The combination of a few small terrier breeds created the original rodent control engineers for the mines and factories of Yorkshire, England. Yorkshire Terriers are the epitome of yin and yang rolled into one.

Their keen hearing, independent nature, and tenacity make them a fearless warrior, protecting their home and family one minute and a lovable bunny the next.

They are only inches tall and weigh up to 7 pounds, depending on their size, they are found in the Small Terrier and Toy groups.

They could be the cover boy or girl of any book on small dog syndrome. Yorkies, as they are affectionately called, need fair, firm, and consistent leadership at all times. Notice! If they feel the slightest weakness in their owner’s leadership, they will take over! Ask dog trainers who they get the most phone calls from for help. Most will tell you the frenzied owners of Yorkies and Chihuahuas.

It is not your fault. They are little free-spirited creatures that were raised to think independently of their handlers. They can be challenging for housebreaking and obedience training. For obedience training and socialization, you should take your Yorkie puppy to puppy kindergarten without positive reinforcement and without punishment as soon as possible. Like many terriers, they can become aggressive, agile, and shy if not socialized. A scared and unpredictable Yorkie usually turns into a biter.

As cute and tough as they are, they are extremely fragile. Not the best dog for a family with young children or for older people. Many Yorkies die each year, by being thrown or by humans stepping on them. They are also major victims of dog attacks and are not good candidates for anesthesia.

They have their share of health problems, including: bronchitis, eye infections, tooth decay, cataracts, patella luxation, knee slip, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, hypoglycemia, tracheal collapse, keratis sicca, and portosystemic shunt ( which can be fatal). Be careful with vaccines. Yorkies can also have severe reactions to injections. To avoid severe tooth decay, they need regular brushing and an annual professional dental cleaning.

The average life expectancy is 13 to 16 years. Those weighing less than 3 pounds reportedly have a shorter lifespan.

Their shedding is minimal, but if you decide to keep their fur long and silky, expect to spend a lot of time grooming them. Most of the people nowadays prefer the cute puppy cut style.
They are a good option if you have allergies to dogs.

If they are well balanced and well adjusted, you will enjoy a fearless guard dog, who is also a bold, self-assured, devoted, loving, affectionate little clown. They tend to bond with one person more than others in the family.

Yorkies have a great prey drive, so supervision is needed around other small animals. They can be relentless thieves, so be prepared to slow them down. Give them a free bark or two to reinforce that need for protection, then let them know that you’ll take control from there.

Without proper exercise, a couple of brisk walks a day, and firm leadership; Your Yorkie can develop neurotic and inappropriate behavior problems fairly quickly.

These little ones are sensitive to cold, so open them up if the weather is cold or wet.

Bottom line: do your homework. Avoid puppies from flea markets, pet stores, and backyard breeders. Yorkies are the favorites of many. It is worth spending a few more dollars to find a reputable and reputable breeder. Due to inappropriate behaviors, many end up being turned over to shelters and rescues. Look at them. If you’re willing to put in the time and energy to help them get back on track, who knows, your new best friend may be there waiting patiently for you.

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