Is a Yorkie right for us?

[Carey & Audrey]

Greetings all! Our 9 year old daughter would like to get a Yorkie. She is an active, extremely intelligent girl! My wife and I manage a large apartment complex, and we live above the office. We have plenty of room, and the flexibility to be able to take the little one out several times a day. Some of our questions are: Will Yorkies tolerate, and bond with children, do they like to sleep in bed, are they easily housebroken? We would also welcome any pro's or con's that anyone may have that we have not thought of.

Thanks for your help!
Carey and Audrey

[Kate]

I cannot answer the part about housebreaking, as I got my Yorkie when she was 3.

Sadie loves to sleep at the foot of my bed, and yes, she loves children. In fact, when she sees/hears children outside playing, she will run over to them if she is not on a leash, and she wags her tail a mile a minute.

If you get a Yorkie, it will be the only dog you ever want.

Good luck.

Kate

QUOTE=Carey & Audrey]Greetings all! Our 9 year old daughter would like to get a Yorkie. She is an active, extremely intelligent girl! My wife and I manage a large apartment complex, and we live above the office. We have plenty of room, and the flexibility to be able to take the little one out several times a day. Some of our questions are: Will Yorkies tolerate, and bond with children, do they like to sleep in bed, are they easily housebroken? We would also welcome any pro's or con's that anyone may have that we have not thought of.

Thanks for your help!
Carey and Audrey[/QUOTE]

[Mya's_Mom]

Hi, Welcome to YorkieTalk.
I think your daughter is old enough for a yorkie.
I was worried about the neighbourhood kids hurting my yorkie Mya because her bones are so small ( she is now 3lbs )but the kids have been very good with her.
I do put Mya on the bed with me but not when we are sleeping because I fear we will toss and turn in our sleep and hurt her. Just flipping a blanket could send her airborne *grin* If you are getting a puppy you just have to remember that is like having a baby in the house. No sleeping in on days off, constantly having to know where the puppy is and what it is up to and sticking to schedule. Mya goes on pee pads and outside but sometimes misses the pads by a few inches. She is very frisky and still wants to play even after long walks. She is 13 weeks old. Your daughter will just have to remember to put her things way and not leave ANY thing on the floor that she does not want the puppy to get. It seems like we are re-puppy proofing our home every week ...haha. Today Mya brought me a pen, a grocery receipt and dragged a running shoe about the size of herself down the hall. Mya also has found her voice but only barks at our other dog and the cat when they will not play with her.
I think Mya does not have a barking problem because she is not a nervous dog and is not afraid of anything because I take her out a lot.
GOOD LUCK finding a puppy for your daughter. Make sure you have a vet check agreement with the seller.

[Lady of Yorkies]

By all means get a Yorkie! But I am assuming that not only will your daughter dress up her Yorkie but want to play/run with him/her also. You might want to get one who is going to be larger for your first Yorkie. The little ones are soo cute but not much of an armful if you want to hug. I have a 9# male and a 3# male. I tend to be very careful handling the 3# pup because his size makes me think he is very fragile. If you watch him play you know he's not but just the same it's how I feel. When I hold my big baby I know I'm holding something and really, he's not big, just big compared to the 3# pup.

I guess I answered the question of if the dog would bond or tolerate your daughter. LOL Do keep in mind that just like people dogs have different temperments. Do some research on temperments so you can pick out the best for your family and lifestyle. Then talk to the breeder of the pups, she/he will know the temperments of her pups best. For instance, one line of thot says don't pick out the one that runs to you because it will be very active. Another says that one who avoids you will be terribly shy and hide all the time. I can't remember what it said about the personality in between but there was some negative aspects there too. Sylvia

[mymason]

Originally Posted by Mya's_Mom

No sleeping in on days off, constantly having to know where the puppy is and what it is up to and sticking to schedule. Mya goes on pee pads and outside but sometimes misses the pads by a few inches. She is very frisky and still wants to play even after long walks.

I agree with Mya's Mom, the one thing I have not been able to do since I got Mason is sleep in!! Whether it's a weekend or I'm sick in bed, Mason wants to get up at 6am and ready to play. Oh the good ol' days!!

Another thing I have had to adjust to is that Yorkies are a particular breed that LOVES constant interaction and affection. Everywhere I go, Mason is with me by my feet - I no longer have any privacy or "alone time". When I'm with my boyfriend and just want to cuddle with him on the couch, Mason always want to get between us. When I run to the bathroom Mason is outside the door and cries for me. When I want to eat my dinner in peace, Mason jumps on my lap with his toy and barks at me to play him (he has knocked over plates, thrown toys in my food, etc.). These are all the things your daughter would have to be prepared for. Her little baby will look to her for constant attention.

Even though your daughter is old enough to be responsible, I would encourage you to get a larger yorkie as well. I have heard many many horror stories about dogs getting stepped on or run over because they are so small. Mason is 7lbs - he is small enough for me to carry him around and big enough for me to feel comfortable playing aggressive/rough with him.

OH and yes, yorkies can be great with kids! But as with any other breeds, it depends on their personalities. Mason absolutely LOOOOOOVES kids even when the kids are not too fond of him (for reasons I cannot understand ) Mason loves people and dogs of all ages, shapes and sizes

Good luck with your puppy search. Yorkies are loyal, loving, affectionate, spunky little creatures.

[Sydney'sMom]

Yorkies are the sweetes dogs in the world...but you are smart in making sure that you know all of the pros and cons before deciding to buy. I wish that more prospective buyers did their research.

Yorkies (as a rule) ARE NOT easy to potty train. My baby is 6 months...and is still no where near trained. A lot of people on here have 1-year-olds who still have occasional accidents. So if you are expecting a dog that will stop having accidents within a week or two...a yorkie is not it.

Also yorkies are very clingy. Mom and Dad...since your daughter is still somewhat young, I imagine that the yorkie will bond with you more since you will probably be the primary care-takers. So expect your dog to want to be touching you at all times. For example I now do things such as balance my checkbook, pay my bills, and paint my fingernails on my lunchbreak at work because when I am home and sitting down...Sydney is on my lap. She even jumps onto my lap when I am on the toilet (if I don't lock her out of the bathroom)

I just listed the only two cons that I have experienced in yorkie ownership. However the pros are too numerous to name. Good luck with your decision and please share pictures of your puppy if/when you get one.

[Hickey007]

Well I think we all would be very proud of you for doing your research first. I wanted a yorkie, mainly for the reason that a lot of people who haven't been around yorkies want a yorkie they are pretty. So much more comes with the looks though. Yesterday all day Reagan was being so sweet. I was lying down watching TV and seh kept coming up giving me hugs and lying on top of me. They are also full of spunk. Think about the playfulness of a kitten and you have a yorkie. They pounce around, bat at things, heck mine even gets onto the widowsill and watches outside. They are great dogs.

Now the flip side. I know you are smart, you are doing research first. However if you get a yorkie, or any dog, understand that your 9 old will not be taking care of it. Like I said you are smart and I'm sure you know this but I've seen too many people get a dog for their children and then when the children don't play with it its just thrown to the side. So you and your spouse will be taking care of the dog, the walks, the baths, the feeding, the everything else. Just be prepared for this, then if your daughter does everything it will be that much easier on you.

One thing that I don't think has been mentioned is the grooming. Look into the cost, if you are going to have someone else do this, or the time, if you are going to do it, of grooming this breed. They tend to mat up easily and you really need to brush them everyday. Which I don't think is too much of a chore once your pup is used to it. When you are watching TV and the dog is in your lap, brush her.

Just make sure you do your research on a good breeder. You want a healthy dog. Having to deal with illnesses and things is a lot of work, not only physically but also emotionally.

One last thing is really even inside the same breed different dogs have different temperments and different energy levels, so you pretty much have to be ready for anything, no matter what dog you get. I know Reagan really isn't that active but some people on here say their dogs don't stop from the time they get up to the time they go to sleep.

My gut feeling is that you'll do fine, just keep with YorkieTalk it has been a lot of help for me and many others.

[Sydney'sMom]

Excellent point, Hickey! I forgot all about grooming. LOL...I guess that it is just such a part of my day now that I don't even give it a second thought.

My daily grooming routine takes about 10 minutes and consists of wiping her eyes with eyewash, combing the eye goopies away with an eyelash comb, combing out her wiskers/chin, brushing the rest of her body, and lastly brushing her teeth. And don't forget that once a week your doggie will need a bath.

I also have to say that I spend more $ on Syd than on any other breed of dog I've ever had. She needs leave in conditioner and Missing Link to keep her skin and coat from getting dry, eye wash to keep the eye goopies away, toothpaste b/c yorkies are prone to tooth decay, pee-pads b/c she won't learn to potty outside, barretts to keep the hair out of her eyes, a special harness so that she doesn't collapse her trachea when we go for a walk, plus sweaters and coats so that she doesn't freeze in the winter.

But once again...I wouldn't trade her for the world!

[bionicgirl]

I agree with what everybody says about Yorkies.

My Yorkie, Zack is 12 weeks old. He requires alot of attention...all he wants to do is play, play, play. (oh and pee, pee, pee!) My life has changed so much since I got him a month ago. It's like I have an infant who requires constant attention, but one that pees, runs around like a madman, and bites everything in sight.

But there are times that he is the most affectionate and loving puppy on the planet. I can't imagine my life without him.

Here he is during one of his rare quiet times (at 8 mos): (you can click on the image to get a bigger size)

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y19...l/th_Zack3.jpg

[chewysmom]

I am a new yorkie owner as well. I have had Chewy for 3 weeks and he needs a lot of care and attention. For the first 2 weeks I was getting up in the middle of the night to take him to pee. He sleeps through now and does well with the pee pad but he still has accidents. The grooming does take time. You have to brush them out every day or you could soon find yourself in a lot of trouble with matting. They are picky eaters and we sometimes have to hand feed him to make sure he doesn't get skinny. Our yorkie is very small, under 2# and he has been stepped on 3 times and it was very scary - oh that little sound - it was breaking my heart. I have a 6 year old son and they have bonded wonderfully. They play together every day and my son has the responsibility of filling his food bowl and giving him fresh water when he gets home from school. I recently got my yorkie after losing my beloved pug last December and I was scared that I wouldn't love him as much, but he has won me over and made me so happy and I know he will be a joy for years to come. If you choose this breed you will find yourself a friend for life.
Good Luck

[Rem&Silkmom]

My daughter was 10 when we got Remmy. I got him for her...he was her Christmas present. Well I will say that my yorkies tend to bond with one person and even though she did alot with him...took him out to potty, feed him. He still became my dog...to tell you the truth I think I stole him away from her. When he was little he slept in a crate but now that he is potty trained he sleeps with her everynight. But I can tell in his mind my daughter is a sibling not an alpha in the pack world. She has not authority over him. He only listens to me and my husband. As for potty training...I don't think potty training any dog is easy. Alot of patience and understanding and don't expect to much to fast. These little guys take quite a while to be able to hold thier bladders. Remmy was a year old before he was trusted to be out of his kennel for short periods of time unattended.

Chris

[whispersmom2]

[COLOR=Blue]Glad you are doing your homework BEFORE spending the money and time and emotions of getting a Yorkie. A family pet should be at least 5 1/2-7 lbs. I like males as pets-but that is a PERSONAL choice. Both sexes are gonna be hard to house-train. They can be yappers; they can be finnicky eaters; they can be chewers; they can be obstinate..When I look at this list I think "Why in the world would anyone want a Yorkie?" That would include me-I have 7. The reason I point these things out is to let you know up front what you MIGHT be getting yourself into. But, I can tell you what you WILL be getting yourself in to-the love of your life will become your Yorkie; your life will never be the same; you will never want a different breed. I LOVE THESE LITTLE DICKENS!!
If you have not done your homework on the genetics and health problems they are prone to-you must do that. They are expensive to buy and even more so when you consider the vet visits-dental extractions and altering at 6 months or so, vet visits for dental cleaning once a year(that means anesthesia). Grooming is expensive and some do that themselves. And, I agree-your 9 year old daughter is not gonna be the primary care giver so make sure you understand that parents do that. At around age 16, your daughter is gonna get driver's license and your Yorkie will become even more your responsibilities.
I breed, and tell perspective buyers all this and more-much more. So, keep us up-dated about your progress and pics when you get a puppy.
P.S. NEVER GO INTO A PET STORE THAT SELLS PUPPIES. DO NOT BUY IN AREAS WHERE THERE ARE A LOT OF PUPPY MILLS.. All on this forum can tell you where they are, so just ask..[/COLOR]

[lyricandme]

I think a Yorkie would be great for you! My daughter is 12 and has bonded very quickly with our Yorkie. He sits at the door and waits for her (literally) when it is time for her to come home! And then, he acts like he hasn't seen her in years! He won't leave her side for at least 30 minutes! It is so cute! Be prepared for difficulty in house breaking! This is the only trouble we have had with Rocky! He understands "go potty outside", he just doesn't understand why he can't go potty inside, too. Glad to see you are doing research! Good luck!