Yorkies and Children

[blondflava]

There is always a risk when there are small kids and small pets involved, not necessarily Yorkies but other fragile breeds or even pets like hamsters or guinea pigs - I had my guinea pig dropped by a 2-year daughter of a family friend when I was a teenager myself, the poor little guy didn't survive the fall. I think it's all up to the parents and how the little kids are being brought up. I would personally never leave a small animal unattended with kids and they need to be taught the right way of handling them. But, as a Yorkie mom and a newlywed, I plan on having kids sometime in the future. So far, I make sure Pepper has enough exposure to kids all ages BUT I am always there to supervise.

[HarleyKincaid]

We have a daughter that is 3 and a half (4 in July) and a son that is 2 (TURNED 2 TODAY....CAN'T BELIEVE IT!) Anyway, they are both good with our dogs. They have had to learn what gentle is. In fact, my youngest will pet our Maltese/Bichon mix puppie and will actually say "gentle" as he is petting Bailey. We had Harley (our Yorkie) before our children and so they are used to him and vice versa. We also have cats and have had them since they were 10 weeks old. Our children have always been great with them, too! I think that it depends on the child and how they are raised to treat animals. We tell our children that animals do not understand and that we HAVE to be gentle with them because they do not have words like we do so their way of talking to us if we hurt them could be to bite.

I really think each situation is different, just like every child is different.

Tammy

[Yorkieluv]

We had a maltese and a yorkie when I was a young child and it was the best experience ever They were the babies of the family! I cannot imagine having grown up without them...It would not have been the same. The yorkie was 3.5-4lbs and the maltese was probably 8lbs. I think it all has to do with the individual family. A child who grows up with a small dog learns from a very young age how the dog is to be treated. I know some people have kids and forget about their dogs, but I think those people might not be as dedicated to their dogs as most of us here are. My husband and I are a young couple and we have an almost 3 yr old yorkie who has had health problems from the time that we got him at 12 weeks. We have spent lots of money on emergency vet bills, surgeries, and all kinds of spoiling, and he will ALWAYS be a priority in our family regardless of if/when we decide to have children. He gets medicine every single day, and we have to take special care of him. Just a couple of weeks ago, we made another addition to our famliy, and got an 8 month old maltese girl. She is like our baby too. Our dogs will always remain top priorities. I don't see why having a child would change the way you treat your dog. I really feel like they are my children, and I certainly wouldn't stop caring for a human child once another human child came along, you know? I'm glad that you assess each situation individually because I think any child that comes into this world can be taught to treat a dog properly.

[Brooklynn]

Again, this is my practice and I do assess each family or individual. We had a dog when my daughter was growing up but didn't take our dog everywhere we went and with her doing all that she did I'm glad we didn't have but one dog at the time because we couldn't devote all the time that requires with owning a dog. Of course back then I didn't show dogs or raise them just had a sweet pet and miss him dearly but now that my daughter is grown I have the yorkies and love it! I couldn't have done what I'm doing now and raise a child with all she did in school and all the activities. Wouldn't have been fair to the dogs....JMHO

Donna Bird
Brooklynn's Yorkshire Terriers

[ellie81]

I understand why some breeders would not sell their yorkies to newlywed couples and it's their choice. I think it is best to get one when a family already has older children. Of course, that's the "best" scenario, but does not always happen and does not mean that a yorkie will not be loved and care appropiately along with small kids. It is also best when a skin baby is born in a established family, but that doesn't happen all the time either, and it doesn't mean that that baby will not be loved and cared by a single parent. It depends on the maturity and level of responsibility of the parents and dog owners.
I'm glad my breeder sold me my yorkie, otherwise I would have had to wait... what? more than 10 years????? Some of us would wait that long, right???
I've been married for 2 years and I got my yorkie about 9 months ago. I'm planning on having kids in about a year or so. I know I'm going to have to be careful and teach the baby how to behave around the dog. Also, I know it's going to be important to keep giving my yorkie the attention he deserves so he doesn't get jelous of the baby. I know everything is going to be ok, it requires more work and responsiblity than the "best" scenario, but I rather do that than wait 10 years!

[Mardelin]

Every breeder has their own set of rules. Mine like Donna's are a bit more stringent. However, we both breed for ourselves in a quest to find that next Champion to add to our breeding programs. Unforunately we can't keep and show them all. I know Donna pretty well and both of us don't plan a breeding unless we have preapproved homes ready for those puppies we can't keep.

[KitteN]

I think a lot of this talk is for shelters to protect their butts if something ever happen. With a yorkie being so small there a larger chance of an accident happening. A larger dog can take more then maybe a small yorkie but still. Some shelters make me feel like its not fair. If the dog doesnt like children then thats fine but just because its small shouldnt mean that families with small children shouldnt be able to adopt. Kinda having this issue right now. I'd rather have a small dog. I tried a medium size dog and it would jump all over my daughter and knock her down. She'll be 4 August 1st. I had my yorkie from 98- up till she went missing in oct 2006. Never a problem. They played together she loved her snickers. Smaller dogs little children can help walk. We were worried when we bought my daughter home from the hospital but I guess I raised my yorkie well. She kinda freaked out at first with the new smells but we let her see the baby and still be important to us. My yorkie used to sleep with us. I don't believe small children and yorkies are bad for each other. Just need to raise your kids and your dog up to be good. Sometimes taking it slow and giving the dog some time helps. I had the best of both worlds.. I have my wonderful daughter and I had my perfect yorkie. Because of my experience with my yorkie I won't go with another breed. It was such a good experience..

[Brooklynn]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

Every breeder has their own set of rules. Mine like Donna's are a bit more stringent. However, we both breed for ourselves in a quest to find that next Champion to add to our breeding programs. Unforunately we can't keep and show them all. I know Donna pretty well and both of us don't plan a breeding unless we have preapproved homes ready for those puppies we can't keep.

Mary is correct! But to add one more thing in my opinion I wouldn't be breeding if I didn't show. I'd prefer to show than breed but I can't go buy every show dog so therefore every breeding is planned and each puppy that is not of show quality goes to a preapproved home and prearranged before a litter is due.

Donna Bird
Brooklynn's Yorkshire Terriers

[Mardelin]

How right you are Donna. I wouldn't breed if it wasn't for showing. Breeding is not my most favorite thing to do. Something about taking those little creatures lives in my hands scares me to death. However, there is the challange of prefecting ones line.

[Brooklynn]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

How right you are Donna. I wouldn't breed if it wasn't for showing. Breeding is not my most favorite thing to do. Something about taking those little creatures lives in my hands scares me to death. However, there is the challange of prefecting ones line.

Challenging as it may be I'd still prefer to show than breed LOL! Breeding should only be done for the betterment of the breed and health and that goes for any breed. Showing and keeping the breed to standard as close as possible is where my passion lies. But I do love puppy breath nothing better

Donna Bird
Brooklynn's Yorkshire Terriers

[Pup-e-Love]

Hello all! I'm new the YT. I found this thread very interesting! I have been married for 10 years and now have 2 young children (5 and 7.5 years old). We have never owned a pet and here is why:

1. When we were first married we were never home.
2. When we started having children I was busy with babies, and always on the go.

Now that my children are getting older they are becoming more independent. I am now a stay-at-home/homeschooling mom and are looking at getting a Yorkie this year. I have been doing tons of research, this is how I found this site (which I am now addicted too! ).

Anyway, I feel if you are not going to have time for a pet wait until you do. If you can be a stay-at-home mom when you have babies and can raise two at a time (fur-baby and skin-baby), then go for it!

This is just my opinion of course.

I love TY and am looking forward to finally getting my Yorkie!

Steph

[Brooklynn]

Originally Posted by Pup-e-Love

Hello all! I'm new the YT. I found this thread very interesting! I have been married for 10 years and now have 2 young children (5 and 7.5 years old). We have never owned a pet and here is why:

1. When we were first married we were never home.
2. When we started having children I was busy with babies, and always on the go.

Now that my children are getting older they are becoming more independent. I am now a stay-at-home/homeschooling mom and are looking at getting a Yorkie this year. I have been doing tons of research, this is how I found this site (which I am now addicted too! ).

Anyway, I feel if you are not going to have time for a pet wait until you do. If you can be a stay-at-home mom when you have babies and can raise two at a time (fur-baby and skin-baby), then go for it!

This is just my opinion of course.

I love TY and am looking forward to finally getting my Yorkie!

Steph

Sounds like you've done your homework and having human babies is hard work and as much as one would like to think raising a baby and animals together it's hard and especially if you have to work on top of that. In "MY" opinion human babies should always come first then when you get to the point of being able to handle a child and an animal then maybe look into getting an animal. But I prefer yorkies and animals to children LOL now that I'm older and raised my daughter. I love my grandbaby with all my heart and soul but she's harder work than my yorkies LOL.
You have the right idea and sounds like you had your priorities in order

Donna Bird
Brooklynn's Yorkshire Terriers

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by Brooklynn

Sounds like you've done your homework and having human babies is hard work and as much as one would like to think raising a baby and animals together it's hard and especially if you have to work on top of that. In "MY" opinion human babies should always come first then when you get to the point of being able to handle a child and an animal then maybe look into getting an animal. But I prefer yorkies and animals to children LOL now that I'm older and raised my daughter. I love my grandbaby with all my heart and soul but she's harder work than my yorkies LOL.
You have the right idea and sounds like you had your priorities in order

Donna Bird
Brooklynn's Yorkshire Terriers

Donna, You are too funny....but, I understand preferring yorkies and animals to children......I have 6 grandchildren and love them with all my heart......but, oh my yorkies. When the grandkids come over it's real easy just to put up the dogs. Now on the other hand those grandkids just don't take to being in an x-pen or an crate

[bornnygurl]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

It has nothing to do with their ability in raising a yorkie. It has to do with their future plans on having a family. I've seen to many yorkies end up in rescue after a young couple begins having children. It's my practice. But, as I stated before I fully assess a family prior to placing a puppy. I'm pretty stringent on my practices. But, as my vet says; it's probably easier finding a cure for cancer than obtaining a puppy from me.

Question: What do you consider as a newly wed couple? Do you give exceptions to couples who can not or do not want to have children?

[chachi]

I think alot depends on the size of yorkie you get also. I have a ten lb and a 6 lb. The ten lb male is better with my daughter. Play is his middle name. He loves nothing better than chasing her out in the yard. When she lays down he lays down beside her and protects her. If we raise our voice to her he will bark at us. Idont think we would get that if we had a tiny yorkie