The Small Wonder Dog

People living in apartments or small homes who still want a dog, should consider the silky yorkshire terrior. This dog is part of the terrier family, but only weighs around 7 pounds and is about 9 inches tall. It doesn’t require a lot of energy or exercise on the part of its’ owner, but is very affectionate. It is a good companion for an older or handicapped person, or a family with older children. Everyone will be charmed by the baby doll faces and social nature of these dogs.

The silky yorkshire terrier was developed in England in the earlier part of the 20th century by breeders who combined Scottish and English black and tan terriers, as well as Maltese and the now extinct Clydesdale terriers. They kept taking the smallest puppy in the litter to breed until the result was the small dog we see today. These dogs are very popular in England and gaining popularity in the United States. They are very small, but live to be 14 to 16 years old, giving an owner years of enjoyment. They are unique in that their hair can fall in a silky cascade to the floor, but they do not have a shedding problem.

The accepted silky yorkshire terrier look is that of a small compact, squarish body of from 6 to 7 pounds, with a wedge shaped slightly flat head. The ears are V shaped small and erect. The hair color ranges from black to silver to tan in various shades and is silky and fine in texture. They fall into the AKC toy classification. These little guys are excitable and playful with low exercise needs. Silky yorkshire terriers are definitely inside dogs and don’t like extremes in temperature. They make good companions and watch dogs, who bark when they think there is an intruder.

Dog lovers wanting a silky yorkshire terrier should be prepared to have just one pet, as they don’t get along well with other animals. They need a lot of affection to be happy, and don’t like much competition. Families with older children are best, since these dogs don’t do well with small children and their exuberance. Health problems are few, but there are some issues to be aware of concerning eyes, joints and so on. Anyone owning a small dog like the silky yorkshire terrier should do their homework on health and care issues, so they have the best time with their dog.