Is a Yorkie right for me?

[WaterPKMNMaster]

I actually can't drive too far since I'm still new at driving.

I guess I would want the healthiest, strongest puppy possible for around $1000. I hear people say "AKC" has the strictest regulations so I guess I would want it AKC registered. It has to be a small dog because of the apartment with rich gold and black coloring. I'm not sure if I would want a girl or a boy. I saw some pics of adult male Yorkies with their privates hanging out and thought it looked kinda nasty. XD The puppy would have to be extremely playful and happy and as young as possible since I want it to grow up with me (I guess 12 weeks from what everyone is saying). It also has to be handsome... I don't want a retarded-looking puppy! XDXDXD

[amandawash]

Wow, interesting thread. I have to say that Quicksilver has given awesome advice, and some great food for thought. I would be hard-pressed to believe a reputable breeder would allow a yorkie pup to go to a college student in your situation at this point.

One thing I wanted to add was the sensitive nature of the Yorkie and the possibility for vet bills and genetic problems...

When I first got Ranger, I was in and out of the vet at least once a month (in addition to his puppy shots and neuter) due to frequent vomiting and diarrhea. On two occasions, he had to be hospitalized at the ER vet as he had gotten severely dehydrated after being sick for only twelve hours. This went on until his first birthday, which meant roughly nine months of serious vet bills and treatment- not cheap. Things went well for quite a while until this March when he was diagnosed with bilateral luxating patellas. We had the surgery done the week after he was diagnosed which was extremely expensive. The same week my other baby Ryder began showing symptoms of pain and was determined to have a pinched disc in his back. If it happens again we're off to a neurologist for an MRI. I'll leave the cost out on that one. Are you allowed to miss class for days on end? I can't tell you how many days of work I have missed due to one of my babies being sick or injured. I am lucky to be able to work from home so it's not a huge deal, but I did take a full week off for Ranger's surgery and used every minute caring for him.

Also to address the barking- I never really thought they barked much as they rarely bark when I'm home. However, I pulled into the driveway yesterday and before I got out of my car I could hear Ranger barking like mad and I'm pretty sure if I could hear it inside my car, your upstairs neighbors will be able to hear it as well. Don't assume college kids are "pretty understanding" and to equate walking with barking is foolish. I understand the point about your landlord "unofficially" allowing dogs has been driven into the ground, but it 100% needs to be in writing for it to fly. A "triple check" will not fly in Court...

As for the potty training, Ranger was potty trained 100% in about 6 months, which is pretty good for a yorkie. Ryder, on the other hand, is nearly two years old and still does not get it. Don't think I haven't tried...

I don't mean to be a nay-sayer but the reality is Yorkies are extremely high maintenance and are like have a baby. What will happen when you get a girlfriend and want to go out with her and then stay over at her place? These are all things to think about.

Check out the Sick and Injured section- go through several pages. You'll get a good idea of what you may be in for. Also check out the Health and Diet section.

[WaterPKMNMaster]

All the more reason why I should thoroughly check out the breeder and examine the puppy before I buy it.

Just because a puppy could turn out to have some health problems doesn't mean I shouldn't get one. That's like saying that you shouldn't have sex because your baby may turn out to have some sort of genetic problem. I'm sure most people who own a pet understand the risks of getting one, or at least should. That said, I'm sure 9 times out of 10 the puppy will be just fine. If it's not, then of course I'll still take care of it. Though school will be an obstacle, I always have my parents to help me out, one of which is a stay-at-home mom.

The other points have already been addressed a couple of times before, but thank you for giving your advice.

[amandawash]

Originally Posted by WaterPKMNMaster

All the more reason why I should thoroughly check out the breeder and examine the puppy before I buy it.

Just because a puppy could turn out to have some health problems doesn't mean I shouldn't get one. That's like saying that you shouldn't have sex because your baby may turn out to have some sort of genetic problem. I'm sure most people who own a pet understand the risks of getting one, or at least should. That said, I'm sure 9 times out of 10 the puppy will be just fine. If it's not, then of course I'll still take care of it. Though school will be an obstacle, I always have my parents to help me out, one of which is a stay-at-home mom.

The other points have already been addressed a couple of times before, but thank you for giving your advice.

Absolutely. However, please don't think my boys weren't thoroughly "checked out." Both were well over $1000.

Sounds like you have already made your decision. Good luck.

[WaterPKMNMaster]

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply you didn't. I just meant that I should check out the breeder and the puppy thoroughly to insure something like that doesn't happen, which it very well could down the line even if there is no indication.

[WaterPKMNMaster]

That's the last time I read that forum you suggested while eating Cheerios.

[yorkie_mama22]

I'm on the fence. I'm not sure how much you make at your part-time job ( and I really don't care ) but you need to think about YOURSELF as well and your expenses. Food, shelter, bills and clothing. Getting a dog, any kind of dog is like having a child. They will need food, medical costs, toys and etc. I don't see how a part-time job and being on your own would work. Not to say it can't work and some people can't pull it off.

Again, you mention about the yorkie and it's long coat as "girly". NO OFFENCE to ANYONE or any males but personally Yorkies are in general a "girly" dog. Have you thought about any other breeds that don't shed and are small? Have you considered a shihtzu?

My yorkie personally doesn't bark alot but she came from a bad home and is just slowly coming around, however when she DOES bark, I can hear her outside of my apartment. Yes I live in an apartment but it is definitely not as tiny as yours, my apartment is pretty big.

Being a puppy it won't need that much space for now but I can't remember how much you said you had space there, 500 sq feet? That seems like what, a bedroom perhaps? Do you want to confine your dog to a small space like that for two years, I know you will take the dog out and walk it and so on but thats a pretty small area to live with a dog. Especially with carpets, yeah you will clean up the poop and the pee but you can't just use all those cool cleaning supplies you say you have. Certain chemicals and cleaners can HARM YOUR BABY! Your carpet will start to smell and get nasty, I just had to take my carpet out because it was ruined. Potty training can go on for a while, mine still has occasional accidents at 2 years old and yorkies are known to be stubborn at potty training.

My mom also has a yorkie who does not stop parking and she lives in a townhouse and people get annoyed. Even if you have someone above you, what if they are sleeping at night and your dogs barking like a mad man, then what will you do?

I also bought my dog for 500, and I've spent around 1,000 in the last 8 months on vet costs, are you ready for that? These dogs are small and fragile, anything can happen, they are very delicte dogs.

I was in college and working part time as well last year and I know I couldn't handle a puppy then.

[amandawash]

Originally Posted by yorkie_mama22

Especially with carpets, yeah you will clean up the poop and the pee but you can't just use all those cool cleaning supplies you say you have. Certain chemicals and cleaners can HARM YOUR BABY! Your carpet will start to smell and get nasty, I just had to take my carpet out because it was ruined.

Lol! We just had our carpet taken out and hardwood put in, for that very reason. No matter what I used to clean it, Ryder still would sneak a pee in two spots and I could smell it no matter what, and our house is large! I had the carpet professionally cleaned but it still grossed me out so we had the carpet ripped out the next day and the new floor put in.

Sheesh the things we do for these babies!!

[yorkie mad]

Originally Posted by WaterPKMNMaster

All the more reason why I should thoroughly check out the breeder and examine the puppy before I buy it.

Just because a puppy could turn out to have some health problems doesn't mean I shouldn't get one. That's like saying that you shouldn't have sex because your baby may turn out to have some sort of genetic problem. I'm sure most people who own a pet understand the risks of getting one, or at least should. That said, I'm sure 9 times out of 10 the puppy will be just fine. If it's not, then of course I'll still take care of it. Though school will be an obstacle, I always have my parents to help me out, one of which is a stay-at-home mom.

The other points have already been addressed a couple of times before, but thank you for giving your advice.

You do sound like someone who would dedicate themselves to a pet. Ive kept tropical fish and that was hard work and alot of time let alone saltwater fish.
Anyhow yorkies arn't fish and with myself owning my first yorkie, it can be demanding.
Saying that ,if I had read some of the posts on this thread about health , I may have been scared to get one lol
Not sure if its luck or what but my Tia doesn't bark when I leave her and hasn't yet had any health emergencies.What people are saying is you need to be prepared for it mentally and financially if they arise.For example my last dog was a border collie and I didn't think about brushing her teeth but yorkies can get a lot of mouth problems.
Noone wants to be negative, just provide you with our experiences.
Good luck with your decision.

[yorkie_mama22]

Originally Posted by amandawash

Lol! We just had our carpet taken out and hardwood put in, for that very reason. No matter what I used to clean it, Ryder still would sneak a pee in two spots and I could smell it no matter what, and our house is large! I had the carpet professionally cleaned but it still grossed me out so we had the carpet ripped out the next day and the new floor put in.

Sheesh the things we do for these babies!!

I hate hate hate carpets now and never again, I don't even want to live somewhere with carpet and a dog!! lol It's so much better now without the carpet, now do all the accidents you want lmao

[Hollee]

I think you have made your decision. I was alot like you: people were making a lot of arguments against my decision- money potty training time etc. And just like you I made arguments right back! I think that it shows your are determined and dedicated. && your schedule is perfect (for a puppy lol). Just buy an exercise pen so that it wont pee everywhere!

Oh and I dont like the long hair either I plan on keepin it short- much easier! (and cuter)

I say go for it. Check the puppies for sale forum here... good luck. Maybe post a thread in breeders section looking for a breeder near you. I hope you find a pup

[yorkie_mama22]

Originally Posted by Hollee

I think you have made your decision. I was alot like you: people were making a lot of arguments against my decision- money potty training time etc. And just like you I made arguments right back! I think that it shows your are determined and dedicated. && your schedule is perfect (for a puppy lol). Just buy an exercise pen so that it wont pee everywhere!

Oh and I dont like the long hair either I plan on keepin it short- much easier! (and cuter)

I say go for it. Check the puppies for sale forum here... good luck. Maybe post a thread in breeders section looking for a breeder near you. I hope you find a pup

These aren't arguements against his decision. He came here to ask if a yorkie is right for him. People are just giving their opinions. If someone doesn't want opinions they shouldn't ask certain questions or "argue" back if you already made a decision, it is pointless

[Hollee]

Originally Posted by yorkie_mama22

These aren't arguements against his decision. He came here to ask if a yorkie is right for him. People are just giving their opinions. If someone doesn't want opinions they shouldn't ask certain questions or "argue" back if you already made a decision, it is pointless

True...

I mean he kind of asked like as a tool to see the difficult parts about yorkies & kind of took it as a challenge to see if he could handle it... Thats what it seems like.

I didnt mean to offend anyone! I am sorry if I did

[WaterPKMNMaster]

I'm on the fence. I'm not sure how much you make at your part-time job ( and I really don't care ) but you need to think about YOURSELF as well and your expenses. Food, shelter, bills and clothing. Getting a dog, any kind of dog is like having a child. They will need food, medical costs, toys and etc. I don't see how a part-time job and being on your own would work. Not to say it can't work and some people can't pull it off.

The job is to just keep me busy. As I said before, money isn't a problem with me. Think about it... Japan... single apartment... want a dog... XD

Again, you mention about the yorkie and it's long coat as "girly". NO OFFENCE to ANYONE or any males but personally Yorkies are in general a "girly" dog. Have you thought about any other breeds that don't shed and are small? Have you considered a shihtzu?

Oh yeah, this is way less girlier: http://www.tkbinc.com/shih%20tzu%20i...th%20bands.jpg

Being a puppy it won't need that much space for now but I can't remember how much you said you had space there, 500 sq feet? That seems like what, a bedroom perhaps?

No, it's at least 4 rooms - bedroom, dining room, living room, kitchen, bathroom and then the huge enclosed patio.

Especially with carpets, yeah you will clean up the poop and the pee but you can't just use all those cool cleaning supplies you say you have. Certain chemicals and cleaners can HARM YOUR BABY! Your carpet will start to smell and get nasty, I just had to take my carpet out because it was ruined. Potty training can go on for a while, mine still has occasional accidents at 2 years old and yorkies are known to be stubborn at potty training.

Do you think that if I make it the strictest priority to potty train it that it will more than often go where it's supposed to go? If they're smart dogs, I can't imagine it "not getting it" if I was 100% consistent with showing it where to go. During the summer I'm usually up all night while my family is up all day (someone is always up), so we could take turns reinforcing it.

My mom also has a yorkie who does not stop parking and she lives in a townhouse and people get annoyed. Even if you have someone above you, what if they are sleeping at night and your dogs barking like a mad man, then what will you do?

Well, that wouldn't be good, but considering this year I left my alarm on several times (which BLARESSSSSS) and no one complained, and other people sometimes are blasting their music and no one complains, I don't think the noise thing would be too much of a problem unless I really got a puppy that just never stops (which is probably a worse-case scenario; in watching the videos on YouTube, the dogs don't really bark that much). The apartment is actually pretty large for one person, and it sort of feels like sound doesn't really get out of it. It's hard to explain.

[WaterPKMNMaster]

Oh, just kidding, it's 558 square feet (not including outside patio):
http://www.rental-living.com/assets/...ns/PlanA_2.gif

And the furniture is not to scale, so it doesn't really look that small.