Yorkshire Terrier (Yorkie)

The Yorkshire Terrier or Yorkie is well know due to its small size. This breed has love and loyalty for their master and family member but can be aggressive with stranger and also with small dogs. This dog breed, as a lap dog is a good companion.

Brief History

The Yorkie was created by working men of north England, who developed the breed for catching the terrible rats and mice that infested clothing mills and mine shafts. These hunting dogs could penetrate into badger and fox burrows. The breed is not very old, but its origins are not entirely certain. However, it seems likely that Scotsmen seeking work in the woolen mills of Yorkshire brought with them various types of terrier, including the Skye Terrier, Dandie Dinmont, Manchester Terrier, Maltese and the now-extinct Clydesdale (Paisley Terrier). These were then crossed with local types, such as the longhaired Leeds Terrier. At first, the Yorkie was a much bigger animal than the one we see today, but by selectively breeding the smallest individuals, the dog was gradually miniaturized over the years. It was made into a fashion dog. Women carried these little dogs in their bags and under their arms. The Yorkshire Terrier was first recognized by the AKC in 1885.

In 1984 a piebald Yorkie was born as a result of a genetic recessive gene occurrence from two Yorkshire Terriers. Today the piebald dogs are considered a different breed which is named the Biewer or Biewer Yorkie.

Appearance

The Yorkshire Terrier is a small, toy-sized dog. The small head is rather flat on the top, with a medium-sized muzzle. The teeth meet in a scissors or level bite. The nose is black. The medium-sized eyes are dark with dark eye rims. The erect ears are V-shaped. All four legs are straight when viewed from the front. The round feet have black toenails. Dewclaws are usually removed. The tail is customarily docked to a medium length and carried somewhat higher than the back. Note: it is illegal to dock tails in most parts of Europe. The long, glossy coat is fine and silky and falls straight down on either side. The coat comes in a steel blue and tan color. The body and tail are blue and the rest of the dog is tan. Puppies are brown, black and tan. The hair on the head is so abundant that it is almost always necessary to gather it in a band to keep from going into the dog's food bowl and to give the animal maximum visibility. Some owners choose to trim the hair on top of the head.

Temperament

Yorkshire Terriers seem oblivious of their small size. They are very eager for adventure. This little dog  is highly energetic, brave, loyal and clever. With owners who take the time to understand how to treat a small dog, the Yorkie is a wonderful companion! It is affectionate with its master, but if humans are not this dog's pack leader, it can become suspicious of strangers and aggressive to strange dogs and small animals. It can also become yappy, as the dog does their best to tell you what IT wants YOU to do. It has a true terrier heritage and needs someone who understands how to be its leader. Yorkies are often only recommended for older, considerate children, simply because they are so small, most people allow them to get away with behaviors no dog should display. This changes the dog’s temperament, as the dog starts to take over the house. Yorkies that become demanding and dependent, appearing to need a lot of human attention and/or developing jealous behaviors, snapping if surprised, frightened or over-teased, have owners who need to rethink how they are treating the dog. Owners who do not instinctually meet the dog’s needs may also find them to become over protective and become neurotic. Yorkies are easy to train, although they can sometimes be stubborn if owners do not give the dog proper boundaries. They can be difficult to housebreak. The Yorkie is an excellent watchdog. When owners display pack leadership to the Yorkshire Terrier, it is very sweet and loving and can be trusted with children. The problems only arise when owners, because of the dog’s cute little size, allow it to take over the house. The human will not even realize it; however, know if you have any of the negative behaviors listed above, it's time to look into your pack leader skills. These are truly sweet little dogs that need owners who understand how to give them gentle leadership. If you own a Yorkie that does not display any of the negative behaviors, high-five for being a good pack leader!

Size

Height: 6 - 7 inches (15 - 17½ cm)

Weight: 7 pounds (3.2 kg). 

The dogs sometimes have health problems due to their abnormal small size.

Grooming

Regular grooming is needed. A clipped coat needs daily to weekly combing and brushing. Topknot is usually tied back with ribbon. Full show coats need hours of grooming and pet owners usually choose to clip them short, giving them a shaggy look. They should have their teeth cleaned regularly. This breed sheds little to no hair.

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The top 10 best small dog breeds for indoor pets

Dogs of different Small breeds have become a popular as fashion accessory for dog lovers and celebrities as well. These small dogs have beautiful look and lots of love for kids and other family members. Due to their charming personality they become centre of attention. Choosing the right small breed for your family depends on many factors, including your lifestyle, children’s age, and the size of your home. There are many small dog breeds and each of one has several pro and cons. This article will help you to choose a breed that’s the right fit for your family.

1.     Maltese

This breed is an excellent choice if you have issues with pet hair and allergies. They’re friendly dogs and get along well with kids and other dogs as well. This dog need regular human contact, it’s not a smart choice if you cannot commit a lot of time to pet care. You can easily identify Maltese by its straight and long white coat, which you’ll have to groom regularly to keep it in superb figure. Keep your Maltese close but don’t lavish too much attention on him as it could lead to behavior disorders.

2.     Boston Terrier

Boston terriers attached well with kids so it may become terrific family pets. It’s a cost saving choice because they won’t need constant grooming and won’t shed a lot of hair in your home. Brush once or twice a week to remove excess hair, and you’ll reduce shedding. Training might be necessary if your terrier demonstrates a tendency to chew on your valuables house hold.

3.         Pugs

Short legs, wrinkled faces, and lovable personality, pugs make excellent companions. But be prepared: they could be headstrong but are generally willing to please. The shape of their faces means pugs are prone to wheezing and snoring, so they might keep you awake if you bring the dog into your bedroom at night.

4.         Pomeranian

Pomeranians are of calm and gentle nature, but during the interacting with kids they can get noisy. However, they make a fantastic addition to households with children as long as you get a puppy. Be care full if you have a new baby at home, the Pomeranian shed a lot and it is the only downside of this dog.

5.         Chihuahua

Don’t be deceived by the Chihuahua‘s meek appearance, they’re sassy and unpredictable, and they’ll nip at kids when they’re disturbed, so don’t get one if you have small children in the household. They’ll also bark incessantly if they sense a new dog in the building and will demand a lot of your attention. The upsides are their fierce loyalty to their owners and ability to get along with cats – after a proper introduction.

6.         Yorkshire Terrier

These little dogs are one of the most popular toy breeds. They are independent in nature, which makes them a little harder to train. They are also known for their beautiful, long coats.  Yorkshire terrier sheds minimum with its coat.  In the view of many, this dog to be a hypoallergenic dog breeds. Beside, These dogs are extremely protective so they may bark excessively if left unattended for too long or when someone is at the door.

7.         Shih Tzu

These were originally bred in Tibetan palaces as companion dogs, they have long coats and are relatively quiet. its gentle and friendly demeanor is perfect if you have small children at home. They don’t shed much, but the dense coat needs regular grooming to prevent matting. Shih Tzu is a perfect house pets for apartments or condos. They love to spend time with their owner and will curl up next to you wherever you are. They will even sleep in your bed if you let them. They are also easy to train. This small dog sheds less however, their coat requires more grooming than other breeds. They must be bathed once a week with shampoo and conditioner and the hair around their eyes must be tied up (usually with a ribbon or bow) to prevent infections.

8.         Miniature poodles 

    

Miniature poodles are extremely sensitive and shy, so they are best suited to a single owner, at least until they get used to being around people. This breed gets along well with other dogs, children and a few other pets as long as there’s a proper introduction and time allowed to get over their initial shyness. Get a groomer to cut your poodle’s coat in your preferred style.

9.         English Cocker Spaniel

Spaniels were originally small game hunting dogs, used for flushing out Woodcock birds in the English countryside. That's why it's no surprise these feisty dogs love playing outside. They also make loyal indoor pets. This breed's incredibly adaptable nature as the reason they perform well in both, rural and urban environments. Their coats require high maintenance, which can be costly and time-consuming. They must be bathed and brushed regularly, as well as trimmed. If not, their coats become noticeably matted and disheveled.

10.       Pekingese

Pekingese is an incredibly loving dog that requires little exercise and also like a great walk. These dogs can be kept as lap dogs, yet they enjoy doing their own things too. These are loving, protective and great with kids. Pekingese doesn’t shed that often however, you will need to brush their hair at least once a month. Pekingese may take longer to house-train than other dogs, but they are easy to care for and great to play with.

Among thousands of dog breeds these are top 10 smallest dog breeds. They’re loyal, friendly, and require minimum upkeep, so they generally make for delightful indoor pets. Whatever breed you eventually choose, make sure you shower the dog with love and you’ll be rewarded with the dog’s unconditional love and loyalty. Choose the right indoor pet and pet ownership will be exciting and rewarding.

Also read    The 10 Best Dog Breeds for Children

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What's The Best Lap Dog?

The best lap dog's going to be a breed that's just as friendly as it is small. This means we have to avoid all breeds that are small enough to fit in our laps, but don't have the right temperament. When it comes to the smaller breeds, Napoleon complexes are very common. This makes it a lot harder to find the perfect dog that's cool with sitting in anyone's lap. When we make sure that we get the right breed, and really pay attention to the dogs behavior before we take him home, we'll be able to find the right creature.

When people think about getting lap dogs the first place they'll go tends to be the Chihuahua. This is a common mistake. Some Chihuahua's are friendly, but most are frightened easily, and tend to be yappers. Because of their small size, and low IQ, they tend to be more aggressive. They are worried about being harmed by strangers, and could even have some issues with certain family members in the house. One things for sure, this dog will never sit still. Chihuahuas have a lot of energy, so they're not great for petting while you watch TV.

If you're looking for a dog that's great as a lap you should consider a miniature poodle. While they aren't as smart as their cousins the standard poodle, they still have merit. Poodles tend to be friendly dogs, they're great swimmers, and most importantly, they are the smartest dog breed on the planet. A neat thing about the poodle is that they don't shed. When you stick with the previous option, you'll be cleaning Chihuahua fur out of your carpet for a very long time. This simply isn't so with these guys.

You should pay attention while at the dog breeder, or shelter. It's important to make sure the dog you're playing with is responding to you positively. A great sign that a dog's going to make a perfect lap dog is it's ability to be picked up. If it looks as though it doesn't liked being picked up, or hates being handled by people, it's probably not going to sit still in your lap. You should pay attention to how affectionate the dog seems. An affectionate dog will actually enjoy the time you spend cuddling, while one that's more independent will do it out of a dog's desire to obey.

Treating your dog with respect, and giving him the human contact he needs is a great way to ensure your dog will have a good personality. Make sure you treat your dog like a member of the family. If you do I'm sure he'll love sitting with you. Dog's love being able to sit on human furniture, and especially human laps. You just need to make sure you have one that fits the norm. Look in your local shelter today!

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