Are you a Yorkshire Terrier Person?

The Yorkshire Terrier is a toy breed, and you cannot ignore or forget this fact when deciding to add this breed to your household. This is a small dog and, because of its size, there will be certain factors that must be considered.

Yorkies, like many of the terriers, feel that even though their bodies may be small, they are just as intimidating as 100-lb dogs and can take on anything that may cross their paths! They can be aggressive with other small pets, such as cats, gerbils and rabbits. Like all terriers, they may like to dig, have a somewhat aggressive nature when needed and like to bark.

In addition, typical of terriers, they are blessed with a lifespan of around 15 years, and throughout that time they can remain physically active and challenging. This is a breed that can also be manipulative; if your Yorkie becomes spoiled, he can and will run your household. If you want to have this breed as a pet, you must be aware of these Yorkie qualities. Having said this, though, there is no reason that a well-bred Yorkie, who is owned by a sensible owner who can train his dog and let the dog know who the boss is, cannot be a simply delightful companion for all of his years.

Before purchasing your Yorkie, you must give some thought to the personality and characteristics of this dog to determine if this is the breed for you. Consider the following factors before making the decision to adopt a Yorkie companion.

How much time do you have to devote to this dog? Yorkies are indeed little people and love to spend time with their owners. They, in fact, will be quite miserable if left unattended for hours on end. Your Yorkie will need care, companionship, training and grooming. This is almost like having a child, except that the dog remains childlike and will always require your care and supervision.

For the safety of the Yorkie, do you have a fenced yard? While Yorkies don't run away from home, as many breeds do, they can be easily distracted by a noisy bird or brazen squirrel across the street. Of course, given his small-mammal size, your fence cannot have large holes or gaps, or else your Yorkie will go headfirst through these openings. And don't forget, he may also choose to go under the fencehe is a terrier, and digging is one his many talents.

Also, think about your own dog history. Have you owned a toy dog before, or have you only owned larger breeds? The Yorkie is much different from ordinary regular-sized dogs. Your previous experience owning a small dog gives you a good idea of what a dog expects from you and what you must do for your dog. Since the Yorkie is an active dog, he will need exercise and lessons in manners. This is a smart dog and needs an owner who is equally as smart as, or smarter than, he is!

Your lifestyle also plays a part in this decision. Do you have small children? Young kids are not suitable companions for the delicate Yorkie. Older children may be perfect companions, provided you have the time to teach them how to handle the dog and supervise them so that they will not mistreat this pet. The Yorkie, because of his small size, will not tolerate any mistreatment from a child. Unlike a Labrador or a Golden Retriever, who will allow a small child to ride on his back or pull his ears or tail, the Yorkie could be severly injured if mishandled. You will have to teach your children how to behave toward and around this pet.

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