[gemy]

As both a large and a small dog owner - I got from the original posting that the owner of the husky intervened promptly and effectively. Folks if you go into a pet store with your dogs large or small they should be short leashed for a variety of reasons - not the least of which is other dogs in the area.
My large beasties a short leashed so that they can not go out in front of me more than 6 or so inches - as is my Yorkie.

My dogs are short leashed when we pass other dogs on the sidewalk and or are in busy places. That is the smart thing to do.

In fact going to the vets office - I scope out the waiting room if I see certain large breeds in there I check in and say when the vet is ready to get us in let me know - we will wait in the car until then. Our vets offices are notorious for very small waiting rooms that give you the customer no space.

I firmly believe in giving dogs outside exercise and not to coddle the small breeds. But that is not to say not to be a little extra protective of them. I have only ever picked up my Yorkie once in all the years he showed and in all the performance sports he does. I close heel Razzle in when we walk to the dock for dock jumping - for example. I am always watching the dog participants and pretty quickly I ascertain which dogs are prey driven. In the same way for my big ones - I look to see which are dog aggressive ones. They the big ones too are short heeled into the dock area for a different reason. Cause who wants to risk a dog fight? I have to admit my big ones go absolutely crazy for dog jumping and literally want to fly up the steps to get to the dock!

I have told this story more than once here - but the only time I picked up Razzle was when a Rottie went for two of our off leash Yorkies - on a country walk. The Rottie did not see the rest of the gang and went for the free running Yorkies - prey drive. My big male - went to the end of his lead and ROARED at that Rottie. Ilona called the Yorkies back and thankfully they came. Razzle was going crazy on his lead with barking and lunging. I picked him up. It was a very tense 30 seconds or so while the Rottie eyed my big male and Magic standing his ground. Would a fight ensue? If it did I could not help as I had my Yorkie in my arms............ My big boy protected *his pack* that he had only known a day or two. He is in my avatar and at that time weighed in about 120lbs.

The very best an owner can do - is to be watchfull. To do their part with training with exercise and great food and vet care. But despite our best efforts sometimes life happens accidents happen.