Is a yorkie right for my family?

[freckledfawn]

Hello everyone,

I am a stay at home mom to my 2 children. My daughter is 4, and my son is 1 (although we probably won't adopt a puppy for another year or so). We are looking for a small dog to add to our family. My daughter is really wanting a lap dog. She wants a dog that will play with her, but also snuggle with her on the sofa. My concern is that a yorkie will not be enough of a "lap dog" for what she is wanting. The other concern is a yorkie's temperment with small children. The other breed we are considering is a cavalier king charles spaniel, but they are very difficult to find in my area. I would love any input and opinions you guys can give me! Thanks

[Magnus]

I don't really know much about Spaniels but with yorkies, please keep in mind that they're bit of high maintenance. As for temperament... for what you're looking for, I'd like to recommend you look at older dogs no matter the breed. It's hard to tell with puppies what their personalities will be like. With the older ones, you'll know what to expect.

[Maximo]

Welcome to Yorkie Talk. You are awesome for researching breeds to find the right one for your family.

Most Yorkies are not what I would describe as lap dogs. Many are cuddly and love to snuggle, but they also tend to be energetic and require lots of activity, exercise and stimulation. Cuddling and lap sitting usually isn't on command.

Temperament: being terriers, Yorkies can be feisty and strong-willed. Some are great with kids, many are not. Exposure and experience is part of the equation. My Yorkies have not had much exposure to little kids, and they had some bad experiences, so mine are not good around little people.

Yorkies are notoriously difficult to potty train. They can be expensive and labor intensive in terms of grooming and vet bills -- dental cleanings under anesthesia! I didn't know about those. They can run between $300 - $1,500 depending on where you live.

The standard Yorkie weighs up to 7 pounds. My boys are 9 pounds, but still rather fragile. A drop, a fall, or a jump off a high bed could easily result in a broken leg or worse.

With any breed, research the breeder carefully. Yorkies and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are prone to expensive, heartbreaking genetic disorders if bred poorly. I've read that there is a high rate of neurological problems in the Cavalier. Something to look into.

When my brothers and I were kids, I know a Yorkie would not have been right for us. We had a cockapoo who was pretty mellow, and who wasn't a risk for getting underfoot with fast moving kids. We still needed plenty of direction on how to behave and be careful with the dog.

Miniature poodles might be another good breed to look into.

Best wishes in your search.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by Magnus

I don't really know much about Spaniels but with yorkies, please keep in mind that they're bit of high maintenance. As for temperament... for what you're looking for, I'd like to recommend you look at older dogs no matter the breed. It's hard to tell with puppies what their personalities will be like. With the older ones, you'll know what to expect.

Our first dog was closer to 2 years old when we got her. All of the challenging puppy training out of the way, and my parents were able to gauge her temperament.

[freckledfawn]

Thanks everyone! I like the idea of an adult so that much of the training has been set in place, but I wonder if it would be better for one to be raised around my kids? We currently have a 10 year old border collie, so my kids are familiar with being "easy", but that is also a massive size difference in the two breeds. Grooming is not an issue, as my mother-in-law owns her own grooming business. Overall, I am just not sure a yorkie would be a good fit for us, but you guys have given me a lot to think about!

[Yorkiemom1]

I do not believe Yorkies make great pets for young children....I will not sell my puppies to families with children under 8 years old....rarely, there will be a 6 year old that has been raised around dogs and understand how to handle and how NOT to handle small dogs....a child younger than that is still developing balance and personality, and they just do not SAFELY mix well with ANY small dog, in MY opinion. There are so many medium sized dogs that work so well with children...Beagles especially, cocker spaniels, poodles, my cousin has a border collie that ADORES herding her young son all around the back yard, I have a cousin with a Jack Russel that I just adore....that dog is soooooo much fun! I highly recommend beagles and cocker spaniels for families with younger children....that is just what I have seen works really well with families with small children, over the years.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by freckledfawn

Thanks everyone! I like the idea of an adult so that much of the training has been set in place, but I wonder if it would be better for one to be raised around my kids? We currently have a 10 year old border collie, so my kids are familiar with being "easy", but that is also a massive size difference in the two breeds. Grooming is not an issue, as my mother-in-law owns her own grooming business. Overall, I am just not sure a yorkie would be a good fit for us, but you guys have given me a lot to think about!

I agree, there are pros and cons. Bonding at a later age isn't a problem, but figuring out if the dog is good with kids would be tricky. Same would hold true with a puppy. Some are going to more predisposed to accept fast moving kids.

Border collies are awesome. We have a border collie neighbor, Buddy, who is Mr. Relaxed. He is the only big dog my Yorkies love.

You are very lucky to have a MIL professional groomer!

[Shicks]

I totally agree with Yorkiemom's & Max. You never know what a Yorkie will do.
They are such sweet precious babie with a mind of their own. My breeder will not sell a puppy to families with children under 12.
Keep on researching read all you can on small breeds. Poodles are dandy!

[gemy]

Some very very old advice from a vet of 50 yrs or so - the smaller the child the more sturdy robust and large the dog should be.

I don't personally know your border collie(obviously) but as a breed they tend to be prey driven. I would not be looking at a Yorkie in your situation - maybe later on when your kids are older and your border has gone to the rainbow bridge.

Cuddly lap type dogs - umm well my large breed wants to be one but LOL they are way too large for that. Cockers I like - Havanese a toy breed that is much more sturdy - perhaps a Pug - French Bulldog. Investigate those breeds if you like. Now while an Irish Setter is med to large dog they do tend to be very affectionate and cuddly and will easily support the weight of a toddler falling on them.

But if you do add another dog it should be because you are ready willing n able to do all the caring and financial responsibility for the dog.

[aweitzm1]

My dogs are more of a lap dog. I think it is because they like to be near me and cuddle all the time. That being said they also love going outside for walks. They don't like to run around my apartment and are pretty mellow. I got them when they were older so it may be because they are no longer puppies. I have seen some Yorkies as more energetic and others as more laid back. It really depends on their personality.

[lovestiny]

Love my yorkies. One is a mush around babies, other Can be nervous. I would recommend a Lhasa apso or Shih tzu

[lovestiny]

and just my other two cents, all four of my dogs (two maltese and now two yorkies) have been lap dogs but also love to play. When I was buying my first yorkie, I was choosing from two dogs that seemed same tempearament and personality. My cousin bought her sister. My dog loves to lay around and cuddle forever, my cousin's dog does not. BUT my family and I are huge cuddlers, so I do think lifestyle and how you raise them can impact how they turn out. We love to play fetch and walk our yorkies but they both are also cuddly lap dogs.

[freckledfawn]

Originally Posted by lovestiny

and just my other two cents, all four of my dogs (two maltese and now two yorkies) have been lap dogs but also love to play. When I was buying my first yorkie, I was choosing from two dogs that seemed same tempearament and personality. My cousin bought her sister. My dog loves to lay around and cuddle forever, my cousin's dog does not. BUT my family and I are huge cuddlers, so I do think lifestyle and how you raise them can impact how they turn out. We love to play fetch and walk our yorkies but they both are also cuddly lap dogs.

I think you make a good point! When I say lap dog, I simply mean a dog that wants to and will lay on the sofa with our family at the end of the day and lay in bed with us, but we would still love to have a dog that will run around and play with the kids.

Right now my kids are accustomed to our border collie who will play endless games of fetch (even my 1 year old will play fetch with her). She is an incredible dog, truly one of a kind, but is quite laid back for a border collie. We are still not sure if we want to add another dog before or after she is gone

One of my biggest concerns is what all of you have already pointed out, the size of the yorkie with my youngest, my son. However, I am quite sure that a small dog is what is right for our family, and not a larger one. I honestly do not believe a larger dog will fit into our lifestyle. That being said, we may be better suited for a cavalier king charles spaniel or french bulldog.

Thanks again everyone!

[Rachael1983]

I agree that a cocker spaniel or even the cavalier king charles spaniel would be an option for you. Bichon Frise's are also great options.

[gemy]

Originally Posted by freckledfawn

I think you make a good point! When I say lap dog, I simply mean a dog that wants to and will lay on the sofa with our family at the end of the day and lay in bed with us, but we would still love to have a dog that will run around and play with the kids.

Right now my kids are accustomed to our border collie who will play endless games of fetch (even my 1 year old will play fetch with her). She is an incredible dog, truly one of a kind, but is quite laid back for a border collie. We are still not sure if we want to add another dog before or after she is gone

One of my biggest concerns is what all of you have already pointed out, the size of the yorkie with my youngest, my son. However, I am quite sure that a small dog is what is right for our family, and not a larger one. I honestly do not believe a larger dog will fit into our lifestyle. That being said, we may be better suited for a cavalier king charles spaniel or french bulldog.

Thanks again everyone!

I am sorry to have reminded you on the limited life span of all dogs. I can literally hear the love in your voice for her. You know your family best. And if small is the way to go then small it is.