Considering getting another dog
- Thread starter hsemko
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R Taft
Active member
I would see if you can meet and greet some small dogs and see their reactions. Five out of six would be ok in my household, but Harry goes into prey drive with small happy dogs, even when he knows them well and is ok most of the time. They send him nuts. I have to be really careful. And he loves cats and rabbits. But they don't yap
Boy, I am torn on this one. Ronnie is right, have them meet other small dogs and animals.
I remember a story, I think it was on this forum, years and years ago about a man who had Newfs and a Yorkie. The dogs had lived together for a long time. One day, I think it was on a beach, one of the Newfs playfully picked up the Yorkie and shook it like a toy. Killed the Yorkie. So sad, and it stuck in my mind.
That may have been just a fluke, but I also took in a Newf rescue once, who was very sweet, tolerant, but energetic. Had her for 7 months as she needed a lot of obedience training to quell her enthusiasm. I also had two Newfs of my own and my parents ancient Schnauzer, and my son's Siberian Husky. The Schnauzer would go into a frenzy when the other dogs played. She would bark and charge them, snapping her teeth. The big dogs were always tolerant of this, but one day, the rescue finally had enough of the bad behavior from the Schnauzer and tried to discipline her. She ended up bruising the Schnauzer badly. If the little dog had been bigger, it would have been OK, but she was so little, she got injured.
I think these are two isolated cases, but I thought you should know. Yorkies are very delicate dogs, so my advice would be to supervise carefully until you are confident that they will be OK together. But just keep in mind that it doesn't take much to hurt a tiny dog.
I remember a story, I think it was on this forum, years and years ago about a man who had Newfs and a Yorkie. The dogs had lived together for a long time. One day, I think it was on a beach, one of the Newfs playfully picked up the Yorkie and shook it like a toy. Killed the Yorkie. So sad, and it stuck in my mind.
That may have been just a fluke, but I also took in a Newf rescue once, who was very sweet, tolerant, but energetic. Had her for 7 months as she needed a lot of obedience training to quell her enthusiasm. I also had two Newfs of my own and my parents ancient Schnauzer, and my son's Siberian Husky. The Schnauzer would go into a frenzy when the other dogs played. She would bark and charge them, snapping her teeth. The big dogs were always tolerant of this, but one day, the rescue finally had enough of the bad behavior from the Schnauzer and tried to discipline her. She ended up bruising the Schnauzer badly. If the little dog had been bigger, it would have been OK, but she was so little, she got injured.
I think these are two isolated cases, but I thought you should know. Yorkies are very delicate dogs, so my advice would be to supervise carefully until you are confident that they will be OK together. But just keep in mind that it doesn't take much to hurt a tiny dog.
Jeannie
Super Moderator
I agree to see how they get along with small animals. We could never trust Sadie around small dogs. She was OK until the squeaked, then she went crazy. I think she saw them as a squeaky toy, which she loved to rip apart. Sam would not get along with a small dog. She too high of a prey drive. The others would be OK.
Sound Bay Newfs
Active member
Some dogs have a high prey drive. One of mine does and I would worry about her with smaller animals. So try to figure that out first.
lotus
New member
I have two Newfs and a 3 lb Pomeranian. My Newfs could care less about her. My male has a high prey drive but it consist of sniffing somethingto death. Once the curiosity was satisfied....nothing. Same with my ferrets and Guinea pigs. Sniff to death than nothing.
I worry more about the Pom getting trampled because she likes to be right in the mix of playtime.
I worry more about the Pom getting trampled because she likes to be right in the mix of playtime.
NinaA
New member
My girl has no prey drive. She loves to watch the rabbits in the yard to the point that we feel comfortable naming them. She is fine with tiny dogs and is fascinated with them. Having said that. If there was a tiny dog in the house I would be watching it constantly, just like a human baby, because you never know what might happen. If nothing else, she might lay on it. Now, tell me, does she look fierce?
hsemko
New member
LOL...there's nothing fierce about your dog. I've read the stories on here regarding the small pups ruling the roost. I think my biggest fear is the other two stepping on her. I truly don't think they would ever be mean but you never know. If I do get her I'll introduce them and see their reactions of course watch them like a hawk....I still have time to decide because she isn't even born yet!!!! I'm so torn. My oldest is 10 and the other is five. I sure wouldn't want the pup driving the oldest one crazy.