What is a Yorkie? A combination of terrier and toy dogs. Starting out as a smallish terrier in Scotland, the Yorkie was brought to Yorkshire, England, by Scottish weavers and miniaturized into a true lapdog size. But lapdog doesn't necessarily mean all Yorkies like to sleep on laps all day. Some Yorkshire Terriers are indeed dedicated cuddle-bugs. But others act more like tiny terriers, with instincts to chase anything that moves and warn off strangers with their sharp bark.

The biggest problems I see with Yorkies have to do with how their owners treat them. If you carry your Yorkie everywhere, you're telling him that you think the world is too terrifying for him to walk around in.

Coddling and babying lead to insecure dogs who tremble in your arms and bark when they see a strange sight or hear a strange sound. This isn't a healthy state of mind for any dog to live with.

Don't treat your Yorkie like a doll to be carried or cuddled for hours. Do training with him. Build him a tiny obstacle course. Teach him to play fetch with a cherished toy or ball. Above all, make sure he behaves. When treated sensibly, most Yorkies are lively and inquisitive, physically and mentally quick, and spend much time trotting around the house and yard, checking things out.

Now, you do need to take precautions! There are dangers lurking everywhere for toy dogs. The trick is to let your Yorkie walk on his own four feet as much as possible, while still keeping an eagle eye out for real danger.

If all this sounds like Yorkshire Terriers are too active for your taste, rest assured that even the go-getters are lovers of comfort who enjoys snuggling into soft pillows through the day.

 

The Good

• Fine-boned, elegant, easy to carry, doesn't take up much space

• Sheds very lightly (one of the best breeds for allergy sufferers)

• Lively and inquisitive, moves swiftly with light-footed grace

• Doesn't need a lot of exercise

• A keen watchdog – won't fail to announce strangers

• Peaceful with other pets

The Bad

• Notorious housebreaking difficulties

• Prone to barking

• Regular brushing and combing, or regularly trimming/clipping the coat short

• Naughty, anxious when babied or spoiled or not socialized enough or made to behave.

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Have you heard of a Teacup Yorkie? a Tiny Toy Yorkie? an Extreme Tiny Yorkie?

Those phrases are made-up. There is no such breed or variety as a Teacup Yorkie, Tiny Toy Yorkie, or Extreme Tiny Yorkie. Those are simply cutesy marketing terms that some clever breeders use to try to make you think you're getting some kind of extra-special Yorkshire Terrier. There are however breed defects that can produce these tiny Yorkies but they are often riddled with health problems.

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The two main behavior problems in Yorkies:

• Housebreaking. I would put the Yorkshire Terrier on my Top 5 List of Hardest Breeds to Housebreak. If you live in a cold or rainy climate, it's worse, because Yorkies hate both cold and the rain.

A COVERED toilet area is strongly recommended. Sometimes a doggy door is necessary so your Yorkshire Terrier can run outside the moment he feels the urge in his tiny bladder. Or teach him to use an indoor litter box.

• Barking. With their keen senses, Yorkies make excellent watchdogs. However, this can make them too quick to sound the alarm at every new sight and sound. You have to be equally quick to stop them before excessive barking becomes an established habit.

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Are Yorkshire Terriers good with children?

A better question is rather, "Are Yorkies SAFE with children?" My answer is, "With most children under about the age of 9 or 10.... no." A child can seriously injure a Yorkshire Terrier by stepping on him, or by sitting on him when he's curled under a blanket or pillow, where he frequently likes to sleep.

No matter how well-meaning, young children cannot help being clumsy. That a child meant well is little solace to a Yorkshire Terrier who has been accidentally stepped on, sat on, rolled on, squeezed, or dropped.

Grooming!

Great news! Yorkshire Terriers shed very little, produce very little dander, and are one of the best breeds for allergy sufferers.

The bad news.... without frequent brushing and combing, Yorkshire Terriers become a matted mess. Mats and tangles are painful. When hairs fuse together, they pull on the dog's skin whenever he walks. Especially look for mats behind the ears, under the arms, and on the stomach. In longhaired dogs, I always clip the groin (and butt) short so it stays clean and sanitary when the dog goes to the bathroom.