The Yorkshire Terrier also known to many as the Yorkie, said to have Scottish ancestry, was brought to England by breeders in the 19th century. It was originally bred and used to catch mice in clothing mills. Due to its energetic and brave temperament, it excelled at this task. Today, the Yorkie is one of the most popular and sought-after dog breeds in the United States. Its long silky coat which is usually blue and tan in color gives this puppy a unique physical appearance. These charming little dogs crave attention and are very affectionate towards humans; thus, making them the perfect addition to your family.

Appearance and Grooming

This toy sized terrier has a long, silky and soft blue and tan coat that is parted on the face and from the base of the skull to the end of the tail and hangs evenly and quite straight down each side of body. The body is neat, compact and well proportioned. An interesting fact is that their coats become lighter in color as they age. Though, shedding is minimal, their long hair requires daily brushing in effort to prevent tangles and knots. Regular grooming every for 6 to 8 weeks is also very important to keep a healthy coat and clipped nails.

Temperament

This self-assured, intelligent breed is a combination of charming looks and adventurous terrier spirit. This breed can certainly show a wide range of personalities from cuddly and perky and wanting nothing more than to adoringly follow in their families everywhere, to an outgoing and sometimes mischievous temperament. Early socialization and training will make for a well-rounded addition to your family. But be careful not to spoil them to much as they can encourage them to form bad behaviors.

Family and Companionship

These elegant dogs are very affectionate towards their owners and families as one would expect from a companion dog, but true to their terrier heritage, they're sometimes suspicious of strangers, and will bark at strange sounds and intruders. They require lots of attention and time with their family. It is best not to leave them for long hours as they will become quite anxious and yappy. Because of their small size they will do best with older children unless supervised during play time with younger children.

Exercise

Daily exercise will help your Yorkie release pent-up energy, maintain muscles, keep the heart healthy, keeps the metabolism working efficiently and intense that they are panting. A moderate walk twice a day is perfect. These dogs like routine, so ideally one in the morning and one in the evening.

Training and Socialization

These puppies respond best to repetition, praise and plenty of positive reinforcement. They are very in tune with the trainer and the challenges of training as they are driven by the mental stimulation. Early socialization is equally important as it offers the opportunity to become accustomed to people, other dogs and traffic. It also provides this curious pup with mental stimulation by way of sight, scent, sound, which aids in the training process.