We have a very elderly (9.5years) Pyrenean bitch and are considering the purchase of a Yorkshire terrier puppy. Any thoughts on problems we might encounter?

He Delila,

Blimey, thats going to be a difference for you!! :D talk about little and large, how cute is that going to look

Some older dogs get a new lease of life when a pup comes into the house, but you will have to introduce them carefully, as 9.5 years for a Pyrenean is old, cause they are such a large breed.

You must make sure that the pup doesn't get a chance to harass your older bitch, or she could become very withdrawn and depressed and make sure that you keep her as top bitch (ie. doing everything with her first) until (and if ever) your new pup decides she is old and wise enough to challenge for top position.

Don't neglect (as if you would anyway :) ) your older bitch, by spending more time with the pup and ignoring or forgetting her. This can cause them to be jeleous (sorry can't spell!! :) ) and you may have problems later on.

What is your bitch like with pups normaly, does she enjoy them or does she hate them?

manda
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She's generally very keen on meeting other small dogs but she is old and sleeps a lot. Should we have separate sleeping quarters or put them together for company? I'd hate to upset old Cassie but I'm inclined to think she would enjoy the company!

Hi Delila,

Definately seperate sleeping areas, but there is no reason why you cannot crate the puppy in the same room as your older girl. This would be much safer, because it has been known for an older dog to get fed up with a puppy constantly bullying and trying to play with it, that it has snapped back (quite rightly to!!) and not meaning to, but done some serious damage.

One snap from your older girl to tell the pup to leave her alone, could do some harm to a tiny Yorkie pup. :(

Only leave them together when you can watch to make sure everything is ok, I wouldn't recommend leaving them unsupervised together, until you know 100% that she has accepted her and the pup won't bully. Puppies don't understand that everything was not put on this earth to play with them, they have to learn this and you will have to help teach her this.

Your Pyrenean will not take kindly to a puppy bouncing on her and pulling her ears, while she is trying to sleep.

manda
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:)

I would definitely separate them for sleeping for the puppy's safety but for a different reason to Manda!

Many years ago my Grandfather had a duck which had free run of the house and garden (As in fact all their animals had!) The duck's favourite place at meal times was under the table and would beat the cats to anything which fell to the floor. At night time the duck would snuggle down with one of the pigs in the sty but one night the pig rolled over and the poor duck was killed!

With the difference of size in these two breeds the same thing is a definite risk!

Regards, John