I'm thinking of buying a teacup yorkie. I own a one bedroom flat and I don't have a garden but there is a park nearby. I live on my own and I would be at work from 8am till 6pm. Is it too cruel to get one as it would be on it's own during the day? Also, can anyone please advise on how much vets bills costs when you get a new puppy?
Okay, first of all, don't let anyone talk you out of your tiny yorkie. Runts can be healthy. Unfortunately, I've seen a lot of bad breeders producing these babies due to popular demand, But that does NOT mean you can't find a good tiny yorkie breeder.
Take notice that the AKC standard has no minimum weight of a yorkie, so it's not possible that one is "too small". The average is about 5 lbs, but the tinier ones have more desirable looks, like a shorter nose, bigger eyes, shorter legs, and a cobby body.
Also, IT IS, FOR THE LAST TIME, HARDLY EVER RUNTS BRED TO RUNTS. It's almost ALWAYS done with a 3 or 4 lb dam and a 2 lb sire, so that the dam has an easier birth.
There are lots of myths out there both for and against teacups. Ones like "These puppies are worth 500 times more than a non-teacup yorkie!" And another myth like "Teacups are unhealthy!"
Now to answer your questions…
A yorkie, especially a "teacup" yorkie CAN'T be living outdoors anyway. If you get a REALLY tiny tiny (under 3 lbs), then it shouldn't be going on a walk where there are bigger dogs and stepping feet.
8 AM to 6 PM is a long time. Yorkies, especially yorkie puppies, have tiny bladders. It wouldn't be able to hold it for that long. And the puppy would need to be crated, as it chewing on wires and getting into pesticides, even jumping off things too high, could be fatal. I can't imagine being locked up in a crate for 10 hours. Is there anyone there to watch the dog while your gone? If not, you could hire a pet sitter to take care to your puppy while your gone for a while.
Vet bills will be around $200 + for your first vet visit, getting everything done. This is just an estimate. It may be less or more. Keep in mind that the puppy will need all sorts of supplies to keep it happy that you'll be paying for. A dog is an expensive thing to own. Keep that in mind before buying.
Good luck!
animal shelters are a great place to get a new pet because you are rescuing them from potential euthanization and the shelter will usually give the animal the shots it needs before sending it home with you. you might not find a teacup yorkie there but i still suggest you go because you could end up falling in love and saving a life. i was dead set on adopting a persian before i went to the local animal shelter and found my lovely domestic long hair kitty ?
-edit- as far as your work situation i think you would need a dog walker, otherwise your dog will have no choice but to pee and poo in the house which isnt pleasant to deal with or healthy for the dog.
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No such breed as "teacup" anything
Please do some research as to what kind of people sell these runt dogs.
Only unethical breeders and puppy mills would breed outside of the standard or sell runts as another different size breed standard.
References :
http://www.wakyonline.com/
http://www.chiwantone.com/documents/teacupwarning.pdf
If you feel like you might be away from the dog for too long a time you can check out doggie day care. It's a great place to have your dog while you are at work because a good day care will give him play time, socialization time, rest time, alone time, and everything else he could need when he doesn't have you around to see to his needs.
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I have 2 yorkies, I'm at work 3 days a week, but if I'm long at work I have someone to come over and check on them, let them outside. They do pretty good, but occasional accident happens. Be sure to have it on a regular schedule, feed same time, go out to pee and poop same time, early in the morning, and after work. You may want to cage it, some people really have luck that way, they don't want to "go" in the cage, and yorkies are hard to train anyway, so little to hold it.
References :
Okay, first of all, don't let anyone talk you out of your tiny yorkie. Runts can be healthy. Unfortunately, I've seen a lot of bad breeders producing these babies due to popular demand, But that does NOT mean you can't find a good tiny yorkie breeder.
Take notice that the AKC standard has no minimum weight of a yorkie, so it's not possible that one is "too small". The average is about 5 lbs, but the tinier ones have more desirable looks, like a shorter nose, bigger eyes, shorter legs, and a cobby body.
Also, IT IS, FOR THE LAST TIME, HARDLY EVER RUNTS BRED TO RUNTS. It's almost ALWAYS done with a 3 or 4 lb dam and a 2 lb sire, so that the dam has an easier birth.
There are lots of myths out there both for and against teacups. Ones like "These puppies are worth 500 times more than a non-teacup yorkie!" And another myth like "Teacups are unhealthy!"
Now to answer your questions…
A yorkie, especially a "teacup" yorkie CAN'T be living outdoors anyway. If you get a REALLY tiny tiny (under 3 lbs), then it shouldn't be going on a walk where there are bigger dogs and stepping feet.
8 AM to 6 PM is a long time. Yorkies, especially yorkie puppies, have tiny bladders. It wouldn't be able to hold it for that long. And the puppy would need to be crated, as it chewing on wires and getting into pesticides, even jumping off things too high, could be fatal. I can't imagine being locked up in a crate for 10 hours. Is there anyone there to watch the dog while your gone? If not, you could hire a pet sitter to take care to your puppy while your gone for a while.
Vet bills will be around $200 + for your first vet visit, getting everything done. This is just an estimate. It may be less or more. Keep in mind that the puppy will need all sorts of supplies to keep it happy that you'll be paying for. A dog is an expensive thing to own. Keep that in mind before buying.
Good luck!
References :