Should I Get A Yorkie? Help!
 

Hey! So I'm Natalie, and I live at home with my family & cat & golden retriever dog. I found a lost yorkie at the park the other day (owner found!) and it was love at first sight(; It was so cute & tiny & squirmy - gave lots of kisses! :animal36
Ever since I've been hooked on getting my own yorkie... but I want to know if I'm making the right decision from the experts! I'm a teen and I live with my parents (who are not giving in to another pet - yet!) I know yorkies tend to live longer than most animals, so what I would do with it when I go to college is already in consideration.
I know pets - especially dogs - are a lot of work and I would work hard to teach it basic obedience, housebreaking, and not to bark. I also know that yorkies don't always get along with bigger dogs at first, so I would work on that with my golden as well.
So, what do you all think?
P.S. - I have plenty of time on my hands to make sure my yorkie would get daily walks! :)
THANKS!! :D

Yorkies are wonderful pets. I love my Rosie to death. However, I think the big battle here is getting your parents to agree. I think you should discuss it with them and go from there. If they agree, then I would suggest spending some time learning about Yorkies. Education is the true key! Good luck!!

Oh! That's a tough one. My reaction to "should I get a yorkie" is always YES! Cos they are such amazing little dogs.

But knowing that you have college ahead of you....I'd recommend waiting. When you have your own dog you want to give it the best life possible. And when you're in college you want to enjoy the whole college experience to the fullest and not be tied down. You'll be on the go so much with classes, studying, activities, and parties that it just wouldn't be fair to a dog. But, take this time to research & learn more about the breed, so when you are ready, you'll know exactly what you're looking for in a pup.

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I agree that I would wait and not tie yourself down at this point.

Keep in mind that bringing the Yorkie home is the least expensive part. The care is $$$.

You also have to be prepared for the possibility of some very expensive health care.

this is excualty the same question i was going to ask...
differece is im a stay at home wife and ive always wanted a yorkie

hope all works out

Then you may be a perfect home for a yorkie. They love being around people and being your home it may be a good match. Not knowing how old your children are. They are little dogs and being carried around and accidently dropped is a concern. I would look for a bigger yorkie for a family with children. My girls grew up with one but he got to 12 pds maybe overweight a little but he was perfect and their best friend. Good luck in your search

Wait . . . You'll Be Glad You Did!
 

Yorkies are amazing little family members. I waited 56 years to finally have one. I'm glad I waited. My husband and I are retired and Bella is the love of our lives. We have all the time to devote to her training, exercise, love, and attention. These little furbabies NEED their people and it is only fair to give them the love and attention they thrive on. You are just starting out on your life journey and you have so many wonderful experiences ahead of you. Wait and reward yourself with a Yorkie when you can truly give it the time it deserves. You have a golden and they are awesome! Don't push your parents into it as they are the ones that will care for it when you are in college. As they always say, "Good things are worth waiting for". Good luck with your decision, make it with your head and not your heart, and make the best decision for the DOG.:aimeeyork

Thank you all, so much!! This really helped. I'm reconsidering just waiting until college is over.. or at least my last year or two of college when I get my own place!
But the advice really did help, I want to be fair with the dog - not just get one now, get attached, then ditch in a couple years for college /: That wouldn't be so fair to my parents either.. so if all in all we DO decide to get one it will be more of a family thing.
Again, thanks! :D

You sound like such a thoughtful and mature teenager. Whenever you get your puppy, you will be an excellent puppy mom. Best of luck!

I waited until after college and am very glad I did. College keeps you so busy and I just didn't have had the time/finances to properly train/care for anything more involved than fish. I think its a very good sign that you care enough about your future dog to research before owning. Hopefully once you have graduated and have your own place you'll have a house full of yorkies :)

I am a college student with a Yorkie. I got Jackson shortly after I turned 18. It's not really something I'd recommend for most normal people my age, but well, I'm not normal ;) No... I'm just not into partying/drinking and all that stuff, but besides that, I am also still living at home going to a local community college. I provide for Jackson solely by myself- that included all the initial puppy expenses... neutering/shots/food/supplies/etc, not to mention all the extra crap I buy him!!! LOL. I spend WAY too much money on my dog. You also have to be prepared that when you do move out, you must look for a pet friendly place if you will be renting and most charge fees.

A dog is definitely a huge life changing experience. I mean, when he was a puppy, I went from a girl who had just graduated HS and was on my staying up late/waking up late schedule... in comes a 9 week pup, and I was suddenly in bed by 8 every night and waking up once in the middle of the night with a pup who had to potty, waking up early with a pup who did not want to sleep in, etc. If, by chance, I DO go out with my friends.. there's no just crashing at their place for the night, I've got a dog to get home to. After classes, I can't always just go out to eat, gotta go home and it's not just a matter of letting him pee, he needs lots of mental and physical stimulation. Now, at 2 1/2, he is obviously on a good schedule... he pretty much goes with the flow with what I do, he will sleep in with me, etc.

I spend basically 90% of my free time with Jackson! My parents were like "WHY are you getting a dog?" when I did and thought he would end up being their responsibility but nope, they are proud of me, hehe. He is my best friend, honestly, we do almost everything together. It's not what I'd consider a 'sacrifice' because I highly enjoy it but for most 21yr olds, it would not be an ideal situation. It's a lot of hard 'work... but I don't like to call it work because I enjoy my time with him greatly. But it's definitely a rarity to find a college student capable of taking care of a dog. I also know that in the case of a super emergency, I have the support of my family.

why thank you ;) xD yeahh.. i'm told i'm mature for my age. :rolleyes:

:D Thanks for the input, it's nice to hear from someone who had to make the same decision!