What about a Yorkie? Family pet search?

Question

We have indoor cats and want a companion dog. We like the full size Yorkies. We have a 3 yr son and he loved playing with them.
Should I get One or Two? Or stagger them a few years?
Its just for a pet- they will be spayed. I think a female would be good? Any owners any ideas>

The family dog would travel often with me, both daily trips and long trips to family.
I need a good travel dog.

Answer 1

Hmm. Well, first off, thanks, on behalf of dog lovers everywhere, for giving some thought to the kind of dog that will best fit in with your family!

What kind of dog? Well - first off, you know that no matter what kind of dog you get, leaving him/her alone with your toddler is an absolute "no," right? Just checking - some people don't know. See, a dog will tell another dog "don't do that - I mean it!" with his teeth, which is perfectly proper IF both parties are dogs (the other dog knows how to read the signs and back off before getting injured) but NOT if one of the parties is a human child (who doesn't speak doggy body language and lacks the muscle control to back away in time). That's how kids get bitten, most often. Just mentioning it, in case you don't know.

Now - your best bet is to check out web sites like Purina.com and the AKC web site, both of which, last time I checked, had "breed finder" features where you could put in things like how much space you have, how much time you have, how much grooming you're prepared to do, etc. Be really honest here - long-haired breeds have to have more brushing. Can't do without it. Every week. No exceptions. Fine if you really love sitting in front of the t.v. brushing the dog. Not if you don't want to be checking Pup for burrs after every walk.

There are also good dog encyclopedias (check libraries, book stores) that list the requirements of the breeds. See, every dog is the perfect dog for someone, and looks is the least important thing. Yorkies - great dogs, energetic, smart, must have lots of personal attention, maybe not tough enough to endure rough handling by a toddler, though - and are very vocal (bark a lot) and nippy. They're terriers - earth dogs bread to hunt vermin - stubborn and energetic.

There are basic sorts of dogs (like herding dogs, hounds, etc.) and you should learn about their common traits to figure out what's best for you, since your objective is a dog that will fit in with your life and add to it. Anything else ends up being "we loved her but we couldn't keep her."

Also, think about whether you want a puppy (another baby, not housetrained, doesn't know anything) or an adult (may already have some habits you have to change but easier to housetrain). Adults can bond just as well to a new family as puppies. If you have time/patience to housetrain, obedience train, etc. the puppy (which takes time), great -- but if potty training and housetraining two babies at once sounds like a nervous breakdown in the making, think about an adult. Even if not already housetrained, adults have more bladder control capacity and pick it up faster than puppies. They're also less fragile, and you know what you're getting, in terms of temperament, because there it is.

Check out dog shows and ask breeders - most responsible breeders are very up-front about the good and bad for their breed, and who makes a good owner for that kind of dog (and who doesn't).

Once you've narrowed it down, rescue groups exist for every breed - and they also are more than happy to help you figure out if that breed is for you.

The shopping process can be part of the fun (like the books, web sites and dog shows). We've had Belgian Shepherd Dogs (very smart, very loyal, quick to learn, but you have to be interested in teaching your dog new things because they need mental stimulation), Borzois (big, rangy, elegant, sweet - two speeds, zero and 60), Samoyeds (medium-sized white sled dogs, cheerful, energetic, must exercise, lots of brushing), Basenji (curious, stubborn, clever, affectionate, quiet, reserved with strangers), Puli (loyal to death, stubborn, solid, reserved), dachshunds (very stubborn, playful, affectionate, and wow, are they stubborn), and Japanese Spitz (small, very cheerful, nimble, very smart, reserved with strangers, clownish at home, mischievous). We've loved, and traveled with, them all. All travelled well - which had to do with obedience training from the first day, and being consistent about what we expected.

Each was with us for his or her lifetime. We've learned that we like very intelligent dogs, although they're more work - although we've known people to be quite happy with simple, rather dim dogs who are content to just be where they are. Not our sort, but great for our friends, who like the companionship but don't want to get into training much.

Good luck!

Answer 2

I have a 15 year old male yorkie, and as others have stated, they can be a handful. They are not always good with other animals, especially small ones (cats) they are Ratters and may try to run your cats down or attack them. They also do not always get along with small children. I would suggest only one to start, and if you can, a puppy, that way, you have a better chance at training the dog under your current conditions in the home (other animals/children). There also was an answer that yorkies only come in one size...(that is obviously incorrect!) They can weigh between 2 & 12 pounds or even more. My little guy weighs 8 pounds, but has weighed as much as 10 before the doggie diet! In any case, good luck, do your research on the breed, and in training.

Answer 3

I have a friend with a Yorkie. She is territorial and is not good with little kids, particularly if there is food or a crowd involved. The dog goes with her everywhere, which presents a bit of a problem sometimes. Every dog has a different personality, so ymmv.

Answer 4

We have a Yorkie and although we love him very much, he is a handful. You have to take a lot of time with them to train and they need a lot of exercise because they always have a ton of energy.

If you are planning on getting more than one, I would say get them both at once. If you don't then it has been said that the first one will regress when the second one is brought into the home.

Answer 5

Yokies only come in one size.

Go here for info on yorkies and a breeder referal
http://www.ytca.org/mainview.htm

Get two at once is a handful. It is much easier to concentrate all of your energy on training one puppy. Puppies are difficult enough much less getting two at once. This way you can easily address the issues with one dog without competing between the two.

Answer 6

I would start with one and see how that goes cause one puppy is alot of work and 2 is double the ttrouble. So I would start with one and see how it goes and them get another if things are going well. Good luck!

Answer 7

Be careful with Yorkies in hot climates; they don't do well in the heat. Great with our children.

Answer 8

You should jest get one Yorkie and get a female it would be nice.I would highly recommend you get a toy fox terrier.