Awhh, the ever-popular, adorable Yorkshire Terrier might just be his owner’s most loyal companion! In fact, this toy breed has been carted around by many a reality-show celebrity, causing a much heightened awareness and affection for this attractive pet. Their exceptionally long hair is well-suited to be pulled together into a colorful bow (not only to play “dress up” but also to keep it from falling into their food bowl), unless the owner opts for trimming this hair.

Theirs is an intelligent breed with strong hunting instincts (they were originally bred to track down rats and other vermin). This highly energetic, loyal and clever breed is very easily trained; however, “Yorkies” tend to max out at 7 pounds and at 6-7 inches in height, making them extremely susceptible to Small Dog Syndrome. Naturally suspicious of strange animals or humans they aren’t familiar with, a Yorkie may bark to “stand their ground” or worse, lunge at passersby. Because of their size, people generally tend to laugh, thinking this behavior is cute; thus, the dog isn’t corrected in a timely manner and continues displaying these behaviors.  Note–Small Dog Syndrome is not merely a “Yorkie” thing… not by far.

Yorkies often tend to do better with mature people or older children. While they are a true joy to be around, smaller children have an serious tendency to pick them up, tease them or otherwise scare the Yorkshire Terrier, making them nervous and causing undue stress on them. However, when younger children are taught to avoid these behaviors with the Yorkie, young children can bond just as well with the Yorkie as a teen or adult.

Of course, their long hair will require regular brushing. Surprisingly enough, though, that even with the length of their hair, Yorkies shed little to no hair. This, along with their tendency to attach to their owners, makes them the ultimate “house dog” – perfect for condos, apartments and smaller homes. As with humans, healthy and shiny hair usually indicates good nutrition (and vice versa), so be sure the Yorkies’ diet is well-rounded and healthy to assure the coat maintains its luster. Without proper dental maintenance, Yorkies are highly susceptible to dental problems in their latter years. Regular brushing and edible chew toys are recommended to keep their teeth clean.

As with all breeds, assure that you get a Yorkie from an experienced and respected breeder. While most don’t understand the difference, puppy mills and backyard breeders often are in it for money; health and social adaptability of your puppy is often compromised. Reputable breeders test the health and temperament of the parents before mating, giving you the best opportunity to add a healthy, well-adjusted Yorkie to your family.