Yorkie size - considering a yorkie
 

We are researching getting either a Yorkie or a Shih Tzu -- either one will be a 2-4 year old adult, from a rescue group (we don't want to deal with a puppy). I had not considered a Yorkie before, because I thought they were fragile little dogs (7 pounds) like a chiwawa (sorry, can't spell that one!). I've been visiting Petco and Petsmart to learn about dogs - because so many people take their dogs to those stores, and everyone LoVES to answer questions about their dog.

so I have seen several people with Yorkies that were way bigger (and that's a good thing) than what I pictured for a yorkie, as being a small dog that fits in your purse. We want a sturdy little companion dog - not a fragile thing.

Just curious if you Yorkie owners found that adult yorkies ended up being 'bigger' and more sturdy than the typical image of a teeny tiny purse dog?

thanks!!

The standard for the Yorkshire Terrier is "Must not exceed 7 pounds. Occasionally, even those breeders who breed to standard have a larger dog. However, even though they are small, Yorkies are not a purse puppy; they are terriers first and like to explore their environment. Joey's 5 1/2, there's no way he's a purse puppy, but I don't think that's a great size around kids. I personally think the Shih Tzu is a much better dog around children and they will be able to give them those big hugs without hurting them. Another option is the Silky Terrier who is very much like a Yorkie, but it's a bigger dog. American Kennel Club - Silky Terrier

Thanks Nacy - I will look into the Silky Terrier also. We only have a 16-yr old so kids aren't issue. What I like about the yorkie is they are just so adorable, and while the shih Tzu is also adorable, I think the grooming on the terrier would be easier (we would do a puppy cut on either breed). And I've read that the Yorkie is very trainable (stubborn, but trainable), and I like their personality. But it's hard to know - we like both breeds, and might end up getting either, depending on which rescue group has the dog we fall in love with.

You might find a yorkie mix, yorkie /poodle is a nice combo and usually a little sturdier, but still no shedding!

i used to have german shepherds and thought no way would i ever have one of those tiny little yorkies UNTIL i met them face to face on a beach in RI. i fell in love.
we ended up getting a yorkie named Kiva whose weight fluctuated between 8-9 lbs. let me tell you she was by no means fragile.
she did die last oct and i found myself unable to go on without a yorkie.

i ended up getting another yorkie puppy in March and even though she is just 4 lbs i don't think of her as small....her personality tells me otherwise. in fact i feel more protected & safer with yorkies than i ever did with german shepherds.

i have to admit that the breeder estimated her to be about 6 lbs full grown. i'm secretly hoping she'll be Kiva's size. but if she isn't i'll still love her just as much....and still feel just as safe.
also my husband is hoping she'll be smaller...lol


what i'm trying to say is Yorkies are tough little dogs in spite of their size.....

I had a beautiful Shih Tzu for 15 years before i got my Yorkie. His coat was much thicker than my Yorkie's is. A Yorkie coat is typically silky and has no under coat although some have a "cotton" coat that is thicker and apparently harder to manage. My girl has no under coat and has hair much like a human in that it continues to grow longer and longer with no undercoat. MY Yorkie is 5lbs but from what I have seen here on YT many of the members have Yorkies that weigh as much as 20lbs.

I think the Yorkie personality is much stronger than a Shih Tzu. My Shih Tzu was very calm and easy to get along with. He was very loyal and loving. I have to say that my Gracie was a pill to train as she was quite an aggressive puppy. She was unlike any puppy I have ever seen. She is so very funny because of her strong personality. She thinks she can talk and will talk back many times. They are terriers and tend to have that type of personality. Although Gracie has been a great surprise to us in more ways than one she is an absolute love. I don't think I will ever own any other kind of dog. She has won me over totally.

My yorkie is 16 pounds as mostly muscle, we tend to call her a bowling ball because if she runs into you its like getting hit with a bowling ball.

Oh, I thought that's why you wanted a bigger dog, you are over the toddler years, so a Yorkie can be a good choice. You are right, the Yorkies is smart but stubborn, and the breed isn't as eager to please as some breeds are, so training is challenging. If you have allergies, the Yorkies are an excellent choice, some Shih Tzu, do have a double coat so they can be harder on people with allergies. I’ve always had medium to large size dogs and originally I was looking for a breeder who bred large Yorkies, I just thought a 7 pound dog was too small, I still think a three pound dog is too small, but I’ve gotten use to the 4 and 5 pound dogs and don’t think they are too small anymore. I think it’s mostly what you’re use to. You do always have to watch your feet, and this takes some getting use to.

I have 3 Yorkies. A 7 lbs, Rosie, a 6 lbs, Rocky and a 4pounder Gracie.
My daughter can play rough with Rosie, and she loves it. (She's 15years old)
Also with Rocky. I do tell her to be careful with Gracie because she is the littlest. But all love to run, chase her and have their bellys rubbed. :aimeeyork

Aren't yorkies a funny breed though. We have a 3 year old 4 lb little boy that is as tough as nails. We tried and tried to stop him jumping...impossible feat...and I swear he would chase down a great dane. Then we have a 2 lb little 5 and a half month old little girl who never tries to jump on or off anything thank goodness. She will go after squirrels but that is her limit lol. Then there is the aggressive little 8 week old puppy my relative is going to get that puts them both on the run. My two were a breeze to train but I am not sure if that one will be :p. I have 7 grandkids and they play with my 2 but they have all been taught to be careful with them.

I think yorkies have more personality in their faces than s**tzu's. I think s**tzu's have a sort of "duh" look about them, probably because of their squished faces....Of course, my neighbor has one and he is nice, but dull. I don't think they are all like that, I think they raised him like that. Maggie has so much more zip and life!

Maggie is a yorkiepoo of about 9.5 pounds. I don't know how much sturdier she is than a yorkie but she has a great personality.

I often wonder how much of the personality (or doggonality?) is from how they are raised or their genetic disposition? Why are some yappy and nippy and mean and others are not? Do uptight parents have uptight pups? My neighbor's dog is sort of uptight, but so is the whole family. (he isn't mean or nippy, just dull compared to Maggie-she is very playful even on a leash).

Maggie LOVES everybody. She wants to say hi to everyone and everything. I don't know if she wants to eat the squirrels or play with them. She growls at unknown strollers and dogs walking by, but if she sees them on a walk she wants to meet them. She has NEVER nipped or growled at a person. Is this because we were nurturing but laid back? Because we welcomed people to visit her while young and walked her outside at an early age? (some people do not walk their dogs, they let them out in their fences only-THAT can't help social skills!)

I would hope you can meet a few dogs to consider rescuing and that one will just click with your family. Maybe you can find a non-dull shihtzu! (actually, I know they are not ALL dull, another friend had one, but he was bad--poor training really, I think he could have been a good pet)

I suggest visiting the book and magazine section at petsmart or petco. There are magazines devoted to certain breeds. I have 2 yorkie ones and they helped greatly when I got Avery.

I have 3 yorkies, and I think it's all what people prefer. Once you see a Yorkie, and hold one, you will be hooked. I just love my babies. Rocky is 11 years old and he weighs 6lbs, Rosie will be 5 years old and weighs 7 lbs, and then there is Gracie who is 1 year/10months and is a little one of 4 lbs. Each with their own personality and charm. I wouldn't trade them for the world. :thumbup:

actually i have a yorkie and shih tzu and although they do have different personalitys. Shih tzu's are awesome dogs.
They have really sweet temperments. My yorkie oscar and his shih tzu sister adore each other....

mine lilly was 18 lbs i dont know what she is right now she had some sort of stomach problem where she was throwing up for almost a week and was down to 16 or so but before it she was 18 lbs and i assume she is back up to it if not more she is not fat however just tall and big i dont have papers for her but when we got her we were told we could get them if we wanted but we dont breed them or care about them