In recent years, we have been contacted with increasing frequency by breeders and owners of small-sized dogs—particularly breeders of Poodles, Pomeranians, Jack Russell Terriers, and other small breeds—who express a growing and well-founded concern: the safety of their dogs.

This concern stems from two main factors, both real and well-documented in the field. The first is dog theft, the second is predation by wolves—a phenomenon no longer confined to remote areas or exclusively rural contexts, but one that is increasingly affecting homes, family-run kennels, and peri-urban environments.

Today, small dogs represent animals of very high emotional, genetic, and economic value. This combination makes them extremely vulnerable. From a theft perspective, they are easy to take, simple to transport, often accustomed to human contact, and therefore can be removed very quickly—sometimes directly from homes or gardens. In such cases, the loss is not only financial, but deeply emotional, especially when the animals are selected breeding subjects or part of a structured breeding program.

At the same time, wolf predation has taken on a new and culturally destabilizing dimension in recent years. Increasingly, we are seeing cases where wolves enter private properties, jump over fences two meters high or more—even with inward bends—enter gardens, and take dogs away as prey. This behavior, now observed in many contexts, represents a paradigm shift: the wolf no longer limits itself to marginal environments, but directly interacts with human spaces.

This trend is expected to increase over time, as wolves progressively lose their cultural wariness toward humans and their settlements. In this scenario, small dogs become ideal prey: isolated, quiet, undefended, and easy to carry away.

It is within this context that we are often asked a direct question: are there dogs capable of protecting small dogs? The answer is never simple, nor can it be reduced to a yes or no.

Are there dogs that can protect other dogs?

There are certainly dogs with strong territorial instincts and pronounced guarding behavior, as well as livestock guardian dogs selected for deterrence and territorial control. Both types can help reduce the risk of theft and predation—but only if properly introduced and managed. There is no universal solution suitable for all situations.

One of the main challenges concerns coexistence between dogs of very different sizes. Unlike the protection of other animals, here we are dealing with dogs protecting other dogs. This creates specific dynamics that cannot be overlooked. While large and small dogs can often coexist without issues, the physical disproportion introduces a level of risk that must always be considered.

Competition is not always aggressive, but can manifest subtly: overly physical play, chasing, communication misunderstandings, and differences in body language. Even behavior that is not intentionally predatory can turn into an incident if management is inadequate. For this reason, coexistence should never be left to chance.

Another key factor is the number of dogs and the composition of the group, particularly in terms of sex and age. Managing multiple large dogs in the presence of numerous small dogs requires extreme attention. In some cases, it is not advisable for protection dogs to remain in constant direct contact with small dogs. Protection can—and should—also be achieved through functional separation of spaces, creating decompression areas where guardian dogs can be managed in a controlled way.

This aspect is fundamental: deterrence does not require continuous and indiscriminate coexistence. On the contrary, intelligent management involves distinct spaces, clear routines, controlled interaction periods, and the possibility of temporarily isolating individuals when necessary. It is precisely this organization that reduces risks and increases the effectiveness of protection.

Deterrence and protection: what really works

The experience developed by Il Pastore Transumante shows that the difference is not the dog itself, but the expertise with which it is introduced. We do not simply provide dogs, but also knowledge, management dynamics, and operational procedures built on real cases. We work with dogs that have different levels of guarding behavior toward humans, because this too is crucial: a dog that is too reactive can become a problem, just as a dog that is too permissive can be ineffective.

For this reason, we always stress one key point: it is essential to rely on breeders and experts with real experience, capable of evaluating the context, the number of animals, group composition, and the owner’s expectations. Introducing a protection dog into a setting with small dogs is not an automatic action, but a process that requires time, observation, and continuous adjustments.

Today, denying the issue of wolf predation on dogs or reducing it to an exception means failing to understand reality. Cases of wolves entering private properties and taking dogs are now numerous and expected to increase. In this scenario, the demand for protection will inevitably grow, as will the need for competent, balanced, and responsible solutions.

Protecting small dogs is not an emotional overreaction or a disproportionate response, but an emerging necessity in a deeply changed environmental context. Addressing it superficially creates new problems; addressing it with expertise reduces risks, safeguards the emotional and genetic value of the animals, and builds coexistence systems that are truly sustainable over time.