Yorkshire Terriers may be small in size but they are big on personality. In fact most Yorkies seem oblivious to their small size and are just as energetic and fun-loving as a much larger breed of dog. They absolutely love attention and affection but they also have a more stubborn and bold side to their personality. For a small dog, Yorkshire Terriers are incredibly inquisitive and are always on the look out for a new adventure and perhaps even some mischief along the way!

Most people who own a terrier will find that they are a much-loved, devoted companion and even quite useful as a little watchdog. The history of these little dogs only goes back 100 years when Yorkies were bred in England for the purpose of catching rats in mines. They were also used as successful hunting dogs and due to their size were often sent to burrow underground after badgers and foxes.

Nowadays, the recognisable Yorkies that we all know and love is slightly smaller than the original breed and is considered by some more of a fashion accessory than a hunting animal. The Yorkshire Terrier of today is a softer, more placid animal that loves to be pampered by its doting owner, yet still enjoys regular activity and will also be a terrier at heart.

The Yorkshire Terrier is an incredibly popular breed and most people are able to identify this type of dog on first glance. As the dog is so small in size and light, it is considered as belonging to the Toy breed group and not the more obvious Terrier class. However, it is not just the size of the Yorkshire Terrier that places him here; the animal also possesses a lot of the characteristics associated with the Toy category such as alertness, intelligence, a passion for activity and an inquisitive nature.

The Yorkshire Terrier is an incredibly sociable breed which makes it an ideal companion. They aren't shy one bit and can be quite bold and fearless at times. They love to play with dog toys, and will stay entertained for a long time. This breed can also be very affectionate yet protective of their family and won't hesitate to bark should they think danger is approaching. These characteristics make these terriers the ideal candidate for a watch dog. If you are considering getting a Yorkshire Terrier you need to be aware that whilst it is good that they are effective watch dogs, the barking can get annoying. Yorkshire Terriers will bark a lot so if this is something that you do not like, perhaps you need to reconsider your choice.

When it comes to children and Yorkshire Terriers, they do get on well but the relationship will work better if dog and child grew up together. By nature Yorkshire Terriers are quite tolerant of children, it is important to monitor play and ensure that the child knows how to play with the dog in a way that will not cause him to become aggressive. The child needs to understand how to play properly with the dog and not abuse or tease the dog even if they do this unintentionally. Yorkshire Terriers can snap at a child if they behave wrongly towards them.

This breed tends not to get on well with animals unless they grew up together so be careful when introducing them. You will need to socialise the animals well in order for them to get used to each together. In general Yorkshire Terriers do not get on well with cats or any sort of rodent. It is part of the terrier's instinct to hunt animals like this and it is not easy to get rid of this mind set.

With regards to training, most Yorkshire Terriers will learn pretty quickly as they are quite intelligent creatures. Even though the terrier is only small they still need a fair bit of exercise to keep happy. One 15 minute walk a day should suffice. However, if you are unable to do this everyday you will find that your pet will find ways to keep himself active indoors so make sure he's got plenty of dog chews and dog toys to keep him going through the day if you do have to leave him alone.

As a rule, Yorkshire Terriers do not shed but they do need regular grooming and clipping. Their hair needs to be brushed regularly otherwise it will get matted.

As a breed, Yorkshire Terriers are great companions and will provide you with lots of love and affection should you choose them as your new pet!

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