Is a yorkie right for me?

[FinnTheHuman]

Originally Posted by Mee-sha

I was in for a suprise when i got my first yorkie fur baby, i thought they'd be a little lap dog, who would cuddle while i watched tv, ohhhh boy was i in for a suprise with her, she was all terrier, hyper as can be, didn't like cuddling until she got a bit older.. and she needed consant attention and things to keep her active mentally and physically,she hated walks since i got her, so i had to play with her constantly to get all that yorkie energy out, she was also very picky and kept me very very busy, although she was a ton of work, especially trying to train the basics(i had to out stubbron her all the time), i grew to love her more than anything i have ever loved before. but oh my she had such a big personality... a hyper, stong, saucy, outgoing and bossy personality oh and she loved to bark at everything,but could also be silly and quirky. Now my boy yorkie(same mother and father as her but from a different litter) you would never even know he was here, he is lazy, quiet, food driven, was easier to train, he is shy, will just lay around like a lump, he rarley barks, likes to play with his toys and loves his walks,sweet sensitive little boy. 2 yorkies, same parents, 2 completley opposite personalities. So i think personality matters just as much as the breed...a terrier is a terrier though..they're little dogs with a big personality.

I see so there's nothing set in stone huh? ;(

[KairaPup]

With living things, nothing ever is. They're little beings with their own intelligence, their own souls- not cookie cutters. All dogs are different, even within breeds.

[Mee-sha]

if you are specifically looking for a mellow, chill dog, maybe skip the puppy stage and that way you can tell what thier adult personality will be like, and maybe find one who has been trained, no matter what type of dog you get it will be a lot of work and change your life , but it's all worth it with the love you recieve in return, yorkies are like tiny children with fur.they need lots of attention.

[FinnTheHuman]

Originally Posted by KairaPup

With living things, nothing ever is. They're little beings with their own intelligence, their own souls- not cookie cutters. All dogs are different, even within breeds.

I mean I understand what you're saying, just kinda sucks a little. Only because I really don't want a dog that basically is independent and wants nothing to do with me... Otherwise I'd just get a cat. LOL (I don't like cats, that's the funny part)

Is there a way to predict how a puppy is going to turn out? Like is there <any> way that you can tell how his personality might be? My friend who worked at a shelter just said, any puppy could honestly be a lap dog because that puppies tend to take on the personality of whoever is looking after them... But then again I don't really know how much truth there is to that..

[FinnTheHuman]

Originally Posted by Mee-sha

if you are specifically looking for a mellow, chill dog, maybe skip the puppy stage and that way you can tell what thier adult personality will be like, and maybe find one who has been trained, no matter what type of dog you get it will be a lot of work and change your life , but it's all worth it with the love you recieve in return, yorkies are like tiny children with fur.they need lots of attention.

Yeah everyone that I know has been basically telling me that... Well everyone OUTSIDE my family that is. xD Thing is I wanted a puppy because long story short I cannot have children(well I -can- I just really dont want to) and would like a puppy that I could know from the early stages and basically treat it like my offspring. I know it sounds a little silly, ridiculous and probably selfish of me but... I guess it's the best alternative for me. Also, even if I did want to skip the puppy stage I can't seem to find any young adults(1 year old but not older than that).. and most of the adults keep getting a description of "Shy, and sweet" which kind of gives me a red flag that dog is aloof and will probably hide from me for a long time. ;(

That being said, I also found out a "young" one on petfinder, and when I actually read it... it was actually 9 years old and then I asked the rescue as to why they labeled it wrong.. they got really mad at me and said because nobody would adopt him.. I mean I know its sad but not everyone wants to start out with a way older dog... And I still feel honesty is the best policy?

I like the thought of rescuing but I don't like the thought of not having a 100% accuracy when it comes to age.

[lovestiny]

All of my human children and fur children have been/are extremely affectionate and I am getting another yorkie next month...I suppose it is always a gamble but worth the risk

[FinnTheHuman]

Originally Posted by lovestiny

All of my human children and fur children have been/are extremely affectionate and I am getting another yorkie next month...I suppose it is always a gamble but worth the risk

Well what if it happens that dog wants nothing to do with you? :c

[canana]

Originally Posted by FinnTheHuman

Well what if it happens that dog wants nothing to do with you? :c

It's not possible for anyone to guarantee a type of relationship between you and a dog. But, I do think that any responsible pet owner should continually make an effort to care, love, and train their dog if they decided to bring a dog into their lives, regardless of whether it wants to cuddle or wants nothing to do with you.

I just say this because with so many dogs abandoned, those who are interested in getting a new dog should be accepting and open minded regardless of what the dog's personality becomes and shouldn't be hard set on a certain way. Yes, you can pick a breed, but as others mentioned that within the same breeds, there can still be varying personalities and energy levels.

So 'what happens is', you should be prepared to accept your dog whatever their personality develops into . Basic dog training courses will help you set up the right path to make sure your dog bonds with you.

[FinnTheHuman]

Originally Posted by canana

It's not possible for anyone to guarantee a type of relationship between you and a dog. But, I do think that any responsible pet owner should continually make an effort to care, love, and train their dog if they decided to bring a dog into their lives, regardless of whether it wants to cuddle or wants nothing to do with you.

I just say this because with so many dogs abandoned, those who are interested in getting a new dog should be accepting and open minded regardless of what the dog's personality becomes and shouldn't be hard set on a certain way. Yes, you can pick a breed, but as others mentioned that within the same breeds, there can still be varying personalities and energy levels.

So 'what happens is', you should be prepared to accept your dog whatever their personality develops into . Basic dog training courses will help you set up the right path to make sure your dog bonds with you.

Oh okay, so you're saying that a dog could be trained into bonding with you? (what I mean is that training will make the bonding more possible?) I know what you mean. I'd never want to get rid of a dog just because it doesnt bond with me. It just means Ill be somewhat disappointed.

[Yorkie 5]

Dont over analogize this.
A puppy is a wonderful thing. The bonding and falling in love is like no other.
Your puppy will love you if you take care of it, love it, feed it, play, spoil, teach it , set boundaries and so on. You will also find that the love you have for a Yorkie can be as strong as one would have for there own child. Just like a child you love them unconditionally. You will find your heart melts and you love them for who they are and what you make of them. Sounds like you have plenty of time and love to devote to a fur baby of your own and are financially able to purchase and care for one. Don't be scared of the Yorkie. Follow your heart because a Yorkie will steal yours if you get one.
I have 4 and they are all different, and I love them ALL and they ALL love me. They are a true blessing.
:-)

[FinnTheHuman]

Originally Posted by Yorkie 5

Dont over analogize this.
A puppy is a wonderful thing. The bonding and falling in love is like no other.
Your puppy will love you if you take care of it, love it, feed it, play, spoil, teach it , set boundaries and so on. You will also find that the love you have for a Yorkie can be as strong as one would have for there own child. Just like a child you love them unconditionally. You will find your heart melts and you love them for who they are and what you make of them. Sounds like you have plenty of time and love to devote to a fur baby of your own and are financially able to purchase and care for one. Don't be scared of the Yorkie. Follow your heart because a Yorkie will steal yours if you get one.
I have 4 and they are all different, and I love them ALL and they ALL love me. They are a true blessing.
:-)

Nice, thanks.

[yorkiefan_]

When getting a puppy, I think the most important thing is to always pick the breeder, not the dog, first. That way you can get someone who knows what she is doing in breeding the pups. You get to know about the parents. The breeder will know her pups personalities and may be able to give a decent guess as to which pups from her litters might fit your lifestyle. Search for someone with a strong health guarantee and lots of good references. Someone you can be confident you're likely to get a healthy puppy from. Someone who won't keep breeding dogs with genetic defects. You wouldn't believe how many people come here and tell horror stories about buying dogs through bad breeders who breed pups with debilitating handicaps like AAI or liver shunts, because the breeder either doesn't test the parents or just doesn't care and wants that quick dollar.

If you don't pick your breeder first you'll probably just fall in love with the first or second yorkie you see. I know I would have, which is why I'm grateful to this site for teaching me to find my breeder first.

[FinnTheHuman]

Originally Posted by yorkiefan_

I think the most important thing is to always pick the breeder first. That way you can get someone who knows what she is doing in breeding the pups. You get to know about the parents. The breeder will know her pups personalities and may be able to give a decent guess as to which pups from her litters might fit your lifestyle. Search for someone with a strong health guarantee and lots of good references. Someone you can be confident you're likely to get a healthy puppy from. Someone who won't keep breeding dogs with genetic defects. You wouldn't believe how many people come here and tell horror stories about buying dogs through bad breeders who breed pups with debilitating handicaps like AAI or liver shunts, because the breeder either doesn't test the parents or just doesn't care and wants that quick dollar.

If you don't pick your breeder first you'll probably just fall in love with the first or second yorkie you see. I know I would have, which is why I'm grateful to this site for teaching me to find my breeder first.

I know what you mean. But I tend to be logical about things, I hate jumping the gun. Sadly there are no good breeders around here from what I have seen... I contacted the ones near me and they all seem to just want to make a quick buck. :/ And I don't want to travel over 3-4 hours tops(I get antsy in a car for more than that)

[yorkiefan_]

And you'll want a breeder who is going to grill you a bit. E.g., do you have a good vet you go to and can afford to when something goes wrong? Is everyone in your house going to love your pup and treat him/her well? Are you willing to sign a contract saying you will get your dog spayed or neutered, and not breed them? Are you willing to dedicate the time it takes to give your dog a happy life? E.g., you come home and see them most days after work instead of going out to the bar every night? Are you going to buy good quality food and not garbage like Kibbles and Bits? Are you willing to puppy proof your house and yard? Because a good breeder isn't about that quick dollar, they want a happy and healthy life for these puppies they have poured their heart and soul into raising.

[FinnTheHuman]

Originally Posted by yorkiefan_

And you'll want a breeder who is going to grill you a bit. E.g., do you have a good vet you go to and can afford to when something goes wrong? Is everyone in your house going to love your pup and treat him/her well? Are you willing to sign a contract saying you will get your dog spayed or neutered, and not breed them? Are you willing to dedicate the time it takes to give your dog a happy life? E.g., you come home and see them most days after work instead of going out to the bar every night? Are you going to buy good quality food and not garbage like Kibbles and Bits? Are you willing to puppy proof your house and yard? Because a good breeder isn't about that quick dollar, they want a happy and healthy life for these puppies they have poured their heart and soul into raising.

Kibbles and bits? I actually like to feed my mothers dog a high quality kibble diet. We're not able to get a raw diet and I don't like the idea of it to be honest.. SOO I rather stick to a high quality kibble... That being said I know of a breeder(of chihuahuas) who demanded that you buy her home made food... and not use anything else... Yeah she didn't have any customers at all I would think. I mean I understand raw diets and everything but I don't think it's feasible for everyone.

That being said, even if everyone in the house doesn't agree on a dog... the only ones that need to agree are the owners of the house, not their offsprings.. For example my sibling does not like small dogs.. but that does not mean they will do anything mean to the dog.. That just means they wont interact with it. What I am trying to say is, it really varies.

For example what if you're a parent and had kids and the kid wanted a different pet than a dog but you wanted a pet for yourself. Now you get questioned if everyone in the house agrees.. But why? The kid wont do anything to the dog... They just want something else, and it's not even up to them to decide since they're not going to be the ones to take care of it.