[missPenny]

Just want to put my two cents in here.

I completely understand (as will everyone here) why your girlfriend has Yorkie fever! As with any pet, you are making a lifetime committment. Since we got Penny three years ago, our lives have not been the same - always for the better, of course, but owning a dog does make some situations difficult. For example, every day care & maintenance, scheduled grooming and vet care, boarding when you travel if you cannot take your pet, etc. There will no longer be those days when you can leave in the morning and stay out all day and night if something comes up. In a lot of ways, it is like having a child.

When we got Penny, my now husband and I were gone working from 7:45-5:15ish every day. We always made sure, however, that one of us was home to feed Penny over lunch and take her out. We kennel trained so that made a big difference with house training, but she will still make an occasional mess. Yorkies can be the pits with house training!

Also, we had to start getting up earlier every day to make sure she was fed and taken outside before we left. I also had to get up every night at 3:30 a.m. to take her out because she couldn't make it through the night. We do this with our new puppy now; in the beginning, it was 3x a night! Now we are down to getting up just once or twice, but it does cut down on your sleep.

Grooming: if you don't keep a puppy cut, Yorkies need to be combed every day to prevent matting. If you keep up with it, you really will only need to spend a few moments on this. But if you don't, you could spend 2 hours detangling the matts or have to have the hair cut short to remove them.

She will also need to clean the Yorkie's eyes regularly as they have a tendency to goop up and matt the hair. Ears must be kept clean as well since the long hair can lead to infections. Oh, and if you keep a longer coat, you should be prepared for messes from outside. Yorkies tend to pick up leaves, twigs, dirt, etc. in their coats. And because I live in Kansas, I have to keep a sanitary cut on Penny because the wind always causes some issues when she uses the restroom!!

With all of this being said... Owning a Yorkie is a tremendous responsibility. Owning a dog is a life-altering decision that I think the two of you should make together and be in agreement. If you do not plan to help her with the dog's upbringing and care, I don't think it is a good idea for her to get a puppy. It may only cause resentment later.

Getting Penny (followed by Riley) was the best decision we've ever made. I commend you for taking the time to research the breed and ask for opinions. There is a wealth of information and experience available on this forum, and someone is always willing and ready to offer advice and tips.

I would start out by just browsing here, asking questions, etc. and have your girlfriend do the same. Only then will be able to make an educated decision whether or not a Yorkie is the right breed.

Good luck with whatever decision you make!