The Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkshire Terrier is without doubt one of the most appealing of all Toy breeds. It is charming
and intelligent, and despite its size, is full of courage, loyalty and affection. Although this breed is
small, they still retain the true Terrier temperament. They are small enough to carry around and
are ideal for anyone with a small home or apartment. A Yorkie is happy to go on quite long walks,
but is equally happy to run around a small yard or home, providing it has enough toys and
distractions to occupy its lively mind. These are little dogs that think they are much bigger. They
will defend their territory decisively. They have an acute sense of hearing and will alert you to the
slightest changes in their environment. They are very good at letting you know someone or
something is around.

Most men think Yorkshires are fu-fu dogs and are of more use for females than males. Not true.
My Yorkshires spend as much time as they can with my husband. Matter of fact, you will see him
walk by and a trail of Yorkshires follow him like a nest of ducks. They don't care what it is he has
gotten up to do, just as long as they are there to see it done.

The truth is they are terriers and a good bloodline retains that instinct to hunt. They are intelligent
dogs that are very active, love to learn and to please their owner. He can fetch a ball until your
arms drop off or lay there to be rubbed until they fall asleep. They love to do outside activities. But
this little terrier has much more than that. Their drive instinct would make them perfect for agility
course runs, for hobby or show. They love to be active and enjoy spending time with you. They
what to hunt, run and play. This breeds intelligence and drive gives it an unlimited capability of
learning. I think the only limits would be not to have your Yorke jumping off of things. I would just
do ground agility. Jumping is hard on any dogs bones, joints and muscle. As well as most breeds.
The smaller the dog the smaller the framework. I teach mine not to jump off of things, but to work
their way down.
The breed has an ability to enter your heart and soul. They give one hundred percent of themselves.
They want only for you to love them and make them a part of you. Yorkies can adapt to different
lifestyles and people of any age. They can be the couch potato on a rainy day or lazy morning, and
they can be the blast of hair you seen run past you out in the yard.  Yorkshires are what I call human
litter mates. The same as we have ties to our family members, they have ties to us as being their litter
members. They learn very fast and remember things you think they are not even aware of. They find
their place in the family (litter) and that is usually the same place your kids rank. They in turn
become the same as your kids. That is why your neighbors think your crazy. But...soon the neighbors
got a Yorkshire Terrier (because they fell in love with yours) and life is history. If you look at most
families that have Yorkshire Terriers, they have more then one.
Transforms like a butterfly.....

To see this breed transform from a tiny little puppy into the elegant, beautiful Yorkshire Terrier
can truly be life changing. I have many people tell me that they never knew how people could
be so crazy about their pets until they got a Yorkshire Terrier. Now they have joined the ranks
with us "the crazy", and they don't know how they ever lived with out their Yorkie!

It truly takes a Yorkshire Terrier two years to reach his full potential. So with that you have to
remember buying a puppy is not the same as buying an adult. If you are looking for a certain
trait or a particular look you may want to buy an adult and not a puppy. Breeders are good at
their job, but lets face it we aren't fortune tellers. We can only do the best by what we know
from the past and what we have seen in our litters. That is where we go back to the bloodlines
and using good judgment.
Yorkshire Terriers and other pets.....

Yorkshire Terriers can live happily with other pets, but care should be taken when introducing
a new pup to the family. They both will need time to get to each other and find a common
ground. You should never leave a new pet with your other pet until you are very sure of how
they interact with each other.
It is best to keep your Yorkshire in an exercise pen with a dog kennel attached so they will have
a safe area.

You should also talk with your children and make sure they understand how to treat a pet and
to watch out for his or her safety. You as a parent have to make the right decision on whether
your children are ready for a pet. Some children are just too hard on pets and some parents don’
t watch them closely. Getting a pet should be a family advent and all members of the family
should have some role in the life of your pet.

Yorkshire Terriers are true to their name. They are a terrier and will fight to the death if need
be. They don't know how small they really are and in most dogs won't back down in a fight. It
is best to keep your pet on a leash at all times when your outside if you don’t have a fenced in
yard.

Teaching your pet to walk on a leash and walk behind or beside you, not in front. Showing your
dog you’re the pack leader and have control of the walk will keep his mind on you and what you
are doing as a team. This is a good time to teach them their commands as well. Stop, sit, stay,
come and heal. Doing this as a family will teach your children how to work with their pet and
build a bond of friendship as well.
Yorkies and children.....

As with all small dogs, great care should be taken when allowing small children to handle them.
You have to know your children and what type of temperament that they have with a pet.

If your children are rough and loud this really would not be the breed for you. These little guys
have a great deal of energy and love to play. With well-behaved children this breed is great, but
for children that do not interact well with this would not be the breed for you to have.

They do however love to play with sensible children and form a bond in your family just as if they
too were a child. The great thing of this breed and children is that a healthy and well cared for
Yorkie will live a long life. So they will have many years to share growing up with a child.

Their favorite sleeping place is their owner's lap. They are also prone to jump from any height,
and of course, being small, are more susceptible to accidents and injury. It is best to teach your
Yorkshires not to jump from things.....good luck.
Obedience.....

Obedience training is stared early because Yorkshires are very smart and learning from at only
weeks old. Most people can tell you right off what they did wrong once they got their new pet
home. Training your dog should start as soon as you walk in the door. I start working with my
pups and teach them as much as I can in the time I have them. If you teach your dog what to do
you’ll find everyone will be a happy camper.

Yorkshires are very intelligent dogs and will learn a great deal from you. Your pup needs to learn
what he can do and can not; you have to teach him. Start early and be consistent your pup will get
what you are teaching. They are eager little sponges, ready to suck it up. This breed has endless
love and personality just ready for your full attention. Read as many training books as you can.

The first book I would start with is Cesar’s Way by Cesar Millan. The Dog Whisperer. It is a
wonderful book with a wealth of information in it. I know for a fact your view on your pet and
yourself will never be the same again. Sometimes we need someone outside the box looking in to
tell us where we are making a mistake. If you had the right understanding of your dog you would
have the skills and techniques to make your dog happy and well balanced. Being a pack leader
from the start will prevent behavioral problems from starting. Trust me in the fact you will gain
something out of this book. No one can be a better trainer for your dog than yourself. All you
need is the right skills and for that you only need a understanding of your dog. This book will put
you on the right road. Log on to his website The Dog Whisperer and make sure you watch his
shows. You’ll love his website and be able to view some of his shows as well as order material that
will enable you too to share the wealth of his knowledge about our oldest friend, the dog. Using
his advice doesn't mean you have red flag or problem dog. Using his advice will just help you a
good understanding of your dog and his behavior.

Yorkshires are generally easy to house train. Take them outside where their new potty place is.
Let them explore their new space. Don't let them play at his time. Just take them out to potty and
right back in. This lets them learn what they are going outside for.

For their own safety, as pups, it is better to crate train them and to leave them in a crate when
they are left alone, during the night or if their owners are out of the home. Never leave your pet
alone in a crate for a long time. It is very hard on them to be confined. I leave the t.v going and
make sure she has plenty to play with and keep her mind occupied.

Teach your pup that when you leave you do come back. Confine your pup and step out for awhile,
come back in, tell him how good he did, assure him that when you leave and come back it is a
good thing. Each time you do this stay outside for a longer amount of time, he will get the idea.
Always leave them some toys and fresh water, and be sure they have a cozy bed inside the crate.
Remember that as they do enjoy human company they will not appreciate being left alone for
long periods. This is a very social animal and does not like to spend great lengths of time alone.
For this reason many homes have a pair of them..

Your puppy will need time to adjust to his new home and surroundings. Missing his home and
pack is to be expected. Making sure you keep his mind occupied will help his adjustment.
Teaching him his new home and spending time with his new family should take up a great deal of
his time.

Be sure not to over handle your pup when he first gets home. Children should be watched
carefully until you know how they interact with the pup. Remember he is learning from
everything you do or don’t do. If you over coddle him you’ll pay later. Teaching yourself and your
dog a good balance is the key to both living a happy life. We teach our children right, we do the
same with our pets. Don’t think they don’t understand, they do.

A healthy, well cared for Yorkshire Terrier can live much longer than 15 years of age.
I want families that will provide for their Yorkie always.