Treats for Great Dane and Chihuahua

A Great Dane and a Chihuahua in the same house — size difference doesn't get much bigger than that, so treat sizing is a genuine challenge. The best treats are high in protein, low in additives, and appropriately sized for the dog eating them. Most popular supermarket treats are nutritionally poor despite the packaging claims. Single-ingredient treats — dried meat or fish skin — are usually the smartest choice because you can break them down for a small dog while giving a larger piece to a big one. Are there any dietary restrictions for either dog, and what are you mainly using treats for — training, general rewards, dental, or something else?

That makes this fairly straightforward. For the Chihuahua's training you need something small, soft enough to eat quickly, and low in calories so you can repeat it without overfeeding. For the Dane, something more substantial that holds up as a proper reward rather than disappearing in one half-chew. Is the Chihuahua prone to putting on weight, or is her size and appetite reasonably easy to manage?

Good to know. With a Dane who'll overeat, you want treats that are high in protein but not high in fat or calories — so dried lean meat rather than anything with added oils or sugars. My recommendation for both dogs is Forthglade Natural Treats 100% Chicken Breast — single ingredient, air-dried, no additives, and they come as strips you can break into tiny pieces for the Chihuahua's training sessions or hand over a larger chunk to the Dane as a snack. They're lean, so they won't add meaningless calories to the Dane's day, and they're soft enough that a small dog can eat them quickly without fuss. One bag works for both dogs, which is the practical bonus here.

They're on Amazon UK — usually around £5 to £7 for a 100g bag, which goes a reasonable distance when you're breaking them into small pieces for training. They crop up on Zooplus and some pet shops too. Because the Chihuahua is getting a lot of repetitions in training, keep individual pieces small — about the size of a pea works well for a small breed. The Dane can have a full strip now and then without it being a problem given how lean they are.

Good call. One tip: store them in an airtight container once opened — air-dried treats can go stale or lose their smell fairly quickly, and the scent is part of what makes them motivating for training. You'll get more engagement from the Chihuahua if they're fresh.