My "teapot" Ollie. (And a rant about training tyrants.)
 

Hey y'all, I'm brand new to the forum and I joined up so I could learn more about Yorkshire terriers. I just received my first one (an 8 week old little bundle of cuteness) this weekend as an early Christmas gift.

His name is Oliver and at his first vet visit, the vet said that he was going to be a huge yorkie. Her estimation is 16 pounds! :eek: I've never heard of a yorkie that big! I saw both of his parents at the breeder's compound though, and his father was definitely a big one. The daddy was conformationally sound and proportioned, except for his excessive size which was well out of the standard.

Which is just fine with me, because I'm new to the small dog experience anyway. If Ollie gets a bit bigger than average, it won't hurt my feelings. He's a pet, not a show animal. My father tried to talk me into a "teacup" yorkie, but after having heard about so many health issues with the smallest of the breed, I deliberately picked the largest in the litter.

In any case, Ollie is a doll and has completely won me over to little dogs. I have never owned a small breed dog in my life (grew up with Goldens, German Shepherds, and hounds) so having a lapdog is definitely a new experience.

I have to admit, I was pretty biased against small breed dogs in the past because many that I have known have been vicious, spoiled little tyrants whose owners let them do whatever they liked, biting people and yapping constantly and provoking larger dogs. I never understood the mindset that said when someone's little lapdog snapped at my retriever, it was somehow okay because "he's too small to do any damage", but if my amiable, well-trained large breed tried to defend itself, I had a dangerous dog! I think dogs that bite are dangerous no matter what size they are.

I got assaulted once by a woman's pack of three terriers (not yorkies) who attacked my dog en masse. My big Chow-Golden mix was on leash (doing her best not to get in a fight with the scrappers, bless her heart) and the woman's dogs were running loose. When she made no move to collect her dogs (just summoned them to her, that recall was real authoritative let me tell ya, I wouldn't let that wuss be my alpha either!!!) I yelled at her, "If you don't get a hold of your dogs, I'm letting mine go! Who do you think is going to win?!?"

(And this is by no means intended to offend those of you who have had small dogs attacked and killed by large dogs - I realize sometimes the tables get turned as far as aggression goes.)

I also had a friend in college with a Peekapoo that would lunge and bite you if you even said a harsh word to his owner. He would also snap and bite and growl if you were anywhere near him. His owner would just laugh at his behavior, but me and the other two people living in the house who got bit by the dog did not think it was funny...

So, needless to say, I was enamored with Oliver from the first moment I saw him, but I was also apprehensive.

I've sworn that I will not let this "Napoleon complex" happen to my Ollie. I'm already working him with clicker training and a "nothing in life is free" program, and he's such a smart boy! He is well on his way to being housebroken and he is already learning tricks like "sit up" and "bow" on top of regular obedience.

I have discovered that, despite my previous skepticism about "ankle biters," yorkies may very well replace Golden Retrievers as my breed of choice. They have the intelligence, heart, and courage of a Golden with the perks of a small package.

It's all a matter of training. :D

Your right, it's all in the training. Yorkies, IMO are strong willed. Determined
to have their own way at all times. LOL Really!
I also have a larger boy, 16lbs. He is smart and well trained BUT he will
challenge me daily on things we have been doing for 4yrs! I would guess
that to be the terrier in him. When they are larger it is so important that
they behave around people and children because they could give a good
bite, heaven forbid but they could do damage. The little ones get away
with much more than the bigger guys I would think. Congratulations on
your choice of the larger one. You won't be sorry. I am sure he will bring
you much happiness. Enjoy and welcome to YT.

Congrats on your new little guy and welcome to YT! :D

Thanks you guys! :)

Congrats on the new pup. My Chachi is a larger yorkie and he is the better behaved of my 2. I am glad you let a yorkie steal your heart

Welcome to the board! I enjoyed reading your post, my boyfriend was hesitant on me getting a yorkie because of the same reasons. It is a matter of training.

Lexi isn't your average terrier, which I partly attribute to the fact she grew up with 3 large breed dogs. The other dogs did a great job training her haha. She is also on the larger side at 9lbs, actually she probably weighs more now, she just had a growth spurt.

Welcome and congratulations on Ollie. I love his name!!!

Welcome!!

My Keegan is a 12 pounder & I love love love him.

Welcome!
 

And congrats on your new addition to the family! I just love the name:thumbup: That's awesome! My Walker is quite big as well: about 9 pounds, give or take. I've had small dogs for a long time now and would never go back. They're so convenient! Walker goes everywhere with me, even to work! They eat less and as a result poop less. But they're just as much fun as their big brothers. They adapt to all kinds of living quarters and don't need a huge yard or hours of running. You're gonna love Olli! Have fun and I can't wait to see pictures...

Welcome!

Welcome to YT! And a big congratulations on Oliver! Love the name!! My Oliver stole my heart the minute i laid eyes on him when he was 8weeks old!!! He was my very first Yorkie and the reason i wanted a second!! Hence, Brooklyn!! Enjoy...they are a wonderful breed!!:D

Welcome to Yorkie Talk. :D I agree with you. All dogs need to be train properly to be a well-behaved pet. I work hard to train my dogs too. I want to enjoy my pets and not be agitate by bad habits that dogs develop when not train properly.