bringing a bigger dog to a house with a small dog

[musicislove05]

My boyfriend and I already have a 4 month old morkie, Bella. His friend's dog just gave birth to pitbull mix puppies and he wants one in a couple months when they're old enough to be given away. I'm a little hesitant because Bella is so small and I'm just afraid that he's going to play rough and hurt my little baby. Is it just me being a worry wart or should I be a little worried? Does anyone here have experience in bringing in a bigger dog to a house that already has a small dog? I know it's not for a couple months until we get him, but any advice, tips or experiences will be appreciated.

[yorkieusa]

Personally, I would never do it. Some people will tell you they have no problem and that it's just the way they're raised, but it is more than that. You cannot erase ancestry and genetics and while I have nothing against these dogs, I would never risk my yorkie. The worry just isn't worth it. I have read too many horror stories over the years and some have involved yorkies. It is illegal to own one in our county. Have you read the latest thread:

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/mem...n-one-day.html

Then there is another thread where a member's sister's dog was attacked by a pit. It is a decision only you can make. You can never leave them out alone together and is that really fair to your little one? It's your decision.

[CouversMom]

I agree with yorkieusa that in the end, it's your decision. If you want my opinion... it's not something that I would do. I am not judging just on the fact that it's a pit, but just by the sheer size of the dog. I would not ever be able to relax if I brought a big dog into my house with my yorkies. They are just too small to risk it.

Again, it's purely your decision... but it's not something I would risk.

[boopster]

I know people who have pit bulls and who have never had a problem. But I've also heard horror stories about "family" pit bulls with no history of aggression that snapped and attacked a child or other pet.

Because pit bulls are terriers, they are pre-disposed to be aggressive. And they have the equipment to do great harm. You might have a pit and never have an incident. But as feisty as Yorkies are, it would take only one snap to have a tragedy.

Pit bulls are also an actuarial nightmare. You may find that homeowner's insurance covering dog incidents is difficult or very costly to get.

I would suggest that before you make a decision either way, you read up on the breed.

[Rachael x]

Pitbulls are banned in England now under the dangerous dog act.
I know people who have kept pitbulls before the ban came into place and had no problems with them, but the fact that they are classed as a dangerous dog would be enough for me not to ever let one around Poppy.
I just wouldnt risk it.
Think of it this way a small fluffy dog to a pitbull will probably look like a cat or a rabbit, do you think they would chase cats and rabbits?
There have been too many horror stories of pitbulls attacking children never mind small dogs, please dont risk it.

[Sweet Apple]

Do I think it is good to put a big dog w/a yorkie; In some cases, w/the right breed...Do I think you should put a pit bull w/a yorkie, absolutely not! This could be a receipe for disaster...

[katienme2002]

Well I am torn on this one..lol..I respect everyone's views here..But, we recently brought a gorgeous chow puppy into our lives, and I already forsee the trouble..She really is a loving, smart , really smart, dog, but she likes to nip when she plays, and for me thats not good. WE are going to do obdience training with her as soon as all of her shots are up to date, because I will not tolerate this behavior. I personally dont even like chows..lol..But, this one is different, she has really changed my mind about the breed...So sorry, I have no good advice, but I am personally experiencing what you want to do, and I am not sure I would do it again...Makes no sense..lol..Too early in the morning for me..haha..

[gemy]

A pitbull mix... Well I think that is a truly risky situation. You probably have no idea of the temperament of the parents, and as a mix, you are not going to be sure exactly what you are getting.

Pitbull's seem to have a high prey drive, and Yorkies are very likely apt to excite that drive.

How would you keep your Yorkie safe? Not only separating play activities, but in home too. How work that work? For example; at night our Yorkie sleeps in his crate, and the two large dogs are free to sleep on their beds. When we leave the house all dogs are crated. Our older male is allowed out in the backyard with our Yorkie, but not our younger female..why? because our young female has a high prey drive. Also pitbulls require a whole lot of training, are you and your b/f prepared for that?

Please read up on the breed. Talk to some reputable pit bull breeders and find out more about the dog.

look at all the various news reports of pitbull attacks....

[tigker86]

I just want to say, I believe it is how you raise the other dog with your yorkie together.

My boyfriend has a akita chow chow mixed dog (he's around 120lbs) they get along fine. When lexi first saw him she freaked out! literally freaked out and peed herself but then we just let them be, now they are best friends. When we take both of them to the dog park and other dogs bother my lil Lexi, he looks out for her and protects her. It's cute.

People always laugh when me or my boyfriend walk the dogs together because there is such a huge size difference.

Sometimes we leave them alone together and they are fine. She stays in her corner he just chills there. when we come home they are both sitting down wiating patiently for us to come inside

I believe a dog will behave good or bad depending on how it was raised by the handler.

Good Luck!

[tigker86]

Im just going to a thought:
My boyfriend was told he would NOT be able to train his dog because of the breed of the dog and it would be VERY difficult to train. He was very determined to prove everyone else wrong and his dog listens with the snap of a finger.

[Marilize]

You've gotten some great advice so far. I'd like to add my 2 cents since I have two yorkies (10lbs and 4lbs) along with a 4-month old foster puppy who will be border collie size. I am considering adopting her, but the fit is crucial - she has to prove that she is safe with my yorkies.

My sister and her 11 year old labrador lives with us. And although the labrador is a sweetheart who just wants to chill and relax (lol), he does get snappy with my yorkies sometimes. Dogs will get snappy with each other if they live in the same house. The important thing is to find a dog who will snap, but not bite.

We all live in peace, but I am always worried about what COULD happen. And I can't wait to move into my own place so that I don't have to worry anymore. And this is a dog I have known for his whole life.

I'd never get a pitbull, regardless if I have small dogs or not. I'd never get any dog originally bred for fighting! My parents have staffies and they tore the labrador apart!! He had to go live somewhere else until we could take him. So, no. I really don't think that it is a good idea. Not if you want any peace of mind.

Telling your bf might be difficult, but simply explain to him the breed-specific issues that pitbulls have and the risks involved with not knowing a risky dog's genetic history. And then suggest a suitable breed which will work with yorkies. Not another terrier!

[tigker86]

Maybe you SHOULD consider a more gentler breed. Marilize's advice sounds good. If you live together you might want to talk to him about reconsidering getting the pittbull mix. If Bella is important to him as she is to you, he should be able to reason with you. This may be crutial for your relationship with your baby and you.

[Rachael x]

Originally Posted by tigker86

I just want to say, I believe it is how you raise the other dog with your yorkie together.

My boyfriend has a akita chow chow mixed dog (he's around 120lbs) they get along fine. When lexi first saw him she freaked out! literally freaked out and peed herself but then we just let them be, now they are best friends. When we take both of them to the dog park and other dogs bother my lil Lexi, he looks out for her and protects her. It's cute.

People always laugh when me or my boyfriend walk the dogs together because there is such a huge size difference.

Sometimes we leave them alone together and they are fine. She stays in her corner he just chills there. when we come home they are both sitting down wiating patiently for us to come inside

I believe a dog will behave good or bad depending on how it was raised by the handler.

Good Luck!

That is true in a way, But I have to say I think all dogs are unpredictable.
Even if a dog is well trained you cannot predict its behaviour all of the time.
And I have to say I dont believe you can fully trust a dog, some people may think they can and that is their opinion.
I have an old schnauzer cross and she is the most gentle dog I have ever met, she has never shown aggression to anyone. But would I leave her alone with a child? NO.
All dogs are the same... they have natural hunting instincts, the only difference between a big dog and a small dog? a big dog is likley to do more damage.
Especially ones that were origionally bred to fight.

[lexi43]

I have two Bassets who are about 14 months old a shorkie who is about 11 months old and a Yorkie who is 6 months old. When I first got Zoe (shorkie) and Zach (yorkie) I was reallly worried about putting them together with my two Bassets but they are big overgrown mushes. They growl at the smaller dogs but have never really been agressive towards them. I would be a bit worried about a pit bull mix though because of their nature. I don't think it would be fair to subject your puppy with sich a dog just so your boyfriend can try to prove a point. WHAT IF HE IS WRONG?!!!!

[Britster]

I am a total Pitbull advocate. I believe in punishing the deed not the breed. I allow Jackson to play and hang out with my aunt's 8 year old Pit Max.

However, I wouldn't suggest them to a household with little Yorkies. I love Pit's and I think a well adjusted adult Pit could fit in.... but a young puppy whom you have NO idea of the background, etc, could be dangerous considering Pit's are often times dog aggressive. BYB's and fighting city people have ruined the breed, both looks-wise, temperment-wise, health-wise, and everything above.

The breed needs an owner who is strong-willed, and not EVER going to let their guard down, and Pit owners need to be 1000000x more responsbile than other breeds simply because of their 'bad rep' and wanting to keep it GOOD. You have to be really passionate and knowledgeable about them, in my opinion, in order to own one and it can't just be a "oh, this dog had puppies... let's go get one!" type of deal.

You can view many of my old posts here on YT and I highly defend Pit Bull's and think they are GREAT dogs when owned and trained by the proper person.

There are MANY other big dog breeds who would do much better with small dogs, such as Golden Retriever's, Great Danes, and other 'gentle giant' type breeds.