Yorkie for a pet?

[Anonymous]

We are thinking of getting a yorkie as a pet and would like input from people who have or have had yorkies I. The past. Ar they really high strung? Bark a lot? General opinion (if you have had them)

Tia.

[Anonymous]

I don't know a ton about Yorkies, but if you're looking for a small dog I strongly suggest a toy poodle. They are perfect pets!

I have a 7 pound poodle. She is litter trained, barks only when people come to the door (and stops barking as soon as she realizes who it is), can do all sorts of tricks, doesn't shed (that's a biggie), is hypo-allergenic, and is all around the sweetest most lovable pet in the world.

Poodles make great pets becuse they are so smart and they don't shed--which is why they are cross bred with so many other breeds. They are very athletic, but wont get really high strung if kept inside. They are great for small homes or apartments. I can't say enough good things about little poodles!

[Anonymous]

Just please wherever you get it, either do a rescue or a reputable breeder.

Do not go to a pet store- it just encourages puppy mills.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just please wherever you get it, either do a rescue or a reputable breeder.

Do not go to a pet store- it just encourages puppy mills.

Ditto! For the love of God, don't ever get a dog from a pet store!

[Anonymous]

But where ?

[Anonymous]

Beware of peanuts. Tragic death in my mom's family, never to be forgotten, mourned for decades by my grandmother until her own death: beloved Yorkie "Muffin" choked on a peanut (found under the sofa) and died. While grandma and grandpa were on vacation and son/new DIL were dog sitting. They even did a pet autopsy - they were that distressed.

[Anonymous]

I have a Havanese, another toy breed. My dog is great with children and doesn't bark excessively, but you're asking about a Yorkie, so I'll answer that question.

I have never had a Yorkie but I know a lot about dogs and have known many. Some bark a lot, but not all. Just as an aside....the PP is lucky with her Toy Poodle. Most Poodles other than Standards bark like crazy, but they are FANTASTIC pets aside from that. Yorkies are incredibly intelligent and can even be sneaky. They are good with kids and are hypoallergenic (hair instead of fur, so they don't shed a lot, but you have to groom them). I think they're a great family pet. Look on dogbreedinfo.com to take the breed test and see some breeds that meet your criteria. I'm glad you're doing this. A lot of people just adopt a cute dog and don't think about it ahead of time.

[Anonymous]

Also, just so you know, toy breeds can't hold it all day because of their tiny bladders, they need to be walked or trained in some way. My Havanese is trained to use a puppy pad inside of his crate. He takes it out, pees on it, and rolls it back into the corner until he needs it again. This is something he figured out himself. Haha. I asked a trainer and she said as long as the dog can relieve himself and stay clean and happy it doesn't matter. So, litter box training is good too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But where ?

From the American Kennel Club association website you can link to a "club" dedicated to Yorkies which will have responsible breeders (in theory) that they screen. They also typically link to rescue clubs. You may have to email the officers of the club to get information, it can be a little leg work, but if you are going to get a dog from a breeder, this is the responsible way to do it.

Even better than that route - you can also go to your local pound - there are many small dogs at pounds that don't shed and can be screened for temperament. Having a Yorkie specifically might not really matter if you have the opportunity to meet and learn about some other dogs available.

Google puppy mills - these are how pet stores obtain dogs to sell. And though it breaks my heart they are in there, the truth is, every single person who buys a dog at a pet store is encouraging puppy mills. Not only will you be getting a dog that was raised with little regard to its mother's well being or its well-being, they have increased health and temperament problems.

Don't let a pet store tell you they get dogs from a "responsible breeder". No responsible breeder would delegate the placement of a puppy to a pet store.

Buying a dog responsibly is more work, its a PITA to tell you the truth, but going to a pet store is easy and contributes so much $ to a terrible terrible practice. Take the time to do it right! (Some breeders can be a little nuts I've found- hey - that's why they are dog people! If you don't find a good fit, move on to the next one.)

[Anonymous]

Here is a link on the Yorkie club.


http://www.ytca.org/frame_index2.html

[Anonymous]

Do pet stores even sell puppies anymore? I haven't seen a puppy in a pet store in about 20 years.

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately some do. I half joke that I am going to start a picket line outside Today's Pet at Columbia Mall. I probably really should.

I think the whole puppy mill backlash, etc, is exactly why Petco and PetSmart do not. Wish others would follow suit. Poor doggies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a Havanese, another toy breed. My dog is great with children and doesn't bark excessively, but you're asking about a Yorkie, so I'll answer that question.

I have never had a Yorkie but I know a lot about dogs and have known many. Some bark a lot, but not all. Just as an aside....the PP is lucky with her Toy Poodle. Most Poodles other than Standards bark like crazy, but they are FANTASTIC pets aside from that. Yorkies are incredibly intelligent and can even be sneaky. They are good with kids and are hypoallergenic (hair instead of fur, so they don't shed a lot, but you have to groom them). I think they're a great family pet. Look on dogbreedinfo.com to take the breed test and see some breeds that meet your criteria. I'm glad you're doing this. A lot of people just adopt a cute dog and don't think about it ahead of time.

Most poodles aren't really as barky as people think... you can train it out of them. We've had four poodles over the years (two miniature, one toy, one standard) and none were particularly loud. They barked when people came to the door or in the yard, but that was all. They are by far my favorite breed. No shedding, so smart, cuddly and lovable, loyal.

[Anonymous]

I have been dogsitting the same yorkies for the last few years when their owners leave town. They are excitable, but otherwise loving. Those two do not like children. They've had exposure but the speed and volume of a child gets them all upset. The high pitched bark makes me a little mental, but that is an issue with all small dogs. They are smart little buggers. Sometimes a little too smart. One has had her stomach pumped a few times because she found a way to jump from one piece of furniture to another and get through containers to eat something that was not food.

[Anonymous]

I love my little guy, but no way would I do it over again. They don't like children. My yorkie barks ferociously at my daughter, and we spend a great deal of effort keeping them apart. Almost worse, for the past four years, our yorkie has gotten up at four am and gone crazy for ten minutes (we think because of the neighbor's newspaper), running and barking. Thus I am awake in bed now (4:45) just like most mornings.