View Single Post
Old 05-19-2011, 11:45 AM   #17
bradjo
Yorkie Yakker
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 49
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by disney2012 View Post
Hi,this is my first time in this forum. I have two children a boy 12 and a girl 8. We are planning on getting a puppy shortly. This will be our first family pet. My children are very calm so I am not worried about how they will handle the dog. My daughter especially loves them. My concern is whether I should get a Yorkie. I hear they can become yappy. That I would not like. We are looking for a small non-shedding dog that is kind of on the docile side. I also want to paper train. I am home during the day and my husband is home with the kids at night. So the puppy will never be alone unless we have to go shopping or something like that. As I have been researching it seems most small dogs can have that so called puppy syndrome of thinking they are the pack leader. I don't think I would let that happen. Any opinions. All are welcome. Thanks again.
So far you have been given great advice, this is one of the best forums of folks I've ever been in.

Finally you may know everything I'm going to say so take it with a grain of salt or just ignore me if I touch on stuff you already know. Further I do not have a Yorkie myself but have watched them for a long time during my years of my own dog showing etc..... so all the wonderful knowledgeable folks who have yorkies on here will be your best guide but here's what I'm thinking for what it's worth.

Have you ever owned a dog? Did you have one when you were growing up? Being home isn't enough you have to commit to taking the dog out for walks, playing and training the dog. Further Yorkies have these lovely long coats that require brushing, washing and grooming. I have not had a Yorkie yet. I had Afghan and Pharaoh Hounds and my Afghans had to be brushed daily. Any long silky coat needs a daily light brush and a weekly deep brush. Followed by a monthly (or more), shampoo and blow dry. Finally the dog needs groomed, hair cutting, nail trimming, and an occasional anal gland expressing. Unless you wish to learn to groom that's a roughly 6 week expense etc.....

Another financial variable is vet expenses. At the least there are all the vaccines and the spay/neuter along with all the little things that crop up. Finally some yorkies can suffer from liver shunt which requires thousands of dollars in surgery and can be life threatening so buying from a very reputable breeder is necessary.

When you buy a puppy there is a HUGE commitment in terms of time and energy to train and socialize them. That means committing to what not to feed them. Giving a dog an occasional table scrap can be a large problem for a small dog that wouldn't be a concern for a larger breed. These small dogs can suffer from pancreatitis etc.... What is nothing to worry about in an Afghan Hound is a major portion of the diet of a 5 lb doggie and can have important ramifications. At these little doggies size many things you don't think about can have an effect.

Terriers are not laid back dogs by nature either. They are worker dogs and most need to have attention and direction of that energy, without that they can develop bad habits that you then have to solve, ie yapping, digging, difficult house breaking etc.......

I grew up with my mom's cocker spaniel kennel. I wouldn't trade that experience for anything but I can't say that I really had any responsibility for the dogs until after I was an adult. I found the same with my children who are now in their 30's, I could not depend on them for any of the real care. So when I would go out to shovel dog excrement my kiddos would help a little but were never really dependable though they loved the doggies even as teenagers they just couldn't really grasp the degree of responsibility and more importantly consistency you need to apply to a dog. Dog's don't think like us LOL.

It isn't so much a dominance thing as it is a consistent routine type of thing. But frankly unless you plan to spend a LOT of time focusing on the doggie I would encourage you to get a little larger breed where small things don't make such a big difference.

I hope this helps in the decision. A doggie is a wonderful thing to have to grow up with and I would STRONGLY encourage you to consider going to the local animal shelter and looking at some of the wonderful hybrids they have that are a little older say 8 to 18 months in the 15 to 20 lb range. They are so incredibly thankful for a home and pay you back in grattitude many times over. There is also yorkie rescue and they often have the little larger Yorkies say 10 lb that are so much easier to handle. OH and for finding a Yorkie pup remember to check out the ytca.org breeders list. I found the most wonderful lady there and unless the rescue comes through for me (which is what I'm waiting for) I know she will.

Anyway whatever way you go I know you will do it thoughtfully and well as you are here doing the right research and that is a very good thing that so many folks do not do in advance so I am sure you will make the right decision!
hth and congratulations on the wonderful decision of adding a doggie to the family,
Jo
bradjo is offline   Reply With Quote
Welcome Guest!
Not Registered?

Join today and remove this ad!