Yorkies and Children; Thinking of a Yorkie

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

I wish people could see the surrender forms that we get almost daily. I just got one yesterday from a young lady who received a yorkie puppy as a HS graduation gift. This was ten years ago and now she is married and has a one year old child. She wants to surrender her yorkie. She cried on the phone, but clearly has made a choice that her family comes first. She is one of many. Then, there are the yorkies who are dropped by children and end up severely injured....many of them end up in rescues.

I commend the OP for looking for information. Yorkies are terriers and even though they do sometimes work out well with children, they are not known for being good with them.

I am not saying that it never works because it does; but, I will say that a very large percentage do not work.

Not many people are going to openly admit that their yorkie is stressed out by their children....or that they gave them up because the yorkie was nipping at the children (a very common occurence), the child was allergic (no, I don't think so either, but it is a common excuse), or the yorkie was dropped and was injured.

And...welcome to YT! Yorkies are a great breed...you will find lots of information about them on this site!

I agree with everything you say.

I usually don't sell to young marrieds that are planning a family or families with children under the age of 12 (every situation is different). Just for the reasons you have stated. The pup in the beginning is the focus of these two young people. Then the children begin arriving and the pup is pushed to the way side, or worse surrendered to rescue. Now, I'm not saying this is always the case but, on the average that is how it happens. Family does come first, but my consideration is my pup.

I too commend the OP for doing her homework up front.

[kdreamson]

I have had a positive experience with having a small yorkie with a small child(3 yrs old) But it was and is an effort! You must not let a small child be alone with a puppy of any kind! I don't take my eyes off either one of them for a second. It takes constant vigilance but it can be done and it is worth it to me.

[ziggy925]

Ruger gets along great with kids but he can be a bit dominating with other dogs. My concerns would be what some of the others have said. What will happen to the dog when the kids come along, although, many couples get a dog before they have kids and all is well. My sister had dogs and cats and kids with no problems at all. Also, what will you do with the dog when you go to work? I'm thinking a pen might be better than a crate. I don't know, but if the dog is crated all day he or she might be a real ball of energy at night.

Maybe you can find a dog-friendly work place. They do exist.