Big Dog Turns Down High-Energy Dogs, but Completely Comes Alive With Smaller Puppies

Why Duncan Chooses Calm Over Chaos

A Leonberger named Duncan, weighing 70 pounds and just 4.5 months old, has captured hearts online for his gentle preference for playing with small puppies over larger, more energetic dogs. The video, shared by the Instagram account @giantsbythesea, shows Duncan ignoring bigger fur babies while eagerly engaging with calmer, smaller pups in what appears to be a backyard setting. His owner notes the contrast between his large size and youthful, puppy-like behavior.

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Despite his imposing frame, Duncan exhibits a surprisingly soft and nurturing demeanor when around tiny dogs. The clip highlights how he slows down, lowers his body, and engages in slow, careful play that matches the pace of the smaller puppies. His owner explains that Duncan seems overwhelmed by the roughhousing of larger dogs but finds joy and confidence in the quieter interactions with little ones, suggesting a natural instinct to protect and nurture rather than dominate.

What Does This Say About Puppy Social Preferences?

Duncan’s behavior reflects a temperament common in some large-breed puppies, where early socialization shapes preferences for calm companionship over high-intensity play. Leonbergers, known as gentle giants, often develop strong nurturing tendencies, especially when raised in multi-dog households. In this case, Duncan’s choice to engage only with smaller, calmer pups may stem from sensory sensitivity or a learned preference for predictable, low-stress interactions. His owner notes that he often walks away when play becomes too boisterous, reinforcing his aversion to overstimulation.

This raises the question: do puppies, like humans, have individual social preferences that aren’t solely based on size or breed? Experts suggest that early experiences, temperament, and even sensory processing can influence how a dog chooses to play. Duncan’s case illustrates that size doesn’t dictate sociability—temperament does. His selective engagement may indicate an emerging personality trait that values emotional safety over physical excitement, a trait that could shape his adult behavior.

Why does Duncan ignore bigger dogs? He appears overwhelmed by their high energy and rough play, choosing instead to engage with calmer, smaller puppies who match his preferred pace.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this behavior typical for Leonbergers? While not universal, many Leonbergers show a gentle, nurturing disposition, especially when well-socialized, making Duncan’s preferences consistent with breed tendencies.

Could this change as he grows older? Possibly, as his confidence and social skills develop, he may become more tolerant of varied play styles—but his core temperament is likely to remain gentle and thoughtful.