Yes, they CAN, but it takes a lot of hard work and diligence.
RULE #1- NEVER leave the dogs unattended together, because so much damage can be done if a fight were to start. But I use this rule for all the dogs in my household. If I'm not there to supervise, everyone goes in their own seperate rooms/crates. Even dogs that are best buddies will get in scuffles occassionally.
I have a Pit Bull mix (mom was pure pit, dad was a mystery mutt), that I rescued from the shelter at 5.5 wks old, Sunday will be the 4 yr anniversary of her adoption!. From day one she was taught who was Alpha (ME!). She is food aggressive due to not have to share food as a pup and being taken away from mom too early, but its really no big deal, everyone is fed seperately. Anyway, Laney does very well with most dogs she has met. She has always known how to play well with smaller dogs. She understands that they are smaller and she doesn't play as rough.
Yorkies and Pits can be raised together in the same house, but its also not a decision to be taken lightly. |