Does anyone have a Yorkie?

[tomthebarncat]

Please do not buy one from a pet store as those come from puppy mills and they will have health and behavioral problems. Backyard breeders are just as bad. I have enclosed two websites for you to look at one is for rescued yorkies that have already been fostered in homes and you can get a very good idea of the personality of the dog, etc and the other is for puppymills, so that you can be aware of where those cute little dogs in pet stores come from. I want you to be able to make an informed decision about your new little best friend. I have a terrier mix, Spike who is a spanish street dog. He is the best decision I ever made. I have no problems with him and tomorrow is is 8th birthday with me. I would post a picture of him but I have absolutely no idea how to do this. Good luck and let us know what you decide to do.

http://www.unitedyorkierescue.org/
www.prisonersofgreed.org/

 

[DisneyDawnNH]

We had a yorkie for just under 15 yrs. Duncan died last July. I think small breed dogs (he was tiny - just over 4 pounds) are much tougher to housebreak. We were foolish enough to get the puppy in November and he would freeze up outside after just a minute or two of being outside. We were never able to fully housebreak him, he wouldn't go outside in the rain or if it was windy or snowing.

We had him for 5 years before my son was born, Duncan hated the baby and would growl and bite at him whenever possible until my son was about age 8
I think the dog lost most of his vision at that point. Haircare of this breed is a nightmare! You really need to pay to have these dogs groomed regularly. Duncan was not hyper and never chewed anything we owned - he would only pee on it. We did have to have surgery done on him for bladder stones - we also had to have regular dental care done on the dog because he didn't chew bones or crunchy stuff to clean his teeth every. He had very bad breath because of his teeth which we ended up having to have removed. Did I meniton the yapping- constant yapping at anybody coming, anybody going, walking by on the street and other dogs. The one really good thing about Duncan was he was fantastic with our cat (he was also smaller than our cat) So yes, I am admitting to owning a dog for almost 15 years that I didn't love.... my husband loved him lots and I love my husband so the dog stayed. Good luck on your research - It is a great idea to ask peoples opinions - but more importantly you should look at your situation- you probably don't have snow - maybe you know how to groom dogs and can do that yourself. Perhaps feeding him dry food from the beginning to keep those teeth clean. If you have kids around go bigger breed or bigger size yorkie - I have seen some triple the size of mine. Good luck!

 

[TheRatPack]

Very friendly dogs, but lots of work on the hair. We have a regular Yorkie (not one of the mini ones) so they are easier to deal with as far as food and things like health...etc. They are good dogs though, very hyper and active and they love to play. Any Terrier is going to be that way though. We also have a Dachshund. Very very different breed LOL

 

[TinkerBean]

I have had my little guy for 12 years (he is 12). LOVE him to death. They are barkers and the have a great deal of energy for such a little dog. He does think that he is a big dog.

He had "a dietary indescrestion" (ate the better part of all the skin from a roasted chicken) last week and is very sick with pancreatitis. He just brought him home from the hospital today (he's been there 8 days) and we are hoping that with a lot of support he will pull through.

They are great little dogs, he is good with our three cats and kids (althought he does get a little freaked out with loud little boys).

The only thing that surprised us was the amount of energy he had. As I said he is 12 and people still ask us how old our "puppy" is. He is very active (evidendenced by being able to get the chicken off of the counter).

You might want to check into some of the yorkie rescues around. There are sooo many dogs that need homes.

Good Luck

He is a pictures of Flint...

 

[TheBigBadWolf]

Tinker Bean,
Flint is adorable. Here's hoping he has a speedy recovery.

 

[tomthebarncat]

My beloved pup was diagnosed with Inflammatory bowel disease in Nov. So I know what you are going thru. He almost died as he lost so much weight in 10 days that he suffered heart failure. That was one of the worst months of my life. So prayers and hugs to pup!

 

[GreatDaneMom]

We have two Yorkies and a Great Dane. Our female Yorkie is 7 yrs old, 5 pounds, sweet, gentle, and calm. Our 5 year old chubby male Yorkie is pushing 10 pounds (3 more than he should be), is high energy, barks at anything, and completely controls our 140 pound Great Dane. My point is that their personalities can vary widely.

The one thing my Yorkies have in common is potty issues. I love these two little ones dearly but I have to be honest and say these are the last toy breeds I will ever own. I've had them since they were 12 weeks old so I have no one to blame but myself, I guess. They are precious and dear to my heart but I have to work full time and their little bladders just don't seem to hold too well. Believe it or not my huge Dane is 100 times easier to live with and take care of.

The Yorks can also be an expensive pet since they have to be groomed about every 8 weeks. For the two of them I pay around $75 plus tip each time. Vet bills are no worse than any other dog I've been owned by. Their heartworm pills are certainly cheap compared to the Dane's.

I guess the important thing for anyone choosing a dog is that you have to be honest about your lifestyle and resources. To the OP, I think it's wonderful that you're doing your homework. There are far too many unwanted animals in rescue and shelters!

Cheryl

Feel better soon, little Flint!! Sending hugs from us.

 

[LBKB]

I have a yorkie 3pounds that will be 2 in March and it only took us 4-6 weeks to potty train her. She rings a little bell taped to the door for when she wants to go out. Wouldn't trade her fro anything even wish I could get another.