Discouraged: i need HONEST opinions about this...
 

Well, I'm STILL looking for my yorkie soulmate. & I'm getting a bit discouraged. I've been interested in some breeders but then when I mention I'm in college (studying to become a VET) I get rejected & get the "college= no money and no time" speech. So because I'm in college....I'm automatically a homless girl w/ a full booked up schedule? I'm not evaluated on how I CARE or will LOVE this yorkie! It doesn't seem like that part is even considered. Now I understand if I said I go away to college or a full time student....I go to school 3 days a week every other day for like 5-7 hours. I understand that is quite some time to be away from a yorkie....but I've seen yorkies handle more than that with NO PROBLEMS! I've heard people tell me that yorkies can't handle that & I've heard other owners tell me that they can.

So let me make my situation clear so you can understand it & tell me your honest opinions:

*I don't owe any loans because I never filed for one.
*my tuition payments will be done NEXT MONTH, already bought my books for this year.
*my schedule once again is 3 days a week every other day for a few hours (the most 7)
(I didn't even iclude the holidays yet)

So here's the question of the day....reading about my situation & fully understanding it.....should I not be allowed to get a yorkie?

What are your views on it I need HONEST (not blunt, or harsh) opinions.
& if I get enough reponses that say I shouldn't.....I will just COMPLETELY FORGET about ever getting a yorkie. Ill just stick with goldfish & cats. :( :( :(

I'm not a breeder so I can't say if the reputable breeders would or not.
All I can tell you is we have two Yorkies & one Yorkie Poo. Someone is pretty much home with them all the time. Wrigley has separation anxiety and really likes to be around people 24/7.:p
A lot of Yorkies are not very independent and really like to be with their owners.
I'm not saying your school schedule is too heavy, but I'm sure with being in college you also have to factor in your social time. Do you live at home or by yourself? Would there be other people there?
Cost is a factor. Yorkies are an expensive breed for vet care, grooming, food, etc.. and you can't really overlook that either.
A lot to think about!

Perhaps a young adult yorkie would be best in your situation. I don't see how being gone for 7 hours every other day is a problem. Most people are gone for at least 7 hours 5 days a week. The only problem I see is with young puppies and those hours. When i got mine i worked 8 hours a day but had a lunch break from 12-1 where i would go home to feed/take out my puppy. This made the situation work. If that's not possible then having a dog walker/neighbor/family member come over half way through your school hours would be next best. If neither of those options are viable then an adult is a better choice. They will have bigger bladders and be able to hold it throughout the day, plus there is less of a chance of them getting hypoglycemia.

try a rescue or a shelter. good luck

I'm a somewhat new Yorkie owner. I got Mango on July 2nd.

He is a lot of time and commitment. I don't think your school hours are that bad, but I think you are better off with a Young, but not adult, Yorkie if you'll be gone 3 days a week for 7 hours. Unless you don't mind cleaning up a huge mess from going to the bathroom.

When I'm at school (I'm in 11th grade, gone 7 hours a day 5 days a week now), my mom takes care of Mango. He does not like to be alone and will bark if no one is with him, cry, and sometimes if he wants our attention, he will pee.

While I think out of all my dogs (Siberian husky, and pug,) Mango is definitely my, dare i say, favorite, of them all because he has the MOST personality. I treat him like my kid! He goes wherever I go (except school), and follows me everywhere in the house. He is expensive, and costs continue to add up, but it is worth it. He is my baby!

I'm home. I live w/ my mom, my cat & my goldfish. Lol.....but she gets home later than me. I already considered that how much all those things will cost & its not a problem. So are you saing that yorkies aren't a good breed for me? like, I should find another breed. :( I hope not because I've always wanted a yorkie. Pretty much all my life...

I guess I can understand both sides actually. As a breeder I am very picky where my babies end up. I spend many countless hours from conception to birth of my babies. Then many more sitting by a whelping box with my stomach in knots, then after the delivery it is at least 12 weeks of baited breath to assure that each and every one of these babies has the best nutrition, health, care, handling and socializing. So overprotective is an understatement. So when a person answers "yes, I am in college" and appears young there are many sterotypes that go through my head.
1. Self first
2. Money to pay for school second.
3. Books and bills third.
4. Where does money come for health care and quality dog food?
5. How much time after working, schooling, and friends is left for my little yorkie pup that you want?
6. If you meet a guy and he doesnt like your dog?
7. How about a newborn skin kid? Where will my little on fit in?
8. How about your new job, will you have to move and live where no pets are allowed?
9. Can you really afford this?
The original purchase price of a Yorkie is nothing compared to the lifelong financial commitment of one. Just dog food alone is high ( each 5 pound bag of mine is 14 bucks). Treats, toys, beds, grooming (35 bucks each 6 weeks), vets charges (healthy visits 3 of them (300.00) plus a spay/neuter (150-300), and that is all within the first year alone and if all is healthy. Now add sickness and it is astronomical. Can you absorb that ? Do you have at least 2k in savings? How about a sick call at the emergency vet..just to walk in the door is 100.00 not counting care and most times runs at least 300 and upwards of 1000.00!!

I can also see your side. I have 4 skin kids (21, 20,19,19) and all in college. They have been raised around dogs, sat by whelping boxes, help with the socialization, and even the home placements. They know my process and would be trusted in a heartbeat with any of my babies. They also know they are not ready for that commitment but when they are I will be right by there sides. I know they have what it takes and understand that a pet is a family member.

I just wanted to kinda let you know where some breeders are coming from. You do seem sincere, but when evaluating the BEST homes for a baby and erring on the side of caution is always the best home. Maybe you could go to a breeders home, spend some time with them, and show them how sincere you are in finding a FUREVER baby. Maybe finding one that is over a year and already spayed/neutered would be a better fit and take your extra up front money and put it in an account just for the dog....Just an opinion and suggestion.

You live at home and commute to school? You don't live on campus? What does your mom say about this?

Yea I actually would prefer an older yorkie. I want a puppy....but if I can find a young adult that would definately be a bonus!

I was going to get this young adult from Cali...but the lady ended up being a "red flag" type of breeder. & everyone else wants 1800 & up for one.

I've actually have been checking the shelters....they have NO yorkies whatsoever. They don't even have dogs under 15 pounds.

I am in college, so I can give you first hand experience. I am 20yrs old, in the local community college, currently majoring in business and almost finished my associates. I plan on hopefully attending a four year university within the next year, but I have also contemplated becoming a vet tech, just to have an extra 'degree' on the side and keep my options open. Bottom line, I don't even know 100% what I want to do yet.

I got Jackson when I was 18 years old. I don't really even know what got into me, I suddenly wanted a dog of MY own. Not a family dog. So, Jackson came home on December 13th, 2008... 6 months after I graduated high school. For most people, getting a dog then would not have been a good decision. But for me, it was perfect timing. I had all the time in the world (winter break) to train a dog, bond, etc. And let me tell you, a puppy is HARD work. I was used to sleeping in really late, staying up late, though never was a big partyer. I was so tired when he was a puppy, I was crashing every night around 8:30pm, because I was awaken in the middle of the night once or twice for the first, oh, 2 months or so. Up every morning at 7am, potty time, and then puppy would need playtime. It worked out though, we created our own little schedule. Bedtime was 8pm, middle of night wake up call was usually midnight, and then again at 3:30-4am, then up again at 7-8am. Pretty much my whole winter break was dedicated and spent with him. Once I was back in school, it was only 3 days a week and from maybe 10am-3pm so he was fine in his expen when I left. I also live at home and do have the occasional help of my stepdad if necessary. Very rare but if there is ever a moment I can't be home on time, he can usually let him out for me.

Now, at almost 2 years old, there's no more of the waking in the night, etc. He gets let out at 11-midnight and sleeps until 9am or later. But don't think it's still an easy ride. Jackson requires a ton of attention and time. Sometimes, I do have to cancel plans or something I maybe wanted to do because I have a dog. But to me, it's a sacrifice I'm willing to pay and is worth the companionship of Jackson. We spend a lot of time together, he's a pretty high energy dog who requires a lot of attention, as a lot of terriers are. Walks daily are a must. He needs a place to run a few times a week so we go to the dog park or my dads house, etc. I spend a lot of money on him, both with unnecessary things (LOL) and the requirements. He came up limping last year, and it ended up being a $400 vet visit... that was $400 I really didn't "have" but I just made it work. I was broke for a while, lol.

I don't want to discourage you, because I think having a dog is an amazing thing. Jackson is my best friend and companion and I can't imagine life without him. I would never suggest owning a dog to every college student though. I think it just depends on the individual. 99% of my friends could never own one. They are far too much into themselves (which is fine) and are much more concerned with finding the latest parties or hooking up with the hottest people than caring for a living species that needs love, attention, food, exercise, etc. I am able to provide Jackson with everything that he needs and my lifestyle works with having a dog. I think you just need to base it off of your lifestyle and if a dog can accommodate to it.

Will my life change a ton over the next 10 years? YES. Do I think that means I shouldn't have a dog? NO. You can be 60 years old and your life could change drastically over the next few years. Anyone can have life changing experiences whether it be divorce, moving, having kids, etc, at any age.... if that were the case, nobody could own dogs. Jackson will always be a part of my life, for the rest of his life, no matter what happens in mine. He's family.

By the way, I've spoken to a reputable breeder of Papillons, and a few Silky Terrier breeders, and both were willing to sell me a dog, regardless of my age. All I have to do is show them the time and effort I have put into Jackson, and I explain my lifestyle truthfully to them.

Yea I totally agree with you. & yea I went to a few vet clinics & asked them about different services & an estimate of how much they would cost. & when I talk to breeder they hear my age or that I'm in college & I don't get that 2nd chance to show them. Its kinda sad :( Yea....these are things to definately think about.

I really appreciate your answers because it give me more to think about.

Yea. I go to a community school. & I take a 45 min train ride.

There's TONS of yorkies in shelters in New York/NJ area. There's also quite a few shelters down south (Mississippi for example) that have transports to come up North. And you can usually get a dog from the shelter for under $300 that has already been vetted, spayed/neutered.
Adoptable Yorkshire Terrier Yorkie: Juliette: Petfinder
Adoptable Yorkshire Terrier Yorkie: Pumpkin: Petfinder
Adoptable Yorkshire Terrier Yorkie: Seth Teacup: Petfinder
Adoptable Yorkshire Terrier Yorkie: Romeo: Petfinder
Adoptable Yorkshire Terrier Yorkie: Chichi: Petfinder
Adoptable Yorkshire Terrier Yorkie: Emma: Petfinder
Adoptable Yorkshire Terrier Yorkie: Abby: Petfinder
Adoptable Yorkshire Terrier Yorkie: Sweetie Pie Ella: Petfinder
Adoptable Yorkshire Terrier Yorkie: Layla: Petfinder

Vet care can be worked around, too. I personally took Jackson to a really nice spay/neuter clinic near my house. His neuter was $65, his microchip was $30, his teeth removal (many Yorkies have retained baby teeth) were $20. He gets monthly heartworm pills. I paid $19 for a 6 month supply of Iverhart Plus. He also gets flea/tick meds from April-October-ish. But I researched greatly before just allowing him to get neutered wherever. They were all really nice and the place was clean and organized. His rabies shot was only $7.

I know that is hurts to hear some of it. And I know it is sad. In normal life I am a different person than I am with my Yorkie babies. I have turned away quite a few people and have been called quite a few colorful names when the people left. But my first responsibility is for these little creatures that I created. Just as I send my skin kids out there in the world, I take the same care with them as the furkids. I raised the pups for less time, but they still carry my heart with them when they leave. I silently weep many times when they go to their new furever homes, so if I do not think it is the best of the best for them, they stay here.
You do seem to have a kind heart and are sincere in your search. How about your mom, is she willing to talk with breeders also? Maybe with her supporting you and helping along the way your steps would be smoother. I for one would consider a stay at home college student, if their parent was 100% behind it and willing to sign a contract also. More food for thought.;)

Someday you will have the Yorkie, but you are now in College. How many more years before you graduate. I take it you will have to switch to a 4 year school down the road. You mention you want to become a Vet. Well, that is what, another 4 years of school, and big money each year for tuition. That will be a 60-80 hour week with classes and studing. It is not easy. You will run up huge loans unless your parents are paying. Then you will be starting a new career, and working at least 40 hours a week if you get with another vet Hospital, and more hours if you try to do it alone. Yorkies (well ours) do not like being alone. Is it fair to your Mom to be watching your dog for 6 more years? If you were my daughter, I would suggest you would wait for a better time. I can't blame the good breeders for being apprehensive. Good luck with school and the goal of becoming a bet. Look at the big picture. Any person that wants a yorkie can get one, but is it the right thing for the dog. I guess I am saying, WAIT.

Breeders aren't just looking at your current situation, but down the line, too. There are big changes in store for you after graduation. Internships take far more hours than school. Jobs require moves. And with moves come the possibility that you might have to give the dog up due to housing issues. A good breeder doesn't want one of their pups to be rehomed, or worse, end up in a shelter.

I don't want to discourage you, just give you more to think about.

Have you checked this out? www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yorkies-sale-wanted/210733-adorable-male-biewer-peanut.html#post3262344 he is so cute and hes over 2 so he should fit for you having all shots, neutered, etc.
A yorkie is alot of work and one of the hardest breed to potty train.We have 2 and i have put thousands of $ into them from vet care, everyday needs,and beds/clothing. A yorkie will be the love of your life and becomes a kid from the first day you receive them. I am gone about 6 to 7 hours a day and mine have been fine with it. They normally go everywhere i go except work . I hope this helps you

You just explained my life 100%. I'm 20 majoring in biology...goin to take 2 years of that & then transfer to a college that specializes in vet care. I stay up late....don't go to parties....even if I wanted to my mom wouldn't allow it (she treats me like a lil kid) lol. All I do is come home & burn my eyeball out from watching t.v. its sooo boring. I probably go out w/ my friends once/ twice a week ( once again my mother being over protective....she controls me.) I also think getting a yorkie will be my escape from being in the house all the time....ill be able to go out & get fresh air without my mom being paranoid that I'm out doing stuff I'm not supposed to. & its funny how you mentioned the time you got Jackson. After I graduated H.S. I took a year off from school. Now THAT would've been the absolute PERFECT time for me to get my yorkie. I had plenty of time I had a great paying 4 hour job that was literally a few block away from home my bank account was tripple what it is now....but my mom was flip flopping about getting one. Smh I'm still angry at her for that. But that's what I'm actually doing now. I want to get one around winter break or summer break.

@ Brister ill definately look into those. Thanks! & wow that's GREAT....ill have to look around for that too.

@ yorkielady....yea that's true. I guess when breeders hear me....they just hear a teenager that wants a yorkie & not serious....so if my mom is there they'll take me seriously.

@ shodanusmc idk maybe you're right. But its REALLY hard to wait another 4 or more years when I waited a good 12 years already......wow this is a lot to think about.

i agree here. puppy might be too much work for a college student. for every hour you are in class u are supposed to study for three hours. so for those 5 hour days you should be busy studying at least 15 hours!! that's a lot of time to not devote to a puppy. i think you should defin. get a dog because ur going to be a vet and you should have that experience of your very own pup. but i think that you might consider starting with a 1-3 year old dog and not a new 12 week old puppy. get a pretrained pottytrained one from a shelter or a breeder that has older pups.

good luck on finding your match.

Lol, I don't know anyone that studies for 15hrs a day. I would never study for that long, hahaha. Maybe I'm just an under-achiever, but there's only 24hrs in a day. Sorry, 15hrs is insane!

I have a 20 and an 18 year old, both in college now. There is no way either one of them could take on a dog. They come home to get their "dog" fix. All I can say, however, is you know your situation better than anyone else. Can you predict your schedule next semester? How about the one after that? When you transfer to the vet school, can you guarantee you will be able to find a place that allows dogs? If you are in a situation where you have a roommate in the future, you have to understand that at times, your dog will be at their mercy. That is, what if the dog gets out? Will they take responsibility to go get it? Will they not abuse your dog when you are not there? What about roommate friends coming and going? I know this these questions sound harsh, but you have to consider every single scenario. It is impossible for anyone to predict their future. I get that. It really becomes a question of how much are you willing to sacrifice once you have committed to the dog. If you have considered every possible conflict that "may" come along, and you have a plan to deal with that, then you can most likely handle having a dog. Best wishes in your search, and your schooling. (My scenarios are just examples of why my girls cannot even begin to think about having a dog right now even though they desperately long for thier babies who are at home with ME! :D).

I don't have controlling parents, but I've just just grown up around drinking and partying and it's something I am already over, lol. I just don't find it appealing. I like to hang out with some of my close friends I've known for years, going out to eat, or just hanging out, etc. I've always been more mature for my age, certain events in my life have shaped me. Jackson has made me a better person, in my opinion. I would rather spend my Saturday's at the dog park than anywhere else! :) In my particular city, it's not that hard to find rentals (even near the major universities) that allow pets, especially with small dogs. So I've already looked into that. I will say, it was kind of tough during winter break because it was so cold, potty training can be a difficult thing to get outdoors in the freezing but Jackson loves the cold, LOL. But it was hard for me. You can see Jackson out in the snow on my YouTube; YouTube - brittanyjadexo's Channel

Whatever your decision, if you do get a dog, make sure it is healthy and then get dog insurance. I use petplan which runs me around 23-24 dollars a month per dog. That means I pay a 200 deductible for anything catastrophic and then they pay the rest up to 20,000. That takes those unforeseen vet expenses due to liver problems, broken legs, etc.. off your shoulders and out of the equation. Small price to pay for peace of mind.

I would check shelters and rescues, get a young adult during a long break, like your winter break, so you would have time to bond and do some training. I would pad train so that having to take it out would not be an issue. Mine are indoor trained so when I'm gone for 12hr shifts I don't have to worry about them messing where they shouldn't because they don't get outside.

In your situation I would never suggest getting two, but that is why mine are okay when left, because they have each other. I'm not sure that leaving one alone would work. They are littermates and have each other to play with and keep each other company. I really can't imagine leaving one alone..that is beyond my experience.

Good luck whatever you decide. Huge decision.....I understand your impatience, but I know you also want to do right by whatever dog you are considering....

Yea I've put all those things into consideratioto the statement about knowing my schedule next year...... that's the beauty of community college they're schedules are sooo flexible. & due to the high application submissions.....they created more classes, more times & the classes are even shorter.I can't predict the future... but that shouldn't be a problem.

& I'm living with my mom while I'm goin to be in college there's no rush to leave my mommys nest anytime soon. :) (She told me I don't have to leave until I get on my own 2 feet.....but trust me I'm not goin to be a 29 year old living w/ her still. Lol.) I want to stay around the city when I transfer....so I can stay at my moms house (NYC) or dads house (New jersey).

in NYC ill like to say 75-80% of houses pets are allowed...there's only a weight & size limit in some. & I don't think illl be good with roomates, I have too many peeves I like things to be in order a certain way. So that's something that I don't have to think about.


AND lucky you! You get to stay w/ the yorkie babies while your girls bust their brains over Midterms & final exams!! Lol.

I know exactly how you feel. I wanted a maltese so bad when i was in college. I was a full time student and worked full time as a hairstylist. School was from 8-12 then work from 1-9 and when i got home i did homework till midnight. I insisted on a puppy and mom said ok as long as i cared for it myself and she helped me take him out when i went to work. Well little to say my life got even more filled up once the boyfriend came into the picture. My boyfriend, who is now my husband, surprised me one day and DIED HIS PRETTY WHITE FUR PINK WITH JELLO. It was quite a cute shade on him.....But poor Pookie was locked up in my room day and night and was miserable. I started to take him to work with me as i cut hair and my boss soon did not approve of it. So Pookie was soon hating me and he would pee on my bed when i was not home!!! ugg. so i would have to strip the bed, put a plastic sheet on it and he would pee on the plastic...it was a nightmare!!! I loved him so much that after a year, it broke my heart to, but i gave him to one of my clients who had 4 maltese females. WELL... he was one happy puppy!!!! She said that she would breed him to one of her girls and give me a pup when the timing was better for me.
Well 20 years later I am a stay at home mom of 2 kiddos and 3 yorkies.
My two girls are pregnant right now. Felicity is due in a week and Daisey is due in three weeks. We are very excited for our expecting furbabies to come. Well Felicity had one litter before, 2 boys. One went to live with my then 16 year old babysitter...who lives on my street. I knew her well and she is a perfect fit for him. I know her mom well too.. and she cares for him when she is at school. If she goes away to college next year i would care for him while he is gone too!!! The other boy went to a stay at home mom and she treats him like a baby. I am in contact with both of the buyers and it makes me feel secure about that. You are a very honest and caring young woman. you just need to find what is best for you. I just wanted to tell you my college story and how it did not work out for me. But it does work out for my young babysitter who is a very mature, responsible young woman.
Well, you can PM me and we can talk more. To get to know eachother, But my babies will not be ready till December. My babysitter, Alex, really enjoyed visiting her Toby while he was in my care, seeing him grow everyweek. I am located in Farmingdale NJ and would only place him in a home that is in travel distance of me. What part of NY are you in?

Oh wow really?? I've heard about pet insurance but never looked into it. Where can I get more info on petplan??

I agree with you I need to narrow my search more on older yorkies. That's what I was looking for an older trained neutered yorkie at 1st but there weren't many so I just settled for looking for a puppy & starting from basics. Plus who doesn't love that "puppy stage" lol. Its so cute......but maybe I'm not ready for that stage...

I just wanted to give you my story, maybe it will help give you hope. =)
I am nineteen and my boyfriend is twenty. We have been together for over three years and lived together for quite some time now. We have a kitten who is six months old now but I have always wanted a yorkie and he decided to get me one for my birthday/anniversary. We are both in college at the university and live eight hours from where we grew up so we are taking care of ourselves. Denali came into our lives at fifteen weeks old but we got him in the middle of the summer so we have had a lot of time to spend bonding with him. He is still really young and still needs a lot of training but i only go to school two days a week for about 5 hours each day and then have two online classes(which can be worked on while he is playing with the kitten or sleeping). My boyfriend and i are both involved in sorority/fraternity so that takes up some time too. He is with me practically all the time though, we take him to a doggy beach/park and pet stores all the time, he even comes to a lot of the events that our sorority/fraternity hold so he is never by himself too much.
Both our kitten and puppy are utd on their shots and are scheduled to be spayed and neutered come the right age. Denali is on heartworm prevention monthly. We switched both to blue buffalo cat and puppy food(which is not cheap food) because after some research i decided i wanted them on something better than they were eating. They both have a ton of toys, treats, and everything else they could want or need(such as Denali has a winter jacket because the winters here are pretty cold and we wanted to be prepared for when it gets to that point and he also has a life jacket because he loves to swim but is so little that he gets tired quick). We also have pet insurance in case an emergency ever happens and Denali is in puppy classes to help with training.
We pay for everything ourselves- school, books, groceries, rent and bills, everything our animals need. We give them all of the love and attention they deserve(they are actually kind of spoiled:)). Our pets are like our children and they come first. I would buy them food before i would buy it for myself if need be.
I know that there will be a lot of changes that occur throughout my lifetime such as getting married and having children, but my babies will be right there with me the whole way, no matter what happens. I feel like getting a pet is a very huge commitment and shouldn't be taken lightly. It is very time consuming and you can't be selfish when it comes to caring for an animal. I have friends who have pets and i tell myself i wish they wouldn't have gotten one because they are simply so wrapped up in "college life" whereas i know my personality and i knew i was ready for a pet(actually two now) =).

Good luck figuring out if you are ready for a new baby. Only you can know whether or not you are mature enough to take responsibility of an animal because it will be there for the next fifteen years of your life. I knew i was ready and if you know that you are ready then your baby will come to you eventually. :D

Britster, The list that you put together for her was awesome.

I have read the comments and can tell you that patience is so hard to have. I had to have some in getting my 2 but it was the best thing to do.

There were several very sweet looking male and females in Britsters list.

I wish you the absolute best in your quest.

Please let us know what you end up deciding and please post a picture or two if you do get a little furr angel of your own.