Getting A 3rd BIG Dog

[livingdustmops]

Boy is this a slippery slope question but I will give you my opinion having worked with rescue and our local pound. This is just my opinion and it is not meant to hurt any members who have large dogs with their Yorkies but to help you make a decision so no harm comes to your two little ones.

One of the things we always looked at from an adoption standpoint is, did the owners have other dogs at home and what size. While many members of YT have both big and small dogs from a rescue point we would not adopt out to someone with a big dog and I am going to tell you why. As many members know Yorkies are fearless and will attack another dog without a thought. Many a little Yorkie has died because of their Napoleon like attitude taking on a big dog. Even in homes where they were raised together this has happened, sad to say even to YT members. We just didn’t want to take the chance that the little dogs would attack and the big dog would respond and all it would take is one time and you would have a dead Yorkie. With rescue dogs you never know what you are really getting and especially what is in their history. Sad to say many a big dog once it got past its puppy stage was thrown out in the backyard and never taken care of. Many of these dogs have issues that you aren’t aware of until it is to late. It would also be sad if you brought in a big dog that in its excitement jumped up and then down on one of your little dogs back and broke it. Again, these things have happened and you have to decide if you are willing to risk your babies. Also looking over the list of some of the dogs you picked, i.e. the shiba inu, you are just courting a disaster based on the description from AKC. You really need to understand the verbiage they are using and what it really means. I am always so surprised at people thinking Yorkies are just lapdogs when in fact they are terriers and will kill a rabbit in 2 second. My pack has done it and it is incredible to watch them do what they were breed to do. It isn’t necessarily pretty to see them walking back to me with blood on their faces but boy are they proud of themselves. The other factor you need to understand is some of the bad breeding that has gone on and many of these in the pound/Humane/rescue groups came from mills or backyard breeders with absolutely no concern on what they produced. One place I would tell you to go is www.petfinder.com and in the drop down box I would pick dog and then go look at each breed you are interested in. After awhile you might start seeing a history on some of the breeds and you start getting a clue what the breed is like. While many members at YT will tell you that Yorkies are great with children I would have you read how many of the rescue groups will not adopt out to families with children. Two reasons, the 1st is that many Yorkies just don’t like the noise and handling by kids and the second reason is kids without thinking step on these little ones and hurt/kill them. Many a child has been bit by a Yorkie and also turned into rescue. While I love the fact the two of you would consider a rescue I can not endorse a large dog but I can tell you if you find a dog on petfinder or through a rescue group some of the foster parents can tell you if the dog is good with other dogs but you will have to be on your guard. A good, breed specific rescue group wants what is best for all concerned and I know they would hate to adopt a dog to you that killed one of your little ones down the road. Please also remember your local pound or humane society might not be as concerned as the breed rescue as they are trying to save the life of the dog in the pound so be very careful.

I hope you understand along with the many YT members who responded here my stand has always been putting the dog first over humans and protecting these little ones as much as I can. Also, there are always exceptions to everything I wrote but you have to decision if you are willing to risk your babies.

Good Luck in your decision and please feel free to PM me if you have any other thoughts.

[JCarlson2004]

livingdustmops -- Good post. That is why I am searching over 1 year in advance before I even consider bringing home another dog to add to my family. My pooches are very precious to me and I would never risk their health for my own selfish reasons.

My husband is leaning towards a Boxer or a Brittany. I am not overly familiar with these 2 breeds so I really do have a lot of research to do over the next few months. What I want to do is have my dogs interact with some friendly Boxers and Brittanys to see how it works out. I'm concerned because Boxers can be pretty hyper and I'd be nervous that they can accidentally hurt my babies while playing.

I've still got a long time to think about this and review each breed before we make a decision. Lucky for me Jim is a super easy going guy and he would never insist on getting his way or getting a dog that I had concerns about when it comes to Codie and Tia's health. Jim loves them as much as I do and he views them as his precious babies too.

[ytsirk27]

I have 2 yellow labs and they are the most sweetest gentle creatures. They are so careful with Mason. Sissy my female will go up and lay down so Mason can go and snuggle! It is so CUTE! I would really consider a lab but id get one younger and probably not from a shelter!

[livingdustmops]

Whew, you make me feel better about this being a long time decision and the two breeds you are more interested in. Sad to say but if you had asked your question 20 years ago I would have told you without batting an eye lash that the only dog you should consider would be a Lab. They were fabulous dogs but once they went up the ladder of one of the top 10 favorite dogs then the money making breeders jumped on the bandwagon and started pumping them out as fast as they could without any concern to temperment. Luckily the brittany never hit the top 10 list and someone can correct me here but the Boxer feel out of grace so for the most part you have breeders that love both of these dogs. I think again you really have to read why these dogs were breed and what is in their makeup. My father always said, "dogs are true to their breed if they had a good breeder and a good breeding program" meaning they won't deviate from the norm to much and will do what they were breed to do.

One suggestion I would have for you is to go to the many outstanding dog shows that New York has and go to the days that the breed you are interested in is showing. You can find the schedule on the internet. You will learn a lot being around breeders and people who love the breed. You also could hookup with Boxer Rescue or Brittany Rescue and they can give you a lot of great advise.

Also remember, with a larger dog you will have to take more walks morning (not me in the winter time )and night and also find a place for them to run as they will need the excercise. They are not like a little dog that can happily live in a smaller area.

Thanks for letting me know you liked my post and that I didn't upset the applecart.

[rnnw62]

Heck Cindy I liked your post too! Even though I do have 2 small
dogs and 2 large dogs in my home I know exactly where you are
coming from. It by no means at least for me is easy having the
2 different size kids. I am always going above and beyond to insure
everyones safety. Somedays I feel like I run a 4 leg day care center
but that's a choice I made and I accept it very responsibly. Never
are my big dogs even though they are gentle as can be allowed to
be alone with the little ones. I also take the time in training each
dog so that they do follow my directions quite well. If something is
going on that I am not comfortable with whether it be with a big kid or
a small one I enlist the help of a behavior specialist to help us sort
through and solve the issue. While this works for us I am also a stay
at home Mom and for a lot of people the attention they require on
a daily...shoot hourly basis isn't possible. So I agree that having 2
different size dogs is something that should be thought through
very thoroughly before hand.

[minniemn]

Well we have a rotty, she plays great with the yorkies, but never do they play together unattended by us. We did have two rotties and one yorkie, now we have two yorkies and one rotty... the one had to be put to sleep.

Bigger dogs don't have as long as a lifespan as smaller dogs.

But a rotty isn't for anyone with allergies, so I wouldn't suggest one for you.

good luck in your search.

[ChristyE1971]

The ppl that live next to me have a black lab and her and Kaytlyn get along great. They got her from a shelter. She is so sweet. Only thing is she likes to bring things home. lol.. Such as shoes, a football, well you get the pic. lol...She is still young and loves to go in the woods and we have know her to run a coyote off. She is very loving.

[livingdustmops]

Hey Shelly, when are we catching the plane to Texas! Pigethon starts tomorrow

I do think people can make it work but I do think it is a lot more work than if you brought a Yorkie Rescue home. I also think it makes a difference if the big dogs and small dogs grew up together. The unknown here is the rescue portion but I am sure there is a rescue big dog out there that will be great with these 2 babies. It will just take time and a lot of communication with the Breed Rescue people.

P.S. What 2 big dogs do you have.
P.S.S. I don't know what the hell I am talking about. I just realized that I have a rescue 3#'s and I have a 14# Yorkie also a rescue...dah...and yes I never leave them home alone together..that is what puppy gates and doors are for. Of course Bella can take care of herself and she doesn't take any sh$t from anyone, including me.

[FirstYorkie]

Great posts, Cindy!!!

I'd like to second your recommendation that those considering adopting a rescue (of any size) to live with their Yorkie would be better off adopting from a breed rescue group than from the "pound". There are some SPCA's around the country who work very hard at rehabilitating dogs, but, unfortunately, they don't all. The reputable breed rescuers, on the other hand, test their rescues thoroughly to find out how well socialized they are to strangers, children, cats, and other dogs and place them into appropriate homes accordingly. You are much more likely to know what you're getting from them.

Your explanations about how Yorkies can be hurt by larger dogs - even when the larger dogs are "gentle" - were excellent.

While, IMHO, well-socialized adult labs are some of the greatest dogs on earth, the pounds, unfortunately, have many labs who are dog- and/or human-aggressive.

There are 2 breeds of dogs that I KNOW I am not woman enough to handle as puppies - one is labs. The other is Border Collies.

[Passionfruition]

I have 2 friends that have shiba inu's (one that lives in new york city) and they just adore them as teh best dogs! here's a forum my friend loves to go on http://forums.doghobbyist.com/forum.php?catid=148

[rscaggs]

I have 2 boxers and they do excellent with Prince- if you look you can see where i posted pics of one of them even playing! Anyway- I have these links that may help you if you havent passed by them already! Good luck in your search!
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/allergy.htm
http://www.dogbiz.com/faq-allergies.htm

[Toby'sMama]

Hey Jen:

I just wanted to say that we had a Schipperke when I was a kid -- and she was a really great dog!!! Didn't bark much, and was very much a family dog. I would definitely recommend them as a great addition to a family! But, if your husband wants a BIG dog -- I don't think a Schipperke will work! Ours was on the small side -- about 7 pounds. I don't think they get much bigger than 13 or 15 pounds. If you want a big dog that looks like a Skipperke, then check out a Belgian Sheepdog. (They don't dock the tails though) Also, they do shed quite a bit!

Good luck in finding a dog that will work with your family

[Carinhosamulher]

I can tell you from experience that Brittanys are WONDERFUL dogs. I have one, she is now 13 years old. If my back could handle it, I would get another one. Brittanys are awsome with children and other animals. They are so extremely trainalbe as well.

Rotts are great dogs too. My friend in KC breeds them and most of them I have known since they were pups. If they are raised right, they are just terrific loving loyal cuddly dogs.

Bulldogs are a lot of work. There is a LOT of slobber mess to clean, and all the folds in it's face must be cleaned at least twice a day. Their snore is louder than my husband's.

Boxers - one word for them - AWSOME!!

Labs are sweet, highly trainable, great with children and other animals (the latter if they are raised with them). However, they are generally very hyper and just love to chase things. Not neccessarily to kill it, but for the love of the chase.

I read up on Schipperkes because we actually had one at our rescue out here up for adoption. Apparently, if you are not getting a Yorkie for a small dog, they are just as good.

As far as my current experience, right now I have two dogs - my Yorkie and my Brittany. The two are the best of friends and the best dogs in the world. I wouldn't trade either one for any amount of money.

Good luck on your search.

[Carinhosamulher]

Any info you want on a Brittany, just let me know. Like I said, we have a female, she is 13 years old and just the best. Drop me an email if you would like pictures of our girl.

[My2Furbabies]

I think you are looking at some great breeds of dogs! I personally like boxers though! Everyone of them that I have met have been sooo sweet! Good luck in your decision!