Dachshund Puppy Raised By Her American Bully Brother Is 'The Sweetest Girl'
Dog siblings don't always get along. From sibling rivalries to awkward first meetings, our fur babies are liable to clash from time to time (see: when this playful Great Dane got shut down by his fur sibling). That's exactly why it's extra special to find dog siblings who hit it off from the very beginning. In one TikTok, an American bully brother stepped up for his baby dachshund sister the moment she was born, and it's the sweetest thing ever.
@justgunnerstunner Being raised by a banned breed and she's the sweetest girl 🥹💕
Gunner was there when his little sister Tokyo, a dachshund, was born. Ever since, he's been a gentle giant protecting her wherever the two go. He'd watch over her and the other puppies, and when his dog mom decided to keep Tokyo from the litter, she would seek him out for comfort.
"She is his baby and no one can tell him otherwise," said an impressed viewer in the comments. The video shows the two often cuddling and constantly around each other. Despite stereotypes of the now banned breed in the UK, often considered dangerous, Tokyo was never afraid of her American bully brother. In fact, he's raised her to be "the sweetest girl." Just as sweet as he is!
What makes dog siblings compatible?
Gunner and Tokyo definitely seem like a bonded pair of dogs, and it's such a precious sight! So, how can this American bully and dachshund get along so swimmingly, and what are some ways to help your own dogs get along? Cuteness spoke exclusively with behavioral specialist Amelia Steele to find out. First off, Steele notes that dog breeds might actually be less relevant to sibling bonds than other factors.
"Compatibility often has more to do with energy levels, size difference, and the personalities of the individual dogs," says Steele. The professional dog trainer shares that Gunner and Tokyo's video is a "lovely example," adding, "You can see how gentle and careful he is with his little sister." However, Steele clarifies that dramatic size differences like theirs can require more observation. "It's much easier to have accidental injuries when you have such a big size difference, so you'll always need to take extra care," says Steele.
Steele additionally notes how the video is a reminder of how negatively stereotyped dogs like these can be "loving and gentle...despite how they're so often portrayed," so it's important to really get to know an individual pup. Finally, when it comes to a much older or senior dog and a puppy creating a bond, Amelia urges parents to have patience. "Usually, we want to build up their relationships slowly," Steele says, "That means we want structured interactions, where we can supervise, give plenty of breaks, and step in if anything starts to escalate."