The Yorkie, nickname for the Yorkshire Terrier is affectionately called by its devoted owners and is a pleasure to live with. Content to be stroked and petted, your Yorkshire Terrier will take up residence on your lap whenever possible. Yorkies have a keen sense of adventure. They are brave and loyal and seem to be oblivious to their size - or definite lack thereof. The Yorkshire Terrier has been in the top 10 most registered with the AKC for the last several years.

These dogs need minimal space and are perfect if you live in a smaller space like an apartment. Yorkshire Terriers will also get along well with small children. They can be possessive and you should always exercise caution when you introduce your Yorkie to your child. Well trained Yorkies will have no problem adjusting to family life. Yorkies are also excellent dogs to have with cats.

If you have already decided that you want a Yorkie then there are various things you can do to make sure you get the best possible puppy.

Make sure you have a clear idea of exactly what you want before you start looking for a breeder. There are many things you will want to make sure of like deciding whether you want a male or a female puppy. Would you prefer a dominant or quiet puppy? Your lifestyle and resources will play a large role in your choices.

If you are wanting a Yorkie puppy it is recommended that you steer clear of pet store puppies. They are often bred in poor circumstances and have not had enough interaction with their siblings. You could end up with a sickly, badly socialized Yorkie.

Choosing a reputable Yorkie breeder is important even if you don't plan to show the puppy. Problems that you will find is the puppy may be inbred or the fancy terms used by certain breeders is called linebreeding. The pet the problems associated with choosing a half-bred or worse is a cruelly bred puppy can cause your family a lot of heartache later. Just like any other big decision research is one of the most significant ways in which you can be sure you are committing to the best breeder.

Does the breeder offer a health certificate, vaccinations and other paperwork like the registration documents? The health certificate is the most important paperwork because they can only be issued by a licensed veterinarian. To get the health certificate the vet must exam the puppy and if there is something seriously wrong with the puppy the vet won