A playmate for my Yorkie

Question
QUESTION: Hi Melinda,

I have a 1yr old Yorkie and am wondering if I should get a playmate to keep him company while I'm at work.  Your thoughts.


ANSWER: Robin,

I don't see why not.  Just try to make sure that you get him a playmate that is going to be about his size full grown.  Also, don't leave them along together in the same crate until the puppy is about 6 months old so that he doesn't get hurt by accident because your older yorkie gets to aggressive when they are playing.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Melinda,

Thank you for your response.  It is a 7yr old Yorkie and approx. 6-7lbs and mine is 2lbs., is this OK?

Answer
Robin,

I thought you were asking about getting a puppy not a yorkie that was also an adult.  This information changes my response.  You did not say if they were male or female so I will try to answer without that information.  When you bring a puppy into the home with an adult dog they will usually go through a period of getting to know each other and of establishing a pecking order.  There is a lot of growling, sniffing and showing of teeth but there is usually not any biting.  The older dog teaches the younger dog who is the boss and what his boundaries are.

That being said if you bring two adult dogs together they may have a problem because each is trying to be the boss and sometimes fighting will occur.  In the best case scenario they will get along perfectly after only a day or two.  In the worst case scenario one of them will kill the other.  I have seen this happen over the years many times and it is a horrifying thing.  Every dog is different and I am sure there are many instances where there are no problems at all.  Only you can determine if you want to take that chance.

The second thing that comes to mind is that if you place two full grown males together they will fight.  You have a better chance of them not fighting if they are both neutered but chances are they will fight.  Also, keep in mind that they will try to out do each other when it comes to marking their territory.

If you want to be sure that things will go smoothly then I would suggest getting a puppy rather than a full grown yorkie.