We have 2 Yorkie puppies!!
 

I wanted to say hello and introduce my 2 babies, Ellie and Sammy. They are 16 week old littermates and I've had them for about a week and a half. They are very good-natured and sweet, love people and other pets, just a joy to be around. My sweet little yorkie Lucy passed away on June 26 and I just couldn't live without a yorkie in my life so I decided to get two!

I was wondering if anyone has experience raising littermates. Are there any particular challenges or situations that I should be aware of? I am now beginning to realize that they like to "play" a lot. Only to me their play looks rather ferocious and I worry they will draw blood. They roll on the floor and chase each other around, nipping at each other's tails, backs, ears, etc. while growling and barking. Then they cuddle up together and go to sleep. It's obvious that they love each other a lot. The female (Ellie) seems to be the aggressor most times and the male (Sammy), who is slightly smaller, will sometimes run to me and want to be "saved." The breeder says this is normal. Thank you in advance for any advice, words of wisdom, etc. Please don't assume I know everything just because I already had a yorkie. I'm quickly finding out that raising 2 is a whole lot different than raising one! I have already learned so much from this site. Thanks again!

Welcome to YT! Unfortunately I have no experience in raising litter mates but I'm sure a lot of people on this site do! Everyone is so helpful as I have a 16 week old puppy as well and he is my first yorkie :) Congratulations on your new babies!!! :D

Welcome to YT! Congrats on the new pups.

Sorry to hear about Lucy :(

Sorry to hear about your Lucy. Congratulations! Twice the fun. I have 4 but 2 are from the same breeder but one is 4 1/2 and the other is 2 1/2. They play rough and it sounds like they are killing each other, but they are just playing. Once in awhile I will step in if it gets too rough but not usually. They always sleep snuggled up together too. They are just having fun. They do from time to time beat up on Cali my 5 year old female and then they are not playing so I stop them right away. Having one is so different as they really look to you for their fun but with 2 or more they entertain each other a lot.

I feel like you just told my story.. I also have 2 yorkies that are littermates male and female they are now 28 weeks old I have had them for 10 weeks now and they have been fighting like you mentioned since day one of bringing them home and then they curl up together and take a nap. So far I have not seen them draw blood and they do play rather rough.I was worried also at the beginning but since in the 10 weeks I have had they have not been injured I dont worry anymore I guess they know what they can handle if you feel its really getting bad it wont hurt to separate for a while until they settle down. hope this helps and congrats on the new puppies.

So sorry for the loss of your Lucy. Congratulations on the addition of your 2 babies. They will help ease the pain of your loss. I don't have any advice on the littermate question but wanted to welcome you to YT and wish you all the best. :)

Congrats!
 

Congrats on the 2 new additions to your family! I have two littermates (one female, one male) and they were 11 weeks old when we brought them home. I was so scared at first when they played because I had never seen or heard anything like it, but they have always just been playing. They play all the time, are extremely loud, and we still laugh at them all the time (we've had them for about a year-and-a-half). The main things I can tell you to watch for are 1) when they are playing, if one needs to stop and get a drink of water or have a break, the other one stops and lets them take the water/drink break, and 2) if one yelps like they got hurt, the other one lets up on the play. If they keep biting or tugging when the other one is yeliping, you need to step in, otherwise, let them play & enjoy!

welcome and congrats on the new ones!

Welcome and congrats on 2 babies!!! It must be so exciting with littermates they will always have each other. My 2 play rough, Jersey 1 1/2 yrs old Brielle 4 mos it made me nervous but just like everyone else said they are just playing. Just like Buster Bailey said when 1 needs a drink it's so funny how they will stop take a drink like it is a time out and then back to the rough play. Enjoy!!!

Thanks so much for the warm welcome everyone! I showed my husband the replies and he said, "Wow, they are so nice!" I couldn't agree more! After what we've been through losing Lucy, it really is heartwarming!

It's good to hear from others with the same type of playful dogs, littermates or not. Glad to know they are not trying to inflict bodily harm on each other. They are into everything just like all puppies, but we are thrilled with them! I'm sure I will have lots of questions over the next few months especially, so it's good to know there is such a great online community to turn to!

This forum is great!! It has really helpfull comments

Welcome to YT and congrats on your new furbabies.:) Sorry to hear about Lucy.:(

I raised (am raising) litermates, but mine are 2 boys. They do play and it does sound rough, but they have never yelped or hurt each other. My boys are so completely bonded that my groomer tells me she needs to keep them in the same crate because they worry about each other when they are there. They look for each other in the house, you never find one with out the other. They share the same toys, eat out of the same bowl, share the same treat, sleep in the same bed, lay on the same lap (even though there are 4 of us there, they will pick 1 person (usually me) and they will both be there).
When I walk them they walk side by side always very close to each other. In the car they lay side by side on the seat. They protect each other when another dog or animal is around. Its so sweet to have 2 and they be litermates! If you have any questions or anything, feel free to contact me! :) Fixing them in the near future when they are of age will help with the aggression also.

My boy and girl littermates will turn ONE in less than two weeks. They are both totally wild and crazy when it comes to playing; especially the girl. But they also love each other and hate to be separated. I think that is the down side. Sometimes I have to take the girl to a show or a handling class and the boy is just lost without her. If you see one then the other one is not far behind. They are pretty much joined at the hip. I love having littermates that grow up together. They are so much fun! :)

Congrats on your puppies and so sorry about the loss of your beloved Lucy.

I only have one but she and the cat do get into it. I have to brake them up so they don't draw blood. Congrats on your two puppies and sorry to hear of your loss. But, Welcome to YT!!

You are going to end up with two wonderfully socialized Yorkies, Teegy sounds like the devil when he's playing. He plays with Sofie the fellow Yorkie, Tico the Chinese crested, Sushi the boxer (and his best friend) and so many other dogs.
Like Buster said, by yelping they are letting the other know they have hurt them and they back off, only for seconds.
Congrats on your lovely new babies and post pics please