If you’re looking for an enjoyable companion dog, you might not need to look any further than the Yorkshire Terrier. As far as toy dog breeds are concerned, they are one of the most popular in the United States. They may be a rather small dog but their personality is larger-than-life. They have plenty of energy and are not only a good companion for the family, they can keep you rather entertained with their antics as well.
The Yorkshire Terrier came from a similar breed that was somewhat larger, the Clydesdale Terrier. Scottish workers brought them to Yorkshire during the industrial revolution in England when they came there to work in factories or the coal mines. At that time, they were used as ratters but as they were bred with other dogs, they continued to develop into the companion animal that is so popular today. In the late 1870s, the breed began to take shape and was similar to what we see today.
As far as the personality of the Yorkshire Terrier is concerned, you are not going to find a dog with more of it. They are very confident in their own abilities and this, along with their small size, really shows through on an ongoing basis. You might also find that the dogs are different, depending upon which one you have. Most Yorkshire Terriers are full of personality but some may be more of a lapdog than others. You may find that you have a Yorkshire Terrier that is more willing to go out there and explore, so use their intelligence to train them properly and set limits.
Yorkshire Terriers may experience a number of different health issues but in many cases, they can be ruled out by finding a good breeder or by early detection. One of those issues is known as patellar luxation, which is relatively common in smaller breeds of dogs. It occurs when the patella is not lined up properly and it could lead to lameness and pain in the animal. They are also susceptible to a degenerative eye issue known as progressive retinal atrophy along with other problems, including hypoglycemia and reverse sneezing.
Most Yorkies tend to be rather active, regardless of whether they are inside or outside. It is important for you to pay attention to the activity but more than likely, you will not need to play much of a part in keeping them exercised. One thing that you can do is to have an ongoing training program that focuses on obedience. Yorkshire Terriers are also quite intelligent, and you can train them to do almost anything you could possibly imagine. The training helps them to be a welcome part of the family and it is a social event for both the dog and the owner.
Yorkshire Terriers are enjoyable dogs to have around and they are well suited for any size household. As a companion dog, you will not find one that is more enjoyable, although they may be attached to your hip at almost all times.
