? about kids

[monkeytam]

Do any of you here have children? I have 3 and they are ages 5, 4 and 5 1/2 months. I don't have a dog yet and am looking at different breeds. I am looking at yorkies, maltese and havanese. Havanese seem to be better suited for kids. I guess it depends on the dog though.

[AMD]

Hi and welcome to YT!! I do not have kids but I remember being in your situation looking for a toy breed. I was deciding between the Havanese and the Yorkie. Obviously, I chose the Yorkie, although I do not have my puppy yet. I do believe that Havanese's are more sturdy, but to totally learn about them I'd join a havanese forum (if you haven't already). There are many people here that do have kids, and they'll be able to help you. Again, welcome to YT, and let us know what you decide to do.

[Jan L.]

Wow! your hands must be full. I admire you for wanting to take on a dog.
You may find it hard to get a Yorkie from a reputable breeder. Most(including myself) will not sell to a home with young children. Nothing against the children, but Yorkies are so small.
Have you thought of a bigger breed that is great with kids? Goldens, Newfounds, etc.

[sat93us]

I didn't know for sure what I wanted either but I thought I wanted a Yorkie so I bought a book on Yorkies before I decided for sure. I learned everything first before I got him and knew what to expect. His name is Topaz and I love him with all my heart. I have 3 children but all grown but he is like my 4th child. Yorkies are very gentle, always happy,very affectionate, and just a very great dog. My suggestion to you would be to go to your local library (instead of the expense of several books) and get books on the dogs you are trying to decide on. And not all Yorkies are real small. Topaz weighs 9 lbs. and is so very playful. Good luck on your decision.

[Bizzymammabee]

I have three as well 11, 8 and 3. I have yorkie that is 2.5lbs and it's been great. I taught the 3 year old how to handle her and I keep an eagle eye on him as well. They all do well with Lulu.

I would say it's not only about the breeds characteristics but also about the individual dogs personality. Take a look long and hard and figure if you want a dog that needs tons of attention, exercise etc and then choose that way. Then narrow down by the dogs personality when you do finally choose. Search google....there are some automated questionaires that help you choose a breed depending on your lifestyle, level of energy and time able to spend with the dog on training and all that good stuff.

Good luck on your decision.

[Anna Banana]

If I were you, I wouldn't choose a toy dog at all, because it sounds too dangerous with those little ones. I'm sure they're sweet and wonderful children, but they're still kids, and accidents happen. If you really have your heart set on one of these breeds, though, I'd reccommend you get one from a rescue. That way, you could get one that is familiar with children, and also one that is one the much larger side, so injuries couldn't happen as easily.

[sweetestkiwi]

I would look at a Yorkie when the children are older. I had a friend
purchase a small dog with children that young and it was stressful-just dealing with caring for children and then adding in having to watch, referee, and care for a little dog. A few times the children were rough with the dog-they did not realize they were being too rough and it happens-you can't be everywhere all the time. The dog ended up getting scared and hesitant with the kids-she ended up finding a home for the dog. The dog was a maltese.

I do agree it depends on temperament of dogs but Yorkies are known to be demanding and need a lot of care.

[Ciera's mom]

I have two children, two boys who one just turned 3 and the other will be 1 on the 17th. We got our Ciera right after my oldest had his first birthday and will be getting our second one in a couple of weeks. We have taught them from the start to be gentle with her and not to be rough. You can't just let them run wild with her as like everyone has said, accidents do happen. It has been wonderful and Ciera plays with the boys great and actually picks at them to get them started playing with her. She is 5lbs 4 oz. I WOULD not get one that was under 5 and especially in the 2 and 3lb range. The bigger the better would be best if you decide on this breed.

[s13silviagirl]

Originally Posted by Ciera's mom

I have two children, two boys who one just turned 3 and the other will be 1 on the 17th. We got our Ciera right after my oldest had his first birthday and will be getting our second one in a couple of weeks. We have taught them from the start to be gentle with her and not to be rough. You can't just let them run wild with her as like everyone has said, accidents do happen. It has been wonderful and Ciera plays with the boys great and actually picks at them to get them started playing with her. She is 5lbs 4 oz. I WOULD not get one that was under 5 and especially in the 2 and 3lb range. The bigger the better would be best if you decide on this breed.

Agreed! My 2 daughters are 4&1 they are great with Turbo! He loves them to death! They are taught what they can and can't do with him. But my girls are pretty gentle. I guess if some one had some rambunctious kids it might be harder to get this point across. But, good luck with your search!

[kjk723]

Originally Posted by Ciera's mom

I have two children, two boys who one just turned 3 and the other will be 1 on the 17th. We got our Ciera right after my oldest had his first birthday and will be getting our second one in a couple of weeks. We have taught them from the start to be gentle with her and not to be rough. You can't just let them run wild with her as like everyone has said, accidents do happen. It has been wonderful and Ciera plays with the boys great and actually picks at them to get them started playing with her. She is 5lbs 4 oz. I WOULD not get one that was under 5 and especially in the 2 and 3lb range. The bigger the better would be best if you decide on this breed.

I am not sure how your children are with animals but I have a 5 year old and 1 year old. My Yorkie, GiGI, weighs 3 lbs 2 oz. I think it depends on your children and their respect for animals. My five year old is very good with my dogs. My one year old could care less about her. He doesnt bother her, she doesnt bother him. If he was inquisitive, I would worry. I also think the dog has to be the right dog too, personality wise. GiGi is really REALLY laid back. She has never snipped. She does love to play with my older one outside. they run around chasing each other. Hopefully it helps. My children were around my husky before I brought GiGi home, so I knew how they would react to a new member.

[ashley809]

I have a 2 year old. I have to watch him very carefully. he likes to try and carry them around. Lola will run away but Holly will let him. He ha slearned to be very gentle and he knows he is ONLY allowed to hold them when he is seated and they climb into HIS lap. But I never leave them alone together. They ADORE my son and follow him everywhere. He hand feeds them and loves to help at bath time by handing me the shampoo etc. Holly is 4 pounds and Lola is 3 pounds.

[Higgin's Mom]

If you like the look and personality of a Yorkie, but small size is the issue.....consider a Silky Terrier. They look like a slightly larger Yorkie, in the 12 lb range. Just keep in mind that all terriers are sometimes terrors! Like hyperactive kids, a lot of 'em.

My Higgins has to be watched around kids. Kids are noisy and move fast and he doesn't like that. He nips at my little grandaughters' ankles if they get to running and jumping.

Now, having written all this, we had a tiny 4 lb Chihuahua when my three kids were ages 3 to 7 and everyone prospered and Freida lived to a ripe old age.

Good luck!

[Brutus'mama]

Originally Posted by s13silviagirl

Agreed! My 2 daughters are 4&1 they are great with Turbo! He loves them to death! They are taught what they can and can't do with him. But my girls are pretty gentle. I guess if some one had some rambunctious kids it might be harder to get this point across. But, good luck with your search!

I agree too! I have 2 kids, 8 and 6 who were 6 and 4 years old when we got Brutus. I laid down some ground rules from the beginning and everything is great.

But if my kids were more on the rambuctious side I wouldn't have gotten a Yorkie. I just love the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel!

When I was contacting breeders there were so many that wouldn't sell to me because of my kids. Thankfully Brutus' breeder wasn't like that and we went to her house so she could see my kids interact with her dogs.

Good luck!

[sallen15]

I'm 22 now, but, my parents have always had Yorkie's my mom got her first when she was my age and then she had my sister when the dog was about 4 or 5 and he was fine with her. He died when I was about 3 months old (my sister was 6) and that's when we got Moochie and I grew up with him he would lay with me in my playpen, etc. He died when I was 16 but i think as long as your kids know how to treat animals and to be gentle they'll be fine. My mom taught us how to not pull the puppies hair, etc.

However, if you've never had a pet or your kids haven't been around dogs a lot you might consider getting a non-toy-breed because toy breeds are more gentle, require a lot of attention, etc., they can easily get hurt by young children who don't know how to treat such a small puppy.

Our two Yorkie's now have never really been around young children, as we were all older when we got them and now my sister has a baby and our Mazie is very jealous of the baby won't even sniff her just sits as far away from the baby as possible.

[Willow]

I have four children ages 8, 6, almost 4, and 2. We have 2 yorkies and a morkie.

We have strict ground rules for the kids with our furkids. They skinkids are NOT allowed to pick up the furkids. The furkids are not allowed down the hallway to the kids rooms (although I have caught Autumn sneaking down the hall into my 3 1/2 yr olds bed...she thinks he is hers.)

The kids ARE allowed to pet the furkids ONLY if the furkids come to them, and that happens a good bit. I have been very strict with my kids and my husband and I are adamant about teaching them respect for nature...not just animals but all of nature...trees or plants just the earth in general. We are all about nature and the environment.