What kind of big dog should I get? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

EmrldShdwQueen · 03-02-2008, 08:14 PM

With any luck (keeping my fingers crossed) I'll be buying my house within 90 days. I always said that whenever I got my own place I would get a big dog to be my watch dog (as if the yorkies don't fill that role enough...

)...but nevertheless, I still want a big guy (or girl) to stare out the window and scare people off...haha...and of course to be my big baby amongst all the little monkies.

There are certain breeds I really like...for example St. Bernards, Great Pyrenees, Huskies, and Shepherds...but I'm not sure how any of them would get along with the Yorkies and my cat. Somebody told me to stay away from the last two since I have the cat, because they really hate them...but others have said they can be fine if they're raised around them. Now I'm just torn.

I want a dog that will be a big baby to me and be gentle with the Yorkies, but at the same time will bark to alert me and big enough to keep somebody from breaking in if they saw him through the window.

Do you have any suggestions?

gutu28 · 03-02-2008, 08:18 PM

My big dog will be a goldendoodle. I know..I know.. "designer dog" but my friend and her husband adopted one and I am so in love with him!!

TootiesMom · 03-02-2008, 08:20 PM

my "big" dog is a 95 lb. yellow lab who has NO IDEA she is not a toy breed.. haha...
she is SUPER with the little ones and is very careful around them, it is funny how well she watches out for them... and is a great deterrent for anyone coming up to my house, she has a horrific bark(they dont know she will lick them to death when they get in.. haha)
be careful of SHEDDING! My Laci sheds terribly bad and has to be brushed alot to keep the hair down... I know shepherds shed too.....
Good Luck!

browniesmom622 · 03-02-2008, 08:21 PM

St. Bernards,Shepherds,Mastiff ,golden retriever (but there to sweet to scare someone away lol) Great Dane
These are ALL great dogs & i think they would all be great if raised right around little dogs

chloeandj · 03-02-2008, 09:09 PM

We have a golden retriever and he is the best ever to put up with my little dogs and kids. If you are looking for a watch dog, he's not it for sure as he would open the door and let a stranger in if he could but they are such sweethearts and tolerant of just about anything.

MeganS · 03-02-2008, 09:12 PM

I love, love, LOVE golden retrievers. I always have. They're so gorgeous and beautiful, and they're really fun.

I also love Chocolate labs (or really any labs...but I really love chocolate labs). and also Afghan Houds or Irish Setters! I love Irish Setters!

are you wanting a froo-froo big dog, or a wrestle in the mud big dog? lol

greyacresmom · 03-02-2008, 11:44 PM

are Greyhounds! Sleep alot and are mostly calm but can still bark and the size of them scare most people. (mine are low prey drive and small dog friendly)

Meggie · 03-03-2008, 04:15 AM

I have Skye Terriers.
I know they are not very tall, but they are big dogs on short legs, they easily see out of my windows when they stand on their back legs & their heads are HUGE with the big frilly butterfly ears

They also have a pretty intimidating bark, much deeper than the two Old English Sheepdogs I used to have.
Also, don't know if it's the same in America, but here they are on the "Native Breeds at Risk" list at the Kennel Club, so I think it's important to try to keep this beautiful breed going before it goes extinct.

My Skyes live happily with my Yorkies & my two cats, no problems, in fact they're in awe of my oldest Yorkie girl & the cats, they can keep the Skyes in line better than me!

tjdmom · 03-03-2008, 04:47 AM

I'd say yellow lab too. They are big enough but pretty gentle too from what I saw of my sisters dogs. Then you would have the #1 dog and the #2 dog in the country.

MICKEYK · 03-03-2008, 04:49 AM

my 10yr old lab (mickeyk) is over 100 lbs hes the best dog labs are just good natured and good watch dogs.plus he is so good with my little ones i dont think youd have any worries about that.congrats on the house

mascot · 03-03-2008, 04:50 AM

They are so gentle and get to be between 75 and 120 lbs. Fitz lets our mascot run the house.... I think any dog raised with your family will be protective of your family. But we are bias to the Sheepdog, the coat takes alot of upkeep, but I am sure you know all about that

Dot

NewYorky · 03-03-2008, 07:04 PM

We had a boxer for our big dog. What a great breed! Breed for temperament, they make great family dogs. At the time we had the boxer we also had a cat and a quaker parrot, he was great with the other pets as well as with the kids. His appearance was so formidable that when we walked him, on coming pedestrians would make a wide circle around us. Truly the only danger they were in was being licked or drooled on (downside of boxers - one of the very few). He was quiet, not a lot of barking, but he was protective. If he thought you were in danger he would put himself between you and the perceived threat and assume a look of alertness.

Good luck with the house and choice of companion!

011011 · 03-03-2008, 07:19 PM

We raised Malamutes and dobermans love both of those and both good with kids ,small dogs and cats.At least the ones we had.

niki35010 · 03-03-2008, 07:23 PM

I cannot let this one pass you by!!!! We bought a weimaraner pup before we got our yorkies but she is still a puppy. That has got to be the best dog I have and will ever have!!! SO GENTLE and GOOD NATURED!!!! Research them and you will find nothing but good things!!!! My yorkies don't like her that much but she doesn't care she just lets them bark at her because she will not hurt anything but she is already protective and she is 14 weeks old!!! BEAUTIFUL and such low maintence!!! NO SHEDDING like labs!!!! Labs are great they just shed ALOT! I would definatley recomend this breed to any and everyone!!!!! THey have eyes to kill for!!!! Research them and you will like what you see!

EmrldShdwQueen · 03-03-2008, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 011011

We raised Malamutes and dobermans love both of those and both good with kids ,small dogs and cats.At least the ones we had.

I love Malamutes too!!

03-02-2008, 08:20 PM	#3
TootiesMom and Hopeys Mom Too Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 4,109	my "big" dog is a 95 lb. yellow lab who has NO IDEA she is not a toy breed.. haha... she is SUPER with the little ones and is very careful around them, it is funny how well she watches out for them... and is a great deterrent for anyone coming up to my house, she has a horrific bark(they dont know she will lick them to death when they get in.. haha) be careful of SHEDDING! My Laci sheds terribly bad and has to be brushed alot to keep the hair down... I know shepherds shed too..... Good Luck! __________________ Donna's little herd.... Tooties Dogster http://www.dogster.com/?271687 Hopeys Dogster http://www.dogster.com/?448723 and Tinker, TBone(RIP) Laci .. OH, and Me-Kitty(RIP)

03-02-2008, 08:21 PM	#4
browniesmom622 Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: ny Posts: 11,253 Blog Entries: 5	St. Bernards,Shepherds,Mastiff ,golden retriever (but there to sweet to scare someone away lol) Great Dane These are ALL great dogs & i think they would all be great if raised right around little dogs __________________ We Love our Yt Angel! My Website< > FB page

03-02-2008, 09:12 PM	#6
MeganS Donating YT 7000 Club Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 12,016 Blog Entries: 1	I love, love, LOVE golden retrievers. I always have. They're so gorgeous and beautiful, and they're really fun. I also love Chocolate labs (or really any labs...but I really love chocolate labs). and also Afghan Houds or Irish Setters! I love Irish Setters! are you wanting a froo-froo big dog, or a wrestle in the mud big dog? lol __________________ Megan "I have my dreams, I have made plans." - The Pirate Queen All Gave Some; Some Gave All

03-02-2008, 11:44 PM	#7
greyacresmom YT Addict Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: AZ Posts: 372	my big dogs are Greyhounds! Sleep alot and are mostly calm but can still bark and the size of them scare most people. (mine are low prey drive and small dog friendly) __________________ Sheila and CO 6 Retired Racing Greyhounds: Max the Yorkie: Precious the JRT

03-03-2008, 07:04 PM	#12
NewYorky Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: NEW YORK Posts: 30	A Boxer! We had a boxer for our big dog. What a great breed! Breed for temperament, they make great family dogs. At the time we had the boxer we also had a cat and a quaker parrot, he was great with the other pets as well as with the kids. His appearance was so formidable that when we walked him, on coming pedestrians would make a wide circle around us. Truly the only danger they were in was being licked or drooled on (downside of boxers - one of the very few). He was quiet, not a lot of barking, but he was protective. If he thought you were in danger he would put himself between you and the perceived threat and assume a look of alertness. Good luck with the house and choice of companion!

03-02-2008, 08:14 PM	#1
EmrldShdwQueen No Longer a Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,987	What kind of big dog should I get? With any luck (keeping my fingers crossed) I'll be buying my house within 90 days. I always said that whenever I got my own place I would get a big dog to be my watch dog (as if the yorkies don't fill that role enough...)...but nevertheless, I still want a big guy (or girl) to stare out the window and scare people off...haha...and of course to be my big baby amongst all the little monkies. There are certain breeds I really like...for example St. Bernards, Great Pyrenees, Huskies, and Shepherds...but I'm not sure how any of them would get along with the Yorkies and my cat. Somebody told me to stay away from the last two since I have the cat, because they really hate them...but others have said they can be fine if they're raised around them. Now I'm just torn. I want a dog that will be a big baby to me and be gentle with the Yorkies, but at the same time will bark to alert me and big enough to keep somebody from breaking in if they saw him through the window. Do you have any suggestions?

03-02-2008, 08:18 PM	#2
gutu28 Lovin' the Cali kisses! Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Lawrenceville, Georgia Posts: 2,990	My big dog will be a goldendoodle. I know..I know.. "designer dog" but my friend and her husband adopted one and I am so in love with him!! __________________ Larissa and Cali Let's go Georgia Bulldogs!

03-02-2008, 09:09 PM	#5
chloeandj Tinkerbell, My Little Flutterpup Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Beautiful California! Posts: 6,112	We have a golden retriever and he is the best ever to put up with my little dogs and kids. If you are looking for a watch dog, he's not it for sure as he would open the door and let a stranger in if he could but they are such sweethearts and tolerant of just about anything.

03-03-2008, 04:15 AM	#8
Meggie YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Yorkshire, England Posts: 783	I have Skye Terriers. I know they are not very tall, but they are big dogs on short legs, they easily see out of my windows when they stand on their back legs & their heads are HUGE with the big frilly butterfly ears They also have a pretty intimidating bark, much deeper than the two Old English Sheepdogs I used to have. Also, don't know if it's the same in America, but here they are on the "Native Breeds at Risk" list at the Kennel Club, so I think it's important to try to keep this beautiful breed going before it goes extinct. My Skyes live happily with my Yorkies & my two cats, no problems, in fact they're in awe of my oldest Yorkie girl & the cats, they can keep the Skyes in line better than me!

03-03-2008, 04:47 AM	#9
tjdmom Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: upstate ny Posts: 5,847	I'd say yellow lab too. They are big enough but pretty gentle too from what I saw of my sisters dogs. Then you would have the #1 dog and the #2 dog in the country.

03-03-2008, 04:49 AM	#10
MICKEYK BANNED FOR STEALING YORKIETALK CONTENT! Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: MI Posts: 2,052	my 10yr old lab (mickeyk) is over 100 lbs hes the best dog labs are just good natured and good watch dogs.plus he is so good with my little ones i dont think youd have any worries about that.congrats on the house

03-03-2008, 07:19 PM	#13
011011 YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: minnesota Posts: 1,432	We raised Malamutes and dobermans love both of those and both good with kids ,small dogs and cats.At least the ones we had.

03-03-2008, 07:23 PM	#14
niki35010 YT Addict Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: usa Posts: 400	I cannot let this one pass you by!!!! We bought a weimaraner pup before we got our yorkies but she is still a puppy. That has got to be the best dog I have and will ever have!!! SO GENTLE and GOOD NATURED!!!! Research them and you will find nothing but good things!!!! My yorkies don't like her that much but she doesn't care she just lets them bark at her because she will not hurt anything but she is already protective and she is 14 weeks old!!! BEAUTIFUL and such low maintence!!! NO SHEDDING like labs!!!! Labs are great they just shed ALOT! I would definatley recomend this breed to any and everyone!!!!! THey have eyes to kill for!!!! Research them and you will like what you see!