We are going to see a 20 mnth English Toy Terrier tomorrow that needs a home, due to it's owners failing health. The thing is, I know nothing about them other than they are small and look very delicate! We also have a Dobermann bitch that is very full on and I'm worried that the terrier will be overwelmed by her. We are also considering a Whippet from rescue, but I must say the cute little Terrier has somewhat switched on my ahhh button. What do you think?

I know one who lives with a couple of Bedlingtons :D :D  He's lovely and such a character - a real livewire :)

Not sure that a Doberman would be a suitable companion tho because of the size difference. 

Thanks Dill,
Our girl is standard size, no more that 25" at the shoulder, so quite small compared to most of  the others we see now. I am concerned though about the differences and your right, so she will be comeing with us tomorrow before anyone says yes. It's such a shame that his owner can't keep him isn't it, it seems so unfair on everyone?

i know three breeders & overall, as a breed I often work with, i would imagine that an young adult ett will find it hard to cope with an adult dobe. Hope it works for you :)

Oh dear, so it looks like a no, no then and it'll have to be the whippet

i wouldnt agree- what about chihuahuas that live with big dogs? i think ett think they are big dogs anyway and will certainly rule over a dobe

Not something I would risk personally. My Dobe (male) is 45kg and I see that the breed standard for an ETT is only 2.7-3.6kgs. I don't think anyone is suggesting that the Dobe would purposely harm the smaller dog, but that rough play or one accidental/mis-judged move (even when just sitting or laying down) would squash it as flat as a pancake!

All terriers tend to play quite rough and that includes the ETT, it's a terrier first and a toy dog second ;) 

So what would happen if my Dobe were to accidentally sit on one? :P Maybe it's just mine but he's a right clumsy thing - when he shifts position in the night he does often misjudge and crashes down on my thighs. Lands like a sack of potatoes. Even playing as a pup he knocked my 5'5 mum right off her feet by running full pelt into her. I've even known them to break a persons leg in play. With my particular Dobe it would be a tragedy waiting to happen, but maybe not with others :)

Thanks everyone for you input, it is invalueable and thank goodness for this forum. I cancelled the visit  this morning and advised the owner to call the breeder. She was a bit disapointed but understood my concerns fully. My girl is such a tank that she'll just shove you out of her way and the only other breeds that can keep up with her boundless play, are the big black country bred labradors! I'm now hopeing that everything will be OK for our home check with Greyhound rescue and that we'll be getting the little Whippet soon. He'll keep up with her and perhaps be a calming influence? Let's hope things go well for the little Terrier, he's soooooo cute.

Whippet?? Calming influence??

Not the ones I've met. :D :D

M.

Just incase a similar discussion crops up again and this comes from someone who has experienced this situation.

I have four Dobermanns (ages 7 - 2), 2 Chinese Cresteds (puffs) and 1 English Toy Terrier.

All dogs get on fantastically with no problems whatsoever.  The oldest Dobe is 7 and she treats the ETT like her baby.  My ETT is now 4 months old and from day one she has never struggled to fit in, yes it helps all my other dogs are of outstanding temperament but withing 24 hours of her being here it was like she had been here all the time, she knows her place and is often part of a Dobermann or Crested sandwich - she knows where the warmth is.

My dobes are also clumsy but you should see them climb on the sofa when my ETT is there, they are so careful not to squash or disturb her its fantastic to watch.

With common sense and caution anything is possible.

I would agree with all you say, but care needs to be taken when the big dogs romp that the little one doesn't inadvertently get hurt when wanting to join in.  This can happen to pups of the same breed when adults play full on, so not just something to consider with different sized breeds.  A Friend of mien lost a 4 month old pup that got caught in a body slam by two adults, and ruptured her spleen.  So suoervison and calm interactions are best.