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

[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.

[celstu1]

My bro has a pit/lab mix. She is the sweetest dog and never hurt a fly. I trust her around children and my dogs. HOWEVER, with that being said.... she is 90lbs and getting older, that means that her temperment, good her whole life, could change because she just wants to rest and be left alone. This may cause her to potentially hurt one of my boys, so I would NEVER EVER leave them alone together where they can get at each other at all. When I watched her for my brother she stayed in the basement and my boys in the kitchen gated. There was NO way I was going to take a chance and leave them alone together. Just in case. You just never know!

[kalina82]

here's morgan when she was 4 months old and her best friend Jinx the 80lb Pit Bull

[DvlshAngel985]

I've probably said this more than once, but I have to agree that this is an unfair stereotype.
At the shelter we usually have many many larger dogs, and yes that includes pit bulls. Of my three years there I have been bitten or nipped at least 3 times. Twice by poms, and once by a poodle-terrier mix. The pitties have been the sweetest dogs just wanting someone to take them home and scratch their back. While we wait our turn for the one and only tub I have been known to sit on the floor with the pittie that is currently in my care and even use them as a pillow. The worst that has happened with the pitties is a bruise on my leg from the constant wagging of their tail! They are usually so happy to see and greet other people, and they are so ignorant of their strength that they don't know how strong they are, even their tail!!! But I think it's safe to assume that any large dog is stronger than our beloved yorkies and that it would be a good idea to keep and eye for safety reasons, but not because pitties or any large dogs are dangerous.
Yes there are vicious dogs out there, but they come in all shapes and sizes. I don't think it's in their nature to be vicious, more like they learned to be a certain way to survive. Survive on the streets, survive awful owners, or God knows what. Just my 2 cents.

[kjc]

Originally Posted by DvlshAngel985

I've probably said this more than once, but I have to agree that this is an unfair stereotype.
At the shelter we usually have many many larger dogs, and yes that includes pit bulls. Of my three years there I have been bitten or nipped at least 3 times. Twice by poms, and once by a poodle-terrier mix. The pitties have been the sweetest dogs just wanting someone to take them home and scratch their back. While we wait our turn for the one and only tub I have been known to sit on the floor with the pittie that is currently in my care and even use them as a pillow. The worst that has happened with the pitties is a bruise on my leg from the constant wagging of their tail! They are usually so happy to see and greet other people, and they are so ignorant of their strength that they don't know how strong they are, even their tail!!! But I think it's safe to assume that any large dog is stronger than our beloved yorkies and that it would be a good idea to keep and eye for safety reasons, but not because pitties or any large dogs are dangerous.
Yes there are vicious dogs out there, but they come in all shapes and sizes. I don't think it's in their nature to be vicious, more like they learned to be a certain way to survive. Survive on the streets, survive awful owners, or God knows what. Just my 2 cents.

The problem is that Pitties can be sweethearts to people and at the same time be severely dog agressive. And, with the size difference, a Yorkie can elicite Prey Drive in any bigger dog. Any big dog can be dangerous to a Yorkie, due to the size of their mouth. One playful mouthing around the neck and if they get wound up, a quick shake, and the Yorkie is gone, forever. My Yorkie came nose to nose with a Kane Corso (sp). Far away I thought it was a pittbull, but as we drew closer, the person got smaller. This dog was awesome in appearance. Just like a pitt, but 2 -3 times bigger. And my goodness, the muscles on this dog! And her head was huge! She was a sweetheart, but, no thank you, I won't be scheduling any playdates with her. I am not quite ready to let my Yorkie(s) go.

[Princes mom]

Originally Posted by FlDebra

Unusual first post.......wanting a rant right from the "get go." I think there is an internet term for that.

Be careful and most of all, constantly vigilant, for the sake of both dogs.

[kjc]

Originally Posted by kjc

The problem is that Pitties can be sweethearts to people and at the same time be severely dog agressive. And, with the size difference, a Yorkie can elicite Prey Drive in any bigger dog. Any big dog can be dangerous to a Yorkie, due to the size of their mouth. One playful mouthing around the neck and if they get wound up, a quick shake, and the Yorkie is gone, forever. My Yorkie came nose to nose with a Kane Corso (sp). Far away I thought it was a pitbull, but as we drew closer, the person got smaller. This dog was awesome in appearance. Just like a pit, but 2 -3 times bigger. And my goodness, the muscles on this dog! And her head was huge! She was a sweetheart, but, no thank you, I won't be scheduling any playdates with her. I am not quite ready to let my Yorkie(s) go.

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.

[Britster]

No arguments there! I totally think they can get along!

I personally would never own a Pit Bull simply because I don't think I'm capable of owning such a powerful breed. Having a Pit, I truly believe you need to be 100% pack leader and have a strong enough mind to control such a dog. I just don't think I'm strong minded enough or "hard" enough to own one. I also wouldn't like be casted in that stereotype, because sooo many people don't want to pet your dog, or get close, or let their dog near yours, I think that'd get annoying and something I wouldn't want to deal with.

That said, Jackson got along wonderfully with my Aunt's pit. He also has played many times with larger dogs very well.

Here's Jackson & my aunt's Pit Bull and Jack Russell/Shihtzu mix. Wish I had a better pic!

[Britster]

Originally Posted by Honsinger

Pitts just fit into a sterotype and its not fair. I owned one years ago (a rescue) and had small children at the time, I was a bit worried... and all for nothing, she was bar-none the best behaved dog I've ever owned. With that said, my husband and I recently had to put our English Bulldog to sleep (on our Vet's advice) because he became vicious all of a sudden and bit three people within a two week period (two of which required a trip to the ER). English Bulldogs are not known to be vicious and are considered loyal family dogs. So I"ve seen both sides of the spectrum and believe that each dog is wired differenly.... you never know how they will turn out. Even our precious YT's could become vicious. Long story short don't always believe the sterotypes, its unfair to the dog - they should be treated as individuals, just as adults are.

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

[kjc]

Originally Posted by Britster

No arguments there! I totally think they can get along!

I personally would never own a Pit Bull simply because I don't think I'm capable of owning such a powerful breed. Having a Pit, I truly believe you need to be 100% pack leader and have a strong enough mind to control such a dog. I just don't think I'm strong minded enough or "hard" enough to own one. I also wouldn't like be casted in that stereotype, because sooo many people don't want to pet your dog, or get close, or let their dog near yours, I think that'd get annoying and something I wouldn't want to deal with.

That said, Jackson got along wonderfully with my Aunt's pit. He also has played many times with larger dogs very well.

Here's Jackson & my aunt's Pit Bull and Jack Russell/Shihtzu mix. Wish I had a better pic!

Just a note: Your Jackson is one of the larger sized Yorkies which can make a difference. At 12#, he's probably almost twice the size of a standard sized Yorkie. I think this can make a big difference in how other big dogs see him, which is good ... safer for him!

[kjc]

Originally Posted by Britster

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

Maybe because smaller dogs have the cute factor going on and people are more likely to try and pet a dog that's cute as opposed to a dog that may appear menacing?

[FlDebra]

Originally Posted by kjc

Maybe because smaller dogs have the cute factor going on and people are more likely to try and pet a dog that's cute as opposed to a dog that may appear menacing?

Good point! The little nip you get from a yorkie is going to be nothing like the gash or worse you get from a pitt either. I know there are many, many "nice" pitts. In fact, just about every owner whose pitt has killed a small child or another pet says theirs was nice as could be prior to the attack. All dogs are capable of losing their temper, over-reacting, or acting out of unfounded fear or confusion. A small dog or a dog with less "bite" than a pitt will not leave near the damage or have the potential to be quite as lethal as a pitt. How many headlines have you read where a Yorkie or even a large dog with a better demeanor like a Lab, has killed a child or pet?

Pitts were bred to kill, pure and simple. Man's horrible mistake. I have no bad feeling towards the individual dogs but feel the breed should be stopped. I am regrettably for mandatory spay and neuter for pitts. Why? Here are some of the reasons, just a quick search through a few pages on YT:

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/mem...-pit-bull.html

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...my-merlot.html

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/off...mix-scare.html

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...kind-long.html

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/off...loses-arm.html

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...york-city.html

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...ked-chloe.html

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/off...-incident.html

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/off...r-old-boy.html

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...toes-pitt.html

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sic...yesterday.html I think this one might have been a rottie.....but similar situation to beware of....


There are more, so many more......

[Rerun201]

Originally Posted by FlDebra

Good point! The little nip you get from a yorkie is going to be nothing like the gash or worse you get from a pitt either. I know there are many, many "nice" pitts. In fact, just about every owner whose pitt has killed a small child or another pet says theirs was nice as could be prior to the attack. All dogs are capable of losing their temper, over-reacting, or acting out of unfounded fear or confusion. A small dog or a dog with less "bite" than a pitt will not leave near the damage or have the potential to be quite as lethal as a pitt. How many headlines have you read where a Yorkie or even a large dog with a better demeanor like a Lab, has killed a child or pet?

Pitts were bred to kill, pure and simple. Man's horrible mistake. I have no bad feeling towards the individual dogs but feel the breed should be stopped. I am regrettably for mandatory spay and neuter for pitts. Why? Here are some of the reasons, just a quick search through a few pages on YT:

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/mem...-pit-bull.html

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...my-merlot.html

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/off...mix-scare.html

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...kind-long.html

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/off...loses-arm.html

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...york-city.html

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...ked-chloe.html

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/off...-incident.html

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/off...r-old-boy.html

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...toes-pitt.html

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sic...yesterday.html I think this one might have been a rottie.....but similar situation to beware of....


There are more, so many more......

I have to agree with you. How many times do we hear the owner say their dog never hurt anyone...until they killed someone. I do think it's a breed that should be eliminated.

[jeanm1963]

Sterotype or not, I think you read ALOT about pits attacking and even turning on thier owners.... that being said I believe that is how they have earned thier reputiation...My daughters friend was attacked by her grandmothers pit, she has been around her her entire 8 years of life... one day the dog just simply attacked her.. she was in Childrens Hospital in Boston for 2 weeks she has horrible everlasting scars... my thoughts are if a dog can turn on his own family why would I risk by own tiny 5 pound dog?...but to each his own.

[Britster]

Originally Posted by kjc

Just a note: Your Jackson is one of the larger sized Yorkies which can make a difference. At 12#, he's probably almost twice the size of a standard sized Yorkie. I think this can make a big difference in how other big dogs see him, which is good ... safer for him!

Yes, I definitely agree with this and it's a very valid point. I definitely don't have to worry about him as much and often forget what it would be like to own a smaller Yorkie.

Originally Posted by kjc

Maybe because smaller dogs have the cute factor going on and people are more likely to try and pet a dog that's cute as opposed to a dog that may appear menacing?

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.