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Old 05-14-2005, 12:36 AM   #1
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Cry R Yorkies difficult/expensive to maintain/take care of???

Is having a little Yorkie reaally hard to maintain?? Is it extremely time consuming?? On a scale of 1-10(=most difficult), how hard is it to teach and care for a YOrkie?? How often do they have to be checked by a vet?? I'm still deciding whether I should get one right now. After reading some of the stuff on this site, it seems like it's a really difficult (& possibly expensive) job, from training them to pee, to them getting sick, etc, etc. Although i reaeaally want a yorkie, i dont kno if i'm ready to get one!! I'm still in college, on a budget, and somewhat busy, but i still want a puppy to keep me company. Help, please answer my questions!! Thanks!
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Old 05-14-2005, 03:25 AM   #2
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OK, let's see:

1. Daily combing and eye care:

a. Maggie, who is 4 years old, and actually likes it (or at least tolerates
it knowing that I am not going to give up) about 5 minutes

b. Molly, who has only been with us two weeks and is still horrified at
the process, about 10 - 15 minutes

2. Weekly bathing (assuming they don't get into something in the middle
of the week like mud or something in the garden that seems it would
be fun to roll in...I HATE spring!) - about 30 minutes per dog

3. Monthly grooming - costs me $60 for the pair of them, as I keep them
in modified puppy cuts. This includes nails, their ears, shaving their
little tummies and trimming the anal area

4. Daily play and lovin' - ALL the time and priceless. They absolutely
give me back more than I give to them!!!!!!!! (They make me laugh
out loud at least once every day!)

On the above, I will say that I probably spend less time with grooming and clothing the girls than some others on here. Their hair is kept too short for bows (which they wouldn't tolerate anyway)...and isn't wrapped or anything, as one would do for a show dog. They are, however, kept beautifully combed (Their hair is still reasonable long), and immaculately clean (Well, OK...by the 5th or 6th post bath day, they may be smelling a little 'doggy.. They are dogs, however!). As for the time spent in playing and loving, well, that's ME time all the way! That's why I have these intelligent, inquisitive little souls as a part of my life!
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Old 05-14-2005, 05:02 AM   #3
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...I have only had a yorkie as a pet other than fish. For me, it has been very expensive maintaining my yorkie. I've had him for almost 3 months now and I have paid alot more to maintain his health and leisure(vaccinations, toys, food, groomimg supplies, carriers, playpens, etc...) than I have paid to purchase him.

...Not to mention the 1 emergency animal hospital visit, that cost me over $300.
Now that I have all of the basic supplies, and he's practically done with his vaccines, spending is much better.

My yorkie is one of my kids, and I take very good care of my kids, so needless to say, my comet is no exception!

As far as training yorkies go, I think that they all have very distinct personalities. My yorkie is extremely good with my kids, and I hear that some aren't. I got my yorkie when he was 13 weeks and he was already housebroken. I had very little accidents with him. Some people have a hard time in this area. This was something that was important to me.

On the the hand, Comet sometimes is a finicky eater, as I've realized that so are many yorkies, after reading this site. I have spent alot of money experimenting and trying new things.

My yorkie needs alot of love and attention, I work and so does my husband, so my family has to make up for lost time with him when we come home. We take him everywhere with us. However, this is unique to us. You don't have to do the same things to love a yorkie.

I hear that yorkies are different, depending on their breed. There is no way to determine that unless you get in touch with the owners of the yorkies parents. The breeders should be able to give you that information.

In my experience, you definetely cannot be "broke" to nurture and care for a yorkie, atleast where I live.

However, I would not trade the love and joy that I get from my pup for any other dog! He's worth my time and money.

Good luck in your decision!
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Old 05-14-2005, 05:26 AM   #4
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Default Its not that bad:)

I have two yorkies so it cant be all that bad when Iv had to get another They are wonderful dogs,infact,its just like having a child (this may sound so stupid! lol) its wonderful and all the things that you have to for him/her are done out of love so you dont really consider it as a job or as being hard or easy I bathe mine once a weeks,I brush them every day,I take them in for check ups once every 15days (I have insurance) I dress them,play with them and yes..Iv trained them!! Training a yorkie isnt always easy,infact,my oldest yorkie went back to peeing EVERYWHERE for 10 months when I got my youngest yorkie,but I promise that although some days I was worried and sad thinking that shed never learn,its all worth it in the end They are like kids because they totally depend on us for company,they love to have us around and they get exited for the littlest things Once you have a yorkie,you will never look back
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Old 05-14-2005, 05:33 AM   #5
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Be aware that a healthy pup still requires vet's visits for vacinnations. Generally your breeder takes care of one set of these. There are 3 plus the rabies shot. Plan on these visits to run $100. a piece. Plus the cost of neutering at about 6 months. My initial pet supplies cost me another 100 bucks. House training will take considerably longer if you don't have the time to spend with the puppy. You may want to wait until your finances aren't so tight and you have more time to spend with a puppy.
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Old 05-14-2005, 05:41 AM   #6
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I am recently retired and have always wanted a Yorkie, but not until I could devote my time to the baby. It's just like having a real baby. I did a great deal of research on the breed for months before I decided to purchase one. They are expensive to purchase, so purchase one from a reputable breeder. Maggie's breeder guarantees her puppies for two years against health defects. That right there could save you a bundle. I have read about these back yard breeders and it's a nightmare. On the potty training, it's like a child again. You can't expect babies (human or canine) to act like an adult when they are only weeks old. You as the parent must train, guide and love them with all your heart. If you can't commit to this, then it's not the time for a Yorkie. Their definition to their name is LOVE. Other than their routine trips to the vet, the rest is up to you on how much you want to lavish your baby in toys, clothes etc. With Maggie she is our only child left at home, so whatever she wants, she gets. We recently got her a car seat. That was the best purchase every.
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Old 05-14-2005, 05:45 AM   #7
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....that's right, and I also forgot to mention the monthly heartworm pills, and monthly Flea and Tick treatments. In order to maintain a yorkies health, you have to take preventive measures. This requires money even when your yorkie is healthy, once all of the vaccines are over. Then there are the yearly booster shots.
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Old 05-14-2005, 06:38 AM   #8
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I have probably spent over $1000 on Mocha already... All of her dr visits, her ER visit, her food, cvlothes, toys, etc... I is so worth it though.. i love her like I never thought i could love an animal
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Old 05-14-2005, 02:52 PM   #9
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first and foremost, each dog is different......... i only have to brush toby once in a while (i didnt brush him for 3 months and there wasnt a matt on him.....) ...... as for training, yeah, it takes time but if you are willing to work with it then it is a great bonding experience... as for cost, you have the initial cost of the yorkie (i got mine for $500) and i spent abotu $120 for his crate ect... i spend about $20 a month in food/ treats, and then his vet bills TOTAL SINCE HE WAS A BABY (INCLUDING NEUTERING<SHOTS< AND 6 MONTHS FLEA MEDICATION) was about $120...... <-- it all depends on where you go, i shopped around and found a GREAT low cost clinic in my area, from what i understand the animal care agency's have discounted spay/neuter options as well..... take your time and look into all these things BEFORE you get the pup, a good vet (that doesnt cost an arm and a leg) is essential
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Old 05-14-2005, 03:11 PM   #10
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Yorkies are absolutely wonderful little companions, however if you question if you are ready, then by all means wait. They do take a lot of time. Whats more, you will finding yourself giving up doing things to spend time with your Yorkie. Some yorkies seem to have more health problems than others but they all have the same potential to get these problems. You just don't know whats going to happen with your baby after you get it home.
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Old 05-15-2005, 05:34 PM   #11
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I live in California too, and I was wondering where your vet is located. I live in the mountains, inland from the central coast, so I would be willing to travel, since my closest town is 5o miles away, anyway! Thanks!
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Old 05-15-2005, 07:17 PM   #12
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Fred is not a high-maintenance dog. He's a spoiled one, but he can keep himself occupied with a toy or two and that's about it. He can keep himself occupied with socks as well! I bought him for only $400.00 and he's a happy, healthy, energetic lil' rascal.
1. Shots and Vet visits- We have a low cost vaccinations place right next to PetsMart and all of Freds shots and vet visits have costed me around $150 and we've have him for 3+ months
2. Toys and treats- I would say a bag of Puperoni, a can of Yogurt Drops, a bag of Greenies last me a month with him and doesn't get pricey. Toys are cheap! He has all sorts of stuff from Target and Wal-Mart in the Sale section most of the time.
3. Clothes- I don't dress him up too often, he only has two sweaters that he never wears. Although, I plan on buying him more but that's just me!
4. Doggy food- A big giant bag of Eukanuba for $8.00 lasts Fred 2-3 months (free feeding)

So, I think it's all up to the dog owner to limit the amount spent on your dog in regards to toys and clothes, treats, etc. Fred has never had a Emergency Vet visit because he's just so healthy (thankfully!) so I don't know the expenses of that and he hasn't been groomed yet but I don't think that should cost more than $20!
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Old 05-15-2005, 10:29 PM   #13
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spydergurl........ i take toby to this low cost clinic in garden grove... if you pm me i will dig up the address from my files
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Old 05-17-2005, 01:59 AM   #14
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Thanks everyone for posting here and letting me kno!! After reading all this, it does seem a bit overwhelming. But it all has been very helpful!!! I find that this entire site is very helpful and it's wonderful that it exists. I'm very glad I joined!! I'm still doing tons of researching and reading everything i can about yorkies to better prepare myself. Hopefully learning more about yorkies can help guide me towards making the right decision. Thanks again everybody, I really appreciate it!!
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