Providing your not living inside city limits that puts a certain number of dogs and cats you are allowed, then as long as you can afford the Vet. visits, teeth cleaning and all that is needed to keep them happy and healthy and doesn't put an overload on you, and they aren't kept in cages or outside all the time, then have what you can afford & maintain.
When I had 4 Yorkies, it was difficult at times to keep them groomed, bathed every week, brushed each day, teeth brushed every evening, cooking their meals and the expense of regular Vet. visits, shots & teeth cleaning, exercise, and lots of special attention. My Zada passed away in May and I find things have become a bit easier. I now know that I won't have more than one, maybe two if I out live these three girls and find I'm still in good enough health and energy to get another one. I'm sure it will be one or two years old too. Puppy stage is hard on old folks. ;)

I just don't see how you could care for that many dogs properly. You'd be bathing at least two dogs daily. And they'd all have to be outdoor trained, or how could you deal with the smell from that many dogs pottying indoors?

I have friends that have lots of dogs. Obviously the dogs live better than they would on the streets or in a shelter, but they don't get much people attention, never get walked..they just play together outside. But for me, its the smell. The houses stink. I couldn't live like that. What's worse...they aren't aware of it.:(

When I was a renter in NY I had 3, my cousin use to groom them, they all got along, no fights. it was easy for me to care for them and they all got the same attention at the same time. Now I have my own house, have inside and outside to take care of, I moved here with two, now I have one. These days one is best for me. And yes, it's not just about finances, it's about quality of time spent with your pup. Yorkies demand, attention, grave it, need it, you need to be able to give them the attention they need.

In my opinion, which is based on my patience levels and all sorts of temperament flaws, one Yorkie is PLENTY.


There are those, however, that seem to thrive on taking care of numerous animals and as long as the animals are happy and well taken care of, then I see no reason why they should limit their caretaking capacity.

Kazzy I agree about the smell with that many small dogs it is impossible that some would not being going inside and the smell would have to be bad. Did anyone see the photo where she was laying on the couch covered with dogs, I could see pee pads scattered about. Yorkie or not that many dogs living in close quarters could lead to health issues for the dogs and even the humans. I have watched only occasionaly because it is to disgusting for me, the show animal hoarders, you would probably not be surprised at how many of the people started with the belief they were doing rescue and then could not stop.

My husband's friend has a wife that can't get enough cats, they have taken over their house and garage, probably about 12 and more in the garage. She makes rounds in the morning feeding feral cats and brings some home. He has a pacemaker and not in the best of health but he gets by and works and so forth. They were moving and after days of cleaning the house and garage from all the cat stuff, he wound up in the hospital with an infection in his heart, he almost died. the doctors said it had to have come from all the cat dander, urine and feces in the home. Even in their new house they brought most of the cats, to me that is just sick to put the cats above your husband's health like that.

I think 25 is too many IMO. I personally wouldn't want more than 2-3 dogs myself. Life really is easier with one and while I do want my own 2nd dog one of these days, at the same time, things are just simpler with one. I do live at home still so he now lives with my moms new puppy and is very happy with her, and when we visit my dads, he visits with their 2 dogs (but they don't really play at all). 2 is all I'd ideally want but 3 would be my maximum.

I did dogsit for a house with 8 dogs (6 of them yorkies) and 4 cats plus had Jackson with me and it was surprisingly easier than I thought it would be. All the dogs were really sweet though and well behaved. I constantly had to count to make sure everyone was inside etc though and obviously I was only there for 1 night so didn't have to mess with grooming, etc. But I personally like the one-on-one I get with Jackson in all aspects of life... just sticking a leash on him and taking him for a quick trip, or walk, and being able to get him groomed professionally, and sharing a close bond, etc. I just feel like... how can you possibly bond with 25 dogs like that? I dunno, I'm sure they're each loved in their own way... and it's better than them just sitting in shelter cages... but I do question.

It's hard to say where the fine line is. I believe when the sheer number of animals interferes with the quality of their care... that's when it becomes hoarding. Most hoarders MEAN well at heart but don't necessarily have the ability to look at quality of life. To me it's not necessarily a number, it's the care (or the lack of care). But to certain people that means different things.

Many times I think about getting another but every time I mention it my daughter reminds me that "two is a pair, three is a pack" and tells me Iam becoming the "crazy dog lady".

I think it truly does depend on the person and the situation. I can only handle so many. For me, I think 2 is the absolute ideal number...but we now have four dogs :D. I would really be overwhelmed with more.

But then I think of some of the rescue folks here...who have SO many dogs, but they're beautifully taken care of, with only the best vets, food, care, love, grooming etcetera. How do they do it and stay sane? NO CLUE, lol....but they do, and I'm certainly grateful to them and for their extraordinary abilities. So, I do think *some* special people out there can and do take wonderful care of a large amount of kiddos.

I can't speak for everyone that does in home rescue but I don't think they would own 25 of their own. I will be curious to see what Linda says if she weighs in since she has much more experience than I do. My friend that runs a large rescue group in the tri state area in NY has about 7 of her own and a few fosters, she finally built a kennel room after she came home and found one of her yorkies dead from a dog attack, sadly she had no clue which dog did it, but she assumed it was probably the foster dog she had at the moment.

I agree with you . . Rescue and fostering is different . . I saw that post. . I just passed and didn't say anything. If I did I would get banned. . There is no way that a 25 dogs would get that much attention. Dogs are needy. Cats not as much. . But still having 25 cats is a lot. . 4 cats in max for me. Personally 2 -3 kitties is enough. And 4 dogs I think is enough for a pet owner.

LOL I to was smart enough also not to say what I thought but it bothered me enough that I posted a similar question in the group, I got a lot more answers than here but oddly enough most people said while it would not be for them people should be allowed to have as many as they can afford. To me affording is not the only thing about owing pets, attention and cleanliness is just as important. I also just saw her post that she "rescued" another yorkie, never mentioned finding it a home so to me it sounded like she planned on keeping it.

I didn 't see the photo. Where was it posted? Can you add a link?

True. I guess it's like children. We each have our own idea what is a good number for us. Two was perfect for me...maybe I could have done three equally well, but that would be my limit.

I have two friends that each have six children. I don't know how they do it. Watching them grow up, It seemed like such a chore, and required major planning, as well as a huge van to haul them around. If the van was out of service, it wasn't like you could just take the car to take the family out to dinner. And talk about parental guilt, even if mom and dad went separate ways, they still couldn't physically attend all of their kids sporting/extra-curricula events.

But that show 19 and counting...looks straight up crazy to me!

Kazzy you have to be in the Crazy Yorkie Ladies Facebook group to see the photo. If you are not in it I will add you to the group, then I think the mod needs to approve it, then you can see it.