Is a Yorkie right for you?

There are many good reasons to choose a Yorkie. But there are also things to consider about your lifestyle and the nature of Yorkies.

Yorkies are people dogs. They like and need to be with their people. They make excellent companions for people who like to have a little dog with them whenever and wherever they go. They can be alone for part of the day if the owner works or has to be out. However, if you have consistently long work days and/or a busy social life, a Yorkie might not be the best choice for you.

If you spend a lot of time with outdoor sports, or hiking or camping every weekend, a Yorkie might not be the best choice. They enjoy outdoor activities but are not "rough and tumble" dogs.

Yorkies are house dogs. They cannot be left outdoors without supervision.

Yorkies can be very good with calm children, but generally bond with adult family members more than with the children. Pre-schoolers are particularly challenging for Yorkies. Typically Yorkies are not a good choice for the very young.

Yorkies require regular grooming. If you choose to keep the coat long, the topknot and at least a cursory brushing need to be done daily. Even if you have the dog trimmed short, the face and furnishing need regular attention between haircuts.

Yorkies will exercise themselves with free run of the house or apartment, so a large yard is not necessary. But if you have a yard where the dog will be loose, there must be a fence. Yorkies are curious and quick. They don't always come when they are called, so a secure fence is a must for the yard.

Some Yorkies are swimmers and some are not. So if you have a pool, the outdoor dog space should not be the same as the pool space. If your Yorkie can swim, it should NEVER be without close supervision.

Yorkies take a little longer to potty train than some other breeds. They are smart little dogs but will try many approaches to a situation until they find the approach THEY prefer. It can take a little more time to convince them that your approach is the only acceptable answer.

A Yorkie is a compact personable dog, with ideas of its own, that will give lots of affection and companionship in return for a loving home that is safe and secure.