Siberian Husky & Bichon Frise - Are They Safe Together?

Are both dogs on leash?

Yikes, Sibes can play very rough.......that includes a smaller dog taking serious tumbles.
 

ORIGINAL: nocturnal76

One thing I'm concerned with is that both of these dogs tails naturally curl up over their back in relaxed position.  I'm not sure if either one can "read" each other.  I did notice that my dog's tail did eventually go down...  but that was only after the Husky sort of pushed my dog in play.  I think my dog got a tiny bit scared.  Near the end he did seem a bit nervous.  At the same time, he looked like he wanted to continue playing though. 

Dogs communicate through many many ways other than their tails. You, as a human, wouldn't catch it. But they can hear the lowest of growls, smell the odors being put off, and see the body language much better than you. It's no surprise your Bichon got scared. I own small dogs with large dogs, and they often freeze up if the play gets a little too rough for them, and they either continue, or walk away.


I have a Pit Bull Terrier who rolls all over my Pugs, and most of the time, the Pugs win the playfights. My Pekes even stand up to my Pit Bull, and my Border Collies, who probably play a lot rougher than that Sibe. Keep them on a leash and let them play for a little while. Correct either dog if they get too rough. Even if it's your Bichon doing it, you don't want to take the chance that he isn't ticking the Sibe off a little bit, or egging it on to play harder.

and my Border Collies, who probably play a lot rougher than that Sibe.

 
That one could be debated.......[8D]

ORIGINAL: snownose

and my Border Collies, who probably play a lot rougher than that Sibe.

That one could be debated.......[8D]

Possibly! Though there are three of them, and they run across the backs of sheep, and often don't mind doing it to other dogs!

Possibly! Though there are three of them, and they run across the backs of sheep, and often don't mind doing it to other dogs!

 
I can only offer up a Husky/ Mal. mix, but I guarantee, his pistol is loaded......[8D]
 
There is a Husky /Chow mix, also, but not as fast as the above mentioned.

Leashes make things more tense. I've stopped on lead intros, completely. They make my dogs uncomfortable. I keep them off lead, and under as much control as possible, for intros.

If you're asking about the little dog/big dog thing, it's pretty ok. Playstyles might be so different that they don't get along, though. Both of my dogs can hang out with my friends' large, male dogs (Teenie doesn't get along with bitches). Emma can hang out with any polite dog. Their playstyles aren't always the same, though, so they'll just totally ignore each other. Emma *loves* playing with the big dogs. She likes to try to take them out[] It's pretty amusing to see her do her herding thing (I know, I know, my dog's a freak) on an 85 pound dog. Teenie doesn't like playing with big dogs, because they're too rough for her. She prefers the company of small dogs.

And, no, my dogs do NOT get along, at all. They're just 6 pounds apart, but their playstyles are totally different, and Teenie is bitch aggressive, so they're kept seperated. The point of that REALLY long post was that size is not the issue, so much as the behavior and playstyle of the individual dogs involved.

Size really isnt a issue. It depends on the dogs. I would interact them more, on leash. Before really letting them play. My dog is 70lbs (collie) and my friends dog is a chiuahah (sp?) and he is only about 7 or 8lbs. They get along fine. Size isnt a question with them, my dog is a respectful do gthough, and he never tries to play, just play chase. So maybe that is why they get along so well.

The main concern for me is that Siberian Huskies can have a high prey drive- not at all uncommon for them to chase and kill chickens, squirrels, cats... Every dog is an individual, but if the dog has a high prey drive there's always a risk that if the little dog runs it could trigger the bigger dog's prey drive. All it takes is a puncture wound and a good shaking to kill a little dog. []

It may be that the Husky has a very low prey drive, it's common for the breed to have a high prey drive, but all dogs are individuals. Trust your Bichon's instincts, if he isn't comfortable then listen to him.

Is the husky under the owners control? In a heel while walking, or at least command trained? That probably means the owner isn't idiotic enough to face a lawsuit because he dog injured yours. Not enough people train their dogs anymore...but if the dog seems friendly, that's fine.