Are you kidding? I cried too, the doggie played with the kids, but Mommy got snuggle time. LOL I miss the puppy too, my daughter loved her and really proved how she would/could take care of a dog and doing the right thing like that was so fantastic. She even explained it to her little sister how losing a puppy would be like losing a family member and how sad we would all be if one of our sisters got lost and someone kept her, so even though it's hard, giving the puppy back is the right thing to do, because we would want someone to do the same for us. So sweet. I just want to make sure whatever we get is a trainable dog, easily house trained, good with kids, and won't mind being lugged around everywhere we go (so small)... Are there other breeds I should maybe consider as well?

Most - if not all - dogs are trainable. It's the humans who are difficult. The pup may or may not be "easily house trained", however. That's a real consideration with small children. I had dogs when my children were younger and it was a very difficult experience. Now that my kids are teens, it's easier. It's nice that one of my kids really wants to be a vet too. She's up with our Lucy at 6:30 a.m. (even in the summer!!) Not every kid will do that.

Don't think that just because the pup is small that it's very much easier than a large breed. What will you do when your new little guy starts chewing up all the furniture and cabinets in your house; or when he lifts his leg on everything horizontal; or she whines throughout the night and nobody can get any sleep; or she's soiled your carpeting so badly that you must throw it away?

I've had both large and small dogs. The one big difference is that large breeds eat greater amounts of food. That's it.

Be prepared for a whole lot of extra work for YOU! No matter how 'ready' your daughter is to help, most of the work will fall on your shoulders. And you'll be amazed at how quickly the novelty of a new pup wears off for kids. You have to devote a great deal of time to a new pup. And the real question is: Do YOU have the time to give right now?

It you want something that's easy to keep (and low cost), I'd suggest a kitten.:)

Best wishes with whatever you decide.

Tracey

I meant "vertical" not "horizontal"...

FYI, there is a post on here somewhere about general annual dog costs. I recommend before asking for a free dog that you look into this.
If you ever have to take the dog to an emergency vet they usually ask for a $1500 deposit. I add this because if you get a free dog and run into an emergency issue you aren't going to be able to afford that either.

Your heart might be in the right place but I would recommend waiting and create a dog fund, when you get a few grand in it, start looking for your free dog. There aren't many rescues that give free dogs so even then it will cost you.

Taylor your post is not true at all, first off just because you spend $1,000 or more on a dog does not guarantee that you will get a healthy dog. Have you ever heard of lymphangiectasia, if not look it up. Well I bought a yorkie and paid over $1,000 from a well known yorkie show breeder, here is her web site About Us (although I don't think she is active now) My dog came from one of her dogs that came from Roberta Rotenbach, ever hear of her, if not goggle her name and you will see she is about the most respected yorkie breeder of all times. But my Duffy at 4years was diagnosed with this odd hard to control disease. Another dog I got from Karen wound up with an inoperable tumor on her spinal cord at around age 8, I don't blame Karen because serious medical issues crop up in expensive dogs as well. My next dog came from another show breeder and I paid out the wazzoo, and he had a sensitive stomach and pancreatis from early on and the most whacked out personality that made life with him extremely unpleasant. I think checking local shelters is a great idea, many people will tell you that their best dog ever was a pound puppy; can they come with health issues, sure, but from first hand experience I know they can come with expensive dogs from reputable breeders as well.

Just because someone does not want to spend or have the money for a $1,000.00 dog does not mean they will not spend money for vet treatment when necessary. I did not want to spend big bucks when I got Lola but most people would tell you it's not because I could not afford to it's because I choose not to. I would venture to say that most people that care about their pets find the money somehow to treat them regardless if they got them for free or spent $1,500.00 on them. I get the impression from your posts that you are not a rich person yet I know you have always managed to find the funds to take care of Callie, so why would the OP be any different than you.

A free dog will eventually cost you money, but LOL you will be further ahead in your $$$dog fund account. I have seen the reverse happen, someone plunks down just about all their savings on an expensive dog and then have no money left for unexpected vet bills. You are right there is normally a cost in getting a rescue or adopting from a shelter.

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I'm really sorry to learn about the difficulties you had with your pups. However, there is something to "hedging your bets." I accept that there are never any guaranties with any living thing.

However, a puppy from a reputable breeder will more likely than not be better cared for, genetically tested, and developed with an eye toward breeding to the most appropriate Yorkie standards.

I agree that price does not necessarily equal quality. But if I'm going to put my money anywhere, it would be in the reputation of the breeder - that's really all we can go on.

My son has cancer. I did a lot of searching before I found Lucy. I explained to my breeder that I wanted to "hedge my bets" and purchase the best pup I could afford in the hopes that she'd remain healthy. He laughed at me and said, "There's no absolute perfect health guaranty, but I know my yorkies." That's probably the closest to a guaranty that I'm going to get.

So, while spending lots of $$$ doesn't mean you get a healthy pup, wisely spending $$$ may just mean you're less likely to get a sick pup.

My 2 cents...:)

I have to agree and disagree, the reason for my post was that Taylor said "Well if your wanting a healthy puppy that is not going to be sick its going to cost at least $1,000"

I can't help but speak out on behalf of people that have adopted dogs from shelters that have lived long and healthy lives. And for the thousands of dogs waiting to get adopted. I am not even sure why the OP posted here, because she never said she found a Yorkie puppy or was looking for a purebred show looking yorkie, she is just looking for a puppy that will not cost an arm and a leg. Perhaps if it is so risky to adopt from a shelter then why should they even exist, perhaps all the dogs should be immediately put down because there is a risk they might have a health problem in the future.
After being on YT and reading the sick and injured section I sure read a lot about yorkies that cost a lot of money that wound up with things like CT, AAI, really bad knees and so forth. Yes if you can it's good to go with a breeder that health tests, but don't be fooled you can still wind up with problems. If one wants to be 100% sure they will have a dog with no health issues they should get a stuffed animal. For every expensive yorkie out there, there are probably 5 x's as many healthy pound puppies.

I am sorry but blanket statements like "if your wanting a healthy puppy that is not going to be sick its going to cost at least $1,000" just put me over the edge because I know this is not true.

BTW your post just made me remember that I was the last one to post on your thread about Lucy's issues, I was worried when you didn't come back to YT for a while that it might have gotten worse, is she all better now, I hope so.

I Agree with you 100%.....statements like these just make it easier for just ANY breeder to slap a $1,000 price tag on a dog just to make impressionable buyers THINK they are getting the top of the line!

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Lucy's doing great! Thanks for asking. I switched her food to Royal Canin and took away the bully sticks and now she's got swell, tight little poops.:p Talk about expensive, though!

2 1/2 lbs of RC cost the same as 4lbs of Eukanuba. I heard many complaints about Eukanuba, so I figured on switching anyway.

Lucy's happy - albeit a little sad because school has started and her litter mates are back in their desks. (I say: Thanks goodness!!:D)

Tracey