Thanks everyone for the input! I'm afraid I mislead everyone when I made mention that I'll be living alone.
I mostly mentioned it to let everyone know I'm not planning on living with anyone, so my Yorkie won't have anyone during the day. But my response to all the self defense remarks:
1. I plan on getting an alarm system.
2. The house I plan to buy is a home some family of mine has inherited and are not going to occupy, not a shady apartment, Yada yada.
3. I'm not afraid of guns, I was raised around them. I'm not saying I'm going to shoot anyone that walks In the door. Just that I'm comfortable around guns and own 2, myself.
4. My wanting a big dog is not for the sole purpose of "protection", my family raised Labradors, so I love big dogs. I would have one now, but my Yorkie was a gift from my now late grandfather.
5. Since I live at home, my parents have their own dog. My mom owns a 3 year old 50# pit bull and she and my Yorkie adore one another. They've been left alone since I got my puppy over a year ago, and it's been smooth sailing so far. (But our pit is extremely laid back)
Thank you all for the feedback, and I hope that cleared some things up. Also, I planned on getting my second dog before I graduated and moved out. But I still have almost 2 years until graduation to weigh my options. Thanks all! |