Hi and welcome to YT!!
We have always had big dogs too and still have a larger dog...a 5 year old Boykin Spaniel but I have always wanted a yorkie.
My dogs love to be with me at all times when I am home..if not with me then with some member of this household. I am fortunate enough that there is always someone home but when the time comes to go in a crate they are ok with that too.
Reece is now 13 months old and Soleil is 15 weeks old. I wouldnt consider them 'mindless' barkers..they do bark at strangers walking past the house but so does our Boykin..otherwise I hardly hear a peep out of them..except at play time.
We have two cats also. Ming is a 5 year old rescue himalayan who we brought in to the home about 9 months ago...the dogs respect his space as he dosent like to play or be chased..he gave them each a good swat and hiss and put them in their place very quickly. Hope on the other hand is a 7 month old ragdoll who craves their attention...ragdolls are dogs wrapped in cat bodies though so that was easy..but I think once your cats put a puppy in its place you wont have a problem.
Yorkies are the perfect dog to me..compact and easy to travel with and loving faithful companions...once you have one you will see what I mean. I will never go back to having large dogs again now that I have yorkies. The non/low shedding factor is a huge plus too...something you can probably appreciate after having a lab...consider a yorkie a lab in a small body...very loyal and loving and all around great dogs!!
Good luck with your decision...you just cannot go wrong with a yorkie!!
Dawn |