting big. Like the others say the smaller dogs may be intimidated. Hunter just sits there while the little ones growl at him.

 

[musicdeb]

All of you should be glad at this point that they do not have a high prey drive because the little pups would be hurt or dead.

Generally, mastiffs have high prey drives and little pups are chewable.

Are all of the pups young, say around 8-11 months? If they are, be aware that their behavior may change as they start towards the 1-2 yr range regarding small dogs.

Titan hates small dogs and I believe he would do some damage if they charged him. Titan has been charged by a few small pups that run off leash in the complex. I have to grab him by the collar and hold his head up so he can get to the pup.