YORKSHIRE TERRIER
The Yorkie was bred as a ratter, used to kill mice and rats in small places. They seem oblivious of their small size being ever eager for adventure and trouble. This little guy is highly energetic, brave, loyal, and clever. While affectionate with its human, and sometimes suspicious of strangers, it can be aggressive to strange dogs and small animals. In other words, it has true terrier traits. They do best with older, considerate children. Yorkies are easy to train, although they can sometimes be stubborn. The breed is demanding and dependant and needs a lot of human attention. The Yorkie is an excellent watchdog, defending its territory in no uncertain manner. They can get snappish if surprised, frightened or over-teased, but are usually very sweet and loving. They like nothing better than to go to sleep in their human’s lap.
Yorkies are a long-haired breed with no undercoat, which means that they do not shed. Rather their hair is like human hair in that it grows continuously and falls out rarely. They should be bathed with a conditioning shampoo. Also, they carry less dander on their coat and generally do not have the unpleasant ‘wet dog’ odor when wet, and they may not affect as many people who suffer from dog-related allergies.
Yorkies are small enough to carry and are ideal for anyone with a small home or apartment. The Yorkie is happy to go on long walks, but is equally happy to run around a small garden or home, providing it has enough toys and distractions to occupy it lively mind. These are little dogs who think they are much bigger. They will defend their territory decisively. They have an acute sense of hearing and will alert their owners to the slightest sign of intruders.
Yorkies live happily with cats and other dogs if brought up with them, but being terriers, they are also very possessive of their owners, so care should be taken when introducing this breed to a new animal household member. If they do fight, they can fight to the death. As with all small dogs, great care should be taken when allowing small children to handle them, as they are prone to jump from any high, and of course, being small, are more susceptible to accidents around the home, by way of careless human feet and the opening and closing of doors. They do however love to play with sensible children.
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