Earlier my husband found a stray puppy and decided to pick her up. She is tiny and looks like a Pit Mix. Well he took her to the vet and got her shots (Parvo and dewormed and for fleas) in case you're freaking out. Anyway it was confirmed by the pet that she is indeed part Pit. I already have a dog in the house...he's a chihuahua mix and thinks he's the king of house. My question is...we're debating on whether to take her in or just nurture her and give her away....and part of that involves whether or not or how my dog will handle having her in the home. I'm going to talk to the Vet about this, but does anyone know from personal experience? How will it go by mixing these two breeds in the home. I'm afraid that he'll take her in but once she's grown up she might change her attitude about him.
2006-11-17 09:42:09 · 17 answers · asked by laurel 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
A friend of mine at work came to me recently with a similar situation. She had two chihuahuas, one male and one female, and she brought home a male pitbull mix. Their male chihuahua was also a dominant personality, and immediately the pitbull and the male chihuahua had fights, and the pitbull chased the female chihuahua. They got the pitbull puppy neutered, and this has reduced the problem, but it's still not perfect, and probably won't be. There are several factors to consider:
1) Pitbulls were originally bred to be a fighting dog, so they still seem to have an instinct to not bond well with other dogs. This is a generalization, but breeds often have general characteristics (retrievers retrieve, pointers point, shepards herd, etc...) so don't jump on me for this statement!
2) All dogs have some sort of prey drive, and some breeds more than others. Combine that with the small size of the chihuahua, and you have the potential that the pitbull will always want to chase down and get the chihuahua- kind of like dogs chase cats and rodents.
3) Chihuahua males can tend to develop an alpha male personality when they're the only dog in the household- add another dog, and there may be challenges. Chihuahuas also don't always understand that they're small!
4) If you are the pack leader (alpha) you can probably prevent any problems, but it may take some strong leadership.
Of course, I'm just bringing up possible problems. If they already get along, and she's young, they may bond well. Make sure you socialize her a lot- take her into public, dog parks, etc... to make sure that she handles the new experiences well and understands what behavior you expect of her.
Good luck
2006-11-17 09:53:02 · answer #1 · answered by sandsunsurf 3 · 2⤊ 3⤋
I have a pit mix, largely pit, and she is my third dog. She is such a delight and loves her two "sisters". At first the eldest did not take to her but now they look out for each other. The three of them are tight. Very closely bonded. Any puppy may have a tendency to be aggressive or pushy and if you notice that behavior in your pit pup get her some training. If anything that chihuahua may be the bully. lol. I am sure you know how assertive a chihuahua can be. I wouldn't see her as a threat at all. Most likely the pit will try and play with her a bit rough and the chihuahua will quickly put her into her place as the new kid on the block. I'd love to hear how it goes.
2006-11-17 10:04:00 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have 3 PIT MASTIFF mix dogs and in my state they are con sered "TERMINATOR DOGS" I have 2 children as well and I know what everyone is thinking a bad mix right?
pits are not naturally mean or aggressive dogs and they were not originally bread for fighting and people need to stop saying that. A pit is the most loyal dog u could ever have and introducing the two dogs at a young age is good that pit Will protect u and your other dog and would die doing so. When people fight their dogs the owners are right there and the dogs feel that the other dog is going to hurt their owner so they fight to protect them. they show their loyalty no matter what and that is the sad part of it. I would keep th pit mix and u will find out that it will be one of the most best pets u ever had and she will be a part of a good family. I encourage people like u to help change the face of how people see pit bulls weather the be mix or not. I hope this helps u and I'm sure the pup is forever great full.
2006-11-17 10:25:47 · answer #3 · answered by STACY K 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'd get the puppy to the health practitioner as quickly as possible. This isn't traditional. I lately brought house a six week historical dog and it had no issues with potting. Now the consuming can be a situation. The puppy can be nervous and have a upset stomach for the primary 24 hours. My breeder mentioned to provide cottage cheese for the primary 24 hours because of the dog could have loose stools and sure she did!!! Are you making definite the canine knows the place to get water at? That little of a canine might not need to walk any distance as a result of being scared. See if it'll eat in the event you hand feed it. Give the puppy a ice cube. This would help. Do not be worried about making a big deal on the subject of your dog!!!!! Excellent luck, P
2016-08-09 22:50:17 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't. Bully breeds (and that includes breeds like Old English Bulldog, boston terriers etc as well as pit bull) can be a problem with smaller breeds. I heard a lady tell how she raised boston terriers and chihuahuas. One day they came home to find the cat torn apart. Then the bostons attacked and killed one of the chihuahuas. So they got rid of all the chis so they wouldn't be at risk. Then the bostons ganged up on the smallest one of them and killed it. These were dogs that were raised in the home and had never shown these kinds of tendencies before. What happens is something sets them off and they would rather die than back down. It part of the nature of the breed. They can be and are wonderful dogs but I wouldn't trust any bully breed to live with my chis.
IF you do decide to keep the dog, please keep them apart when you are not there to supervise them. The number one reason little dogs come into the vet having been attacked is from a larger dog in the home. I will admit though I am partial to chis (I have 5).
2006-11-17 11:32:17 · answer #5 · answered by SabrinaD 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I have 2 Boxer/Pitt dogs. I've had them since they were 4 weeks old. When i first brought them in my house, I had allready had 3 cats! 1 of the cats was a baby also when the dogs were. So they grew up together pretty much. Now the puppies are 1 year and the them and the cats get along great! The dogs are inside mostly and are like big babbies! The puppies do get a lillte rough sometimes but they NEVER hurt the cats!
2006-11-17 10:04:08 · answer #6 · answered by MoMmY AlOrA 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
to be truthful with out a costly genetics test a vet cannot "confirm" she is part Pitt.. its only a guess... maybe a more experienced guess... but still a guess
anyhow - socialize socialize socialize.. and not just the new dog.. the Chihuahua too...
Obedience lessons are a MUST.. you didnt mention what the other likey breed is in this dog.. if you suspect CHow at all.. I would definatly not keep the dog (chows are unpredictable and with the strenght of a pitt it makes for a bad mix)
anyhow did you report finding her?? in most areas its illegal to simply keep a found dog without reporting to the SPCA that you have found it...
2006-11-18 13:03:19 · answer #7 · answered by CF_ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What just kills me is how recklessly the other answerers automatically say that everything will be fine. That's just so stupid and irresponsible.
They may get along, they may not. Pits tend to have a prey drive that makes them go after smaller animals, especially when they run. If the pit mix has ANY of this, your Chi will NEVER be 100% safe with her. Getting her fixed may help to reduce this tendency, but your dog has lived as a stray dog - this sometimes makes the dog revert back to it's natural prey drive.
Personally, I wouldn't allow the dog to be alone with any of my other animals for several years. I've heard too many stories of prey-drive dogs snapping 6 months or a year later and killing the smaller animal.
If they seem to be ok, and you can provide proper supervision to *both* of them, then you may be fine. Go with your gut and if you EVER feel ANY agression coming from the pit, then separate them ASAP and go from there. Good luck to you and this sweet little rescue dog! : )
2006-11-17 10:05:27 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Definetly bring the dog home. It's just a puppy so it wont be overly aggressive and because your first dog is older the pit will be "submissive" to it. It doesnt matter that when the puppy gets bigger it might be able to eat your older dog, it would have grown up with your chihuahua in charge and thats how things will stay. I can tell you from personal experience. Pitbulls are not crazy, maniacal dogs. They are naturally aggressive because they love to protect their owners :). It's the people who own pitbulls that turn them into the monsters that most people think the dogs are. Definetly take the dog home. Puppies are cute!! why not! :D
2006-11-17 09:48:01 · answer #9 · answered by JfromtheV.I. 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I think you are right...if the pit mix is young, and it grows up around this other dog, they just might be ok. Also, I assume ur Chi mix is a male...well from my own personal experiences male female dogs get along better than male male, or female female. If you love this animal, give her a chance. It seems that you are able to give her a good home, and have at least invested some time, money, and care into her. Good luck
2006-11-17 09:45:28 · answer #10 · answered by flyin_gsxr600 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋