What Is A Yorkshire Terrier?

Big Dogs in Small Packages

Yorkies, Yorkshire Terriers or Yorkie Terrorist!

Whatever you call them, they are the Greatest!

I have always heard that good things come in small packages, but I always thought that referred to small packages of diamond jewelry. However, after I got my first Yorkshire Terrier, I realized the true meaning of the phrase. These dogs are better than diamonds!

I am a true lover of Yorkies. I currently have two male Yorkies. One weighs 4 pounds and the other one weighs 7pounds.

Living with two Yorkies is alot of fun–I’ve always thought, the more the merrier, so I am considering adding to my Yorkie family. We are a mutli dog household as the Yorkies have 2 Cocker Spaniel brothers, also.

Hey You, Look at Me!

That’s the true personality of Yorkies. Very self confident and scrappy little dogs with very strong personalities. They see themselves as big dogs. They are truly big dogs in small packages.

They were used as ratters in the mines to control the rodent population in the 1800’s in England. That “ratting” instinct does show up from time to time. Some Yorkies are better mousers than cats!

Some Things to Consider About Yorkies

It is important to remember that each dog is a different personality. And we can never fully know the temperment that is inherited from the dog’s parents. They can be yappy or not. I have one that is yappy and one that is not, so you just never know. But the characteristics that make up a Yorkie are what makes them so adorable.

Yorkies are small with short legs–these short legs do not always allow them to climb up and down stairs, so you may have to help them. A fall down steep stairs could cause serious injuries or death.

They are not TOYS, even tho they are the size of some stuffed aniamls. Do Not GIVE a Yorkie to a small child. Little Yorkie teeth and temperament will not work for small children. Small children may play to rough and cause injuries if they pull tails or ears, they may be bitten. You cannot blame the dog in these situations, so common sense on the part of the parent must prevail.

Yorkies can be a little stubborn, so you might want to consider a home dog training course. One of the best courses online is available here. Check it out and see if you agree.

Yorkies Are Hypoallergenic

These dogs are wonderful for people with allergies, as they have hair like a human, not fur. They do not shed.

They will need grooming every month or so. My Yorkies are companion dogs. And they do their job very well. If yours is a companion dog, you’ll probably want to keep their hair cut short–puppy cut. Otherwise, this little dog will have hair dragging the floor and very long hair on a Yorkie is alot of maintenance. It’s very time consuming for you to keep it from matting. The last thing you want is a matted and dirty Yorkie!

You may need to shop around to find a groomer that both you and your Yorkie like. Find someone that is familiar with grooming Yorkies. It’s important that the groomer like this breed of dog, if not, you will not want to leave your dog with this person. Trust me on this. All dog groomers are not created equal!

Between grooming visits, keep the hair out of their eyes. Hair poking into the eyes will cause eye infections. You will need to top and tail periodically. They do not like anything stuck on them anywhere, so it’s always good to check the bottom! Excess hair can collect things. Being so low to the ground they get alot of dust in their eyes. So, you must Top and Tail .

Is a Yorkie the Breed For You?

If you think a Yorkie is the dog breed for you and your families lifestyle, then do as much research as possible to help confirm that decision. Go to dog shows, find a breed club that can offer referrals for breeders that you can contact. Then visit the puppies at the breeders home to see how they are cared for and socialized. Then choose the one that seems to fit your personality. The breeder will help you make the right choice, as they want their dogs in loving, Forever Homes.

And Then There’s This

Overall, they are happy, healthy little dogs that love attention and companionship. They are small enough to be taken almost anywhere. I have taken them shopping with me and no one even knew they were around. Of course, I have the proper bags to carry them in around safely. They each have their own bag–It’s easy to spoil them, because they are so adorable. They listen intently to what you are saying, turning and tilting their heads, all the while looking directly at you.

They will learn a varied vocabulary if you speak clearly. They are highly intelligent . So train them well.They are very sociable little dogs–they decide quickly who belongs and who doesn’t belong. Who they like and who they don’t. They definitely bark at strangers–they are very good watchdogs. They will bite so intruders need to take them seriously. Ankle biters!!

There’s alot of information available to help you make a decision about Yorkies.

If you decide on a Yorkie, you are in for a fun ride!