Yorkies and children
 

Hello all,

I have been here on the boards and the 'Net for quite some time researching the breed before my purchase, but I'm running into a problem. I've looked into the option of adoption and I'm finding that they won't allow you to adopt if you have children under 10 (I have a son, 8, and a daughter, 4). I also saw where some breeders won't let you purchase if you have young children. I did see some info on Yorkies and small children, but I'd like to hear from actual owners. Should I wait until my kids are older or is it possible to raise a furbaby and two non-furbabies together?

Any advice is welcomed!

If it is a larger Yorkie it should be OK. The ones over 8 lbs I have no problem selling to a person with children. It really depends on the breeders standards and the yorkie size I would think.

Yorkies and Children
 

I breed, I have 3 rough and roudy boys (8,12,14) who have been a big part of our kennel since they were little... We have never had a problem.... Generally, children have to be trained by both the dog and the parnets on proper puppy manners.... I always advise and truely hope that my buyers never leave puppies unattended with young children.....As the first reply said, we really stick to larger puppies if children are going to be involved and never let the puppies leave until they are sturdy enough to handle kids (usually past the 15 weeks depending on the sit.....) That said, I love to see the two loves of my life playing ball or frisbee... My middle son is now showing via 4-H and it is pretty neat..... You'll find the right breeder who'll help you figure it all out....

I dont agree ! I have a 2.6 lbs Yorkie and a 7 year old daughter .... and they get along just fine. THEY adore each other .... no problems at all !

I got both of My yorkies when my Daughter was five. I think the larger yorkies are best with young children. My Chachi who is 11 lbs can play rough with my Daughter. Jewels my 6lb yorkie never plays with her

This is a very touch subject here on YT... I think we are split down the middle. Some think Yorkies and children are a no no and some think its ok.

You have to find the right yorkie for your family and train you children:p

And I forgot to say ..... it all depends on how your kids are !!!!

Kirista,

Your site is so informative! And the babies are just ADORABLE!!! They look like little teddy bears!!!

So much to think about...thanks for all who have replied so far.

I have 3 kids between the ages 5-12 and max is 3 pounds...they get along great :) I have taught my children they have to be gentle with max and he has never got hurt. I think as long as you show them how they are to treat the puppy everything will be fine.

Breeders and rescues have their own standards. I think personally they should meet the family and decide. I have three children (11, 8, and 3) and I have a 2lbs and a few ounces female. My previous baby was 3lbs before she passed.

We never had any problems. I taught my son how to handle her. They are gentle and are aware of her being around. No problems...knock on wood. Mind you my son is rambunctious like all 3 year olds. I know it can work you just have to teach everyone how to behave.

People have had problems/accidnets being adults with bigger yorkies. So just because someone has children I dont' think that is a flag to not sell to them.

Good luck on your search. There are some great breeders on here that will evaulate your situation and might feel comfortable with you and your family and sell you a pup.

i have a 12lber and a 6lber and i got them both when my youngest was 6-7 months. i have 4 other children (9,6,5,2) and it really just depends on your children and the dog. Troy (6lbs) knows when my now 1yo is coming she finds somewhere else to be. but she cuddles and lays with my 2yo. Walker (12lb) is rough with everybody. i have to keep him away from the kids cause hes a little hyper and they are like me... not liking a dog jumping all over them and licking.
i also have puppies. they are almost 2 wks and the little ones want to play and hold them but i tell them not yet. and the listen for the most part. they are settling for just lookiing right now. in fact noone is allowed to handle them except my 9 yo and only when i need help.

I really don't have much to add. I have a 5 pound yorkie, and a 2 pound Biewer on its way. I have 4 grandchildren in the area, and everyone gets along fine. The kids know the rules, and are very careful with Sawyer. It helps that their mom got them a hampster the same time we got sawyer, so they are very aware of how careful you must be with small critters. If you feel confident in the behavior of the kids, you should be fine; but sometimes a little larger one is the better choice to play with kids. It is up to the dog and the kids. You know in your heart if it is right or not. Good luck either way, you will surely adore your little furface:)

I would feel fine about it. depends on the children understanding small animal not a toy! I have a 4 and 6 yr old boys. they are fine around yorkie babies froma freind and my yorkie that is 3lbs. just be a VERY watchful mommy.

When I was breeding I wouldn't sell to anyone with children under 10 years. It isn't that they aren't good with kids but as a breeder you don't know what kind of supervision they will have. If you read back over some of the post here you will find several dogs that have been injured by children. There are definately much better breeds for young children but in the long run it's a matter of using common sense and lots of supervision if you have your heart set on a yorkie

I'm feeling better after reading everyone's reponses. :) My heart really is set on a Yorkie. I have been wanting one for years, but the situation was just never right for what I believe (and have seen confirmed here) is a huge commitment of both time and money.

I'm guessing that the basic consensus here is that as long as the children are trained about the dog and how they should/shouldn't interact with him/her, we should be ok. Am I right?

I think so
 

I am also about to get my first yorkie and I have a 5 and 3 year old. I think it will be fine. We also have 2 ferrets and we got them when they were very small and it kinda of stressed me out at first :eek:, making sure the girls were sitting down when the ferrets were out and so forth, but now that the novelty of "new" has worn off the girls watch tv with the ferrets and it is very calm and I don't worry at all. I've taught my 3 year old how to handle them gently and I know that she is learning. The other day she said, "Mommy see how gentle I was with Ernie." heeehee...My ferrets are Bert and Ernie.

Ferrets are way smaller than yorkies and very fragile so I think you can do it. I'm gonna do it and I know it will be alright. And besides this is Mommy's dog! :p

:aimeeyork

I agree with this... it depends on the family and kids, AND the dog... I can see a breeder being concerned because they dont know how you train your children, but if you feel comfortable about it I think it is fine.... of course, I am much more comfortable with my bigger boy playing with the kids, he has such a good time and is the most loveable thing ever!
Good Luck!
d

oops excuse this

are you sure the ferrets will be safe around the yorkie?! :eek: You do know what they were originally bred for right?..........

What a shame you are finding it hard to find a bredder willing to sell.
Like Sawyers mommy, I have two little grandchildren under 3 and at first they wanted to look and touch, we taught them to be gentle, not to pick up etc, but now they are 'bored' with her, the novelty has warn off, like with most little kiddies, they come as say hello and then get back to wrecking my house! Which suits me and Tinkerbell find!;)

Thanks for your concern. :) I have two very sweet tempermented ferrets. They never bite BUT however the dogs and the ferrets are never together. My ferrets are caged and when they do come out I have one ferret proofed room that they play in while the kids watch TV. :p

Hi and welcome to YT. Although I am a firm advocate for rescue I do not always agree with their no children policy. I really feel that each family should be judged individully. I've seen families with older children / teens that do not treat animals as kind or gentle as families with young children. It is really all in the up bringing. With that said, I also feel that a family with young children SHOULD NOT go with any Yorkie under 10 pounds. They are fragile and no matter how careful your young children are accident's happen. They happen not only with the children but with the adults as well and in a busy home the two do not combine well. My reccomendation to you is that you look for a reputable hobby breeder and ask for the biggest in her litter. The teapot as some will call it. The bigger Yorkie is less likely to be snappy with an active child and they are less likely to get hurt. Some rescues and some people will tell you that Yorkies are not good with children. Yorkies are VERY GOOD with children if the children are good with them. They make excellent family pets and are often very protective of the children in the house. I have two boys now ages 12 and 14. My first Yorkie who we lost over the summer to cancer came to us when my boys were 2 yrs. old and 4 yrs. old. He was a bigger boy. As an adult weighed in at 13 lbs. and he did very well with us. He was excellent temperment wise and loved my boys. Very protective of them. As I said it is all in the way your raise your children and in the way you raise you Yorkie. Elaine

Thanks for the input!!!
 

It's good to know that there are many success stories out there. It was mostly the rescues that I was looking into that had the issues with children under 10. But my mom had a small dog (not a yorkie, but a poodle) and my kids were just wonderful with him. He's at my uncle's now because my mom wasn't home enough when she started her business and they miss their "Uncle Colin" terribly. Yes, they called him that because my mom told them he was my little brother and they just started calling him by that name.

I am however corresponding with a breeder and she is willing to work with me. I may have my baby in a few months in all goes well.

im not a expert but i wanted to say im glad your researching your breeders to find one who will be okay with it ,, i think so many times that potential yorkie owners with kids ,who have good kids, get turned away and in desperation to have one turn to a unreputable breeder or puppymill which is kind of sad to me .. it sometimes can feel a lil discrimnating.. its kinda hard to think your when your trying to be a good person and rescue an animal there is sitpulations but with that said i dont think that its pruely on kids can hurt theese babies alot of rescue dogs have issues and i think the rescues want to be sure youll be able to give them undivived attention... I do agree some pups should be seperated from young kids.. i have 2 kids and dont know all that much about my babies breeder because my hubby brought him home ... i am thankfull that he is healthy he is a a bigger yorkie but still small enough to be hurt so i watch him around the kids but he is my shadow so most of the time it doesnt take much effort to know where he is Soo i think you just have to keep an eye out with any small breed i wish you luck on your quest to find a baby for you and your faimly