Yorkie & Pitbull...Who said they can't get along?

[lovespandp]

I love all dogs. The pit bulls I have seen I have loved. They all had GREAT owners.

Would I... or will I ever leave pnut with a pitbull alone??
Never!

I would never leave a child with a person I didn't trust..why would I leave my dog with another dog I didn't trust

[megansmomma]

Originally Posted by TYGAandPRECIOUS

Let the rant begin....

Hmm isn't it Boston City of Champions

Nice try anyway

[my3angelbabies]

It's not the breed its how people raise them and that's with any breed ! If you encourage the dogs aggressive side than you are going to get a aggressive dog. You can't blame a dog for what the humans teach it. I have owned a Red Nose pit and he was never aggressive. We nurtured his loving side not his aggressive side and had a wonderful family member.

[Princes mom]

Originally Posted by kjc

It's just that IF (or should I say WHEN ???) something happens ... it will be a very, very, very sad day for the Yorkie. Why would anyone even take the risk??? I won't argue intent, but accidents CAN and DO HAPPEN!

PS: Have a read in the 'In Memory Of... (R.I.P)' and the 'Sick & Injured / Emergencies Talk' forums. It's never pretty. I, personally, try to avoid Vet bills, including euthanasia/cremation (of the bitee and quite possibly the biter), at all costs.

I was thinking the same thing, about the "If" part.

[Princes mom]

Originally Posted by kjc

Sorry, not done yet...
The Yorkie owner has to be aware of these traits in big dogs because you will never know in advance, what will set a dog off. Even if a dog has never attacked or biten, there can always be a first time. And Yorkies are no angels either. They are more likely to instigate a fight because of their terrier disposition so they need to be watched closely. I'm sorry, I would never put mine in this type of danger. My neighbors' Golden Retriever looks at my Yorkie like Lunch! The owner says no. Sorry, not worth proving your dog is nice at the expense of losing my dog. After they walk on lead for a block they're okay, the lunch look leaves, but I would never allow them together without me on the end of my Yorkies leash. Never, Never, Never!
And unfair stereotype? How many children have Yorkies attacked and had to be hospitalized and stitched back together? Why does the Baltimore City Government now require special licensing (money)for Pit Bulls in the city and county? Why can't PB owners get home owners insurance as easily as Yorkie owners? Okay PB's make the news more. Why? Because Yorkies don't kill people or pets (at least not many pets, maybe rats or hamsters)(Prey Drive).

So, yeah, they can get along together, until they don't one day, for one nanosecond, and the Yorkie gets injured and/or killed, because no one saw it coming, or they didn't want to stereotype the PitBull?
Done now.

[yorkie_mama22]

I personally had a bad run in with a pitbull when I was younger. We owned a spinger spaniel and I was in the front lawn with her on a leash. The pit bull just ran over for no reason at all and began to viciously bite and attack the dog. I couldn't do anything else but scream, I was about 9 years old. My pregnant mom ran out and picked our Cleo up while neighbors ran out and started to kick the pitbull off. FINALLY the owner came out while his son who was out with the pit bull just stood and watched.

A few days later he attacked and killed the collie down the street. Luckily ours survived but needed stitches. They went to court and the pit was PTS.

I have a bull terrier, similar to but very different. Long long ago, back in the beginning of the breed they were bred with Staffordshire terriers, dalmations and a couple other breeds. These are dogs who can play rough, are hyper and need alot of training.

I don't know for sure if my bull terrier caused the death of my yorkie, almost two months ago. But it was very possible. I for sure now know and have made my whole family aware of the dangers of a larger dog and a small dog. My bullie girl is only around 40lbs and still very stocky and strong. For that being said, they can get along and be friends but you can trust them fully for accidents can AND will happen.

First pic is Stormy (RIP) and her big baby sister enjoying a nap together as they often did.
Second is Lola our new yorkie with our bull terrier

[joeyandtanksmom]

I do not have pits, but I have had one live next to me before. Rocky was pretty much the nicest dog ever, and he loved to play with Joey and Tank. However, when I was in mexico, my mom was attacked by a pit. So...I think it totally depends on the dog, the situation it's lived in, and so many other things. My hubby wants one, but I think I've steered him away from it. I don't want to be stereotypical, but I just wouldn't want to risk coming home to 2 mauled yorkies. It would tear me up inside, and my husband would also be so sad - we both love our yorkies so much. I say if it works for you, great! If you don't already have one, I would personally be wary of it.

[BaxtersMommy]

Originally Posted by Britster

I agree- more people seem to get bit by small dogs.

Might get bit by a small dog, but I havent heard a killer yorkie killing another dog or chewing toes off a baby. Or any other small dog for that matter.

[BaxtersMommy]

You can call this a rant if you wish, but I think it is common sense.

It only takes a second for a big dog to attack a small dog & it is over. Dont understand why anyone would take that risk and own both. AND I dont care what Pit owners say.....they are known for attacking! There might be sweet ones, but when you do the research it is there. They are dangerous. Only responsible adults should own them & in my opinion they need to be an only animal or have a pit as its buddy. Not a Yorkie.

[YorkieMax82]

I had a pitt bull mix as a child and he was the best dog... the neighbors also had to pitts and they would attack him and I was always scared they would end up killing him. From what I have read and heard pitt bulls can turn on you at anytime... I really don't think I would ever allow my yorkies or any other little animal around one. Thats just how I feel... you never know what could happen. I just couldn't risk it...

[kalina82]

Originally Posted by BaxtersMommy

You can call this a rant if you wish, but I think it is common sense.

It only takes a second for a big dog to attack a small dog & it is over. Dont understand why anyone would take that risk and own both. AND I dont care what Pit owners say.....they are known for attacking! There might be sweet ones, but when you do the research it is there. They are dangerous. Only responsible adults should own them & in my opinion they need to be an only animal or have a pit as its buddy. Not a Yorkie.

So are labs, goldens, german shepards, boarder collies, huskies, rotties, dobermans, malamutes, cocker spaniels... you just don't hear about it as much because they don't have the media hype and stereotype surrounding them. there is even a report of a Pomeranian mauling a 6 week old baby.

I've worked with dogs for over 13 years in animal shelters, animal hospitals, and grooming salons. I have a scar on my arm from a black lab. I also have two scars on my face from a jack russel terrier. grabbed onto my bottom lip and pulled...now i have two slasher scars on my lip and chin. Cocker spaniel bite my fingers but didn't leave a scar thankfully. The rest of my scars on my arms and hands are from cats but that's a whole different story. LOL never once has a pit bull bitten me.

[kalina82]

the fact of the matter is no large dog, regardless of the breed, should be left alone with a small dog. large dogs can easily hurt or kill a small dog whether its in play or in a fight.

[Britster]

Originally Posted by kalina82

the fact of the matter is no large dog, regardless of the breed, should be left alone with a small dog. large dogs can easily hurt or kill a small dog whether its in play or in a fight.

[BaxtersMommy]

Originally Posted by kalina82

the fact of the matter is no large dog, regardless of the breed, should be left alone with a small dog. large dogs can easily hurt or kill a small dog whether its in play or in a fight.

I agree. That is why I said that in my first sentence. I said Big Dog (meaning any breed). I have worked with animals too (for a long time). And while I understand what you are saying, I personal know 5 different people who had to either put down or rehome a pit bull to owners with no other animals or children.

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by Britster

I don't think it's that they have the cute factor... I think that small dogs tend to get spoiled more, not taught discipline and when they nip, often times people think it's funny or cute. Of course, I agree with FlDebra that a Yorkie's bite is obviously NOT going to cause the harm that a Pitt's would so obviously, that's why you hear about Pit Bull attacks in the news more than a small dogs. I also agree that Pitt's WERE bred to fight and that is a fault of the human, not the breed. I think different breeds get more news media every few years. A couple of years ago, it was the Rottweilers, before it was the Doberman's and the German Shepherds. You never hear in the news about Rotties, Dobbies or Shepherds anymore even though I'm sure they still happen.

I'm not disagreeing in any way that you must always keep a watchful eye with a smaller dog and a larger dog. Their size alone can easily injure a Yorkie, for sure, whether it be a Golden Retriever or a Pit Bull. Even Jackson, who is over 12lbs, is still a little guy and be injured easily. When he's playing with big dogs, I watch him closely, but I also trust HIM. A lot of times, like stated somewhere above, the Yorkie TERRIER comes out in them and they love to start trouble, despite their size. But most of the time, Jackson's a smart dog and he knows which dogs to mess with and is very good at getting a feel of another's dog energy first, etc. So, first and foremost, I trust my own dog. If I don't like the energy or the looks of another larger dog, then I'll just take Jackson out of the situation. But I do think that dogs need to learn to accept, trust and respect ALL sizes and breeds of dogs. It's up to us as owners to learn some body language of dogs and determine what we feel comfortable with.

I know most people are scared of the pitties, but I think it's common sense to always watch your dog, whether your letting them play with a pittie, a dalmatian, a golden retriever, a jack Russell, chihuahua, you name it!
My boy Kaji has a menace in his own home. We have a new roomie who has a "chiweenie" who of course is small, but is a horrible dog! She's spoiled rotten, thinks everything is hers and has tried to attack Kaji countless times for no reason in less than a week! Do you think it would be smart for me to just leave Kaji alone with the dog from hell, even though she's small and fat so she probably couldn't potentially do much damage?
Of course not! It's my responsibility to make sure he's safe even if that means keeping him locked away in his expen while I'm at work. But I also think it's my new roomies responsibility to keep an eye on her dog as well because everyone knows the chiweenie is aggressive, even though she's small. So responsibility falls on both pet parents. Mine because it's my duty to keep Kaji safe, and the other pet parent because they know their dog's temperament, size, strength, or whatever the factor may be can potentially cause a problem.