The Yorkshire Terrier

The Yorkshire Terrier Is A Little Dog With A Big Attitude

Do you like a dog with attitude? Then a Yorkshire Terrier may just be the dog for you. Yorkies are sweet little dogs that love to cuddle, yet they think they are big and bad and will take on a German Shepherd without blinking an eye.

The Yorkshire Terrier is classified in the Toy group by the American Kennel Club. The AKC requires the Yorkie to be less than seven pounds but there is no minimum weight limit. Some Yorkshire Terriers can weigh as little as one pound, but in order to breed dogs this tiny, health is often sacrificed, so it is not a popular option.

Yorkies have beautiful long flowing coats of hair and they seem to glide across the floor, as their long hair hides their tiny feet. Yorkies can have silver or black hair with tan accents on the heads and legs. Yorkies are black and tan when first born.

Yorkies make excellent apartment dogs since they are small and thrive well with apartment life. The Yorkshire Terrier adapts well to outdoor living also, as they are inquisitive and love to explore. It is a good idea to make sure your fence has no holes or gaps or your Yorkie will find a way through. If you keep your Yorkie inside most of the time it is very important to his mental and physical health to get plenty of exercise.

Yorkies are very sociable and love being the center of attention. They enjoy an active family life; however, the
Yorkshire Terrier is not a good choice for families with small children. The Yorkie is good natured and will endure poking and squeezing to the point where a small child can easily injure such a delicate dog.

Yorkies are small but can still develop big behavioral problems if not properly trained. Obedience classes are very important, in fact it could save your Yorkie’s life some day if he ever gets lose and runs towards traffic.
 
Yorkshire Terriers are a healthy breed and don’t normally develop serious health conditions. They do show a tendency towards hernias, hypoglycemia, and dental problems.

Yorkies are small eaters so it won’t be expensive to feed them. However, be careful not to spoil them with soft foods as Yorkies need dry food to keep their teeth healthy. You should also brush his teeth several times a week starting when he is a puppy so he gets used to it.

Most Yorkshire Terriers will require grooming at least three times a week to keep their lovely long hair from matting.

So if you are looking for a little dog with a lot of spunk, then look no further than a Yorkshire Terrier.

About The Author: George Adams is a staff writer at http://www.pets-digest.com and is an occasional contributor to several other websites, including http://www.recreation-digest.com