I'm no expert on the subject but here goes...gonna be long so apologies up front:
1) I was concerned about the size difference between my Cairn terrier (14lbs) and my new Yorkie pup (then under 2 lbs). My Cairn was ready to tear apart any dog that set foot near him (in true terrier fashion) - what would he do to this tiny puppy?
2) I would not own a pit bull. Simply because dogs that rise over my knee caps while standing scare the crap out of me - always have. BUT - "Daddy" on Cesar Milan is by far the most gentle dog I've ever seen. Doesn't convince me I need one - just proves they aren't all bad - they just need a strong pack leader.
3) My husband would have preferred a larger dog - German Shepard was his choice.
Here's what happened when I decided "all be dam*ed" and got the dog I wanted anyway:
Brought home this little tiny girl who just shook like a tiny earthquake in my arms. Braxton immediately tried to lunge up for his "tasty treat" that Mama just brought home. I pulled her away (still in my arms at this point) and said in a very firm voice with the meanest face I could muster: "NO BRAXTON! NO!" Then put them both on leashes and set them down in the living room together. You'll never believe what happened next: She ran him off. Literally - growled - snarled her itsy bitsy little teeth - ran after him and nipped him wherever she could. He wouldn't go near her! Funniest thing I ever saw.
Now - that being said - we have to watch them all the time. Braxton is very gentle with her. Even caught him playing "tug-o-war" with a toy the other day...just holding gently so she could do her thing. Again - cute cute cute. But I don't trust them alone together yet. Always within ear shot of what they are doing.
As for men and "not liking small dogs". There's a thread on here some where with a bunch of burly men LOVING our Yorkies. My husband fell head over heals inside of an hour. My Dad melted at first sight and was ready to get one of his own.
Just my experiences - sorry so long.
Good luck on your search and if your husband is being deployed - I wish him God Speed and many thanks for defending our rights in this country. |