New to YT but I could really use your help!
 

Let me start by saying this website is absolutely amazing!! And the community is all so nice and kind. With that being said YT I have a problem...My boyfriend and I have recently
moved into our new apartment. We have discussed getting a puppy yorkie prior to us moving in. (He prefers big dogs, so conviencing him for a yorkie was like pulling teeth!!) I
finally have found a great breeder that isn't too far from our home. I have been talking to the breeder about receiving my pup after christmas. Everything was good until my
boyfriend told me that he's having second thoughts. His reasons are because a friend of his told him that he spends approx. $200 a mnth on his girlfriends yorkie. And he was like
What if we move to where there are no pets allowed, then what. I understand about the moving part, but that's so long from now what if we decide to stay? What if we love our
Baby so much we find another pet friendly apartment. He keeps mentioning the monthly budget of a yorkie. Can you guys help me? Is getting a yorkie right now such a bad idea?
Please be honest. How do I convince him again? This is killing me. I was so excited until now ....


Ps. He just mentioned house training. He's afraid of our apartment having a doggy odor. Can you heLp?!!

Unless there is a big vet bill for your dog, I can't imagine spending $200 a month for one yorkie. Make sure your puppy is from a reputable breeder, and that it is healthy -- have it checked immediately by a vet you trust.

As far as housebreaking, with a puppy I would recommend crate training to start with. You can use pee pads or take the puppy outside. Mine are trained to do either one, whichever is available. I don't use my dog door, because I don't want to break their coats. So a dog door isn't necessary.

Having a puppy is an added responsibility however. Do you think your boyfriend is actually concerned about having to accommodate a puppy's schedule rather than the training or expense of the puppy?

Having a dog is a huge commitment. Some people easily spend $200 a month by the time you add up food and vet bills and some people spoil their pups with all kinds of things like toys and clothes and treats. I don't think you have to do that but some people choose to. On the other hand, some people have pups who are sick and a serious problem could easily cost you a few thousand dollars. I'm afraid I'm not much help.... I just think that it is a big commitment and if he's not ready for that then maybe it's not the best time. But I will say that having a small dog, I believe is much easier than having a big dog and even my hubby, who was not a small dog person at all before we got our yorkies, has been converted!

The figure of $200 a month sounds right to me. Of course, you won't spend it every month, but some months you will spend more if you've got a vet bill in there, even if it's a routine dental, physical, etc.

It's best to think of it as an annual expense and $2,400 a year is right in the middle according to this chart.

The Cost of Owning a Dog

When your puppy is young the bills aren't that bad, but as they age they can rack up the vet bills. At age 14, Lady costs me about $5,000 a year just in medications, routine exams, bloodwork, etc. Food, emergencies, etc. are all on top of that.

One bout of pancreatitis requiring hospitalization can easily result in a $1500 vet bill. You absolutely need money set aside in a separate account for emergencies. ER vets require payment upfront and they will turn you away if you can't pay.

Our Health and Sick sections are full of posts from desperate owners faced with unexpected vet bills they don't have the funds for.

I know moving seems like a long way off, but remember that you will hopefully have your Yorkie for 15 years. Finding pet friendly housing can be challenging in some areas of the country.

Yorkies are notoriously difficult to housebreak.

I am very glad you found YT. Spend some time here and read, read, read. You'll get a good idea of what Yorkie ownership is like, the pros and the cons.

It's good you and your BF are discussing this beforehand. It's important for all family members to be on board when adding a pet to the family. Pet ownership is wonderful, but it also requires work and commitment.

The expense is not my worry. I believe it is his worry. I have been doing TONS AND TONS of research. I am still going to go with it, he mentioned that if its what I want then we can work as a team. I just didn't want to be selfish and not consider his feelings. I think this is better than having kids at the moment. I am not ready for that, but I think a puppy will introduce us to parenting. Thank guys!

I'm sort of in the same situation. I live with my girlfriend [we're 24 and 23 respectively]. I have never owned a small dog so she had to convince me. I have a Doberman that I love dearly. We are also in the process of finding a home and moving. I think that it's much more responsible to secure housing first. I can understand the budget concerns as pets are a fairly large expense. We have been doing our research for housing and yorkies. I think that it is probably best to make sure you find the apartment/house that you want that fulfills your needs FIRST. We're going to wait a few months until we're settled and have passed those unforeseen costs that come with a new rental/ownership. I think at the point, everyone has enough time to do thorough research and find a reputable breeder while making sure that everything on the homefront is going to be secure. I can't help but think that the costs associated with moving and new puppy ownership would probably more than overwhelm us. Just my opinion of course. Good luck to you two! :D

I can't say whether you should or shouldn't get a pup because I really don't know anything about your lifestyle, but I think your boyfriend has very valid points.

Yorkies can be hard to house train. The pup will likely go all over the carpet at first (and in some cases, even as adults they still prefer the carpet to grass:rolleyes:). It isn't uncommon for carpet to need replacing.

Animal friendly housing can be hard to find. Sometimes rehoming is necessary due to unforseen circumstances, but it wouldn't be fair to the dog to get it knowing that you may not be able to keep it. So it's important to make sure housing will be available before getting the pup. It is a 12-15 (and sometimes even 18) year commitment.

A lot of Yorkies just love to bark and neighbors get upset easily. Getting kicked out for noise wouldn't be unheard of, so depending on the dog, quite a bit of no bark training may be needed.

You said something about maybe having kids someday. Since Yorkies are so small and somewhat fragile, they have to be watched around young kids at all times. Some also don't tolerate kids well.

We usually set aside about $75 a month for Ellie. That is for routine care and a couple things she needs for health issues. For the last little bit, another $50 was added on for a certain drug. I groom her myself or that would be more money. She gets homecooked food, so I don't know exactly how much we spend, but probably between $12-$28 a month. This doesn't include dentals, her spay, emergencies, anything beyond a mild ear infection or something...

I don't want to talk you out of getting one because they are really awesome to own, but they aren't right for everyone.

I can say there has been maybe 1 time that i've spent $200 on Ella in a month and that's when i 1st. got her and took her to the vet and got her some puppy goods. I know, b/c i'm looking for a pet friendly apt. now, that it is hard to find a place that will allow dogs. Just keep looking and eventually you'll find a place. As far as expenses for a yorkie, remind your bf that a big dog will have alot more expenses that a small dog will.

You are pretty much accurate on about how much we spend on Ella too. Between 12-28 sounds good. =]

I know why I've been around this site for so long. It's because of people like you that are so helpful.

You go ... Boy, would I be rich today if I never got a puppy, but look at all the love I would have missed in my life. It was worth every penny for the joy they have brought to my life and I do it again in a minute.

Well, I can tell you I spend at least 100 a month between food, treats, clothes, leashes, bows, etc, although they are not all nessesary.
With out clothing a new bed here and there I would probally spend 50 on food and treats or something she needs.
Last month she got pancreatitis , my vet bill was 500.00, when she was a puppy she had an ear infection that was like a 150.00 vet visit with meds. But vetting is very expensive here. You really do need a set aside a credit card or put X amount of dollars in an account incase something happens.
But its NOT cheap to own a yorkie or any dog for that matter.

It is nice to hear that you both are not jumping in to this. If you purchase a puppy from a reputable breeder, who breeds to the standard as well as testing on both dam & sire, your chances of a healthy puppy increase. I do agree that the expense of being a dog owner is not inexpensive if you are properly raising the dog. Premium dog food is not cheap, but only having one mouth to feed, you would not go through alot of food. I treat mine with liver snaps, I also treat with fresh fruits and vegetables. Monthly heartworm and flea prevention will be around $35.00. If you both do not agree it is the right time, maybe you should hold off until the right time arises. Best of luck and keep us posted.

Good Thinking, Do Your Research and Serious Thinking
 

We rehomed Bella, our very first dog when she was 7 months old. So my memories are fresh. We didn't plan on her joining the family so we went into the whole thing nieve an blind. But, she has added so much to our life that we can't imagine not having her. I'm going to list all the concerns/challenges we have faced in the 7 months we have had her.

1. Potty training: takes LOTS of time and patience. Bella is still having accidents in the home. We often don't see her sitting by the door when she has to go out and she doesn't bark etc. So, it's more our fault due to proximity than hers. This is a big area with Yorkies. Bella was easy to train because we were giving it 100% attention, it can't be done without true dedication to task.

2. Need for Attention: the first 3 months she needed my attention constantly! I wasn't prepared for this and at times I felt overwhelmed by her always being by my feet/side/back, etc. Now I have grown to love it. She is less needy about constant physical attention and is happy to be in very close proximity.

3. Physical Care: grooming, bathing, teeth, ears, etc. They need good physical care and this is a daily requirement (brushing, teeth). I love the weekly bath, it is so much fun to watch her do the "crazy puppy" routine when
she is put down after being towel-dried.

4. Vet visits: Yes, they need medical preventive care. We have insurance for Bella and it really helps reduce expenses. Yorkies can have allergies requiring special food and medications. Bella has been very healthy, but she is on medication/food for allergies.

5. Behavior Training: classes are wonderful. Well worth the expense.

I guess I would say, just be prepared. Make sure you are truly in agreement about this as it is very hard on a Yorkie to be rehomed. They are such loyal little lovers. Believe me, they are prep for parenting as they take true responsibilty on the part of the owner if you are doing the dog ownership role correctly.

Good luck! We've NEVER regretted our decision to take Bella into our home. She is the joy of our life and now we just take the many aspects we felt were overwhelming in the beginning in stride.

My bf is still on the bang wagon. I guess he just is thinking ahead. Thanks, I will be sure to tell him a bigger dog is more expensive b/c he doesnt seem to think so. lol

Thanks for all the great information you provided! My boyfriend and I read it together and it helped a lot on our decison. Thank you!! Very helpful! :)

Other than food, I'm not sure how a bigger dog would be any more expensive.

We are young also. We moved into our pet friendly apartment last month. So we still have enough time to look for another place that accepts pets. We have done so much homework..we're working as a team to decide whats bests. Thank You!

Lady is my first small dog and believe me, small dogs are much more expensive than big dogs! A little tummy upset in a big dog is no big deal. A small dog can dehydrate in 48 hours and have to be hospitalized and on an IV. Been there, done that several times.

Toy breeds are much more prone to injury because their bones are so delicate. Look at all the threads we have on broken legs which require several thousand dollars worth of surgery. Luxating patellas (slipped knee caps) are a problem in toy breeds, too. They can be genetic or be caused by jumping on and off furniture.

Pancreatitis is common in Yorkies. A tiny piece of ham or sausage can cause a episode and it is very serious. It usually requires hospitalization. Yorkies are especially prone to it.

Pancreatitis (Inflammation) in Dogs

It's good that you have come here beforehand and are asking for opinions. You will learn all the pros and cons so you and your BF can decide if now is the right time for a puppy and if a Yorkie is the right breed for you.

We have recently gotten two puppies, which is not your case, but I just wanted to warn you that the initial cost can be quite a bit. We had a 85 lb lab before these pups so we had to get most everything new, except cages because we had them for all sizes. After the initial cost though it all depends on the dog and you. We have had them for a month and after the first week and besides the vet visits for their shots we have hardly spent any money. Another thing to help you out is that big dogs are A LOT more money. So I guess the expense of these little guys doesn't bother us. Big dogs go through so much more food and chews, etc. I just wanted to let you know that there is a difference in small and large dogs in general. Another tip from a person that just got puppies, check the breeders guarantee. Not only the guarantee in general but what it covers. When we got our guys home one had ear mites, which cost $7 to treat, no big deal, but she said to send her the bill. We weren't going to but our guys also had coccidia, which was not covered, and between the fecal samples and the meds it was like $35. So needless to say we sent the ear mite bill just because we had to pay for this other illness. This is an illness that a lot of puppies get and can be treated and they will be fine, but it was just the fact that we just paid for puppies and they were already sick. So just a little heads up to check up on that. When she told us when we were purchasing that coccidia was not covered we were like o, well I am sure they are fine, well they weren't. Anyway, they have been treated and are doing great...illness free!! Good luck with everything and enjoy your new pup! They are LOTS of fun!

Yes bigger dogs are more pricey.
Lexi's monthly food bill is generally around $50, while we spend over $140 for the 2 large dogs.

I rented for 4 years with dogs in 3 different homes. Finding a place that accepts pets can be challenging, especially in apartments. In some cases we needed to put down an extra deposit for the dogs. Also while talking to people I discovered that small dogs were generally more accepted than large breeds.

Also if you do find a place, make sure you get it put in your lease. My friend recently rented out a place because the landlord assured him he could get a dog, but a couple weeks before he was suppose to pick up the puppy, the landlord changed his mind.

You may want to consider pet insurance too. Not sure on the monthly cost of this, been meaning to get it but haven't yet.

It annoys me when I see people rehoming their pets because their landlord doesn't accept them. If you get a dog and are renting, you have to consider this possibility.

These are some of the issues I was thinking of, too. Thanks for the great info!

I think it is wonderful that you and your boyfriend are working together on this... And I can see both points of view.
I have far more than just one or two Yorkies but, I wouldn't trade a single moment in my life since I found this wonderful breed.
Just to give you a rough idea of the costs of being OWNED BY A YORKIE I'll give you an idea of what just one of mine runs me.

Kibble: $45
Canned Food: $30
Shampoo and conditioner: $25
Shots: $42 (yearly)
Wormer: $45 (every three months)
Bed: $25 (twice a year)
Grooming: I do myself because it was costing me $30 a month to have it done.
Crate:$45
Annual Vet work ups: $780 (this includes xrays of the knees, hips and shoulders. Eye exams, teeth cleaning, and all blood tests I have done so it breaks down to about $65 per month.
Then this past year one of my babies got sick and needed emergency care and was hospitalized for 6 days. That bill ended up costing me $1600 plus the medications she had to be on for the following two weeks which cost me an extra $150 so the total was $1750 or broken down into months about $146
So breaking it all down and adding it together for a monthly cost for just one of my Yorkies I have a monthly expense of $375.91.

As for the park about the odor in the house, he does have a good point as Yorkies are very hard to house train due to their attitude, it takes a great deal of patience on your part not to mention consistency.

I wish you luck with what ever you decide to do and would caution you to really check the breeder you have choosen. Make sure what she expects of you as a future owner of one of her babies. Ask for references of past puppy owners and for those of her vet. Make sure you have a clear understanding of the contract this breeder uses, if you have any doubts talk to him/her about them before you buy your puppy. This will give you a good idea of the kind of care your future puppy has recieved before you get him/her.

Also be prepared to answer alot of questions yourself, I know I need to know all I can about the home that is possibly going to get one of my babies.
Make sure that you have a vet choosen (I always do vet ref. checks) as well as at least two or three personal references. This will give the breeder an idea into the type of person who is possibly getting one of their puppies.

The expenses add up, shots, vet visits, dentals, flea and heartworm meds that they need every month. Those are just ordinary expenses not emergency expenses

Oh boys, they can be so stubborn. =]

I tend to agree about the cost but what we do here is buy Canada Savings Bonds yearly. You probably in the USA have some sort of similar program. This forces a say $40 a month deduction that is applied to your bond purchase. You might consider holding off on purchasing this puppy until you put your first $500 aside. This bond is / will be used to cover emergency vet bills. So anywhere from 20-$30 a month for normal food, normal shots etc sounds good to me. If you get through the first two years without a major problem requiring expensive vet care then you will have $1000 plus interest to cover off emergencies. Also consider pet insurance but KNOW exactly what the insurance covers and what it doesn't. For example does it cover Xrays, emergency vet care, medications, annual vet visit -etc.

By the way we also purchase bonds yearly to cover Xmas gift giving - it means we rarely go over our "presents" budget.

It's good to hear that you two are looking forward and trying to plan for your puppy. It's sounds like you are going to be great owners.

Well if you take a small dog to the vet and get let's say a heart worm pill, mine are 6 pills for 25 dollars. For a big dog it will be more, those things vary on the size of the dog. There are many things that can make a large dog more pricey.

Sure lots of ways large dogs are more expensive. Most med's are weight sensitive so you pay more for Heartworm medication etc. Many places won't take large dogs when you go on vacation - I'm talking hotels/motels, and some boarding places. And I hate to say this - but with a large dog obedience training is a must, small dogs like our Yorkies of course should be obedience trained -..but we tend to get away more with a little dog than a large dog. Take jumping up most regular folks don't get scared if a yorkie jumps up on their shin bone, but a big dog - no way!

Yeah, it's those unexpected vet visits that will break the bank!

Just to stress again how important it is to get your Yorkie from a reputable breeder who is knowledgeable about genetics and screens her Yorkies for genetic health conditions Yorkies are prone to. Extensive health testing should be done prior to breeding, much more than a general physical done by the vet.

Another member just posted the results of the health survey done by the YTCA. It is frightening that more than 1/3 of Yorkies are born with a liver shunt or Legg-Perthes. Both these conditions require expensive surgery to correct.

Health Survey 2007

If you and your BF do decide to get a Yorkie, please, please research breeders very carefully. Due to their popularity, Yorkies are a favorite among backyard breeders and puppy mills. Too many newbies look for a bargain when buying a puppy and end up spending a fortune on vet bills over its lifetime.

Thank you guys. I have looked at everybody's point of view. Its a tough decision to make, and I have done my research people. I know that getting a dog is huge responsiblity and that it takes money to raise a dog ecspecially a healthy one. Its a very hard decision...Thanks for everyone's advice. We've decided to continue to go with the intial plan. We both really want to add a new addition to our "family." lol I think the expenses threw him off a little bit. I am glad that we took the time to discuss this matter before we jumped into something that is life changing for the both of us. It will be our first yorkie and were ready to be responsible, loving parents!! I can't wait. Question: Now where do I find all my new puppy goodies??

You will love being a Yorkie mommy!

May I suggest you concentrate on finding a responsible breeder first? That can be a real challenge with all the greeders out there. You are making a hopefully 15 year commitment so you want to make sure you get a puppy who will grow up to look and act like a Yorkie is supposed to and won't have major genetic health problems as he gets older.

The YTCA breeder's list is the best place to start:

Yorkshire Terrier Club of America

Then we will be happy to help you with the goodies. :)