can yorkies play with big dogs

[crystalsmom]

Originally Posted by StewiesMom

I've seen what happens with older dogs when they have not been around other dogs or socialized with different types of people. I had a 15 year old formerly abused black Labrador who passed away last year (I still can't believe it has been so long) and she kept her sweet nature right up until the end when she could no longer walk. Other dogs who were not brought out or socialized with other dogs, IMO tend to be grumpier when they're older - not playful, moody and generally not happy. I, of course, have done no scientific research on this subject. LOL, but I think its just like people -- like my aunt who is the perfect example of an old maid who doesn't get out EVER and cant' stand being around children, teens and animals. Recluses are proven to die sooner.

The Pits next door are very sweet in nature and are just happy to be loved on. They weren't "fighting dogs", but they were apparently chained in their yard in the heat and cold 24 hours a day. The weather is brutal here. I trust what their owner has told me and I have interacted with the dogs in the short time that they have been living next door. I think that if people just give Bull breeds a chance, they will be very pleased and their guard will come down immensely.

Just an honest question... if it was a abused Golden Retriever or rescue Yorkie, would you let your dogs play? I don't see a difference.

Now just let me ask you an honest question: Would you like your child to be
attacked by a rescue yorkie or a pit bull. ??

[StewiesMom]

Originally Posted by crystalsmom

Now just let me ask you an honest question: Would you like your child to be
attacked by a rescue yorkie or a pit bull. ??

No. But I don't really understand who would? How is this applicable? I would watch any strange dog around my child or dog.

[JCarlson2004]

Originally Posted by StewiesMom

No. But I don't really understand who would? How is this applicable? I would watch any strange dog around my child or dog.

I agree.

[StewiesMom]

Pit Bulls were not originally bred to fight. Many dogs are classified as "Pit Bulls" even when they are in fact NOT. I believe Summer (PinkMartini) posted a website awhile back challenging the reader to pick out the dog who is the Pit Bull. Its nearly impossible.

[crystalsmom]

Originally Posted by Flakes

Sure I don't mind explaining my comment about labs. It is based on my own experience working at shelters. I don't know that you'll necessarily find them listed anywhere as an agressive breed. I think of all the breeds that have seen the most interbreeding next to pit bulls is probably the lab. Which is a darn shame considering that by nature they are a wonderful gentle dog. My experience has been we've had to destroy far more labs for biting than pit bulls. I recently sat on a committee tasked with developing an Agressive Dog By-law. We had all the data from the local police depts, SPCA and animal control depts. Again there were more cases of labs biting than pit bulls. Actually pit bulls were third on the list, labs took first place, rottweilers second.

Labs First??? Such a gentle giant (compared to a yorkie he he)

[ReconsMomma]

I have worked in shelters and done a ton of rescue and I support flakes on the comment about labs. There are far more lab bites and labs put to sleep because of biting.
I trust my neighbors Pit to play with my dogs. All of my dogs including Preslee. But that is my choice, just as it is Frans choice to let hers play with a pit and just as it is Kristys choice. Go with your gut and do what is right. Why debate the damn issue?? WHat is the point?? No matter what no one is going to have the same point of view.
I myself will not let my dogs play with strange dogs. My dogs dont go to the dog park to socialize with dogs that we dont know. This is my personal opinion.

And YES Kristy is right. A dog that isn't allowed to socialize with other dogs will turn into a grump and be territorial in its older years. I have seen and experienced this many times. I am not saying that it will happen to all older dogs but I have seen it happen to many.

There are no proven statistics claiming that the jaws on a pit bull lock. So unless you are an owner and have done thorough research please dont spread false info. I myself have researched many breeds including the pit and have found no information to prove this as true.

[Breeze]

I find some of these posts that have hatred and false claims against pit bulls or any breed very disturbing and should not be posted on a site for animal lovers.

Some of our members here own pit bulls and I would be upset if I were them to see these kinds of things posted.

[ReconsMomma]

Originally Posted by Breeze

I find some of these posts that have hatred and false claims against pit bulls or any breed very disturbing and should not be posted on a site for animal lovers.

Some of our members here own pit bulls and I would be upset if I were them to see these kinds of things posted.

Thank you Breeze, I am glad that I am not the only one that feels this way. I dont own one myself but I live next door to one.

[crystalsmom]

Originally Posted by diva pup

Quote"Just an honest question... if it was a abused Golden Retriever or rescue Yorkie, would you let your dogs play? I don't see a difference."

Kristy,the answer to your question is yes I probably would let them play with the yorkie,and no, I would not let them play with the golden.
Even though the original poster was talking about a pitbull it is not about the breed to me as much as it is the size and unpredictability of dogs you do not live with. I do not dislike pitbulls as a breed, I think there are plenty of lovely pitts out there.Would I let them play with my yorkie? Absolutly not.
What I do know is the breed was originally bred to fight . Just like a yorkie was originally bred to kill rats.
My Rio went out the other night and killed a baby bunny, he not only killed it he SLAUGHTERED it. I was disgusted that my little toy lap dog did this.But I cannot fault him for doing something that comes naturally, however much we have bred the lap dog into this breed some things will come up and we remember what they were originally bred for.Now I know it probably wouldn't be a wise move to go out and buy a pet bunny . It probably wouldn't be fair to the little thing. Now say I got my hypothetical bunny anyway,I may be ok for a while and one day Rio goes into hunt mode, no more bunny.
IMO, the same goes for pits, they were bred to fight dogs. One day a perfectly nice pit can turn on a little playmate. Due to the sheer size difference the yorkie doesn't stand any better chance than my little hypothetical bunny.
Certainly you are entitled to let your dog play with any dog you deem safe, he is YOUR dog. I like little Stewie and just would hate to see him or ANY yorkie get hurt thats all.

I couldn't have said it better!! This thread could go on forever and I think I have had
enough. My input has mainly been because I think it is very dangerous to make
people feel comfortable when they really should be concerned.Like Diva
Pup said we MUST be aware that dogs that were bred to fight can turn at any
given moment.

[PinkMartini]

Originally Posted by Breeze

I find some of these posts that have hatred and false claims against pit bulls or any breed very disturbing and should not be posted on a site for animal lovers.

Some of our members here own pit bulls and I would be upset if I were them to see these kinds of things posted.

EXACTLY. I owned a pit bull and until my dying day will I proclaim "Judge the deed, NOT the breed" and try to educate people on this stereotyped breed. Like Kelly said, why is this thread STILL going? Not everyone's views are going to be the same, and I hardly doubt this thread will change anyone's views.

[ReconsMomma]

There is sooooo much false info about the pit breed on this thread. There is no debate. Why debate something if you do not have the proper info?? Why even continue to debate it?

[Bruce's_Mom]

Originally Posted by StewiesMom

Pit Bulls were not originally bred to fight. Many dogs are classified as "Pit Bulls" even when they are in fact NOT. I believe Summer (PinkMartini) posted a website awhile back challenging the reader to pick out the dog who is the Pit Bull. Its nearly impossible.

There are 3 types of digs that people typically think of as pitbulls:
(1) The American Pitbull Terrier
(2) The Stafordshire Terrier
(3) The Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Really they all do look pretty similar and they share many of the same characteristics, are in the same family, etc. Pitbulls come from the other 2 originally.

I hate to say this but honestly yes the American Pitbull Terrier was bred initially to pit fight. Hence the name pitbull...They are originally a mix of a staffordshire terrier and bull terrier and became common aroung 1835 when the sport of "bull baiting"(having dogs attack livestock) was banned and dog fighting became all the rage. First, they bred bull dogs with terriers and got a fearless, agile, and hearty stock, then they began breeding the bull terriers with more and more terrier producing eventually the American Pitbull Terrier. This breed ended up being unmatched in strength, agility and tenacity in the fighting ring, this is how it was bred and this is why it was popular. Dog agression was actually bred into pitbulls with proper training and socilalization this is obviously taken care of and it is important to remember they are not generally human agrressive.

In fact the UKC was created in 1898 especially for pitbull registry. At that time in order to be registered as a pitbull terrier a dog had to have won 3 dog fights. Later the American Pitbull Breed Association was started and registered the dogs including still a performance requirement but eliminating fighting requiring dogs to be in weight pulling competitions and conformation shows.

I actually researched this after reading this thread because it seemed really odd to me that a dog with the name PITbull would have never been used for pit fighting!

[chachi]

I agree that it is the owners fault if a dog is agressive. I have many big dogs in my neighborhood that are left outside 24/7 and they are agressive and territorial. I have came across people out and about that have large dogs that are well groomed and you can tell taken care of and they are gentle giants. I don't think people should be allowed to have a dog unless they are going to take care of it.

[diva pup]

Originally Posted by ReconsMomma

There is sooooo much false info about the pit breed on this thread. There is no debate. Why debate something if you do not have the proper info?? Why even continue to debate it?

Actually I am NOT debating. I thought and my intention was, to educate some of the posters that seemed to be under the impression that these dogs raised properly will not be dog aggressive. To say anything LESS is giving false information. What you decide is safe for your dog is fine but put out the correct information on the breed.
There seems to be some confusion between dog aggression and people aggression issues, I totally agree that pitbulls as a breed are NOT people aggressive but they ARE dog aggressive.That is a fact.They were bred to fight.That too is a fact.

[Breeze]

My input has mainly been because I think it is very dangerous to make people feel comfortable when they really should be concerned.Like Diva
Pup said we MUST be aware that dogs that were bred to fight can turn at any
given moment.

And I feel it is very dangerous to make people fear certain breeds by false information. Many of us pit bull supporters feel that any dog can be dangerous regardless of breed and just labeling certain breeds does not make anyone safer. People MUST be aware that any breed of dog may attack.