Be real on a scale 1-10 how hard is it taking care of a yorkie

[jc212]

Financially, I would rate owning a Yorkie a 8-10. Vet visits and dental work are very costly. Also, preminium food (which they need!), clothing (optional, but not so much for mine), grooming, etc all add up quickly.

Taking care of Chase is a breeze, I would rate it a 1. He has the best personality and I'm so happy that I got him!

[QuickSilver]

I would say Thor is a 3. He gets a 1 for regularly breaking my heart on potty training, a 1 for his issues with other dogs, and a 1 for making sure he gets enough attention and play time.

[Nancy1999]

At age two, Joey's very easy to care for, I've owned lots of different dogs, I think smaller is easier; easier to bath and groom, and easier to transport. I trained Joey to go on a pee pad, and this makes it even easier than with other dogs, who had to be walked or needed a door opened for them. Joey the first dog I've owned that lets me sleep in, and I love to occasionally sleep in. He needs to be brushed every day, but with his silky hair, that's no problem. I think lots of people think Yorkies are difficult because they didn't train them when they were puppies, I think it's just as important to train a small dog as a large dog, and since Yorkies can be rather stubborn, you have to be even more stubborn. If I had small children, I don't think it would be as easy. When my sons were young, there was a lot of rough housing, and friends running in and of out of the house, I think a larger dog was better than. If your facetious about your house, the first 6 months can be pretty frustrating housetraining a yorkie, as you've probably read, is more difficult, and you think they understand, and then wham, an accident. To me, yorkies are best for someone who wants a child, but doesn't want to worry about them ever getting married and leaving you.

[CouversMom]

I would say Couver is a 6, only because he is still being potty trained, and just got neutered yesterday, so I'm hoping he will calm down around other dogs. He requires quite a bit of grooming- baths weekly (at LEAST), brushing, hair pulled up... and is very needy. He has separation anxiety, so I take him with me everywhere I can, but feel horrible when I cannot.

Owning a yorkie is a huge responsibility, and should not be taken on by anyone that has not done extensive research on the breed. I am crossing my fingers that my baby does not have any of the health problems that a lot do on this forum.

[stedmansmommy]

I would give Stedman a 1 if it wasn't for his marking and constantly belly band pad changing (even though I'm sooo used to it now) - so because of the marking/belly band thing, I will say a 2 for him. He is an extremely easy dog to take care of though. Right now, with Tatum....a 10! lol. She just had Luxating Patella surgery and it is a 24/7 job...it will be for quite a while. Even normally though she has terrible allergies and just always seems to have something going on

I love both of my babies dearly though. They could both be a 10 on the "hard to take care of" scale and it wouldn't change my feelings for them in the least! They are my WORLD.

[stedmansmommy]

Originally Posted by jc212

Financially, I would rate owning a Yorkie a 8-10. Vet visits and dental work are very costly.

I would agree with that 110%! And I DO give it a 10! LOL. I can honestly say that even though the Yorkie is my #1 favorite breed, I have never in my life owned a breed that cost me more money! And it has nothing at all to do with what Tatum's LP surgery just cost me (and trust me....it was ALOT) - but just in general, owning a Yorkie is very expensive....at least when there are health issues involved and constant vet visits like I have with Tatum. I have never in my life owned any other breed of dog that was at the vet so much. This breed, at least in my experience, seems to have alot of health issues (allergies, teeth, LP, collapsed trachea, skin issues, sensitive tummies etc., etc.). Regardless though, it would NEVER stop me from owing a Yorkie - cause after all, they ARE the best

[Lucia]

I'd probably give Twinkle a 7 or 8 at the moment......she's going through a naughty phase, and seems to be pushing her boundaries a bit.....she's also had a bit of a relapse in housebreaking so its a bit harder work at the moment. I think this is down to her age (almost 10 months), although before this I would have put her at a 3.

Luckily, she's had no health issues and is quite big so that takes away alot of the worries of her injuring herself.....I'm not so worried about her diving about all over the place as I would be if she was smaller.

I'll be getting a new puppy on saturday. who's going to be a 10 for while.......but I know it will be worth every second! xxx

[yorkie mad]

I would rate Tia a 1 but the kids a 10 lol

[JackieJack]

We got Jack when he was 6 or 7 and I would say he was a 2. He was no different than having our Golden, but in the last couple of months as he got sick, and his health problems got worse until the end h was a 10.

I think it is like kids. lol It goes in stages depending on the age and behavior that goes with it at the time. Worth every moment you devote!

[monarchmom]

Precious is a 1 BUT oooh boy Princess is a definate 8+ ( Yeah I know it's only been a few weeks but still gaining nothing on the potty training & she cries & screams everytime I walk out the door) I think she has separation anxiety. She seems shocked when I come home like as if she is saying OMG you really didn't leave me!!! You came back!!! She wiggles & kisses til I think she will just die of happiness LOL But I WUV my girlies so it makes it all worth it!

MOMMY TO PRECIOUS & PRINCESS

[JackieJack]

I also want to add that I agree with the expense of medical bills and issues.
This is the most money we have put in any of our animals and we have had a Golden with bone cancer.
Towards the end Jack had it all Collapse trachea, enlarged heart, gum disease, sever infection, seizures,ect. We spent alot of money, but I think you need to be prepared finanially for any animal you get, but yea my yorkie had alot of med problems the last 6 months, but up until then it wasn't any differnent than my other pets.

[Judy in Waco]

I would agree with the others that the first year is the most high maintenance, it then gets easier for awhile unless they develop health issues. I have been very lucky (knock on wood) with my two.

Gizmo is about a 5, he has weight and allergy issues and a THICK cottony coat that is difficult to deal with.

Kandi is about a 4 only because she is still a puppy. But even as a puppy, she's easier to care for than most. She isn't as needy because she has Gizmo for company and mostly because she came from a great breeder. She is also my second yorkie, so I was less stressed about it all.

[jeanm1963]

I would say Laci is a 8-9 , she REALLY requires alot of attention, she is doing great potty training but wants to be entertained 24/7 she wont really play on her own, so its play catch, or sit on my lap or come on the couch or in the bathroom when Im taking a shower!! As soon as I grab my keys she is sitting at the front door waiting... Im glad Im not working right now because she really needs ALOT Of attention, almost like a human baby!

[TatumsMom]

I would have to agree that it's no harder than most other inside dogs. The only reason I would give it a "2" is because of the grooming but Tatum is very laid back and has no major health issues so she's been a breeze for us. We count our blessings all the time though - especially when I read of other's problems with their Yorkies. But also, we had a toy poodle for 15-16 years and so we are used to inside dogs.

[NSaville18]

the first year is an 8, some days a 10. But now that he is house broken and trained, a 4. and thats only because of his grooming requirements! It was well worth the wait!