Are yorkies needy?
 

OK, I love dogs (esp. yorkies!) but I do want to keep my life- I go to school (but am home a lot) have a boyfriend, sometimes go out with friends... Training and playing and cuddling would be highlights of my day, but my yorkie would be my pet, not my baby. Would I be doing a yorkie a disservice and should maybe get a slightly more independent breed or yorkie mix?

Thanks! :)

Yorkies do like companionship. They tend to prefer not be alone, and they like to keep busy.

Like all terriers, Yorkies are active and need exercise and mental stimulation. I think some people make the mistake of thinking small = not much exercise necessary.

I would pin down exactly how much time per day you think you can devote to your dog.

Remember, your dog, no matter what breed, likes to have a life too. It isn't a matter of treating a dog like a pet vs treating a pet like a baby.

Truthfully, if I were you, I would get a cat. Do you like cats?

I once had a lifestyle similar to yours, and I had two cats. They were a good match for my lifestyle.

Just because you have a yorkie doesn't mean you can't have a life:) I spend a huge amount of time with Joel and still have a life, atleast i'd like to think so! Haha

A mix won't help because you don't get a perfect half and half type of blend with a mix, it might be just as needy as a Yorkie. I do think Yorkies are needier in their early years, and maybe an older dog might be an option. It really takes time and dedication to train a Yorkie and many older dogs are trained or fairly easy to train in a new environment. I will say, if you decide to do this, be prepared, it’s a minimum 12 year commitment and if you’re lucky 16 years. While you need not treat it like a baby, it’s important to make a lifelong commitment and treat it like a family member.

Are Yorkies needy?

Yes. But so are husbands, kids, co-workers, friends...

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
I am very impressed that you are able to verbalize your lifestyle, and are concerned enough to ask about the Yorkie breed and how a Yorkie would fit into your lifestyle! Based on what you say, which is absolutely great and normal, etc, I would suggest another breed. Yorkies DO insist on being a major center of YOUR existance! I do not think you would be happy with a little dog that is obligated to insinuate itself into every corner of your life, every minute of the day and night! What I find so very endearing about these babies, I can honestly understand could be considered as being "needy" by a younger, more socially active young adult..... There are other breeds that do not demand as much attention and would be perfectly content amusing themselves, alone, for part of the day. That is NOT saying you can feed and water and devote a couple of hours a day to your dog, then spend the rest of the time socializing with friends or school, or other activities away from and without your devoted companion. If you think you are only going to be able to devote only a few hours a day to your dog, regardless of the breed, maybe you are not ready to get saddled with a dog! Maybe a cat? Or better yet, why take on the responsibility of a pet at all....enjoy this part of your life, your young adulthood, and then when you feel you are ready to get more involved with the responsibilities of owning a pet, you will be comfortable and not at all resentful of the time requirement needed owning a pet.

My two are VERY needy in my opinion. I think a Yorkie is more needy than dogs I have had in the past. With that said, I wouldn't have them any other way! :D.

If you will be gone a lot, I don't think a yorkie is the best breed. They love to be with you all the time. My two get the saddest looks when I leave and don't take them.

Good luck in your decision.

:thumbup::thumbup: My two don't even let me shower alone! :D

I know!! Mine either!! They sit outside the shower, or sit by the bathtub...they sit at my feet when I use the toilet, they follow me from room to room and THEY KNOW WHEN IT IS TIME TAKE OUR NAP AND THEY WILL ACTUALLY START BARKING AT ME TO GO TO MY BED FOR OUR NAP!!!!! My home and my life away from the 12 hours I put in at work, are devoted and actually RUN by these adorable little precious dogs!!!! AND I LOVE IT....CANT WAIT TO RETIRE SO I CAN DEVOTE MY ENTIRE DAY TO THEM!!!

I have 4 dogs of all different breeds and their all needy in some way. :) Tuck my yorkie mix is MY dog, if im walking around so is he, if im on the couch, he is on my lap. I think its their way of showing how loyal they are to you. Im thankful that my 4 cats are very independent or I would def. have my hands full..:)

I couldn't agree more! :)

Thanks! :)
It's weird how often I have been going back and forth on this for the past 2 years- I think my thoughts of getting a dog are requiring more time and energy than actually having one would!
And it's not that I don't have time or am not home enough...and none of my friends love animals as much as I do- it's more the thought of something being with me every minute for the next 15 years! But when I babysit my family friend's yorkies I'm literally smiling all day. Haha. You can see how indecisive I am.

Very well said Yorkiemom1. The only thing I would like to add, if you truly want a pet, I would opt for a cat or two (so they can keep each other company) - our cats are so much more independent than our Yorkies. Our Yorkies follow us all over and they are pretty attached to me - including following me to the bathroom and if I close the bathroom door, they are (at least little Izzy) is pawing at the door to come in.

A pet, whether a dog, cat, hamster, gerbil, bird or fish are all needy - although fish are the least needy.

Whatever you decide, I wish you the best.

I would just like to say Kudos to you for asking BEFORE you got a yorkie. ;) you have done yourself and a furbaby a great service by asking first.

I think Yorkies and any dog can be very needy. I would just think maybe a small breed may not be best for you simply because they cant go hours and hours without being let out to potty:)
I would also think a cat or 2:D would be perfect for you. They are more independant and you dont have to run home early to let them potty.
However having said that, i think no matter how busy you are if you really really really want a yorkie and you have the desire to make it work, its definatly possible:) However i would get 2 so its not alone :(

I agree. :) I also agree that it is possible to have an active life and a Yorkie, and that the first year or two are probably the most difficult. Potty training can be a problem for some, others take to it immediately.

A large consideration relative to Yorkies is the cost of healthcare. There are many examples here of very healthy dogs, but there are also a lot of Yorkies that can end up requiring thousands of dollars in care for liver shunts, broken legs, luxating patellas, digestive disorders. My boys haven't had any of the biggest problems, not yet, but we have spent a lot of $$ on vet care.

I believe the cost of healthcare is likely to be greater with these smaller dogs.

Another idea is adopting an older small breed dog that you wont have to spend time training and potty training:D

Honey is needy and always wants to be with me and play. Im in college also and have a boyfriend but Honey is like my baby.

And your lifestyle survives? Does your boyfriend ever protest about her being with you all the time??

Yeah, sounds to me like a cat would be better suited to your lifestyle. Dog are needy, and require a certain amount of routine, exercise and interaction. And I do think yorkies are on the needier end of the breed spectrum.

Agree totally

I have three and I work full time. Fiance is home most of the day, I get home at around 2pm. From that time on they follow me everywhere, even if hubby is in the room. I'm guess they missed mom! :D Are they needy, don't know about all, but mine are! They want to be where ever I am....I love it!

Dogs in general are very social animals and need companionship. They do not do well alone. A person who works or goes to school full time needs to realize that the 8 to 10 hours the dog is alone all day or night is like night time for them. They need attention and exercise when their person is home. If a dog has been inactive for the time you are gone it is going to need to make up for that down time when you are home. The dog may seem very needy if it is alone for a major part of the day. Someone mentioned having a cat and really that is the kind of animal that is more independent and less needy than a dog. They are affectionate and don't have to be let out continually.

A puppy in particular is a very needy animal. It takes lots of hours of training to housebreak a puppy. It needs other types of training in addition to that. It is very much like having a baby for the first several months.

My yorkies would be devestated if i left them alone but needy no not at all lolol. Seriously yorkie may not fit your lifestyle as of now. Terriers in general want your undivided attention.

Mine is and she physically gets sick if she does not have enough human interaction. With a yorkie mix you never know what you are going to get so it could have the same personality as a yorkie.

I have a life style similar to yours. I'm a young adult and student. I spend most of my day at school. When I got my yorkie I start to feel really bad because she was alone a lot and when I got home from school she wanted all my attention. I always treat her as my baby not just a pet. When she turned 1 year I decided to get another yorkie so she wouldn't feel so alone. It really helped, they love each other so much. My boyfriend and I give them as much attention as we can. They are my babied and I love them a lot. Yorkies require a lot of love and attention.

Jasmin is my shadow.

Im young, 25 and knowing what I know now..if I was kidless I wouldnt have gotten a yorkie. Because I dont plan on having more children, and I dont have a very active social life (my plan), he fits perfectly in with us.
If I wasnt married with children, I would probably be petless, or have a cat.
My sister though, is 19 and has her yorkie and considers him her baby. She has no skin kids or spouse, but loves the responsibility of caring for her pup just the same.
So, depending on how you want to live and thinking about how youre going to keep doing what you want is all up to you.
Once you own a yorkie, you will understand why people carry them around a dress them up all the time. Even my husband thought I was nuts, and now he always asks why joey is nakee.