[Lizzie07]

Hi All,

I am new to Yorkie Talk and wanted to introduce myself.

For the past 14 years I have been a dedicated Italian Greyhound slave. So dedicated that I became a rescue rep with the Italian Greyhound Club of America and fostered and placed many sweet dogs. My last foster went to her new home in January.

Two years ago, a friend of a friend who had a westie and a nine month old YT, hurt herself. She was having to depend on other people, my friend included, to care for her dogs and started thinking about giving up both her dogs. I suggested she rethink giving them both up, and instead place the puppy. Then I went a step further and said I would take the puppy. My actual intent was to keep the puppy from going back where the friend's friend had gotten her as I felt I could place the puppy into a good home and the puppy seller had already placed her twice. Mine being Liz's third home.

So now I have a YT. It was doggie culture shock for me. I went from having sweet, gentle little dogs to one whose anything but. Lizzie is tough as nails compared to IGs and a real pistol! She is very dominant and tries to guard all her resources, especially me. She can't stand when any of the other dogs, save one, or cats comes nears me, and she use to run them off rather rudely, but we have worked on this, and she shows great improvement. The most similar trait between the two breeds is the challenge of getting them housetrained.

The other big diffence is the grooming. The one and only groomer I took Lizzie to had me leave her there and when I picked her up later in the day, told me Lizzie wasn't very good about being groomed. I've been doing it myself since. Yes, she has had some odd looks, but I've gotten a LOT better at it. I mostly let her hair grow out and trim the ends. But sheesh, all that bathing! I only do the IGs about four times a year. I do love her hair, though, and wouldn't think about shaving it.

Lizzie is a one person dog who generally loves the one she's with except when I'm present. My mother lives with me and when I am gone, Liz is great with her. The moment I get home, she won't let my mother touch her. I've taken her everywhere trying to socialize her. To work, petstores, parks, you name it. She wants nothing to do with strangers, or people she knows, if I am present. Won't even take food from them. She has been taking agility classes for the past year and its the same story, won't let anyone in the class touch her.

She is a pretty good little agility dog. I just hope she doesn't get off courses trying to avoid the judge when we start competing. I think she will be a fast little dog in the eight inch class. She is so cute when she runs and I love how her hair blows back.

I hope I haven't been too terribly lengthy. I look forward to reading about other YTs and learning more about the breed.

Kristan