Is it better to have 2 Yorkies or 1

Should I Get Another Yorkie? (Solved & Explained!)

That is up to you, but Yorkies are very social dogs and the odds are good that they will become fast friends with the new dog. This doesnt mean that it is guaranteed, however, so you want to make sure to stage a very careful introduction and to be patient with the process.

Introduce the two dogs on neutral ground, such as the backyard or a room that your current dog doesnt use much. Make sure that both dogs have their OWN toys and food bowls and dont allow them to be together when you cant be there to supervise it.

If the older dog bullies the new dog, but doesnt hurt them, then dont panic. Dogs are pack animals and this behavior is completely normal for canines. With a little time (and possibly a tussle or two) most Yorkies will eventually become the best of friends.

In this article, were going to answer your questions about bringing a second dog into your home. Well talk about whether they should be the same gender, if an older dog will accept a puppy, and other questions that can help make introducing a new Yorkie just a little bit easier.

Lets take a look at what you need to know about bring home a second Yorkie!

Do Yorkies do better in pairs?

Yorkies dont like spending much alone time, so a pair of Yorkies is usually much happier than a Yorkie on their own. Thats not to say that they wouldnt be happy just living with their owner, but having a play companion available at all hours certainly has its perk where a Yorkie is concerned.

Introduction can take awhile, so just be patient with the process if you are seeing a little discord for the time being. Once your Yorkie gets used to the other dog, they usually become fast friends!

Do male Yorkies get along with female Yorkies?

Males actually get along better with females than they do other males. While the males are the more social gender (usually), when introduced to other males it can take awhile before they start getting along.

With a female, the process is much faster just make sure that your dogs are spayed and neutered, unless you are intending to breed them!

Do Yorkies do well alone?

Not so much. An adult Yorkie, aged about a year and a half, may be left alone for 4 to 6 hours at a time, but anything more than that and you might want to hire a dogsitter to come in and take them for a walk or have one of your friends drop in to check up on them.

Yorkies are very social dogs, to the point that they can easily get a little codependent if you dont socialize them. As such, you want to make sure that your dog doesnt spend too much time on their own or they might become depressed.

Are two Yorkies twice the work?

Actually, no, and once they are friends, you might even find that its a little less work. Your chores are the same, basically. Youll want to feed them on a schedule and continue the daily walks, but the only time its any more work than usual is when they are still getting used to each other.

Once theyve adjusted, the two Yorkies become inseparable, and you wont notice a whole lot of difference beyond the entertainment value of your two little dogs at play!

Are there any rules for bringing a second Yorkie home?

If youve decided to go ahead and bring home a second dog, we have a few recommendations that can help to make this process go a little more smoothly. Here is what we recommend:

• Pick a dog of the opposite gender, rather than the same. A male and a female will get along much better and youll have less territorial opposition to deal with, if any.
• Make sure that they have separate feeding stations and their own toys. This should help minimize fighting.
• Keep all time together supervised until you are sure that they are best friends.
• Introduce them to each other in a neutral place, such as an extra room or in the backyard.
• Be patient with the process. Theyll get along, but sometimes it takes a little time.

Will my Yorkie be jealous if I get another dog?

Yes, your dog is going to be jealous and maybe even angry at you and the other dog. They are used to being your only companion and master of their territory, so expect a period of adjustment while your current dog gets used to the new one.

Will my Yorkie be sad if I get another dog?

Aside from anger or jealousy, some dogs can get depressed if you bring a new dog home. Generally, they will adjust with a little time, but if your dogs shows signs of deep depression, such as moping around or not eating, then it might be a good time to bring them in to your vet.

Doggy depression is treatable, so dont worry, but your current dog may need a little help and extra attention so that they can accept that they arent being abandoned, but rather they are getting a new friend.

What is the best age to get a second Yorkie?

It is best to bring in a new dog when your current dog is 1 or 2 years old. This is also a good age gap, as older dogs may take quite a bit longer to adjust to puppies (though sometimes they get along right away!).

Try to target a 1 2 year age gap, if possible, and this will make the transition much easier on both dogs.

Will an old Yorkie accept a puppy?

It can go one of two ways. Either your older dog will be amused and take to the little one right away, or they might feel that you are replacing them and start bullying the new pup to show them their place in the pack.

As long as they arent hurting the puppy, then this is perfectly fine and standard dog behavior. As they are pack animals, each has their place in the hierarchy, and your older dog is just exerting their seniority.

How do I know if my Yorkie wants another dog?

If your dog hates leaving the dog park, loves visiting the neighbors dog, and seems a bit bored when they arent socializing, then they would probably love to have another dog in the house.

If your dog doesnt show these behaviors, though, that doesnt mean that they wont accept a new dog, but it may take a little longer for them to adjust to the presence of a second Yorkie in the house.

My name is Ken and Im one of the staff writers at Petloverguy.com. Ive cared for pets most of my life starting with hamsters, turtles, and snakes. Then moving up to parakeets, guinea pigs, and even ducks.I currently live with two yorkies and a chihuahua mix.

Love My Tibbe! Donating Member

Join Date: Feb 2011

Location: D/FW, Texas

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I tried to get another Yorkie when my second Yorkie, Jilly was 6 years old. Jilly weighed only 3 lbs. grown, having been the runt of her litter with some severe G-I problems that nearly killed her when I first got her. I got a little female Yorkie as I had always wanted two Yorkies but it ruined Jilly's life - as she had been an only dog for so long, I guess. Jilly took to the back of the den couch and basically stayed there for 3 months. I went through every suggestion known to man to try to get her to accomodate to Teddy, the new girl, but she would not. All the research I had done about introducing a new pet, all the dog people I spoke to about the situation afterward, the vet visits, you name it, none of it worked with Jilly. She began to chew on her ankles obsessively and stopped eating, lost weight, had tummy troubles, would not even cuddle normally with me after a while of Teddy living here. Long, very painful story short(I loved Teddy so, so much by that time), after 90 days and fearing my Jilly might pine and starve herself to death, or worse, continue to live a miserable life, I had to rehome Teddy. Teddy was an only dog in her new home and, it turned out, excelled in obedience and agility, in spite of the fact that her new mommie kept her in full show coat. She grew up into a lovely, athletic dog. Jilly, once Teddy was carried out the front door by her new mommie and daddy and I was sitting on the living room floor sobbing in misery, instantly returned to her old self, resumed her old life, stopped chewing her ankles and starving herself and thrived once again. No one could ever figure out why she just could not accept Teddy but then she had never liked to be around any other dogs. I knew that but I thought that if I brought one to live with us and be her sister, she would eventually accept her and begin to love her - but 90 days later, she still hadn't, she was nervous, remote, very thin and had balding spots on her ankles, returning G-I episodes and I was scared she was going to lose her health. After Teddy went to her new home, I would look at Jilly and ask, "Where is Teddy?" and she would not even bother to look around or run and sniff or react at all - she would just stare straight at me as if she had wiped the very memory of Teddy completely out of her mind. Jilly lived another 6 1/2 years,the queen of her world and I never again tried another dog in our house as long as she lived. I was just happy to have my Jilly healthy and happy again. My current Yorkie, Tibbe, LOVES all dogs and I think he would thrive with another family member or two!!! He just lights up when he has dog visitors here and whines and mopes when they leave. He will stand at the front door after they are gone and bark and whine after them and give me daggers looks because I "let" them leave!!! Tibbe is not small or frail like Jilly was so I do not know if that is why he loves other dogs and Jilly did not. From everything I understand, Jilly's attitude about other dogswas not common in Yorkies. So, if your dog is like Tibbe, I'll bet he would LOVE a brother or sister. I hope you can get one as I think two Yorkies would be lots of fun and good company for each other.

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Jeanie and Tibbe One must do the best one can. You may get some marks for a very imperfect answer: you will certainly get none for leaving the question alone. C. S. Lewis

When Should You Get Your Yorkie a Friend? (A Guide to Yorkie Pairs)

I had a little Yorkshire Terrier named Katie when I was growing up. She was my dog that I got to pick out from a litter of 5. She was my best friend, but she always seemed so sad and lonely when I had to leave to go to school or spend the weekends with my friends.

When she was about 7 years old my parents finally agreed to get a friend for my little Yorkie, a Maltese we named Angel. They quickly bonded and seemed so content having each other around.

Thinking about this has made me wonder is it better for Yorkies to have companionship? Could a Yorkie be lonely? I did some research and asked other Yorkie owners, heres what I found out.

Your Yorkie could greatly benefit from the companionship of another dog in the house. It can provide them with a friend and a playmate that will take some pressure off of you for entertainment and attention. You will need to consider your motivation for adding another dog to your household, and you will need to choose carefully the sex and the breed of your additional pet.

If your Yorkie is not well behaved and you are wanting to get him/her a companion because you think that will help him be less bored, think again! Ill explain why that might just add to your problems instead of helping. You will also learn about the best companion breed for your Yorkie and how to introduce them to each other successfully.

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How to Tell if My Yorkie is Lonely

You may be wanting to get a friend for your Yorkie if you think they are feeling lonely and need some companionship. Here are some clues that might indicate your Yorkie is lonely.

Why you Should Get a Friend for Your Yorkie

Yorkies can be energetic, feisty, and playful. Like most dogs, they love nothing more than to play with and be part of a pack! Getting another dog for your Yorkie to play with and grow up with can be a great idea for many reasons but your Yorkie will need to be well socialized and trained before you bring home another pet. Having a playmate can help keep your Yorkie from getting bored, and can take some of the pressure off of you to constantly entertain.

Having more than one Yorkie can be a lot of fun for you. It was so much fun to see how my Yorkie and Maltese interacted together. We have countless pictures and videos of their playful antics. We also got lots of extra loves and snuggles. Animals are so fun to watch and their horseplay is always entertaining. Just think about how many hours you can spend on YouTube watching cute Yorkie videos.

If your Yorkie has separation anxiety and gets very lonely when you leave him alone getting him a companion to keep him company could be a great comfort and help to him.

Yorkies are so small and eat so little when compared to the rest of their doggy counterparts that adding another one really wont be too much of an additional cost, although you do need to think about the cost of vet visits and possible grooming or training that you will need to invest in.

Why You Shouldnt Get Another Dog for Your Yorkie

If you are thinking of getting a friend for your Yorkie because your Yorkie is bored and getting into a lot of trouble, think again!

You shouldnt get your Yorkie a companion dog if your Yorkie is not already well behaved. Finding that tipped-over garbage can with chewed-up tissue isnt fun for any pet parent, but it will be double trouble if you add another puppy to the mix.

You may think that hes bored and his antics of getting into the garbage can or constantly barking at the neighbors indicate he needs a playmate, but thats not necessarily true.

If your Yorkie is getting into a lot of trouble you may need to think about how much time you are able to devote to your dog. If youre not able to give them several hours (not necessarily in a row) of your time each day to walk them, play with them, teach them etc.. then you are probably not ready to get another dog that will also demand more of your time and attention.

Yorkies can have a domineering personality which could potentially cause problems having them around other animals. Make sure your Yorkie is well trained and socialized first!

Not only will this make it easier on you now, but it will also be easier if you do add another pet down the line. If you are successful with this then your Yorkie will be better able to handle the new transition, and he will also be better equipped to help you train a new dog the right way to do things.

If you arent prepared to deal with the financial cost of another dog then you shouldnt get one just for the sake of your Yorkie to have a friend. Vet visits, vaccinations, flea treatments, grooming, treats, and toys can all add up. You dont want to feel like you need to get a second job to pay for a second pet, that kind of just defeats the purpose.

If you have a very senior dog then getting a puppy might not be the right fit. Sometimes puppies can help keep a senior dog fit and active, but more often it can cause your senior dog stress, and be very bothersome for them.

Having a companion for your Yorkie can be wonderful, but if and when something happens to either dog and they pass away, it can be devastating and very difficult for your remaining dog to deal with. Often they will begin to feel very depressed and it could take a long time for them to get over the separation from their friend.

Do Yorkies Get Along With Other Dogs

This is a tricky one. If your Yorkie is very well socialized and has had a lot of practice around other dogs its likely that they will do well with another breed. The size and temperament of both dogs are big factors. Yorkies have very strong and willful personalities they tend to like being the Alpha dog, even around larger breeds. Because of this, its best to pair them with dogs who are more docile and calm.

Large Breed Dogs and Yorkies

If you have a gentle giant that is very aware of their space, completely non-aggressive, and you are confident your Yorkie wont be harmed, then it could be a match made in heaven. Likewise, if your Chihuahua can be around other larger dogs and never show signs of aggression then youre on the path to success.

If you currently have a Yorkie and are planning to bring home a large breed as a puppy, you will need to be very careful to always monitor the puppy around your Yorkie. Puppies have a lot of energy and it takes several years to train them (up to 3 years). Its best if bringing a large dog home to your Yorkie to get an older dog that is already socialized and trained to be good with smaller dogs.

When I asked Yorkie owners what large breed dogs they have that work well with their little guys Heres what they told me. These gentle giants are able to be trained to play softly and kindly with your Yorkie.

• Great Dane
• Bernese Mountain Dog
• Bullmastiff
• Newfoundland
• Greyhound
• Standard Poodle
• German Sheppard
• Labs
• St Bernard
• English Mastiff

I asked Yorkie owners what breeds get along best with their Yorkies and got over 200 replies:

Here is what they said: If a Yorkie is well socialized he can get along with any pet, he loves to play chase so expect that from him no matter what! Ive also found out that in a house full of dogs where a Yorkie can be found you can expect your Yorkie to act as if hes the boss!

I was quite surprised at the variety of combinations owners have. Often owners had not just 2 dogs, but entire packs up to 5 or even 7! There were too many combinations to list them all, but here are some of the most popular ones.

• Yorkie Pairs
• Chihuahua & Yorkie
• Maltese & Yorkie
• Shih Tzu & Yorkie
• Small breed mix & Yorkie
• Pomeranian & Yorkie
• Dachshund & Yorkie
• Toy Poodle & Yorkie
• Westie Terrier & Yorkie
• Pug & Yorkie (I had 1 owner say this combination didnt get along)
• Bichon & Yorkie
• German Shepard & Yorkie
• English Bulldog & Yorkie
• Jack Russell Terrier & Yorkie
• Havanese & Yorkie
• Blue Heeler & Yorkie

The combinations are endless! The main take away:

It all depends on Personality. Training.. and socializing!

A good way to test how your Yorkie does with other dogs is carefully and safely putting them in situations where they can practice being around other dogs. Dog parks, going to the pet store, walking in busy areas are all good things to try. It could also be a good idea to invite some friends and family members to bring their dog to your house to get an idea of how your Yorkie will react to another dog being in their territory.

Does Age and Sex Matter When Getting a Yorkie Companion

Does age matter when thinking about getting another dog? Why not just get 2 puppies from the same litter, or even just 2 puppies at the same time? Well, there is something called littermate syndrome which you can read more about here, but basically, 2 puppies can get so attached to each other that it can cause extreme anxiety and behavior problems for one or both of them. This will cause a lot of extra care and work on your part to fix.

In order to avoid littermate syndrome, Behaviorists recommend waiting until your puppy is at least 1 or 2 years old and has some good solid training before adding another addition.

For older dogs, it could go one of two ways. If you have a relatively healthy older Yorkie then having a puppy around could be great for keeping them playful and youthful, but if youre older Yorkie has health issues and doesnt have a lot of energy having a puppy around could cause a lot of added stress for them, either way, you will want to have space where your older dog can go to escape and be alone when they want a break.

What about Gender? Generally speaking dogs of the opposite sex to best with each other. This is because they can both be the Alpha of their own gender, so you will most likely have less squabbling and fighting. If you do end up getting two of the same gender, two males usually do best together.

How to Introduce Your Yorkie to a New Pet

You may be thinking getting a friend for your Yorkie sounds like a great idea and its worked well for a lot of other owners. Piece of cake! Well. even if your Yorkie is really well behaved it doesnt necessarily mean that its going to be smooth sailing. Most of the owners I talked to say it takes a bit of time and planning to make things turn out successfully. It also takes some patience and understanding that your new dog and Yorkie will most likely not instantly become best friends.

So heres what you can do to help foster a healthy friendship!

Prepare Before hand:

You will want to have a separate space for your new dog where he can feel safe and secure in a new environment.

• separate feeding bowls in different areas
• separate crate of playpen
• separate sleeping area
• separate toys and chew things

Your dogs will hopefully end up sharing a bed, and possibly other things as well, but to begin with, its important that the dogs have no reason to feel threatened by each other. They need to know that they are not going to miss out on anything by having the other one around. Also if you are bringing a puppy home they will need more confinement as they are learning to be trained as well as a separate space to sleep since their sleep cycle will be very different than an older dog.

Carefully Introduce Them:

Its best to let them meet each other on neutral territory. Somewhere outside the home, or even in your front yard (away from your front door), a neighbors yard, or a nearby park with no one around or limited distractions.

Have them both on a leash and harness and let them smell each other on their own terms. Dont force it. If they start showing signs of nervousness or aggression, its best to back off and try again later when they are calmer and in a quieter place with less distraction. Praise and give rewards to both dogs for positive interactions.

Once they have had a good first meeting you can bring the new dog inside and take a chance to show them around. Youll want to keep them separated at first and closely monitor interactions while introducing them to each other a little at a time. Some dogs will get along right away, others will take a little longer.

Its best to have a backup plan if the meeting doesnt go well or your new dog doesnt get along with your existing one. If you are able to have the new dog or puppy on a trial basis to make sure things work out that would be the best option. That way the breeder or previous owner is prepared to help find another family if needed. If you have another family member that can get involved and take care of the new dog, that could be another option for a backup plan.

Chances are with the right environment and loving care your new addition will get along fabulously with your little Yorkie and they will be on their way to a long-lasting and wonderful friendship!

While we strive to give the most accurate and helpful information about your pets health that we can, this article is meant to be informational only and not medical advice. Never disregard, avoid or delay in obtaining medical advice from your veterinarian or other qualified veterinary health care provider regardless of what you have read on this site or elsewhere.