Just Curious..Any breeders who wont sell to family with small children?
 

I am just curious if they are any breeders who will not sell one of your dogs to a person with small children? I had a breeder who would not sell to me because I have a 5 year old and an 11 month old. I have experience in dogs, even small dogs. My children have always been around dogs. I am under the opinion that they are your babies so you can decide who they go to so I was not offended. I am glad she wouldnt sell to me because I wouldnt have gotten my GiGi! :icon5:

i have heard most small dog breeders wont sell to people with small children
its to much of a risk

When I was shoppping around for my yorkie, many of the breeders that I've met refused to sell me their pups because I HAD a 2-year-old son. After months of looking, I found a breeder who was willing to sell me her pup because her pups are always around her children. I'm guessing everyone has different opinion on things and I give them total respect for that.

I don't think the problem is that you have or, not have experience dogs. Young children just don't understand that they have to be gentle with small animals. I know this first hand....I have had many different kinds of animals my whole life. I have to skingirls, who are now adults. My youngest, although she loved animals and would pick them up and hug them, killed one of our birds when she was about 4 yrs old. of course it was an accident buy she didn't realize that picking it up and trying to make the bird fly, was going to break it's neck. She loved cats...I rescued a mother and 4 kittens...my daughter wanted to just love them up...she would try to sleep with them...well, in order for them to stay she would lay ON them...small children just don't understand that the can love a small animal to death......really...

I was thinking about breeding my older female...when I was asked by a friends daughter if she could buy one I apologized to her but, said no...she had a little girl that wasn't even walking yet. I don't think breeders are being mean to YOU...they just don't want to hear that one of their puppies were accidently killed by a young child. And, it can happen.

I had a pomeranian before my yorkie. (we lost her to an illness) My older son was raised with her. She had a litter of puppies and I never once had a problem or injury with her or her offspring until her unavoidable illness. . He knows better than to pick her up. Now with GiGi, he wont pick her up unless it is to put her in his bed at night. He knows that she needs her space and leaves her alone if she wants. GiGi searches him out. As far as the baby goes, they could care less about each other. The baby will not even touch her. She will go up lick his face and walk away. I am a little worried about when the baby starts walking but I will make sure they are both very supervised. My children and my dogs are NEVER unsupervised together. But as I said before, I completely respect anyone opinion, that is their choice.

Small Children and Yorkie puppies
 

I am a breeder and do not sell to families with children under 8 years old. The reasons are many.
#1 They do not keep doors closed, or gates.
#2 You can not always supervise your children, if a child drops raisens on the floor, and the yorkie eats them, it will kill your yorkie.
#3 Children do not know their own strength, and can hurt a yorkie by holding them to tightly.
#4 Your children do not have quick enough reflexs to catch a yorkie if it try's to jump out of your arms.
#5 Your child might be great, but that child is going to have friends that may not have the same manners about small dogs as yours, and harm your yorkie in play.

#6 Small children run through the house which frightens a yorkie, and the child can fall on a yorkie and kill it.

I could go on and on, but young children and baby yorkies just do not mix. Why do you think so many old ladies have yorkies. They want lap babies, and i want all my yorkies to be the number one family member and the spoiled baby of their family. When you raise puppies, you want the best possible future you can give them for 15 years. And believe me children that are young are your babies and come first, I don't know any young children that i would let my yorkies be alone with, and the yorkie can not be in a safe enviorment with young children.. Sadly, yorkies Love children and children love small yorkie puppies, I just do not think young children offer a safe enviorment for a yorkie, puppy or adult yorkie. I hope I have not offended anyone that has young children, that is not my intent, you can count on your children, but can you count on their friends? Their is a great site that will give you more insite as to why young children are not a good idea for a yorkie puppie, please go to the web site Yorkshire Terrier Club of America, and they will give you some more insite ..

My breeder also will not sell any of her puppies to anyone with small children..She is just scared that something will happen to the puppy unintentionally especially if this puppy going to a home where there has never been a yorkie in the home.I always am asked by my friends young children can they hold Nathan and I politely tell them no but that they can sit on the rug and play with him but not pick him up..My grandson isn't even allowed to pick Nathan up and he is 4 yrs old and realizes Nathan wiggles alot and could get hurt if he fell..:) A coworker took his 2 sons age 6 and 8 to a realtors office who had just gotten a yorkie puppy and the realtor specifically ask the boys not to pick the puppy up....and low and behold they did it and the puppy fell breaking his leg!! So accidents do happen and I think Breeders just take that extra precaution...

My daughter was just turning 7 when we bought Diesel. On top of it all I had a German Shepherd at home. Obviously, I believe that it can work. I am not sure what I would have done if the breeder had told me I couldn't have a Yorkie becuase of my DD. I am just thankful that there are breeders out there that are willing to let their babies go to families like mine!

I don't have any children, but when I was a very small child, my family had a maltese and a tiny yorkie...I cannot imagine having grown up without them. They were such a huge part of my life.
BUT I do understand why breeders won't sell to families with small children. If I were a breeder, I would be apprehensive about selling to a family with small children, but I would consider it on a case by case basis. I do believe that some breeders will take it on a case by case basis also.

Thank you for that. I felt the same way. I love my GiGi and she is always with me. She goes to tball games and the park. I have a Huge Husky but he is 10 so I wasnt worried about him but if he was younger I would have had a few doubts. The kids will be playing and she will be in my lap.... I know I have only had her a month but it has been so nice. My son third word was doggy... Looking right at her... I was so excited...

Indeed all cases are different, as a breeder you just have to have the interest of your babies as the top priority, you want to do the best you can to give them the best 15 years of their life!

Young children and yorkies
 

I think you have to put yourself in the breeders shoes, if you have had those babies since birth to 14 to 16 weeks, you are not going to take any chances with their lives, i always tell people that want a yorkie their are breeders that will sell to anyone, after explaining why, most people are very polite, and understand, some are offended, but they are my babies and i owe it to them to not take chances with their well being, i am glad things have worked out for you and your young daughter and German Shepard. I compliment you on keeping your yorkie out of harms way, not all people with children are able to work it out like you have.

:aimeeyork I had to rehome my first little poodle because my 2 little daughters didn't understand she was REAL LIVE animal. I think I had her for 5 yrs. at that time. She was in the living room with them and I stepped into the kitchen for a min. When I reentered the room, they each had one end of her, each did not want to share the petting. Luckily Co-Co was alright, and I found a wonderful home for her with an older couple. Almost broke my heart to let her go, but it was in her best interest. I didn't have any more small dogs again until they were older. I sometimes still think about my Co-Co.:aimeeyork

Now that is a cute photo!!!!

Well said!!:thumbup: p.s and I am one of the old ladies that loves her fur baby and he is definetly spoiled rotten and everyone can tell!!! :) lol my grandson was visiting (4 yrs old) and we were at petsmart with Nathan and everyone was commenting on how cute he was etc...Well my grandson gets in the car frowning and pouting and I asked him what was wrong?? He said...Everyone says Nathan is Cute but they didn't say it about me!!!!:D Well I just had to hold in the laughter and tell my grandson since we were in the doggie store..everyone usually talks about the puppies there but that He was more handsome than any of the puppies in the whole world!! :)

I'm also one of those old ladies, we are the best bet to keep a yorkie out of harms way, same with our grandchildren, little Nathan sounds so cute, bless his little heart, having to compete with a yorkie is not an easy job. You sure did a good job, in handling a tough situation!!!!! You sound like a wonderful person!!!!!!!!! With a great since of humor!!!!!!

Just to add one comment. I just tried to buy a very small female adult for a lot of money from the breeder who sold me my second yorkie and she would not because I had two others. I was so disappointed but I admire a breeder who would say no to that kind of money for the safety of their yorkie. Mine aren't big either, 5 1/2lbs and 8lbs but this little yorkie was only 3lbs and she was very concerned. The next time the ad came up it noted nobody with small children (I don't have any) or other dogs could purchase her little one.

Small Babies
 

You know i have always had a 6 pac of yorkies, and all were about the same size within 1 or two lbs. This was before i became a breeder. When you have those tiny ones, it takes a lot of work to get them so they are strong and healthy, and they do best sold as an only dog, however i sell my tiny's in pairs and they just thrive, as the love a snuggle buddy, and someone their size to play with and they eat better when their is competion. So to me it just depends on the person and the situation, that little one will probably make it to 3 1/2 to 4 lbs. full grown, and i think it would probably be fine in your care as you know how to take care of yokies as you already have 2, the only thing i would tell you would to put the little one in a safe place away from the others when you are not there to supervise.

Although I respect your reasons, I do believe it's a generalization. My son will be 5 soon and is very gentle and great with Holly. He even gets mad when I'm bathing her cause he thinks she'll get too cold. I believe that if you get them involved and help them understand how fragile the puppies are, they'll do just great. Both he child and the puppy are the parent's responsibility. It's just like an infant. I do respect those breeders that do not sell to families with young children, but I am also glad that there are some that are willing to observe the child first before making a final decision.

I think that's a wonderful point :thumbup: I was also one of those children like your son... I wanted the best for our furbabies when I was just a little girl. If children grow up around small dogs, they are more likely to have the right behavior. Yes, accidents can happen, but adults can be just as clumsy as children many times, and there are many adults that have never been around small dogs and don't know what is appropriate behavior. Whereas a child that HAS been around tiny dogs will behave better than an adult who hasn't. As far as OTHER children coming over, other adults come over as well. It's your responsibility as the dog's owner to keep it safe. Noone is just going to let a guest come over and handle their dog irresponsibly. Good point!

but, I think the point has been made over and over again here that even the best behaved children, even those that are raised from birth with tiny dogs, do have accidents. You can't tell me a two or three year old won't stumble and fall at times. What if he fell on your dog or had your dog in his arms when he fell. it has only been about a year ago that someone posted on this forum about that happening. The dog, a very tiny yorkie, died. i don't mean to be the old groutch bag here but I see over and over, "my child knows how to act and etc, ect. what part of "small children, by nature, are clumsy' is it that people don't understand.

You said all that I could say - I too follow these guidelines and not to hurt or offend anyone- at the times when I have large puppies - ones that will be oversized - I can relax my rules depending on the children but as stated here parents may watch their children but what about friends and other family members ? Its not worth the risk to a puppy to let them go to a enviroment that you know is dangerous for them. As a responsible breeder it is my job to screen and know where the puppies are going and I certainly won't let them go to where I fear for their safety.
where we know we are putting them in harms way

That is true but that can happen with adults too. Not only children tumble and fall, adults, even older ones can fall, sit or step on their dog by mistake. I agree with both sides, I agree that if a breeder doeasn't feel safe placing their dogs with a certain family because of children then they shouldn't but it all depends on the children and the parents. My bf's neice at first would be really loud around Teddy but now she is better with him, doesn't pick them up and respects their space. My 8 yr old sister is very gentle with London and worries about her being cold, that she has enough food, water, etc. However we came across this toddler and she was very rough with Teddy that I had to take him away from her so it all depends on how the parents take control of their kids, and the situation.

Well there are irresponsible and clumsy adults too. There is always a risk. But like I said it is the parent's responsibility to monitor both of them to prevent things like that from happening. In this site alone there have been adults who report accidents that end tragically. I understand perfectly that some children may be clumsy, but acctidents happen to everyone, even "non-clumsy" adults.

I had a 3 pounder when my neice was first learning to walk. She loved him and he loved her but low and behold, one day she was toddeling around (kind of staggering like they do when just start walking) and she fell back on her bottom, right on top of my little Shorty. Thank God he was fine, but I can see that point. Also, my neice and nephew are 4 and 7 now. My Otis is a runner, and I get really nervous if they are in the back yard because I KNOW they won't remember to make sure they shut the gate. They just don't pay close enough attention, they're kids!!! Maybe it would be different if he wasn't a runner, maybe not.

The toddling does scare me.. as I said before my son will be starting to walk soon (hopefully!!) He is 11 months and almost 30 lbs.. I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE ALL THINKING.. WOW HE IS FAT..:2omg: but he really is just sturdy!! (no just kidding!! he is healthy!!!) :yeahthat: I will just have to be a little more observant. I would let anything happen to my baby girl... After having two boys.... all I wanted was a daughter!!! So GiGi is my daughter!! I had to train my 6'7" boyfriend to LOOK DOWN!!!! So I am positive I can handle this new challenge

Yorkies and small children.
 

It's just not about your child though, they have their friends, and children behave very differently when other children come over to play with them, i am not making a generalization, i have seen way to many seriously injured yorkies from young children all accidents, their is no way on this earth i would sell a yorkie to a child under 8 years old, 9 is even better, i have stated my reasons, i do know that children can be very gentle, but they can not remember things that are important in keeping yorkies out of harms way. Kids are always going in and out, leaving doors open, gates open, or slaming a door, and a yorkie could be in the wrong place at the wrong time, yorkies are a big fad now, and everyone wants one even though they are not the proper family to have a yorkie, talk to me in 3 years and tell me you have never had a problem with your children and your yorkie, and thier friends, it only takes a second to really do harm to a tiny yorkie, and they are always accidents, no one would hurt one on purpose, they are so easy to step on as they are always at your feet, wanting to be picked up, and children that are not used to small yorkies or small dogs, do not have the reasoning or understanding how important the rules are and how important it is to respect them, they get all caught up in the moment, and a door is left open, and that could be the end of your yorkie. I believe their are exceptions, however it is the breeders choice as to who they want to place a yorkie with, many people will sell a yorkie to anyone, i choose not to. I have seen it with my own eyes, and i have seen the parents who grive over their young dogs injury's, these are fragil, and delicate little animals, that have no business being owned with a family with young children. That is only my personal opinion, and i will under no conditions or promices, or for any amount of money place one of my precious little babies in the hands of young children. That is my choice, and only my opinion. I am firm and nothing in the world will change my mind. I have young children that are 7 to 9 that i will sell a yorkie to when i see how they behave, and the parents behave with their children, and interract with the young puppy, very few under that age could qualify, and i want my babies to be the babies, i don't sell yorkies so children can have a small puppy to play with, they are not a toy, they are real, fragil, delicate, and easily stressed, nothing about a small child is soothing to a yorkie. Sorry i can not agree with you. I sell my yorkies to people who do not have children and want to spoil a yorkie rotten, I don't sell to collage kids, i don't sell to couples that are getting a yorkie, then are going to start a family. I love the homes i have found for my precious little gems, and i know they will thrive and be out of harms way, and treated like a new born infant. They are my babies, and when i have to sell them to couples with small children i will be out of this business, because i do not have the welfare of the puppy in mind, i would only be in it for the money. I know what is fair to a yorkie and what is unfair, and i want the very, very best enviroment i can find where i know they will be number 1, and not just another toy for a child who wants a small pet. The danger starts when other children start coming to play with your children, and do not know or respect the rules you have set for your yorkie. Kids get wild and crazy when they have each other to play with, and that how it should be. But a yorkie does not belong in that evniroment, and can be easily injured, by an unaware guest of your child. I do have children over to socialize my yorkies, however they sit in an exercise pen, and are not allowed to stand up with a yorkie in their arms, they do not like that, but those are the rules, and i do not take my eye off them for even a minute, as i know when my back is turned they will do what i asked them not to, as they forget, and they live in the moment. I think i have stated my peace, i am sorry if i offended any one, that is not my intent, i just want all people who get yorkies to know how easily they can be hurt, lost, stolen, stepped on, hit by a car, etc. Even adults have to be very protective of these babies. When they come over, i make them sit on the floor to play with them, and get to know them, and even then the yorkies will surprise them and try to jump out of their arms, they have the reflexes to grab the little one before it hits the floor. Why even think of a yorkie for small children, when a nice golden, german sheppard, yellow lab, would be just as much fun for your child, would prothect your child and not be in any danger with your children.

when i was like 2 my parents got me a lab and personally i thought it was ALOT more fun than a small dog. now as a teen i want a dog i cant take evreywhere ect.. but then, me and this dog would run outside, play rough,wrestle, jump in the pool, steal cookies and get into all sorts of trouble together. i practically learned to walk holding onto this dogs collar. I have videos of me holding on to the puppy (well trying to) and her falling out of my arms and it was no big deal, the pup didnt even notice. Plus, i felt alot safer with a big dog and my parents let me walk her alone when i got older because they knew i was safe.
Larger breeds, maybe not even labs. even just medium like coker spaniels are MUCH more appropriate for children, for safety, not to mention that small breed puppies probably arent all that fun for kids. I was allowed to be alone with the puppy all the time, but with a small dog, supervision is necessary.

just my input :)

I do not remember ever mentioning that I got Holly for my son. She is my pet, my responsibility and therefore under my everwatchful eye. I cannot tell you right now whether my son will or will not have friends over, but I CAN tell you that I will take all necessary precautions to keep Holly out of harm's way. I know my breeder and know that she is NOT just in it for the money. She simply believes in giving people a chance. I appreciate your opinion and you are indeed entitled to your own guidelines. But Yorkies live a long life. You would never be able to predict whether or not the yorkies you sell will eventually be in a home with small children. However this will be last post in this thread as this is likely to be a neverending discussion. To each their own and I can guarantee you that my Holly is happy and healthy and that is what matters to me.

P.S My son acknowledges Holly when she is there, but mostly I am the one giving all the attention.