Yorkies & Children

[bannergirl]

I do not have a Yorkie - yet. I am looking for a puppy and still actually in the process of researching some of the different toy breeds. I am leaning towards a Yorkie.

I no longer have children at home, but I do babysit my grandchildren (6 & 2). What I am wondering is what have been your experiences with Yorkies and children?

I do understand that there would have to be a lot of supervision on my part and possibly times when the children and the puppy would have to be separated.

What are some of your experiences with Yorkies and children? I do not want to make a mistake and bring home a puppy that won't work with my grandkids.

[maryeverett1]

I have a 6 year old and 3 year old at home and 3 yorkies! We got Louis when he was 12 weeks (a year ago) and Paris when she was 12 weeks (9 months ago) and they just had a baby together who is now 12 days old. What I will say in my experience is that the yorkie temperment is fantastic for kids! I have a sister who has had her yorkie since my oldest was a year old and several friends who had yorkies before I ever got one! In that regard they are fantastic! Here is the issue I see with young kids and yorkies! Because they are smaller dogs they are fragile especially at a young age! A yorkie puppy does not know how to get out of the way of a falling child, or a child that is running and not watching where she is going! The first month that each of my yorkies were home and even now with our newborn puppy and adult dogs there are rules for my kids and any child that visits our home which are: you are not allowed to carry the dogs around for any reason, for puppies: you are not allowed to hold the puppy if I am not in the room with you! Some children are rough by nature...we have a next door neighbor's little girl who has 2 labs so she is used to being able to be rough with her dogs and I have to closely supervise her when she is in our home! So while yorkies have great temperments for kids and love kids YOU will have to closely supervise your grandkids until they get used to handling the fragile puppy and until the yorkie grows up enough to learn how to get out of the way of kids if it needs to! There also should be a place where the puppy and even an adult dog should be able to escape if they have had enough like a pack n play or a crate! Yorkies are a fantastic breed but are very fragile! I knew of a story that I was told of a young child who got a hold of her own yorkie and accidentally squeezed it to death. She wasn't trying to be mean but the dog was fragile enough to where it ended it's life! I also heard of a child who accidentally dropped her puppy off of a bed and broke its leg! I will say because of my own vigilance and teaching my girls how to properly handle our dogs I have NEVER had a single problem with my own girls and our dogs! So children can be taught the right way and it be a fantastic experience for everyone involved: you, the dog and the grandkids! It's just up to you whether or not you want to have to train your grandkids, closely supervise them and be vigilant for awhile while everyone is learning! Hope this helps! Let us know what you decide!! Have a great day! Mary
Ps. If there is anything else I can specifically answer on the subject let me know! Would be happy to help if I can!

[maryeverett1]

I have a 6 year old and 3 year old at home and 3 yorkies! We got Louis when he was 12 weeks (a year ago) and Paris when she was 12 weeks (9 months ago) and they just had a baby together who is now 12 days old. What I will say in my experience is that the yorkie temperment is fantastic for kids! I have a sister who has had her yorkie since my oldest was a year old and several friends who had yorkies before I ever got one! In that regard they are fantastic! Here is the issue I see with young kids and yorkies! Because they are smaller dogs they are fragile especially at a young age! A yorkie puppy does not know how to get out of the way of a falling child, or a child that is running and not watching where she is going! The first month that each of my yorkies were home and even now with our newborn puppy and adult dogs there are rules for my kids and any child that visits our home which are: you are not allowed to carry the dogs around for any reason, for puppies: you are not allowed to hold the puppy if I am not in the room with you! Some children are rough by nature...we have a next door neighbor's little girl who has 2 labs so she is used to being able to be rough with her dogs and I have to closely supervise her when she is in our home! So while yorkies have great temperments for kids and love kids YOU will have to closely supervise your grandkids until they get used to handling the fragile puppy and until the yorkie grows up enough to learn how to get out of the way of kids if it needs to! There also should be a place where the puppy and even an adult dog should be able to escape if they have had enough like a pack n play or a crate! Yorkies are a fantastic breed but are very fragile! I knew of a story that I was told of a young child who got a hold of her own yorkie and accidentally squeezed it to death. She wasn't trying to be mean but the dog was fragile enough to where it ended it's life! I also heard of a child who accidentally dropped her puppy off of a bed and broke its leg! I will say because of my own vigilance and teaching my girls how to properly handle our dogs I have NEVER had a single problem with my own girls and our dogs! So children can be taught the right way and it be a fantastic experience for everyone involved: you, the dog and the grandkids! It's just up to you whether or not you want to have to train your grandkids, closely supervise them and be vigilant for awhile while everyone is learning! Hope this helps! Let us know what you decide!! Have a great day! Mary
Ps. If there is anything else I can specifically answer on the subject let me know! Would be happy to help if I can!

[maryeverett1]

Ps. WELCOME to YT!!! So glad you are here! It's a fantastic place to be with a world of knowledgeable people who can answer every question under the sun that concerns yorkies! There are also some fantastic and professional breeders that can steer you in the right direction as far as finding a reputable, ethical and suitable breeder for you! Hope to see you around YT! Look forward to hearing what you decide and possibly seeing pictures of your new addition! Have a great day!

[Princes mom]

Care should be taken with Yorkies and very young children. Since Yorkies are small, they could be injured with rough handling. This is especially important with Yorkies puppies or with adult Yorkies who are very small. A larger Yorkie puppy or adult would be preferred for a family with young children.

I hope this wasn't redundant from your first three posts, but I didn't have time to read all of it. (Wow)

Welcome to yorkietalk!!!

[Mardelin]

While most breeders don't place yorkies in the home with children under certain ages. Statistically it isn't an ideal situation. But, breeders are very aware that every situation is different and will take every situation on a case by case basis. The breeder more than likely would want to meet your family to watch how they interact with each other as well as with the puppy.

That being said, and based on what you have stated, you are well aware of the responsibilities. So, with proper training and diligent supervision, the children can be taught how to handle and behave around a toy dog. The key is to never allow unsupervised interaction with the pup. A pup can be dropped, fought over and pulled at, both resulting in the pups injury or worse death......

Good Luck in finding that wonderful breeder to help you with your new addition.

[maryeverett1]

Great advice!!!

[shodanusmc]

I totally agree that you have to really watch the Yorkie with small kids, and most fist think about how the kids handle the dog, or will possible hurt the dog. Very true, but you also have to think about how the dog will be with the little kids.

I would trust my 125 pound Cane Corso with any kid, he is just super gentle. Our Female Yorkie for some reason hates small kids. By small, I mean under 5 years old. She never had a bad experience with them either, she just does not like them. We have to really watch "HER" when she is around family kids. When we are out with both dogs, little kids come over asking to pet her. We tell them no, do not pet the little dog, pet the big one. Each case is different, each fog is different.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by bannergirl

I do not have a Yorkie - yet. I am looking for a puppy and still actually in the process of researching some of the different toy breeds. I am leaning towards a Yorkie.

I no longer have children at home, but I do babysit my grandchildren (6 & 2). What I am wondering is what have been your experiences with Yorkies and children?

I do understand that there would have to be a lot of supervision on my part and possibly times when the children and the puppy would have to be separated.

What are some of your experiences with Yorkies and children? I do not want to make a mistake and bring home a puppy that won't work with my grandkids.

Some Yorkie breeders, including my dogs' breeder, won't sell to homes where there are children.

**I was typing too slowly and didn't have the chance to read others' posts...my apologies for the repetition.

I had 4 nephews (ages 9, 8, and 6-year old twins) visit last year when I had only 1 Yorkie, 8 months old. Sadly, my pup ended up spending a lot of time in his xpen for his own protection -- too many feet were moving too quickly, too many doors to the outside were swinging open, too many hazardous things were being dropped on the floor, etc. My pup, Maximo, appears to be a rough and tumble player and kids see this and forget how fragile he really is.

Everyone's situation is unique. Two kids, very closely supervised, can get along with a Yorkie. The key is super close supervision and educating the kids about the fragility and the special care required for a Yorkie.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by shodanusmc

I totally agree that you have to really watch the Yorkie with small kids, and most fist think about how the kids handle the dog, or will possible hurt the dog. Very true, but you also have to think about how the dog will be with the little kids.

I would trust my 125 pound Cane Corso with any kid, he is just super gentle. Our Female Yorkie for some reason hates small kids. By small, I mean under 5 years old. She never had a bad experience with them either, she just does not like them. We have to really watch "HER" when she is around family kids. When we are out with both dogs, little kids come over asking to pet her. We tell them no, do not pet the little dog, pet the big one. Each case is different, each fog is different.

So spot on. One must be careful with picking out the right yorkie. While most are very people oriented and absolutely adore children. Others may not take to them. Reasons are plentiful, temperament, breeding, or brought on by a situation with another child.....That's why breeders should always evaluate each pup to make sure they are placing it in the right home. Again the responsibility falls on the breeder.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by shodanusmc

I totally agree that you have to really watch the Yorkie with small kids, and most fist think about how the kids handle the dog, or will possible hurt the dog. Very true, but you also have to think about how the dog will be with the little kids.

I would trust my 125 pound Cane Corso with any kid, he is just super gentle. Our Female Yorkie for some reason hates small kids. By small, I mean under 5 years old. She never had a bad experience with them either, she just does not like them. We have to really watch "HER" when she is around family kids. When we are out with both dogs, little kids come over asking to pet her. We tell them no, do not pet the little dog, pet the big one. Each case is different, each fog is different.

lol, "No, pet the big dog." Too funny.

I have stopped allowing kids to pet my pups because the kids almost always rub the guys' hair in circles on top their heads and come too close to their eyes. My dogs aren't too keen about it and they have started snapping.

[Brooklynn]

While I have grandchildren and they come to visit, my grandchildren still have to be closely monitored while at my house. One grandchild knows the yorkie shuffle and knows NOT to pick up the yorkies as she lived with us for awhile and then the baby still doesn't know and the 5 year old still wants to try and pick them up and I have to stay on her constantly NOT to pick up the yorkies.
Most of my yorkies love children and I had one that absolutely hated them and when she was placed into a pet home it had to be one with NO children.
I, as a breeder, do not place any of my yorkies with children under the age of 8 and at 8 it's on a case to case basis.

Donna

[Mardelin]

I have a strict rule of no children under 12. However, recently I placed a pup with a single mother and a young son of 9......But, only after monitoring interaction between mother and son, that was absolutely wonderful. What actually sold me was this young man. He came into my home and immediately took off his shoes.....asked for the hand sanitizer (how he knew, I don't know, because his mother had never owned a dog). He then went into the designated spot where the pups are kept and laid himself flat on his back, allowing the pups to walk all over him....the whole time he was giggling......he and the pups had a ball. I will say that when the pup went home, it was the only time I didn't cry my eyes out....I felt totally at peace.

Also, I've observed families with teenagers that I would never place a pup with.....

[Brooklynn]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

I have a strict rule of no children under 12. However, recently I placed a pup with a single mother and a young son of 9......But, only after monitoring interaction between mother and son, that was absolutely wonderful. What actually sold me was this young man. He came into my home and immediately took off his shoes.....asked for the hand sanitizer (how he knew, I don't know, because his mother had never owned a dog). He then went into the designated spot where the pups are kept and laid himself flat on his back, allowing the pups to walk all over him....the whole time he was giggling......he and the pups had a ball. I will say that when the pup went home, it was the only time I didn't cry my eyes out....I felt totally at peace.

Also, I've observed families with teenagers that I would never place a pup with.....

Mary totally agree....people with children over 8 is always on a case to case basis only! My reasoning for not placing with children is so often the children are so involved in various activities and where does that leave the yorkie? At home? OR is the yorkie going to be involved in the children's activities? I know so many are involved in soccer, football or various other things and parents are so busy raising children my fear is the yorkie is going to be left at home alone. I know when my daughter was at home she was so involved in things and I was right there with her I had no time to take care of a toy dog. So that is why we always had bigger dogs with kids actually!

Donna

[violet voon]

My niece is 5 years old and nephew is 3, I would suggest not to let the younger one hold yorkies (or any toy breeds) without supervision, because the young puppy might not comfortable with the hug, and struggle to get down, some children might feel scared and 'drop' them...