Thinking about getting a Yorkie . . . - YorkieTalk.com Forums

NewYorker10 · 02-18-2010, 07:44 AM

I'm looking for some experienced advice here. My fiance and I are planning to get a dog after we get married this May and are in the process of choosing a breed. We have both had dogs our whole lives, but mainly large dogs and neither of us has a dog now. We're also planning on having children in the not too distant future. . .

We live in a condo so a large dog is out of the question and I've kinda fallen in love with the Yorkie breed. I think they're adorable and I have also read the not so great traits of the breed (very delicate, "yappy", somewhat difficult to train/housebreak). We both agree that we'd take any dog for obedience training and I have experience in crate training and house breaking dogs, so I feel up to the challenge.

I guess my major concern falls with the Yorkies and kids topic. One person we spoke with said that if we were to have a Yorkie in a house with kids that it's better for the Yorkie to be there first and be older when the kids come along (as opposed to brining a Yorkie puppy home to young children). I've looked around this site and see that there are people here who have Yorkies and young children, so I'd like to hear some experienced opinions on how this works. I understand that the children need to be taught to be respectful of the dog (as they would with any animal) and especially aware of how to handle-or not handle the animals.

Can anyone tell me if Yorkies (as a breed, I know personalities vary) tend to be snappy/prone to biting young children out of fear? I would really hate to get a dog only to encounter problems like this down the road and have a bad situation to deal with. I am not personally famillar with this breed so I really need some insider input. Our home now is animal and child free, but we don't intend it to stay that way.

Thanks in advance!

violet voon · 02-18-2010, 08:12 AM

Welcome to YT

I'm not married yet, but I have a niece (4 years old) and nephew (3 years old), my yorkie named Sugar (she's 1 year old) doesn't get along with them...because of jealousy.

My niece and nephew don't stay with me, Sugar only gets to see them once/twice every month. Everything was fine at first, but as Sugar grows up, she started to feel jealous when I hold my little niece and nephew, she barks non-stop, and seek for attention.

There are ways to correct this, I know, like introduce them to each other properly, to make Sugar likes them. But this can't help because my sister doesn't want her children to go near Sugar (this could be one of the reason Sugar barks when she sees them!). One way just wouldn't work, and they prefer to keep it this way so...there's limited things I could do.

My fiance and I are planning to get married next year, and we will have our children. I think everything should be fine as long as the 1st step is right, like introduce new family members to our yorkies. I might need help from YT by that time

I'm not a senior member, I know there are a lot of senior YT members here, they have children and are happy to have yorkies in the family

Yorkie is a very special, unique breed...having Sugar in my life is like a miracle, I was always a cat person. Sugar is a gift from my fiance, sometimes he gets jealous when I keep talking about Sugar Sugar YT YT

Nico29 · 02-18-2010, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewYorker10

I'm looking for some experienced advice here. My fiance and I are planning to get a dog after we get married this May and are in the process of choosing a breed. We have both had dogs our whole lives, but mainly large dogs and neither of us has a dog now. We're also planning on having children in the not too distant future. . .

We live in a condo so a large dog is out of the question and I've kinda fallen in love with the Yorkie breed. I think they're adorable and I have also read the not so great traits of the breed (very delicate, "yappy", somewhat difficult to train/housebreak). We both agree that we'd take any dog for obedience training and I have experience in crate training and house breaking dogs, so I feel up to the challenge.

I guess my major concern falls with the Yorkies and kids topic. One person we spoke with said that if we were to have a Yorkie in a house with kids that it's better for the Yorkie to be there first and be older when the kids come along (as opposed to brining a Yorkie puppy home to young children). I've looked around this site and see that there are people here who have Yorkies and young children, so I'd like to hear some experienced opinions on how this works. I understand that the children need to be taught to be respectful of the dog (as they would with any animal) and especially aware of how to handle-or not handle the animals.

Can anyone tell me if Yorkies (as a breed, I know personalities vary) tend to be snappy/prone to biting young children out of fear? I would really hate to get a dog only to encounter problems like this down the road and have a bad situation to deal with. I am not personally famillar with this breed so I really need some insider input. Our home now is animal and child free, but we don't intend it to stay that way.

Thanks in advance!

Hi there! I think it is wonderful that you are being so responsible and asking great questions. Yorkies are the best. Oh--congratulations on your upcoming wedding! I wish I could offer advice on this topic but we don't have children yet and I am excited to read what other people post. The only thing I know is that you should probably consider a larger size Yorkie. My little man is 8lbs and still very small---compared to other dogs. Good luck to you!

GaMom06 · 02-18-2010, 01:42 PM

We have two children 10 and 8 that our Yorkie absolutely adores! He came from a home where there were 3 children under the age of 9. He weighs 5lbs. Sometimes I think it is better to have the kids and then the dog because the doggie grows up his whole life with kids around him/her. I think if you get doggie first then have kids the doggies no matter what breed can get very jealous and take a dislike to the crying, loud thing taking up all mommy and daddys time!

That being said I would not recommend getting a Yorkie baby while your children are very small..say under the age of 5 because they are not good at being gentle sometimes! A 2yr old and a 2lb dog are not a good combo!!

Good Luck and Congrats on your marriage!

noangelx · 02-18-2010, 01:45 PM

My ZOE is very small (approx 2.5 -3 lbs) She is 2 years old and my kids are 7 and soon to be 15...

She gets along great with my kids and my youngest is very careful around her, But is not allowed to pick her up...

She has no jealousy issues with my kids and we have had her since she was about 13 weeks.

But not all kids can behave so carefully around small dogs so be very careful!!!

Dana2657 · 02-18-2010, 01:49 PM

My first yorkie many years ago was my first baby and when my kids came 1 by 1 starting when he was a year old, it was like they all grew up together. I have 3 kids 20, 17, 14, and I think having my yorkie before the kids worked out perfectly. My kids were never rough with him and visa versa. It was a growth experience for my kids and the yorkie, kids learned respect for animals from birth, and my Sinbad learned to be around them with no problem. Now i have Paris and my boys are home and they know to be gentle with her. Though she can be rough and tough, so she thinks.

Texanna · 02-18-2010, 01:59 PM

My Yorkie doesn't like kids, but I think it's because he's only been around rough kids (we are a childless household)

One of the wonderful things about Yorkies is that most of the stereotypes of them are not always true. I think that if you train them properly, they won't be yappy, and if you socialize them around children, they'll get along just fine. There is a reason Yorkies are the number 2 dog in the United States and that is because they are so lovable.

francis53 · 02-18-2010, 02:19 PM

Well, I waited until my youngest was 7 yrs. old before I got my first yorkie, I was worried about her being too rough with a small dog. But two yrs. later my older daughter moved back home with her infant and 3 yrs. later my other daughter did and my dog loved the children, she was extra small so had to be watched so the kids didn't drop her or anything. Now 15 yrs. later we have 7 grandkids and 5 yorkies. All the dogs are great with them, none of my yorkies snap, growl or anything but want to lick and play with the kids. Mostly, I worry about the children hurting the dogs more then the other way around.
Martha

TwoforFun · 02-18-2010, 02:50 PM

I have a 11,10, and 8 yr olds skinkids and a 8 and 5 month furkids. Boy do they love each other. I really do think it depends on the kids and dogs themselves. If you know your kids are rough and to say it in a nice way adventurous small dogs are big no-no's. Also keep in mind that when your pup is teething he will bite everyone and everything. So whether you decide to get your pup before or after is really your choice but I recommend before so you can have him train before the crying and diaper changing so you won't fall into depression.
Good luck!

misslissa · 02-18-2010, 03:22 PM

okay i dont have kids BUT Gatsby has been around kids from the ages of two to sixteen and soon my god daughter who is only 2 months old what i would do is decide when you want kids if its right away then maybe wait a few years before getting a dog if you want to wait a year or two for kids then get the dog now and when you are ready go to your local girl scout troup and ask to barrow a baby-think-it-over they will probably charge you a rental fee what the baby-think-it-over is is a babay doll on a real infant scedule it crys and needs feed and wakes up in the middle of the night once you have the doll go to the hospital and ask for used spit clothes and diapers (gross i know but this works) and put them around the baby doll then let your dog explore and smell the baby and get used to the time and attension a baby will need then when you get pregnant start takeing time out of everyday to do baby things fould clothes decorate and show your dog when your doing baby things they cant be thear but you will come back and then when you have the baby bring home clothes and blankets and yes more messed diapers so your dog can get used to the smell of your baby and be more comfortable and less noisey when you bring baby home
hope this helps

yorkie_mama22 · 02-18-2010, 04:16 PM

I have two children, 3 and a half and 6 yrs old. I also have two yorkies who I bought after having children. Both yorkies were close to 1 year old so not little puppies.

My Lola is not snappy at all towards kids, my daughter can bother her be in her face and she just doesn't react to it. Lola however is a bit of a barker sometimes, she is a very vocal dog. She will whine if she wants something and growl at you to get your attention. She doesn't bark excessively.

Zach is my neutered male. He is very good with both kids too but if he is laying down and they get into his face he will kind of snap in their face, never has he bitten. He will more so jump up in their face and growl. Both kids know they are not to bother him or any of our dogs but of course with kids sometimes they don't listen.

House breaking wasn't too much of a challenge we do outside pottying as well as pads. They do have accidents, mainly poop accidents if we don't keep the bedroom doors closed. I do believe that it can be hard to house train them. However my previous yorkie who passed away never peed where she wasn't suppose too and always went on the pad.

I don't find them yappy at all, they are very loving dogs and very loyal companions. I fell in love with them so much that we just added Zach into our family for Christmas. You can't just have one thats how great they are! lol

Make sure you find a good breeder you feel comfortable with I think is the main goal!

xxmxaxrxyxx · 02-18-2010, 06:17 PM

i myself don't have any kids...but do have 2 nieces (8 and 9) ... and my 3 adores my nieces...probably because i got them after my nieces were already here....well none of my 3 knows what strangers are....lol they love everyone....congrats on your upcoming wedding...and can't wait to see the precious baby you decide to bring home.

Ggmom · 02-18-2010, 07:04 PM

I have a 3 year old and a 5 year old. I got Giorgie and Chanel when the kids were 2 and 4. The dogs were about 9 weeks old each when I got them. The dogs grew up with them, and the children were taught to be very gentle. The dogs are very loving, and never snap or growl at all. They have been around infants as well, and they are just as loving. They are not yappy, and are potty trained for outside. They are pretty close to perfect. They are my absolute favorite breed of dog, and great with kids.

LilMissy · 02-18-2010, 10:33 PM

I have two little yorkie girls, and three kids (ages 7, 5, and 4). My kids treat the Yorkies like gold (seriously). They are soooo extremely cautious and careful with them and around them. I had to establish rules the moment we got our first yorkie 1.5 yrs ago. NO running in the house, NO throwing things (toys etc), NO holding the puppy while standing or sitting on furniture. Even my 7 yr old must sit on the floor with Missy or Dora in his lap. They understand the rules completely. They are never rough with them. They understand how fragile they are and do their best to protect them. My yorkie girls are not snappy at all with children, they actually adore them. They are well socialized with kids however, because I drag them to the elementary school with me anywhere between 1-3 times per day. All of the kids come out of school at the end of the day looking to see if Missy and Dora are there. I do find that I have to be cautious with them around children who don't know how to treat tiny dogs, but that goes for some adults too

I have one Yorkie that's yappy, and one who is not. Their personalities are completely different, although they are sisters. Housetraining wasn't too bad, but I was patient with that from the start. I knew it wouldn't be easy. This is the first toy breed dog that I have owned, and I have completely fallen in love with the breed (so much so, that I had to get a 2nd). They are beautiful, intelligent, and carry themselves with pride.

NewYorker10 · 02-19-2010, 03:22 AM

Thanks so much everyone for the advice and the congratulations! This is obviously a big decision for us and requires a lot of thought and consideration. This is obviously a great resource for information and discussion and I'm very glad to have found this site. Everyone seems to be very helpful and welcoming.

02-18-2010, 07:44 AM	#1
NewYorker10 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NY Posts: 58	Thinking about getting a Yorkie . . . I'm looking for some experienced advice here. My fiance and I are planning to get a dog after we get married this May and are in the process of choosing a breed. We have both had dogs our whole lives, but mainly large dogs and neither of us has a dog now. We're also planning on having children in the not too distant future. . . We live in a condo so a large dog is out of the question and I've kinda fallen in love with the Yorkie breed. I think they're adorable and I have also read the not so great traits of the breed (very delicate, "yappy", somewhat difficult to train/housebreak). We both agree that we'd take any dog for obedience training and I have experience in crate training and house breaking dogs, so I feel up to the challenge. I guess my major concern falls with the Yorkies and kids topic. One person we spoke with said that if we were to have a Yorkie in a house with kids that it's better for the Yorkie to be there first and be older when the kids come along (as opposed to brining a Yorkie puppy home to young children). I've looked around this site and see that there are people here who have Yorkies and young children, so I'd like to hear some experienced opinions on how this works. I understand that the children need to be taught to be respectful of the dog (as they would with any animal) and especially aware of how to handle-or not handle the animals. Can anyone tell me if Yorkies (as a breed, I know personalities vary) tend to be snappy/prone to biting young children out of fear? I would really hate to get a dog only to encounter problems like this down the road and have a bad situation to deal with. I am not personally famillar with this breed so I really need some insider input. Our home now is animal and child free, but we don't intend it to stay that way. Thanks in advance!

02-18-2010, 08:12 AM	#2
violet voon YT Addict Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: M'sia Posts: 454	Welcome to YT I'm not married yet, but I have a niece (4 years old) and nephew (3 years old), my yorkie named Sugar (she's 1 year old) doesn't get along with them...because of jealousy. My niece and nephew don't stay with me, Sugar only gets to see them once/twice every month. Everything was fine at first, but as Sugar grows up, she started to feel jealous when I hold my little niece and nephew, she barks non-stop, and seek for attention. There are ways to correct this, I know, like introduce them to each other properly, to make Sugar likes them. But this can't help because my sister doesn't want her children to go near Sugar (this could be one of the reason Sugar barks when she sees them!). One way just wouldn't work, and they prefer to keep it this way so...there's limited things I could do. My fiance and I are planning to get married next year, and we will have our children. I think everything should be fine as long as the 1st step is right, like introduce new family members to our yorkies. I might need help from YT by that time I'm not a senior member, I know there are a lot of senior YT members here, they have children and are happy to have yorkies in the family Yorkie is a very special, unique breed...having Sugar in my life is like a miracle, I was always a cat person. Sugar is a gift from my fiance, sometimes he gets jealous when I keep talking about Sugar Sugar YT YT __________________ Sugar - 6th February 2009

02-18-2010, 01:42 PM	#4
GaMom06 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Metro Atlanta Posts: 87	We have two children 10 and 8 that our Yorkie absolutely adores! He came from a home where there were 3 children under the age of 9. He weighs 5lbs. Sometimes I think it is better to have the kids and then the dog because the doggie grows up his whole life with kids around him/her. I think if you get doggie first then have kids the doggies no matter what breed can get very jealous and take a dislike to the crying, loud thing taking up all mommy and daddys time! That being said I would not recommend getting a Yorkie baby while your children are very small..say under the age of 5 because they are not good at being gentle sometimes! A 2yr old and a 2lb dog are not a good combo!! Good Luck and Congrats on your marriage! __________________ Mom to 3 Fur Kids:Rusty Stedman Cat Girl and to 2 Super Scouts- JD-10 and Orion-8

02-18-2010, 01:49 PM	#6
Dana2657 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: new york Posts: 138	My first yorkie many years ago was my first baby and when my kids came 1 by 1 starting when he was a year old, it was like they all grew up together. I have 3 kids 20, 17, 14, and I think having my yorkie before the kids worked out perfectly. My kids were never rough with him and visa versa. It was a growth experience for my kids and the yorkie, kids learned respect for animals from birth, and my Sinbad learned to be around them with no problem. Now i have Paris and my boys are home and they know to be gentle with her. Though she can be rough and tough, so she thinks. __________________ Dana & Paris

02-18-2010, 02:50 PM	#9
TwoforFun YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: TX Posts: 646	I have a 11,10, and 8 yr olds skinkids and a 8 and 5 month furkids. Boy do they love each other. I really do think it depends on the kids and dogs themselves. If you know your kids are rough and to say it in a nice way adventurous small dogs are big no-no's. Also keep in mind that when your pup is teething he will bite everyone and everything. So whether you decide to get your pup before or after is really your choice but I recommend before so you can have him train before the crying and diaper changing so you won't fall into depression. Good luck! __________________ XOXO JiJi , JiJa Lil' Man and Mommy

02-18-2010, 01:45 PM	#5
noangelx Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Edmonton, Canada Posts: 151	My ZOE is very small (approx 2.5 -3 lbs) She is 2 years old and my kids are 7 and soon to be 15... She gets along great with my kids and my youngest is very careful around her, But is not allowed to pick her up... She has no jealousy issues with my kids and we have had her since she was about 13 weeks. But not all kids can behave so carefully around small dogs so be very careful!!!

02-18-2010, 01:59 PM	#7
Texanna Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 100	My Yorkie doesn't like kids, but I think it's because he's only been around rough kids (we are a childless household) One of the wonderful things about Yorkies is that most of the stereotypes of them are not always true. I think that if you train them properly, they won't be yappy, and if you socialize them around children, they'll get along just fine. There is a reason Yorkies are the number 2 dog in the United States and that is because they are so lovable.

02-18-2010, 02:19 PM	#8
francis53 Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 714	Well, I waited until my youngest was 7 yrs. old before I got my first yorkie, I was worried about her being too rough with a small dog. But two yrs. later my older daughter moved back home with her infant and 3 yrs. later my other daughter did and my dog loved the children, she was extra small so had to be watched so the kids didn't drop her or anything. Now 15 yrs. later we have 7 grandkids and 5 yorkies. All the dogs are great with them, none of my yorkies snap, growl or anything but want to lick and play with the kids. Mostly, I worry about the children hurting the dogs more then the other way around. Martha

02-18-2010, 03:22 PM	#10
misslissa YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: canton ohio us Posts: 1,574	okay i dont have kids BUT Gatsby has been around kids from the ages of two to sixteen and soon my god daughter who is only 2 months old what i would do is decide when you want kids if its right away then maybe wait a few years before getting a dog if you want to wait a year or two for kids then get the dog now and when you are ready go to your local girl scout troup and ask to barrow a baby-think-it-over they will probably charge you a rental fee what the baby-think-it-over is is a babay doll on a real infant scedule it crys and needs feed and wakes up in the middle of the night once you have the doll go to the hospital and ask for used spit clothes and diapers (gross i know but this works) and put them around the baby doll then let your dog explore and smell the baby and get used to the time and attension a baby will need then when you get pregnant start takeing time out of everyday to do baby things fould clothes decorate and show your dog when your doing baby things they cant be thear but you will come back and then when you have the baby bring home clothes and blankets and yes more messed diapers so your dog can get used to the smell of your baby and be more comfortable and less noisey when you bring baby home hope this helps __________________ Don't say I love you unless you mean it, but if you do say it a lot. People forget.

02-18-2010, 04:16 PM	#11
yorkie_mama22 Currently Suspended! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 2,275	I have two children, 3 and a half and 6 yrs old. I also have two yorkies who I bought after having children. Both yorkies were close to 1 year old so not little puppies. My Lola is not snappy at all towards kids, my daughter can bother her be in her face and she just doesn't react to it. Lola however is a bit of a barker sometimes, she is a very vocal dog. She will whine if she wants something and growl at you to get your attention. She doesn't bark excessively. Zach is my neutered male. He is very good with both kids too but if he is laying down and they get into his face he will kind of snap in their face, never has he bitten. He will more so jump up in their face and growl. Both kids know they are not to bother him or any of our dogs but of course with kids sometimes they don't listen. House breaking wasn't too much of a challenge we do outside pottying as well as pads. They do have accidents, mainly poop accidents if we don't keep the bedroom doors closed. I do believe that it can be hard to house train them. However my previous yorkie who passed away never peed where she wasn't suppose too and always went on the pad. I don't find them yappy at all, they are very loving dogs and very loyal companions. I fell in love with them so much that we just added Zach into our family for Christmas. You can't just have one thats how great they are! lol Make sure you find a good breeder you feel comfortable with I think is the main goal!

02-18-2010, 06:17 PM	#12
xxmxaxrxyxx Missing Yoshi Everyday! Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 15,110 Blog Entries: 3	i myself don't have any kids...but do have 2 nieces (8 and 9) ... and my 3 adores my nieces...probably because i got them after my nieces were already here....well none of my 3 knows what strangers are....lol they love everyone....congrats on your upcoming wedding...and can't wait to see the precious baby you decide to bring home. __________________ Yoshi Mei Ling Ting Ting Ting Ki Sun Hye Yukio Kioshi

02-18-2010, 07:04 PM	#13
Ggmom Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 41	I have a 3 year old and a 5 year old. I got Giorgie and Chanel when the kids were 2 and 4. The dogs were about 9 weeks old each when I got them. The dogs grew up with them, and the children were taught to be very gentle. The dogs are very loving, and never snap or growl at all. They have been around infants as well, and they are just as loving. They are not yappy, and are potty trained for outside. They are pretty close to perfect. They are my absolute favorite breed of dog, and great with kids. __________________ *Autumnmommy to Giorgio Armani, and Coco Chanel. Last edited by Ggmom; 02-18-2010 at 07:07 PM.*

02-18-2010, 10:33 PM	#14
LilMissy Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 3,421	I have two little yorkie girls, and three kids (ages 7, 5, and 4). My kids treat the Yorkies like gold (seriously). They are soooo extremely cautious and careful with them and around them. I had to establish rules the moment we got our first yorkie 1.5 yrs ago. NO running in the house, NO throwing things (toys etc), NO holding the puppy while standing or sitting on furniture. Even my 7 yr old must sit on the floor with Missy or Dora in his lap. They understand the rules completely. They are never rough with them. They understand how fragile they are and do their best to protect them. My yorkie girls are not snappy at all with children, they actually adore them. They are well socialized with kids however, because I drag them to the elementary school with me anywhere between 1-3 times per day. All of the kids come out of school at the end of the day looking to see if Missy and Dora are there. I do find that I have to be cautious with them around children who don't know how to treat tiny dogs, but that goes for some adults too I have one Yorkie that's yappy, and one who is not. Their personalities are completely different, although they are sisters. Housetraining wasn't too bad, but I was patient with that from the start. I knew it wouldn't be easy. This is the first toy breed dog that I have owned, and I have completely fallen in love with the breed (so much so, that I had to get a 2nd). They are beautiful, intelligent, and carry themselves with pride. __________________ Shaunna with Missy (my princess) & Dora (my tomboy)

02-19-2010, 03:22 AM	#15
NewYorker10 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NY Posts: 58	Thanks so much everyone for the advice and the congratulations! This is obviously a big decision for us and requires a lot of thought and consideration. This is obviously a great resource for information and discussion and I'm very glad to have found this site. Everyone seems to be very helpful and welcoming.