Yorkie Temperaments Jekyle and Hyde???!!! - YorkieTalk.com Forums

zenzele · 10-15-2008, 04:49 PM

I heard that Yorkies have 2 general temperaments, some are introverted one owner dogs that prefer their owner and don't socialize well with other people or animals and some are fun loving social butterflys that are very outgoing. What's been your experience with this? Most books describe the funloving outgoing yorkie, but I came across an article that also described the more aloof yorkie. Do any of you have an introverted, aloof Yorkie? I do she is most loving and playful with me, but she is very reserved around others and seem to prefer not interacting with others. She will play with some dogs but not others.

LuluMaye · 10-15-2008, 04:55 PM

I have 3 yorkies. My oldest Lulu is like that. Does not want to be bothered by other people at all. Very reserved around strangers and sometimes can be even nasty. She is fine with all family members and the only child she loves is my grandson. My other two are very outgoing and love people. And yet I raised them all the same. They go everywhere with me and have been around crowds etc. I just think it's their personalities.

zenzele · 10-15-2008, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuluMaye

I have 3 yorkies. My oldest Lulu is like that. Does not want to be bothered by other people at all. Very reserved around strangers and sometimes can be even nasty. She is fine with all family members and the only child she loves is my grandson. My other two are very outgoing and love people. And yet I raised them all the same. They go everywhere with me and have been around crowds etc. I just think it's their personalities.

THANK YOU for this you don't know how much it helps me to hear this!!! I really wondered if I had a dog with issues or if this was just who she is. My Yorkie acts just like your Lulu, she can be nasty sometimes, never with me, but with my teenage son and coworkers, none of whom are strangers to her. Seems like she have her PMS days sometimes!! One day she's quiet the next day she's growling or barking at someone she knows!!

How old are your babies?

nencm · 10-15-2008, 06:45 PM

I have two yorkies and each one has the two personalites you have described. Bella is very outgoing and loves everyone, while Feebee loves me, tolerates the rest of the family, but does not like strangers. They do get along fine with one another, though.

hviola · 10-15-2008, 06:51 PM

Mine is the outgoing type. She loves every person, dog, cat, critter, etc. She especially likes cats, even though most dont like her, lol. She wags her little tail like theres no tomorrow when she sees one.

cpuff35 · 10-15-2008, 06:59 PM

Cassi is very outgoing towards people...both young and old. However, she's a little timid around other animals, but eventually warms up to them. I have started to bring her to dog parks so that she can socialize with other dogs. You should've seen the first time she was there...as soon as other dogs approached her, she immediately laid down and started to let the other dogs sniff her and then she rolled on her back to let them sniff her some more. I don't think I've actually seen her play with other dogs before and most of the dogs are way bigger then her.

LuluMaye · 10-16-2008, 05:04 AM

Lulu is 4yrs old and yes, she sounds exactly like your baby. Same temperment, same everything. Bosley is going to be 2 yrs. he is so loveable around people and other dogs. And Baby Zoey is 16mos. and is the most outgoing sweetest personality. Lulu is 5 lbs. Bosley is 4 lbs. & Baby Zoey is 3 lbs. Lulu doesn't like children at all. I can be carrying her in my bag and if she hears a child she starts snarling! Only with my 3 yr. old grandson is she friendly to. I can't figure her out and I gave up trying to. Like I said, it's her personality. LOL

chachi · 10-16-2008, 05:08 AM

My Chachi is very outgoing. Jewels is more introverted. Kids make her nervous. Most dogs dont bother her except the ones that bark at her she is afraid of.

celstu1 · 10-16-2008, 05:21 AM

I have one of each! They are brothers from the same litter. They are a little more than 3 years old and have been exposed to the exact same things but they are totally different personality wise. One boy is VERY outgoing, will go to any person, any other animal with no problems. The other one wants me and me only. He does not like other dogs. He is ok with other people but only if he can see me or Im completely not there will he stay with someone else. He wants me to hold him all the time. We had a group of 5 dogs in my mother's inlaws yard a couple weeks ago. All the same size roughly and all playing, but my one little boy who would either wander off away from the other dogs OR cry at the gate for me to come get him and hold him. Its like hes friendly, just shy.

yorkiecrazy · 10-16-2008, 06:27 AM

Both ours are introverted and aloof to other people. They're loving and playful with me, but very reserved around others. Our smallest Katie is a hit men when it comes to other dogs. She can be very nasty.

zenzele · 10-16-2008, 03:58 PM

What a relief you all are giving me, I have had my 5 yr old female Yorkie for 10 months and started to wonder if something was wrong with her, but it sounds like she's typical for a Yorkie with a reserved temperament. So we take them in stride... I won't reward that aloof behavior, but I also won't try to force her out of her comfort zone! Thank you all for your input!

Wabbit · 10-16-2008, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hviola

Mine is the outgoing type. She loves every person, dog, cat, critter, etc. She especially likes cats, even though most dont like her, lol. She wags her little tail like theres no tomorrow when she sees one.

LOL how cute!! My sister has like a 20 lb cat...and Daizy just wants to play with him ALL the time!! I think she thinks he's just a fat dog!! lol I love watching her try to play with him!! Thank goodness he doesn't have claws ....he's smacked her a few times...not enough to keep her away tho! lol

To the OP Daizy just loves everyone....but my sister's sophie is a ONE person pooch!! It all just depends on each yorkie!! Don't worry your furbutt is very normal!

Although I wouldn't let them try bark or try to bite at anyone...(not sayign yours does) My sister had to start disciplining Sophie for her naughty behavior towards other people.....its' a (dominance) thing....now sophie is much better around strangers.. Don't let the tiny size allow them to get away with naughty behavior otherwise they might develop issues later. Try to picture your baby as weighing 50 lbs...would you allow your 50 lb dog behave that way? lol that's when you will need to step in..
I learned that from the Dog whisperer!!! He's awesome!

zenzele · 10-16-2008, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wabbit

LOL how cute!! My sister has like a 20 lb cat...and Daizy just wants to play with him ALL the time!! I think she thinks he's just a fat dog!! lol I love watching her try to play with him!! Thank goodness he doesn't have claws ....he's smacked her a few times...not enough to keep her away tho! lol

To the OP Daizy just loves everyone....but my sister's sophie is a ONE person pooch!! It all just depends on each yorkie!! Don't worry your furbutt is very normal!

Although I wouldn't let them try bark or try to bite at anyone...(not sayign yours does) My sister had to start disciplining Sophie for her naughty behavior towards other people.....its' a (dominance) thing....now sophie is much better around strangers.. Don't let the tiny size allow them to get away with naughty behavior otherwise they might develop issues later. Try to picture your baby as weighing 50 lbs...would you allow your 50 lb dog behave that way? lol that's when you will need to step in..
I learned that from the Dog whisperer!!! He's awesome!

I agree with you, cuteness is not an excuse for ugly behavior. I had to discipline my yorkie just this week when she started barking and growling at a coworker that she knows!! Thanks for your insight!

artie merlino · 10-16-2008, 07:16 PM

I have 3 Yorkies, Artie is very friendly & outgoing towards everyone he loves to meet and greet new people, he especially flirts with Women and acts like he's the Super Star but shys away from children. Abigail is friendly and outgoing only towards people that Artie is paying attention to, I guess she's being competitive with him? She will be friendly but eventually looses interest and starts wandering off into her own World, she seems like she gets bored with them and walks off but she loves Children b/c her Breeder had her Grandchildren running around her House. Pom Pom is their Daughter and I've had her since she was born, she is not friendly at all and if she see's you walking towards us she will start barking & growling. She is the smallest @
5 lbs. where Artie is a whopping 10 lbs. since being fixed and Abigail is 8 lbs.
since her pregnancy 2 yrs. ago, so I think their size has alot to do w/it since she is easily overwhelmed. She can't stand Children since she is the first one the rush to pick up? I live w/my BF and my Mother recently moved in a month ago they obey them and are Social w/them but they refuse to leave the house w/them even to go for a walk, they will only leave w/me. Abigail is also the Guard Dog/Hunter it seems like the females have more "Terrier" traits?

LDandPasquale · 10-16-2008, 07:23 PM

Pasquale is VERY outgoing. He LOVES everyone. Everytime i take him for a walk....he makes a B-line for the next door neighbors house who has 3 cats and 1 dog...all of them that dont want anything to do with Pasquale...but yet..he still wants to go there LoL He gets super excited when anyone wants to play with him AND he loves kids. He does so well with my nephew. They follow each other around like friends.

10-15-2008, 04:49 PM	#1
zenzele YT Addict Join Date: May 2008 Location: Charleston Posts: 307	Yorkie Temperaments Jekyle and Hyde???!!! I heard that Yorkies have 2 general temperaments, some are introverted one owner dogs that prefer their owner and don't socialize well with other people or animals and some are fun loving social butterflys that are very outgoing. What's been your experience with this? Most books describe the funloving outgoing yorkie, but I came across an article that also described the more aloof yorkie. Do any of you have an introverted, aloof Yorkie? I do she is most loving and playful with me, but she is very reserved around others and seem to prefer not interacting with others. She will play with some dogs but not others.

10-15-2008, 04:55 PM	#2
LuluMaye Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2007 Location: Louisiana Posts: 203	I have 3 yorkies. My oldest Lulu is like that. Does not want to be bothered by other people at all. Very reserved around strangers and sometimes can be even nasty. She is fine with all family members and the only child she loves is my grandson. My other two are very outgoing and love people. And yet I raised them all the same. They go everywhere with me and have been around crowds etc. I just think it's their personalities. __________________ Lulu Belle, Bosley Beamer, Baby Zoey, & Holly Berry's Mommy

10-15-2008, 06:45 PM	#4
nencm YT Addict Join Date: May 2008 Location: clifton, nj Posts: 321	I have two yorkies and each one has the two personalites you have described. Bella is very outgoing and loves everyone, while Feebee loves me, tolerates the rest of the family, but does not like strangers. They do get along fine with one another, though. __________________ I love my angels...Bella, Missy, Feebee, Mocha

10-15-2008, 06:51 PM	#5
hviola YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Casey, IL Posts: 1,175	Mine is the outgoing type. She loves every person, dog, cat, critter, etc. She especially likes cats, even though most dont like her, lol. She wags her little tail like theres no tomorrow when she sees one. __________________ Heather, mommy to Drake (7 yr old son), Triss (yorkie), spike (dachshund), ash and misty (my cats), and a baby on the way due Oct 1st!

10-15-2008, 06:59 PM	#6
cpuff35 Donating YT Addict Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Cresskill, NJ, USA Posts: 1,030	Cassi is very outgoing towards people...both young and old. However, she's a little timid around other animals, but eventually warms up to them. I have started to bring her to dog parks so that she can socialize with other dogs. You should've seen the first time she was there...as soon as other dogs approached her, she immediately laid down and started to let the other dogs sniff her and then she rolled on her back to let them sniff her some more. I don't think I've actually seen her play with other dogs before and most of the dogs are way bigger then her. __________________ Evelyn, mommy to Cassiopia Titus Orion

10-16-2008, 05:04 AM	#7
LuluMaye Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2007 Location: Louisiana Posts: 203	Lulu is 4yrs old and yes, she sounds exactly like your baby. Same temperment, same everything. Bosley is going to be 2 yrs. he is so loveable around people and other dogs. And Baby Zoey is 16mos. and is the most outgoing sweetest personality. Lulu is 5 lbs. Bosley is 4 lbs. & Baby Zoey is 3 lbs. Lulu doesn't like children at all. I can be carrying her in my bag and if she hears a child she starts snarling! Only with my 3 yr. old grandson is she friendly to. I can't figure her out and I gave up trying to. Like I said, it's her personality. LOL __________________ Lulu Belle, Bosley Beamer, Baby Zoey, & Holly Berry's Mommy

10-16-2008, 05:08 AM	#8
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 37,147	My Chachi is very outgoing. Jewels is more introverted. Kids make her nervous. Most dogs dont bother her except the ones that bark at her she is afraid of. __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

10-16-2008, 05:21 AM	#9
celstu1 Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 10,534	I have one of each! They are brothers from the same litter. They are a little more than 3 years old and have been exposed to the exact same things but they are totally different personality wise. One boy is VERY outgoing, will go to any person, any other animal with no problems. The other one wants me and me only. He does not like other dogs. He is ok with other people but only if he can see me or Im completely not there will he stay with someone else. He wants me to hold him all the time. We had a group of 5 dogs in my mother's inlaws yard a couple weeks ago. All the same size roughly and all playing, but my one little boy who would either wander off away from the other dogs OR cry at the gate for me to come get him and hold him. Its like hes friendly, just shy. __________________ “Petting, scratching, and cuddling a dog could be as soothing to the mind and heart as deep meditation and almost as good for the soul as prayer.” ― Dean Koontz

10-16-2008, 06:27 AM	#10
yorkiecrazy Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Houston area Posts: 2,672	Both ours are introverted and aloof to other people. They're loving and playful with me, but very reserved around others. Our smallest Katie is a hit men when it comes to other dogs. She can be very nasty. __________________ Jamie - Gracie's Katie's and Chloe's mom : Gracie 11-12-99 11-1-2012

10-16-2008, 03:58 PM	#11
zenzele YT Addict Join Date: May 2008 Location: Charleston Posts: 307	What a relief you all are giving me, I have had my 5 yr old female Yorkie for 10 months and started to wonder if something was wrong with her, but it sounds like she's typical for a Yorkie with a reserved temperament. So we take them in stride... I won't reward that aloof behavior, but I also won't try to force her out of her comfort zone! Thank you all for your input!

10-16-2008, 07:16 PM	#14
artie merlino YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Myrtle Beach,SC Posts: 697	I have 3 Yorkies I have 3 Yorkies, Artie is very friendly & outgoing towards everyone he loves to meet and greet new people, he especially flirts with Women and acts like he's the Super Star but shys away from children. Abigail is friendly and outgoing only towards people that Artie is paying attention to, I guess she's being competitive with him? She will be friendly but eventually looses interest and starts wandering off into her own World, she seems like she gets bored with them and walks off but she loves Children b/c her Breeder had her Grandchildren running around her House. Pom Pom is their Daughter and I've had her since she was born, she is not friendly at all and if she see's you walking towards us she will start barking & growling. She is the smallest @ 5 lbs. where Artie is a whopping 10 lbs. since being fixed and Abigail is 8 lbs. since her pregnancy 2 yrs. ago, so I think their size has alot to do w/it since she is easily overwhelmed. She can't stand Children since she is the first one the rush to pick up? I live w/my BF and my Mother recently moved in a month ago they obey them and are Social w/them but they refuse to leave the house w/them even to go for a walk, they will only leave w/me. Abigail is also the Guard Dog/Hunter it seems like the females have more "Terrier" traits?

10-16-2008, 07:23 PM	#15
LDandPasquale YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Massachusetts/Florida Posts: 2,614	Pasquale is VERY outgoing. He LOVES everyone. Everytime i take him for a walk....he makes a B-line for the next door neighbors house who has 3 cats and 1 dog...all of them that dont want anything to do with Pasquale...but yet..he still wants to go there LoL He gets super excited when anyone wants to play with him AND he loves kids. He does so well with my nephew. They follow each other around like friends. __________________ LD that's me and Pasquale "If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving is definitely not for you!"