im a 1st time yorkie owner and 1st time dog owne, my rosie is 10 months and iv had her since she was 7 weeks old, iv learnt how to pad train take her for walks which i love doing she is now house trained sits for treats waits when i tell her at road sides so i dont think iv done a bad job for a 1st timer

I never had a dog before....in fact, the only pet I ever had was a hamster and some fish when I was a kid. Edie is my first dog. Although I did not research Yorkies in particular, I waited a long time so that my life was stable enough so I could have a dog. In fact, I did not feel I was a suitable dog owner until I was 42 years old!!!!

I think everyone should really examine their lives before they get a dog of any breed. Dogs are pack animals, and they want to be around their people. Too many dogs are left alone for long periods of time, and I don't think that's right. There are lots of dog owners who shouldn't be.....doesn't matter what kind of dog it is.

We were all beginners once. So yes if they did their research on this breed and they was a good and loving home for them .

So true!!! I wanted my dog to be my own responsibility, not dump it off on someone else like my parents when it became inconvenient so I waited for a while until I was ready.

In my teens, I wanted to hang out with my friends and go to the mall. Having the responsibity of a dog would have crimped my style.

In my twenties, I wanted to party, go out. I needed to study and finish college. And after college I worked a lot to ensure advancement in my career. Working 12 hour days plus weekends to prove my dedication to the company was not unheard of. After a long day's work, the last thing I wanted to do is take care of someone else. Having the responsibility of a dog would have hindered me from doing what it takes in pursuit of my career goals and desire to unwind afterwards.

Now in my thirties, "the job" is not "my life". it's important for me to maintain a quality of life that has a good work-life balance. my work allows me the flexibility of working from home. i'm more settled and maintain a somewhat stable schedule. Unlike earlier, "life" is not all about "work all the time" and "party every night". money is not always going to student loans, car loan, clothes, clothes, and more clothes. i have more patience and organization and a desire to be less...uh... self-serving. ;) So now, having the responsibility of a dog is perfect. I'm glad I waited, besides, I wouldn't be able to spoil my little one and financially able to care for him as I do now, just a few years ago. :D

There's something to be said about knowing yourself. Knowing what you can handle. And knowing enough not to bite off more than you can chew. Of course my parents and in-laws are wondering why "my little one" isn't a baby, a grandchild for them instead of a doggie-grandchild. To which I can only respond, I'm not ready for that yet. Wait until I'm older. :p

oh, i thought i should add, my own behavior in my teens, twenties, and thirties is not indicative of everyone at that age, just me, myself and i. everyone is different and mature at different rates. so just do what you think is right for yourself. but try to be objective and realistically weigh the pros and cons of how dog ownership will effect your life and lifestyle not just now and in the coming months, but for the next decade and a half. okay... i'm off my soapbox now. i'm finito.

I may be way off base -

But I do not find my Yorkie to be very different from the other little dogs I have had - other than needing to be extra careful because of his small size.

I have had my little pup for almost two months now, and he is very much like the other pups I have had....albeit a little smaller. I have had big dogs, but more recently have had a PomPoo (who unfortunately had to be put to sleep), and I still have a four-year-old Bichon who is my puppy's best friend.

I really don't know what is so different about a Yorkie. They are loveable, active, sometimes barky, a little difficult to potty train, and need to eat food that is good for them. They need a lot of love and attention, and because they are small, need special care in that regard (but - then my Bichon is only 12 pounds - not huge either - and male bichons are at the top of the list for being difficult to potty train). They need regular trips to the vet and other trips when necessary (I have had huge vet bills with my other dogs and bit the bullet and was always willing to pay them.)

I think that if a person wants a small dog (and let's assume that most people are mature and willing and able to care for a dog) -- a Yorkie would be one of the first ones that I would recommend. Just be prepared for some barking, some peeing, puppy activities, chewing, etc, and special care because they are so small.

Any dog is a lifelong commitment. All dogs need love, attention, and care. And, a Yorkie is not the only dog that needs grooming. A lot of dogs do.

I did some research before I got a Yorkie, but not a lot. I have seen them for years and have known people who love their Yorkies to death. They have always been a breed that I thought I would like to have. And, after losing one of my dogs recently , I went out and got a Yorkie. He is just wonderful...a little bundle of love and joy that destroyed one of my plants, pees and poops wherever he wants, chews on everything, wants to be with me every minute, loves my Bichon, and attacks me whenever I am eating anything. I am constantly looking around because I want to know where he is every minute because he is so little. But I call his name and he's right there. He is very much like the other little pups I have had....just littlier.

I would say that a Yorkie's size is the most important consideration anyone should make before they get one. Other than that, I find them to be a loveable pet like most other little dogs (or big dogs).

I need go no further than this forum to find people from of all walks of life, with and without other pets, with and without children, work or don't work,
single, widowed, or married, living in apartments or big house, etc., etc., etc., who all love and are able to take good care of their little Yorkies.

Most people can provide an adequate environment for a small dog. It is usually a big dog that most people discover was the "wrong choice." I have known several people give up their labs and border collies because they just couldn't deal with them. Dog pounds say they have more labs than any other breed. I have never know a person who wasn't happy with their Yorkie, who didn't love them to death, or who would sell them for a million dollars....may be a little exaggerated, but you know what I mean!

Every breed needs special care - every pet needs special care - babies need special care. And, yes - Yorkies need special care, but not so different from everything else I have mentioned.

Carol Jean

"I have never know a person who wasn't happy with their Yorkie, who didn't love them to death, or who would sell them for a million dollars....may be a little exaggerated, but you know what I mean!"

If only this were true then we wouldn't need rescue but unfortunetly we do and more than you would think. :(

My only concern is with the enormous change most young people go through with their lives from graduation from high school through the next 10 years of their life. The first few years young people are dating, going onto college or work and living a fun life, then they usually start a job or a career and work very long hours and then many get married and start a family. When I think back to those years (long ago) I know I would not have been responsible enough to do everything right for a dog. I can't tell you how many dogs my friends in college had for a very short period (killed, ran away, given away, died) and I can tell you for the most part college kids today are no different. I see it at U of A all the time. The other part is who has $$$ during this time to spend for quality food for their dogs, good vets and if need be expensive vet bills. Then there is the part of someone's 1st apartment and many landlords won't let them have a dog or if they do there is usually a high deposit that is not refundable if the dog makes mess's on the carpet. I hope everyone understands that I am generalizing most statements here but in fact they were very true in my life.

I am not saying all young people are like this but I am saying we really should be sure we point this out to anyone thinking of getting a dog at a young age.

LivingDustMops -

Me again - what you said is absolute true.

My niece started college three years ago - and had to leave her dog at home with her parents (but - it was their dog too). And, of course the dog is still at home with people it loves and is perfectly happy. A lot of young people have grown up with their dog and then have gone off to school or to some other environment where they couldn't keep their dog, and I have known several dogs that have had to stay at home.

I, personally, have not known any young people who have had to get rid of their dogs (I mean end up in the pound or have to go to rescue programs), because they went off to college, but I certainly know about a lot other sad situations.

Everything you mentioned applies to all pets -- not just Yorkies. So, the things you talked about aren't Yorkie-specific problems. There are rescue programs and sad stories for every breed.

My statements were geared more toward people who want and can care for a dog. And, I think the initial question was more about whether or not a Yorkie would be a good dog for a beginner (whatever in the world a beginner is). A lot of the responses were that a Yorkie is a very special dog that needs very special care. My response was that all dogs are special and need special care and that a Yorkies' needs aren't very different from what all little dogs need.....except that I do keep mentioning they need special care because of their small size.

I would not recommend any dog to a person who can't make a lifelong commitment and properly care for a dog.

This does bring up a good question. If you are buying your 10 or 15-year old a dog - ask yourself what is going to happen to that dog when your child grows up and moves away from home.

Certainly - it's not a good thing for young people to try and haul a dog around with them when they are in no position to give it a lot of love and good care. This again is just the problem of a person's having a dog who can't properly care for it. And, yes, a lot of this does go on -- with people of any age and circumstance.

If you want a small dog and can properly care for it - is a Yorkie a good breed for you? My answer is "yes."

Carol Jean

Everything you mentioned applies to all pets -- not just Yorkies.

This was my point to the post because the poster is 17 and I wanted her/him to think about the future. I am assuming (yes I know) that the person asking the question was asking for themselves.

I would not recommend any dog to a person who can't make a lifelong commitment and properly care for a dog.

I totally agree and not knowing the situation this person is living in I wanted to err on the side of the dog and what is best for the animal. I have gotten little Yorkies in from people who are 25/26 and their life situations have changed and they can no longer keep the dog. In one case the dog was 6 years old and it broke my heart for this little girl. She just didn't understand why her mommy didn't come back and pick her up. She is happy now and in a very warm and loving forever home. Something every dog deserves.

If you are buying your 10 or 15-year old a dog - ask yourself what is going to happen to that dog when your child grows up and moves away from home.

I agree.

Carol Jean, my thought process is always from a rescue position and hopefully it brings a different side to a discussion and makes people think.

LivingDustMops --- I think you and I agree on everything! And, you brought up several points that I'm glad you mentioned.

Don't we love our Yorkies!!!!

BUT - I wonder how many of us feel like we are neglecting our dogs (like me) because we are on YT so much????? Mine is at my feet right now giving me a bad time -- but he really doesn't want to be picked up. He just wants to talk.

Bye - Carol Jean

i think with ANY pet ownership whether it be a yorkie or no, responsible ownership begins with a stable and reliable ADULT. a child cannot be the sole and only owner responsible for the dog, no matter how old the child is because responsible ownership is more than just feeding, playing, and walking. there's a significant financial, emotional, and emergency care needed that cannot be provided by a child.

a parent cannot "gift" a puppy to the child and relinquish responsibility because the child's responsibilities, priorities and interests will change. those changes can include school, afterschool events, extraccurricular activities, boyfriend/girlfiends, college, living situtation, etc etc. so it falls back onto the "responsible adult" to take up the responsibility of the care of a pet.

so for the original poster. a yorkie can be a good first pet, but make sure you have your parents "buy-in" and they are as enthusiastic about the care and welfare of the yorkie as much as you are. raising a puppy and raising a dog make be difficult and challenging at times, and you most definitely have to be responsible, caring, and patient, but having parents can fall back on in times of need will make EVERYTHING a little easier.

I'm a first time yorkie owner, we've had several different dogs thru the years but never one like our yorkie. I found her to be easy to train, no chewing or bad behavior, loves kids and people and other dogs. We can take her almost any place with us and she is my shadow. Does she take time to care for? Yes, but no more than our other dogs, its just more fun with her. She's smart, loveable, and the best dog we have ever had. I'd love to get another one so she'd have a playmate.

Thanks for your reply Meko. I am having much the same experience with my first Yorkie. I have found him quite easy to care for. He's a loveable little doll. But he does poop and pee ---darn!

As soon as Christmas and all the work and shopping that go with it are over, I am going to spend more time with him and teach him to come, sit, stay, etc. These things will be taught first, because they are the things that may save his life one day. Then we'll move on to shaking hands and the other cute little tricks. Hope he's a learner!


Carol Jean

Why not ?

I have a few newcomers to the breed that own my puppies . It is always a pleasure for me to answer their questions . Even if those puppies are in their new homes , I feel that they will always be mine .

Carol Jean

Just had to chuckle on this one because everytime I stand up from being on the computer I apologize to the gang for not spending time with them. They all talk back to me with little sounds and sometime attitude. It really is one of the things I love about Yorkies.

P.S. Who are the two cuties with Santa?