We were hosting a family camping trip. Son’s family brought their huge golden lab, Odie. Daughter’s family brought their regular-sized black lab, Taz. Sister-in-law brought their little Jack Russel terrier, Trixie. Guess who was in charge? The diminuative female kept the two big fellows in line. At dinner time she would not allow them to eat until she was done. She never bit, she`d just growl and charge them and they`d meekly line up until she was done.
Someone told me that it’s the females who train puppies to behave, and so they are prone to be bossy always to other dogs.
My sister’s bossy little dachshund, BTW, gives wide berth to my 11-year-old, 9.5-pound cat, who is afraid of no dog, no matter how big.