Yorkies and Huskys
 

I was wondering if any of you guys had or have a Yorkie and a Husky living together. I'm interested in bringing a bigger dog to the family. I've always liked Huskys and I've read on multiple sites that they make great family pets. I remember being a little girl playing outside and this man would always walk his two Huskys and let me play with them. The only thing that worries me is that I've also read that they have High-Prey drive..... any feedback would be great.

I don't own a husky, but they are great dogs. Maybe if you get a pup and it grows up with your yorkie I don't think they would have a problem. At our local dog park near my house, Gizmo has a couple husky friends, and when it comes to playing, they don't seem to notice the size difference. There is one beautiful husky my Gizmo plays with, that lays down to make himself smaller for Gizmo :-) also yorkies also have a strong prey drive as well lol. I know mine does haha, but in a play hunting way :-)

I little while after i posted this i looked up to see if everyone else had already asked this question, and i saw this one post about someones roommate wanting to get a Husky the responses were very mixed but a lot of people had posted stories about Huskys hurting others creatures and a husky killed someones yorkie at a petsmart groomers. It all freaked me out. I'd only get one as a puppy so raise a a Pack with Ashton, but i'm just so scared that i'll spend so much time training her (since Ashton is a boy, i figured i'd avoid Alpha drama) and that something would happen while i was away.... I'm glad Gizmo gets along with his Husky friends, that does make me feel somewhat better about continuing my search but i'm nervous :/ i really wish i could find the thread.
I'm also looking at Labs and German Shepherds. Maybe i'll just get a bird :P lol.

Honestly, no. I wouldn't be comfortable with a Husky personally. I have met some that are obviously fine with other dogs, but it wouldn't be something I'd seek out. They do have a predatory instinct and a way about them that makes me nervous. I am pretty knowledgeable about dog behavior and body language and whenever I've watched dogs at the dog park.... Huskies and Pit Bulls make me the most nervous (as far as other DOGS go, not humans).

Besides simply prey drive (which a lot of dogs have, even yorkies)... Huskies are known for 'Predatory Drift'... Predatory Drift is a sudden, and drastic change in a dog's demeanor that is characterized by behaviors associated with hunting small prey. The term is most often used to describe a medium to large dog who has suddenly and uncharacteristically targeted a smaller dog as prey (dinner). Predatory Drift is NOT Aggression, but it can mean injury or death for small dogs. And it happens SO fast!

Predatory Drift happens when the larger dog's instinct to hunt are triggered.
These instincts can be triggered when play escalates or gets too much like the real thing (an out of control chase game). It can happen when a small dog gets scared or injured and squeals or wriggles in a way that makes them look like prey.

I think large dogs and small dogs can live fine together with the right owners and the right dogs. :) But A Husky wouldn't be a breed I'd "choose" to live with a small dog. I dogsat one, and I used to always bring Jackson w/ me, and this was the one dog I would not allow to be loose with Jackson (who is good with other dogs, and 17lbs, so not 'tiny'). I never trusted the Husky's demeanor towards him, even though they walked fine on leash together. And I've dogsat for Labs, Rotties, etc...

Absolutely ! They are great dogs, and are very natural pack animals. Super friendly !
My only concern would be your climate, huskies are northern dogs after all :)
With respect to what the above poster describes, it sounds more like sled dog that your are referring to, not your typical house husky, IMO.

I can speak with the Huskey experience Brit has, but I did go several times to huskey breeders who trained their huskies for the Idiatorod(sp) competition and also bred their dogs. I know that is a different kind of kettle of dog/huskey, but I would be leery as you already are, and will really need to investigate the lines your potential husky comes from. Maybe there is a husky board that could give you more diverse opinions.

Labs once they mature might make a good Yorkie Partner. And that takes about three years for the lab to mature.

Rotties need a lot of obedience training which they should have, and I don't know if you are prepared for that, or want to do that. But otherwise I think they should be okay with the Yorkie.

Saint Bernards Newfies would be okay as well, although they are very big dogs, and will require basic obedience training.

Golden Retreivers might do well too.

It does really depend. Of course there are going to be 'watered down' BYB-types, and pet types, etc, but I would really pay attention to the lines of your dog and where you're getting the husky.

Like I said, I've been around lots of dogs, and Husky's are one of the more questionable with other dogs, more specifically small dogs.

Here is a link to the rest of the text I typed in the past post:
http://www.shibainuforum.org/forum/d...atory-drift/p1

I guess I am biased but after having my first yorkie killed by a neighbor's husky I would have to say no, to me it is not a good idea. I know some of it is how you raise them, but still why take on all that stress. Also another neighbor had a husky and she said she would never do it again, why because of the climate problem. Summers in MI were to hot for the dog, he laid in the shade panting and panting, and wanted to be inside in the air all the time. In the winter he wanted to lay outside all the time, because he did not like the heat in the house. She lived in an area where the yards did not have any fences and since there were smaller dogs in the area they were afraid something might happen so he had to be chained up when outside all the time. they often found dead chipmunks and squirrels near his area, they felt he killed them when they tried to get near his food. They are beautiful dogs, but I really never get the mixing of two such different size dogs. I know many on here do it and do it well, but I think it takes either an exceptionally docile large dog or round the clock vigilance on the part of the owner. Personally I would prefer to have dogs of a similar size so they would be able to roam free through my house and yard.

As much as I would love to own a Husky and have her and Ashton become best friends, I'm honestly too afraid to go through with it. I really like that they have a Pack mentality for bonding reason but I'm just scared.

the only other breeds I'd consider would be German Shepherd or a pure Lad. My father in law has a lab and I remember him telling me that the puppy years were hard but his dog is the sweetest thing ever. Gemy, is there's reason why it's only a"might" partner wise?


What do you guys think about a Shepherd? I would of course, get it as a puppy and a female. I think the better question would be, what breed should I look into. I want a guard dog but really friendly.... I just like the look of a wolf look alike dog. But Ashton's safety is my number one priority. I would NEVER EVER EVER put him in harms way if I can avoid it. I already worry about the cat accidentally scratching him, I don't want to worry about him getting killed by another dog.

I would get another yorkie, LOL their bark can be pretty loud, do you want a guard dog to bite and hurt a possible intruder or just alert you.

I agree with Brit, the risk of the high prey drive wouldn't be worth it to me. There are people who have no problem mixing all kinds of breeds and sizes, but then there are others that it just doesn't work.

There was a member here whose husband adopted a husky. They ended up re-homing the dog because things didn't work out.

I also agree that a husky is not intended for a warm climate. The ones who live near me in Virginia suffer during the warmer months.

My husband had a husky as a kid that went after an entire herd of sheep and killed them... ALL. I could not imagine owning a dog that has the prey drive of a husky.

It's really a bummer cause they really are beautiful dogs. I didn't take weather into consideration; mostly because we just moved from Washington state and it was pretty chilly all the time.

I've thought about getting another Yorkie but my husband grew up with big dogs and I don't think he want to get another small dog. And when it comes to the actual "guarding", I mostly want something that looks like you wouldn't want to come inside unannounced, but nothing that's going to hurt someone until the person was trying to hurt someone in his or her pack.

Huskies are running dogs, don't get one unless you plan on taking it for a ton of walks and it has a lot of room to run in. They also bark like crazy, too many people get them for their looks without knowing that they are high energy and need someone who is physically fit to take them outdoors often. They get neurotic and very stressed if you dont. They are best kept in packs of other huskys, they play rough and have teeth like a wolf the yorkie would probably end up in bad shape.

that was the situation with the husky that killed my Reggie, the wife grew up with Huskies but they lived in Northern MI on a big piece of property. Now she lived in a neighborhood with small yards. Her kids kept her to busy to properly interact with the Husky, as an adult she found out how much they shed and did not like all that hair in the house, plus the Husky was not happy in the house. So they built a dog run in the backyard, some dog run, it was not very big yet they expected the dog to spend the majority of her time in it. Well the dog's main mission in life became about digging out of the pen, over and over again. They spent more time trying to secure the pen then time exercising the dog.

So having a false sense of security about living on a dead end cul de sac, I used take Reggie out on the front lawn to potty. (no leash) Well unfortunately for me, we walked out shortly after Simba got out of her pen and wound up in our cul de sac. Reggie was a feisty yorkie ready to take on dogs twice his size so he ran toward the Husky as she ran toward him and after just a few shakes on Reggie's neck I was rushing my first dog, the one that shared my bed and I loved with all my heart dripping in blood to the vet. I will never forgot those blue eyes looking up at me as I was kicking her to get her to drop Reggie. It was almost like she was confused on what she did wrong. Unlike a Pit that might turn on me, this dog had no desire to even a growl at me. Having walked the neighborhood on a regular basis I was surprised to find out this dog belonged to people so close by, I knew the owners and their kids yet never even knew they had this dog, because she was never walked. I also found out that they often found small dead animals in the husky's pen so I am assuming that she thought Reggie was something along the lines of a squirrel.

I am glad that you seem to have come to the conclusion that the Husky for many reasons would not be the right dog to add to your family.

Donna, I missed your first post. I am sorry you suffered losing Reggie in such a tragic way. :(

Ashton goes on long walks daily because I love being outdoors, my husband and I also take him hiking on our free time as a family activity and I take him to the beach weekly, we also live in a house with a fenced in backyard with enough room to play, so I know what kind of dog I would have gotten into and as for the barking, I love the fact that they howl. I just think their looks are a plus. I'll have to keep looking at other breeds because after what everyone has said, I don't feel comfortable and just thinking about it is stressing me out. Thank you so much ladies! And please let me know if your little ones has a big brother or sister && what kind of breed they are.

Hi , I have a German shep, he has just turned 1yrs old and 3 yorkies . He is very close to them all, he tries to round them up lol, but I've always to watch them when they play as Frazer thinks he is as small as they are :rolleyes: Good luck on what ever breed u choose.

I am so sorry this happened to you. I can't begin to fathom what that must have felt like. I cry at the smallest yelp ashton makes for whatever reason. I know huskys need a lot at attention and the fact that you didn't even know they had a dog shows that they weren't giving him or her what they needed and everything I've read does say that outside of what they consider their pack, is just prey. I wish your story had a better ending but after reading that, I'd never bring in a husky in Ashton's life time. I thank you for sharing and again, I am so sorry to hear that happened to your baby

I've seen YouTube videos of GS playing with yorkies and they seem great. I actually started talking to someone who just had a litter and the parents and puppies were all raised with her three small boys hand feeding them, with cats, and with bunnies, she said the mom grooms her sons bunnies which is super cute. The only problem is she's not a breeder. I found her on craigslist. The mom has papers but the dad doesn't. Any advice? Should I just find an actual breeder?

Yes a good breeder, as these dogs do suffer with lots of illness , and wud advise u on insurance to , my lot are brilliant together :animal-pa

One more question, when they have to be left home alone, do they all stay out together or do you put them in a creat? My biggest fear is leaving him out alone, and coming home to a dead Yorkie :/ I assume that once I have the other dog and she's trained, I'd feel more comfortable but until then, my mind worries.

Husky's at the dog park have never been nice to my dogs, so I vote nay on that one. I had to step in and put the owner and the dogs in check

Your better goin on to a gsd forum that covers your country and you will learn who is good breeders and who to stay away from also you will learn a lot about the breed , good luck

I'll do that! Thank you do much.

P.s- what insurances do you have for them? Or would I find that on the other forum as well?

Go girl! I would have done the same.

I'm with pet plan, I've crate trained Frazer , he hated it at the start but now he love his crate, I don't close the door on it no more he has the full run of the house now, but when I go out I put the 2 tiny yorkies in my bedroom as I worry incase Frazer sits on them , he likes to jump on the settee and snuggle too, but my big yorkie has the run of the house with Frazer as gino is a BIG TEAPOT yorkie lol and he is the boss as yorkies are lol

Off topic but what a beautiful picture of Jackson in you avatar.!:thumbup:

If you want a bigger, maybe more 'guard dog' type... take a look into English Mastiff, Dogue De Bordadeux or Great Dane, maybe. "Gentle giants". As puppies, they do need to become aware of their size. But most Mastiff-type dogs I know are great with small dogs, and they don't require a ton of exercise like some breeds.

German Shepherds are iffy, in my experience. Again, lots of BYBs and GSDs with shaky temperaments. They can be wonderful with dogs they live with, but often have reactivity with other dogs. Jackson is a big Yorkie and he's not a fan of most GSD's play styles. GSD's are also a lot of work, they really thrive on training and need quite a bit of exercise.