New to this, a little nervous and very excited! Hello Everyone! :) So I am rather new at this. I am a 26-year-old Canadian girl who lives in my boyfriend's Mom's basement apartment (until we save up more money to move out!). His Mom does own a Jack Russel Terrier but the doggy never comes down to us (maybe once a month if anything). Lately I have been thinking more and more about adopting a little puppy and have decided on a Yorkshire Terrier (mini one). I was wondering if this was a good idea? I mean, I know I am responsible and took care of my kitty for 15 years, had a lab/german shephard dog when living at home and adopted and took care of a little Yorkie that I got for my Mom. I am just a bit nervous...and super excited. The only questions I have is am I being selfish? Because I do live in a basement apartment? Is it okay if I leave him during the day - I do work Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 5pm. Just looking for some insight. Some tips and advice. Any help would be so greatly appreciated. Thanks so much! -Sandra.* |
Hi Sandra and welcome to Yorkietalk. The biggest thing that comes to mind for me is the financial obligation that goes with a Yorkie. Out of all the dogs I have owned, my Yorkies ave cost me a lot more money. I call them "high maintenance" pups. Are you financially able to handle one? Also, it seems that sometimes the tiny yorkies need a little more than the larger ones. And I can tell you even the bigger ones are still all yorkie! Yorkies awe awesome pets! They can be a tad bit on the stubborn side. Ok ok they can be really stubborn! A yorkie is a life long commitment. Make sure you spend some time and research the breed. Again, welcome to YT! :) |
I think it's great that you are thinking this through. Do you have the opportunity to come home during lunchtime? 7:30 - 5:00 is a very long time for any dog, but especially a very small one. And puppies need so much attention for the first couple years. Have you thought about getting another cat instead? I think cats do much better being alone for long work days. |
Hello and welcome to YT, my Canadian neighbour! |
Mine stays home alone from around 9 to 6 everyday and does fine. But I will have to agree do your research and yes these little ones do cost more than other breeds I have owned but have the hugest personalities. |
Getting Peanut was the best thing I've done- he has brought me so much love, happiness, comfort, and joy into my life!! I adore him more and more every day! I would tell you to get one, Yorkies are great " small space" dogs.. as long as you do excersise them- Peanut is alone from 8/5 M-F. Weekends are our time, he is always ( if able) involved in DH's and I's plans.. if not he is walked when we get home! Do your research, find a good breeder.. in the end I think you will be very happy!! |
When my yorkie stay at home long hours by herself and she does fine she just turned 7 months yesterday and she has been staying at home by herself for 4 months. I am a college student and i seem to manage well with money for her. I see as yorkies are really like babies. WELCOME TO THE YORKIE FAMILY and good luck. |
i agree.....your doing your research..they have huge personalities do not need huge space...but a routine and exercise and lots of attention when you are around! thankfully my dh is home all day but when we do leave them for periods of time they do very well. good luck in your search and rescues are always an option. if you go through one that ensures a healthy pup! either way im sure your making the right decision..i started with one and now have three!! yorkie addict i am. |
Hi and Welcome to YT! I, too, think it is great that you are researching and asking questions first. As long as you do that and make a truly informed decision (practical and logical), you will do just fine. Mandie is my first yorkie and at 7 months has already cost me more money in care than my 3 year old bigger dog. I gladly spend it on her but just know that if you are trying to save for a place to live, it will be hard to do that if you are having to spend it on care for your dog. If that is worth it to you, you will never find a greater love (and yes, they are super stubborn..after all, they are terriers hehe) Good luck on your search for the perfect companion! :) P.S. I leave Mandie here from 8:30am to 6:30pm most weekdays. At first, I came home at lunch though. She does fine for that time now that she's a little older, though |
Welcome to YT. Read, research and consider how your puppy will change your life. To me the Yorkie is the best of all breeds in that they have loads of personality, big attitude and are loyal and loving companions. Housebreaking these guys can be a problem for some. Medical costs for any dog can be huge! If you get a tiny one, they often cost multiple thousands to buy and yearly in vet bills with the injuries and many medical problems that can go along with a tiny size. I speak from personal knowledge. My current Yorkie is a normal 5.5 lbs., not one of the "tinies" and this year alone he's cost well over $3,000.00 in vet bills & I've got a dental cleaning to go. A night at the ER vet with just IV's and basic tests runs around $1200.00. Yorkies often have to be anesthetized yearly or more often for dental cleanings as they tend to terrible dental problems. With IV's and anesthesia, pre-op blood work, the cost for these cleanings can approach $400.00 - $600.00 yearly, on top of other usual, routine vet charges, vax's, etc. Not trying to be a downer but just wanting you to know up front what you can be facing with a tiny, high-maintenance breed. Like any breed though, I am sure there are perfectly healthy tiny Yorkies that never are ill, have beautiful dentition for life and never have size-related problems. As with anything in life, plan on the worst and hope for the best if you decide to get one and I know you will love this breed! Once I had my first Yorkie, I never had another breed. Good luck in your research! |
There is no such thing a mini Yorkshire terrier and stay very far from breeders advertising that and teacups. Dogs can cost a lot of money and small dogs can cost more especially if there not gotten from a good breeder. There is regular stuff like good food, grooming, puppy shots and wellness visits, clothing, dishes, toys, bones, heart worm meds, leash, harness, flea and tick meds and so much more but then there is also emergency vet care which can be very expensive. Please think about whether you can afford a dog before getting one. |
Welcome to YT!! I am thrilled you seem to be going about this entire thing, in the right way! Reasearch, read, and learn all you can about Yorkies, so you know what you are getting into! First thing I would suggest: Get good sources of information...."Yorkies For Dummies" is a super book and a must-have for your library! "Yorkshire Terriers: A Smart Owner's Guide" is the second book I recommend to all my new buyers. Read these two books cover to cover, and KNOW Yorkies! I personally think your living arrangement is not quite conducive to owning any dog.....if his mother decides the baby cries too much, or barks too much, or WHATEVER! she could come up with, it is going to cause added stress, to the stress of trying to integrate a new puppy into the situation. I would get completely knowledgable about all you nedd when you have one of these precious little puppies, and then when you can move into your own space, you and your BF can get a puppy. You need to find a responsible, ethical breeder that can guide you and be with you for the life of that baby....and you need at have a healthy baby, or this tiny bundle of joy will break your heart as well as your budget! Dont ever get a puppy from a breeder before that baby is 12-14 weeks old.....that is a very good indicator of what kind of breeder you are dealing with....an ethical breeder will not let her babies go before 12-14 weeks of age. You will get all kinds of things to look for in your breeder, from those books I listed above.....I think you will do fine with a Yorkie when you have your own place....I just would not recommend a new puppy in your current situation in the basement apartment, with a "mother in law" so to speak! |
I am reading everybody's advice and I know it is all great advice but almost sounds like we are trying to talk you out of getting one... I studied the breed for a year before I got mine and thought I knew it all... I was wrong lol in fact the Yorkie for Dummies book was proof I was going to be tested with this guy because that was the first thing he ate was that book lol I promise we are not trying to be mean just helpful, you say you are saving money for a new place so we really want you to know what you are walking into :) I wanted a "tiny" yorkie... I ended up with a 12lb hyper ball of energy that is healthily except for he has tummy acid problems so just yesterday was a $400 vet bill for a healthy puppy, as far as food that is another cost because I know pretty much everybody on here will steer you towards special brands that are not your average grocery store or Walmart type brand to help insure your little one stays healthy... These little get cold so you might be thinking Oh I will never be the type that dresses my dog... Yea trust me that will change lol you realize they are cold go buy a hoodie or coat next thing you know they are taking over your closet haha But yes I can promise you if you decide to get one they will end up being your entire world.. They are smart, loving, sneaky, headstrong little bundles of fur!! |
Hello and welcome to YT. Everyone above hit the major points. You should really all it over with your BF's mother and make sure it is ok with her and the family. Also with a pup he needs to eat during the day. Someone is going to have to feed him. If you can not come home during the day, you will need someone else to take responsibility for him. hypoglycemia can kill a pup. And the smaller they are the more you have to worry about it. We are not trying to scare you. We want you to be as educated as possible. Check out our archives. There is a lot of helpful info. And grab those two books, they are a wealth of info. Good luck in your search. Please keep us updated. And if you decide to wait for a pup, please stay and join in the discussions. This is a place for Yorkie lovers |
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Don't want to talk you out of a yorkie at all! Just want to be honest with you. I can tell you I have never spent so much money on a dog as I have my yorkies. After having a yorkie, I honestly don't think I will ever own another breed! |
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