Yorkie Housing?
 

Hello Yorkie lovers. I have been lurking awhile, this is my first post. I have 6 little females (all under 5 lbs) & 1 male 2&1/2 lbs. I need information on housing. Am considering a building with runs. What size runs should I have? Is a 2ft X 10ft enough? I plan on only 1 dog per run. What about one of these ready made Kennels, ie Whorton or Hunt with runs added. Thanks,
The Yorkie Place

well, since 99% of the Yorkies here are house dogs I'm sure you won't get alot of responses. Do you have some pictures of the kennels you are considerating? How big is the building your planning on getting? will it be heated or have A/C? I wouldn't put just one dog per run, they need a playmate. and of course the bigger the runs the better. 2 feet wide doesn't seem quit wide enough. My Yorkies are inside dogs but my dachshunds are mainly outside dogs. I don't seperate them.( I have only one male) and they all get along great! They have the whole front yard to themselves, and my husband built a huge doggie hotel for them. It's heated for winter time and has a fan for the summer. My yard is totally shaded. and they have a kiddy pool for summer, some like to get in, and some won't get near it. The only time all the dogs are in the house is during really bad weather. ( snow, freezing weather, storms, etc...) and it's a mad house, when they are!!! You have the right idea for a set up. I would just make the runs bigger.

Thank You. The building is 10 x 20, very well insulated & will have heat & air. Cages on the inside going to outside run. After going outside & laying out the runs on the ground with lumber I agree 2 ft is not wide enough. I have trouble with the girls fussing now but guess with just 2 together they would do better. I would like to have about 10 girls & 2 boys is why I figure I will need a building. Thanks again for your input.
The Yorkie Place

kennels
 

I have a rather large kennel in Maryland..but it was in my home. I had a 15x20 playroom built just off my kitchen. Outside the door was a 16x16 fenced concrete play yard. I had the room divided into two separate areas for males and females. I, also had a small, 6x12 puppy room for moms and pups. I find having the dogs separate from the house does not make for happy, well adjusted Yorkies and puppies.
Best wishes

We have 16 yorkies in our living room. 9 adults, 7 puppies plus a Great Dane, 2 Labs, 1 cat and 3 teenagers. There is a playpen for the little ones, that can be expanded/contracted or divided and some crates for sleeping. There is a separate yorkie playyard with it's own deck out back for moments when I can't monitor outside play. I can't imagine having them in a separate building, I would miss trying to find a place for my butt on the sofa.(Usually occupied by a teenager buried under a dog or two). I feel you will be doing them and yourself a disservice by not having them underfoot where you can interact with them throughout the day and monitor everyones behavior. Just my opinion.

My other concern is based on an assumption, you didn't say you were planning to breed, but, I am just guessing that's the idea.
Your dogs are very small to be breeding for optimal health. None of my breeding females are under 6 1/2 lbs and one is a whopper. My males each weigh 4lbs solid. The pups we produce fall within the breed standard of 3-7lbs, though there will occasionally be a smaller or larger one in a litter.

I couldn't have said it better myself...

Thanks Theresa,

Is the middle guy in your picture a Biewer?

I think the building and runs sound like a nice idea. Lots of breeders have the same set up. I don't know if you plan on having the puppies in the building, I would have to have moms and puppies in the house. You never know with puppies what could happen. Things can wrong so fast, that they need to be in veiw at all times incase something happens.

For sure I'd do them wider than 2 feet. Sooner or later YOU are going to have to go in there and pull a dog out for some reason or another. 2 feet sure doesn't give you much manuever room!

o m g
 

Are you crazy? ha ha just kidding your living the life I wish i could have so many dogs would be like living in heaven to me thres just one thing that stands in my way.......... A husband ...... :) dianne :)

Yes probably crazy would be accurate but we like it that way... and I got rid of the husband. I liked the dogs much better.

Dito on the husband! :D
Marcris yorkies has or had a set up in her backyard, but this was in the 80's. It was heated and had AC, of course being in Florida. She also had her favorites and puppies with mom in her house so she could hear them. I don't know if I could have them so far away or so many, but that is just me and not saying it is wrong. Just my preference. Besides Charolette hates the sound of thunder and stays right next to me during storms. I think she just hears better than us and she hates the loud sound of thunder.
Any female below 5 pounds is just way to small to breed. I have seen or heard of others sad stories doing this. I agree with Slyvan!
T.

wow!
 

I forgot to mention that her set up was very nice! Lots of money went into to it! All I could say when I saw it was - WOW! :p
T.

theres a thought
 

Hmm more dogs or keep the husband wow a tough decision :D

:eek: :eek: :eek:

Thanks to all. I am going to have wider runs but 3 ft is about as wide as I can fit in with the doors. They will be 10ft long. Plus they have a large concrete play area. The building will be right outside my back door. All momma's will be brought in the house to diliver & stay in for a few weeks or longer if necessary. I am concerned about their size, i wanted to raise some very small pups. My male is 2&1/4 lbs & from small parents. If the girls have any trouble they will be spade & sold for pets or kept for pets. :) I do love all my dogs but am not sure about more than 2 or 3 in the house. I did raise Yorkies about 15 years ago. I had small ones & not much trouble. My Husband & I are retired & have time to devote.

Do you or did you ever live in Florida? I knew someone there that use to breed small ones, but this was back before 1989. Just remember not to keep your yorkies outside too. They are inside dogs. They don't do well out in the weather - too warm, etc.. They like it cool. I would check your females out by a vet that specializes in smaller breeds to make sure they can deliver on their own (naturally). Yorkies do not do well with c-sections (anesthsia). Have you had your yorkies tested to make sure they are all sound, before breeding? And I would keep mamma and pups in my home until they are at least 7 weeks to be sure they are all doing fine. Two weeks is just not enough. The pups also need a lot of interaction with humans and they need to hear the different living sounds us humans make, such as using the vacuum cleaner or washing dishes. This is to get them adjusted and happy, so they will do great in their new homes. I would keep the pups in my home until they leave at 12 weeks. They are so cute and funny at times. They are a real joy and worth every poop mess they make. I also enjoy all the kisses and that puppy breath.
Best of luck to you. :animal-sm
T.

I live in Southwest Oklahoma right by the Arkansas line, (Fort Smith Ar.) I have had the vet check out my dogs & he says they should not have any trouble if everything goes well. Of course if something goes wrong any size dog is in trouble. My Dog building will have doors so they can come in to temp controlled or go outside to play, & I am in their face so much they would probably like me to get lost for a while. Oh well thanks for your input.
The Yorkie Place

Yep, that's my little Biewer man, Archie, he really is a sweetie...

I've got toes and fingers crossed waiting for mine to arrive.
Sorry for going off topic but I had to ask, he's a cutie.