I'm sorry that you had to put up with those kinds of comments. Yes, they are dogs, but people just don't get that Yorkies have a thinner coat than most other dogs. their 'fur' isn't really fur. the ph balance is much closer to that of human hair, and therefore they don't have that extra undercoat to keep them warm. Further, the fact that there is a variety of predators in most places no matter where you live, a small dog such as the Yorkie is much more vulnerable in the outdoors unleashed and unsupervised.
Personally I haven't had any snide comments, at least not any that were significant enough to remember. although my hubby does jokingly and fondly refer to our babies as "the overgrown rats"
I agree completely though-I have struggled with infertility for a few years now and my babies--not just dogs--help fill that void.