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Old 12-19-2012, 09:30 AM   #1
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Default Children vs Yorkies

Okay reading a lot of discouraging posts here regarding having Yorkies and having small children. What is you guys thoughts on this? Is it really impossible to own or even breed Yorkies if you have children?? I mean, can children not be watched, and taught? I would think any responsible parent would be able to handle this scenario, and furthermore teach their children as they grow older to handle with care etc. Dying to know everyones thoughts on this. I am so overly obsessed with these little babies and do have babies (skins) of my own!
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Old 12-19-2012, 09:42 AM   #2
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I know many breeders won't sell to families with small children, and I think this is a good rule of thumb, but there are always exceptions. I know many members here have small children, and it seems to be working out fine. Looking back when I was raising my boys, I really believe they would have been pretty good with a Yorkie in the house, but some of their friends, who played at our house, would not have been good with Yorkies. It was hard to teach some of them, not to run in the house, some had ADD and just didn't seem to be able to control their actions. The opening and closing of the front door would have been another concern of mine. I personally think there are breeds that are better with children. It just depends on the family, but if I were choosing one for a family, I think I’d want one that’s a little bigger, so that jumping off the couch wouldn’t be a major concern. Yorkies are perfect for an empty nester though!
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Old 12-19-2012, 09:51 AM   #3
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My children (all girls) are ages 3, 5, and 7 now. We have two dogs- Buddy, a German Shorthair Pointer, almost 8 years who is just under 60 pounds and Blazer, my Yorkie who is almost 7 months now and 6 pounds. My girls are FINE with him! My girls came with me when I delivered Blazer and his litter mates and so have been around the new puppies since the very beginning. I think you have to know your kids to know whether or not a small dog of any breed is going to safely fit in your family. Kids can be taught how to behave around animals, they'll push boundaries but that's their job, right? Lol! Same goes for the animal- they can be taught how to act around kids.
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Old 12-19-2012, 10:24 AM   #4
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I know a lot of people feel that small dogs shouldn't be around babies because of their size. It's a personal belief though. As you said, as a responsible parent you should be able to teach your kids the correct way to act, behave and handle a small dog. Unfortunately, I think there are more irresponsible parents out there these days, which is probably one of the main reasons why breeders have that rule of thumb. And rightly so.

Zeus did not like children when I first got him. He tolerates them, lets them pet him when we go out under my watchful eye but he has snipped at them before. It's mostly the running up to him part that freaks him out. My folks run a daycare out of their home and often Zeus has been dropped off during the day if I had meetings or something and Chad wasn't going to be home. He has definitely come around to them and will just walk away if he doesn't like the situation he's in.
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Old 12-19-2012, 11:06 AM   #5
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I think it just all depends - on the dog, on the kids, on the parents. I think it's a bit more maintenance with small dogs, just because of their size... it's easier for them to get hurt, even by a well meaning child. But then again I think that too often people are way too lax when it comes to big dogs and kids. They have a Golden and just think "oh he puts up with everything and doesn't care!" and then allow children to climb on, pull ears, etc. Every dog has a breaking point and I think ALL dogs and children should be watched together very closely. So if you are doing so, there is not much difference between a small dog and a bigger dog, because IMO they both need to be watched just as much. But of course there is going to be breeds that ARE more tolerant than others. Jackson is fantastic with kids, but will get nervous with really loud, obnoxious kids, and I NEVER allow him anyone to pick him up. He's big anyway though so most kids can't. However if a child were to hurt him accidentally even, he most likely would snap. And he's very sweet and trained and well mannered, but his threshold isn't as big as, say, most Goldens.

I think it just takes common sense, teaching children right from wrong, and socializing dogs to children.
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Old 12-19-2012, 11:19 AM   #6
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I agree it is all in the training of young children and the puppies. As long as the parent is with them and has taught them I see no problem. I do see a problem with giving one to a small child as a gift because then the child feels it is theirs and doesn't really want to listen to good advise about them like they would if it is YOUR dog and your rules.
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Old 12-19-2012, 11:37 AM   #7
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I have never had issues with my 5 year old son Isaiah and Georgie. Georgie was here first (he is 7) so we did everything we could to get him used to the idea of having a little (very much bigger) skin brother. Children need boundaries....Isaiah doesn't hold Georgie unless he is sitting down and only with one of us there. Georgie doesn't LOVE Isaiah like he does my husband and I but they get along fine. I also think people have this false hope of having a Yorkie run around with their kids and being a playmate. IMO most Yorkies are just too small so for us Isaiah runs and Georgie hangs out with Mom and Dad and watches.
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Old 12-19-2012, 11:41 AM   #8
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Even the best-taught children, brought up with small dogs and having very watchful parents, injure them. They don't have good judgment or evaluation skills as those of adults, older children and they just can't always control sudden impulses when the parent steps momentarily from the room or is busy on the computer. I'd be overly cautious in having a very small dog around any young child because those tiny bodies do break so easily and the bills are so high to repair them. Sometimes the dog has to be euthanized as the family cannot afford the bills! There are so many sturdier, larger dogs that can better survive the unexpected actions of little children, why even take the chance a tiny dog could suffer and even die? Surely any adult can wait a few years to have their Yorkie when they have little kids.
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Old 12-19-2012, 12:25 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly View Post
Even the best-taught children, brought up with small dogs and having very watchful parents, injure them. They don't have good judgment or evaluation skills as those of adults, older children and they just can't always control sudden impulses when the parent steps momentarily from the room or is busy on the computer. I'd be overly cautious in having a very small dog around any young child because those tiny bodies do break so easily and the bills are so high to repair them. Sometimes the dog has to be euthanized as the family cannot afford the bills! There are so many sturdier, larger dogs that can better survive the unexpected actions of little children, why even take the chance a tiny dog could suffer and even die? Surely any adult can wait a few years to have their Yorkie when they have little kids.
I agree that if you have young kids, and then seek out a yorkie... it's probably not the best choice. But what about those who have yorkies first and then babies? My moms friend is obsessed with her yorkie, like all of us, and just had her first real baby and things are great! She still treats her pup like a princess, and includes her in their life, and the baby is now almost a year. And the dog loves the baby! I think that's how most people end up with yorkies & kids. I don't know a ton of ppl who seek out one when they already have very young children.
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Old 12-19-2012, 12:36 PM   #10
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I agree that if you have young kids, and then seek out a yorkie... it's probably not the best choice. But what about those who have yorkies first and then babies? My moms friend is obsessed with her yorkie, like all of us, and just had her first real baby and things are great! She still treats her pup like a princess, and includes her in their life, and the baby is now almost a year. And the dog loves the baby! I think that's how most people end up with yorkies & kids. I don't know a ton of ppl who seek out one when they already have very young children.
I agree Brit and that's how it was with us. I think our expectation was that Georgie would learn to accept Isaiah and everything would be fine and it has been. Georgie has never been given less attention even when Isaiah was a baby because both my husband and I made the effort to make sure he didn't. They are both our boys
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Old 12-19-2012, 12:50 PM   #11
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I am going to be another poster that will say it depends.

It depends on a whole lot. First I look at the realistic time a person would have to spend with the dog. In caring, training, grooming etc. Of course most ppl work, that means the dog needs to be exercised before/after work, and as a puppy need someone to come in mid-day.
Add in hobbies, some folks love to golf on the wkends, or snowboard/ski, travel a whole lot for business and leisure.

And if they have children. There will be all the child related activities, and necessary time a parent needs to spend with their children.

So is there really space in your life for a dog? Not just when you feel like it and have a spare hour or two. Dogs need atttention 365 days a year.

The temperament of the breed and the specific temp of the pup is very important when matching a prospective owner to a dog.

As I breed a large guard breed - this is very key. The owners must commit to a CD level obedience title secured either through AKC or CKC in Canada.
Realistically that would take 200 hours of training over 18mths or so. No child would be allowed to walk the dog alone. These beasties can go to 130 lbs.

While for Yorkies that level of training is not necessary, but they need more than just puppy obedience classes. They need to have a reliable Come, Stay, and STOP and LEAVE IT and DROP IT command. And it would be more than nice if they walked easily on lead.

This is for your dogs safety in and around the house and outside on lead.

Running children, screaming, yelling, hitting each other or smashing dolls or toys into ppl or things, is something that no dog is truly comfortable with.

So ask yourself do you truly have the spare time every day to care for another life?

Are you willing to also train, groom, provide good vet care, and emergency treatment as needed?

Have you thought about how to keep a puppy safe from young children, and the children safe from the puppy?

Financially are you in a position to afford a Yorkie that has been bred for health, temperament and structure; at the minimum this means the parents have been bred for same and have the health testing to prove it.

I wish you luck with your decision. And I am so happy you are researching first.
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Old 12-19-2012, 01:13 PM   #12
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Very interesting views so far. Hoping more people put their input. Personally myself, I would never considered -any- animal (or child) until financially stable enough to do so. Having a family has always been important to me, so I have my children, having an animal has also been important to me, so I have waited for the right time to start bugging hubby. I use to know a lady who bred "toy" poodles and she also had children and all of her children were involved in the aspects of her business. Such as helping feed, water, bathe, brush, even cleaning up accidents. Not doing it themselves, but she would have them by her side helping out. I always admired that and thought it was an excellent way to instill responsibility in a young one as well as love for animals. Anyways keep posting your "IMO" 's I am loving them. lol


--also forgot to add I am a stay at home mom, and have tons of time on my hands

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Old 12-19-2012, 01:35 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Britster View Post
I agree that if you have young kids, and then seek out a yorkie... it's probably not the best choice. But what about those who have yorkies first and then babies? My moms friend is obsessed with her yorkie, like all of us, and just had her first real baby and things are great! She still treats her pup like a princess, and includes her in their life, and the baby is now almost a year. And the dog loves the baby! I think that's how most people end up with yorkies & kids. I don't know a ton of ppl who seek out one when they already have very young children.
When you have an existing small dog in the home and find a child in on the way, the couple has no choice but to realize what impact that could have on that little dog's well-being and take every possible precaution to keep the little animal safe. That's the extra responsibility the small-dog-owning woman of childbearing age and ability takes on and shares with her spouse when she marries and becomes pregnant. It certainly brings a whole added level of concern to having a baby when a little dog is there expecting to be kept safe and sound from that little one when it's old enough to grab or hold one!

To me, Yorkies are usually so small and fragile, I cannot imagine one around a very small toddler or young child after my sister's new Yorkie puppy was dropped on its head by one of our little nieces. She was about 4 or 5 and, as my sister was saying "Nooooo" and reaching for him, her mommie handed her little daughter the puppy suddenly and the little child just let go when he jerked his body trying to get out of her hold, I guess. He fell right on his little head, had seizures and was in the hospital for a brain bleed, on medication for a long, long time. He had a number of seizures afterward. He couldn't have taken another brain injury his vet said.

Later, her mommie asked her why she just dropped him and she said "I don't know", so innocently. She never intended on hurting that puppy - wouldn't have ever knowingly hurt him. She adored dogs, still does! She cried & cried when he seized, foamed, got stiff & they rushed him out to the vet. It all scared her badly and she was upset during the whole weekend visit, had nightmares. It was a bad thing for both the Yorkie and the child.

After that, my sister just put him in his crate anytime a small child visited and kept them there. In this instance, our SIL had asked to see Magnum, said she loved Yorkies and wanted to just hold him so my sister took him out of the crate, let her hold him and was standing right there when it all happened but she just wasn't fast enough to prevent it.

But for those who have a choice and don't have a Yorkie but do have a small child, I would sure recommend waiting until the little child is older before getting one. You never know what a little child might accidentally do.
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Old 12-19-2012, 02:37 PM   #14
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As a child, I was raised with yorkies. Then, as an adult, I got my own yorkie when my kids were 3 & 5, so they were raised with a yorkie. The experience definately made my kids more caring & considerate of animals, especially small animals.
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Old 12-19-2012, 02:56 PM   #15
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Its not that people with kids cant have a small breed dog its just if they do they are taking a risk. If something happens and say a small breed dog breaks its leg its a surgery that can cost thousands. I think bigger yorkies are better suited for familys with children since they are less fragile but even with bigger yorkies you are still taking a risk
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