I Want One!

[krhodes]

I am really interested in buying my daughter a Yorkie, but I am slowly but surely being discouraged. I hear they have so many health problems. You have to get their teeth pulled, which I hear can be very expensive, they have special diets, and that they are really sickly pets. Can someone shed some light on all of this negative information or is it true?

[sylvan]

If you take your time searching and find a reputable breeder with a solid (money-back, not replacement puppy) guarantee, you can eliminate many of the concerns for health. Well bred yorks are not sickly and do not require a special diet. Retained teeth are common, but are easily removed by the vet during a spay/neuter procedure if neccessary. They are not inexpensive, but they are definitely a 'you get what you pay for' breed. You have come to the right place to do research. Welcome to YT!
and a question...how old is your daughter?

[krhodes]

She is six years old but she really loves animals and she is very gentle. But I'll be doing the majority of the caring for the litle Yorie. I have been doing some research and they are some pretty expensive dogs; especially if it is a reputable breeder. I am weighing my options.....I may check into some other small dogs.

[tndefender]

First of all, how old is your daughter? Her age will make a big difference as to the suitability of a Yorkie. In other words, Yorkies as a rule do not do well with younger or rambuctious kids.

Most all purebread dogs have particular health problems, but Yorkies from committed reputable breeders should not be a problem.

As far as having teeth pulled this is not always the case. If the baby teeth don't all come out and crowd the adult teeth its a very simple procedure for the vet to pull them. Many people have this done at this same time they have their dog spayed/neutered since they are already asleep.

The Yorkies I have had the pleasure of knowing were all well cared for and lived to ripe old ages. Our female lived to be 14 before passing away over the holidays. We have been recently blessed with a 12 week old little girl.

As far as special diets, its true that some Yorkies are finicky and particular eaters but I feel this is sometimes exacerbated by their owners. They are very easy to spoil!

Bottom line: your success will be very much a function of your education about the breed and your long term and patient commitment to raising your new addition. I have had both golden retrievers and Yorkies and my impression is that the latter are less forgiving of owner foibles and lapses but when well care for are no less rewarding to raise.

[tndefender]

After posting I just saw your most recent post. 6 years old seems a little young for this breed.

[FirstYorkie]

Some Yorkies are sickly (especially the really tiny ones). Some are expensive to keep. Some require special diets. Some can be quite aggressive. Some don't like children.

Some are absolutely fine in all these respects.

This is what I can tell you about my first Yorkie (though he's definitely not my first dog!). I have never in my life spent so much money on a dog. I have never in my life invested so much of my time in a dog. BUT, I have never ever loved a dog as much as I love Joey! He is my heart dog!!!

[ytsirk27]

Originally Posted by tndefender

After posting I just saw your most recent post. 6 years old seems a little young for this breed.

depends on the dog..just like any dog.....My daugters were 6 and 2 when I got Mason...They are now 3 and 7 and really gentle with him....No complaints.. As long as a parent teaches their child you cannot be mean or mis handle they should be fine!!

[Princessyorkies]

Just do some reasearch on yorkies and you will find all you need to know. Then look for a reputable breeder and by all means check that breeder out.
Yorkies to me are the best and I would not trade them for any other.
Good Luck