The trends like this one-and the small dog/yorkie trend also put our pets in danger of being petnapped because they are so popular!

I had a Chihuahua from my pre-teen years all the way up through graduating college, and the Taco Bell dog commercials were on I think in my early teens. Anyway, our vet told us NEVER to leave her alone outside-loose in the yard, tied up or even on our screened in porch-because many Chi's were getting stolen due to their popularity.

I find that many people will approach us when we're out with Emma, and I've heard several people say, "Oh, I'M getting a dog like that", and they seem pretty serious about it. Then they ask lots of questions about where I got her and how much they cost, etc., (I never tell, I claim she was a gift from my husband!) I get really uncomfortable and don't want them near my dog anymore! I worry that when people know/find out how much they cost, that they might try to steal Emma! I know it's a paranoid thing, but toy dogs are so trendy right now, and many people can't afford (financially and with the amount of time and attention Yorkies need) Yorkies, or any other dog for that matter. I think so much of the time people want them for the TREND and don't realize the amount of time, money, and attention they really need-It's so sad!

I never went with the dog trend either. I just love yorkies because they are so cute and just fell in love. Before I even had a dog, in 4th grade we had a hw assignment to write about something we wanted and I wrote I wanted either a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or a Yorkshire Terrier. Those are the only 2 dogs that appealed to me and that I wanted the most. Well I got my King Charles in 5th grade and I loved him. He's gone now but I have my first yorkie Teddy and he's my love. :) I was also in the dalmation wanting phase but I didn't want one THAT badly.

The poor lab - so many in shelters ---

What I have read several times is --- that the lab has the "longest puppyhood" of all dogs. There are often rough, tough, and playful until they are nearly three years old. For this reason, about the time they get to be two years old ---people have often just had it and can't deal with it any more.

But - if they only knew that if they kept working with that "grown up little pup" for only another year - they would have that wonderfully behaved, settled down dog that they always wanted.

***** The pounds say that it is usually the two-year old labs that are brought in by exhausted owners.

*** I know all about this - I had a lab...... and, we couldn't keep him. We lived on a golf course - and I'm sure we would have had to move if we hadn't been able to rehome that dog. Luckily a doctor's son knew our lab and wanted him. Years later I know he and our lab were still going hunting and a great time.


Carol Jean

PS: I don't think it's sad that whichever dogs are popular keeps changing. I think this is a good thing. Particularly - because I love all dogs - all breeds!

Lecture Series on Tour
 

Well I personally grew-up with a German Shepard and a mutt, I have had a Labrador Retreiver, PitBull, Rottweiler, even 2 St. Bernards and 2 huge Newfoundlands. My Lab was the most vicious, my Pit was the sweetest, my Rottweiler was the most stubborn and the rest weren't too bright or quick to learn. All 4 of my Yorkies learn fast, most of the time I speak through a series of noises and quick commands. Everytime I'm out walking and especially when I'm @ Petsmart and the Vets. Office (Where I meet the most un-educated people) I always feel like I'm giving a Lecture Series on Yorkies, everyone wants one, but the complain about the prices, their too small, their too high maintenance, they bark too much, they bite, not good w/children etc.
I've always had a dog, sometimes I've even had up to 3 different kinds, but now w/4 Yorkies I can honestly say they are the Best Breed I have come accross. I have never picked a Breed b/c of their Public Popularity, in fact I chose Yorkies b/c they were so rare to see (3 yrs. ago) but now I see more around maybe b/c the prices are coming down and over Breeding, IMO too many people are Breeding and producing a lower standard of Yorkies.
I wish more of the General Public would do their Research and not pick a Yorkie just b/c they're cute & small, those are the ones that end-up giving them away and getting rid of them some how? I hate any kind of cruelty to Animals!:aimeeyork
I refuse to sell my Babies to anyone asking for a "Teacup" or that wants one to only grow to 2 lbs. that's sick to me or one that can't walk so they can keep it in their purse. Or they don't want to feed it b/c they're scared it will get bigger or anyone that is too eager to purchase one for Breeding just for profit. They are like Family to me!
Pugs seem to be the rage in my Town, but in my immediate Neighborhood, there is; 1 Yorkie across the street, 2 - 2 blocks away and my Breeder w/3 -5 blocks away and me w/4, no one knows my name but they call me the "Yorkie Lady" translated that means the crazy one.
I guess I just have an obsessive/addictive personality over Yorkies anyway. I have seen Yorkies become very poplular over the past 3 yrs. and honestly I hope the hype dies down for the sake of the Breed, I don't want to see them as common as Labs. But I am also releived b/c I know Yorkies are a special/impressive Breed but I also know it takes a special person to keep a Yorkie and especially more than one. Most experienced Yorkie Owners are a very Unique type of person that only wants the Best, that only gives them the very best! Even if they are not spoiled financially w/material objects
I know for a fact they are spoiled rotten affectionately!
It's sad that a Movie could be released featuring a particular Breed, and that
Breed becomes the Popular one? I got a Yorkie b/c no one else had one.
Many Years ago I was a "Competitive Bodybuilder", I competed for 8 yrs.
I did it b/c besides the obvious Health Benefits but mainly b/c I was an oddity
I was unique.....I quite b/c of the Mandatory Steroid abuse (I didn't want to look like a man). It may be trendy to have a Yorkie, I know I had a Friend w/ a 5 yr. old Female that was never House broken, she was miserable b/c she was sooooo high maintenance she finally gave her to her sister and got a mutt from the Rescue/Shelter. Eventually the Amatuers give up and only the true die hards continue on in other words your either are a true Yorkie Lover or not. To get one just b/c it's Popular or simply b/c you can afford one and it's Fashionable or trendy only to find out in the end that they are more high maintenance than they bargained for. Every one complains about the prices but dogs are a Luxury not a necessity, the Vet. bills, their food, their clothing etc. all cost money. It's sad to see them abandoned later b/c they grew too big to fit in their purse, "Oh no it grew to be a whopping 7 lbs.", not the 2 lbs. as promised by the Breeder. I've heard it all. As much as I love this Breed and all of my Babies, I do realize that this is not the Breed for everyone.
My BF. is used to Boxers, but all 4 of them are a challenge for him (they usually out smart him). He gets frustrated very easily, it probably doesn't help that he is not the Pack Leader! Enough Preaching I think this was my longest Post?

all i know is when my husband stated we could have a dog, i always liked small dogs (don't want to clean up the big messes a big dog leaves). my husband is allergic to dogs and cats so i researched for a year about dogs that has hair and not fur. i fell in love w the yorkie-poo. i sent him a picture while he was traveling and he fell in love too. so i got muffie. the love of his life. i never knew the yorkie was popular until i got kirby. my passion was to get a dog my husband could handle not for its popularity.