- Crystal
Getting a New Puppy? 6 Reasons Why You Should Get a Yorkie
So, as Julie Andrews said in "The Sound of Music" when teaching the Von Trapp children how to sing, "Let's start from the very beginning..."
The first question many people ask themselves once they have decided to bring a new dog home is: "What type of dog is right for me?" I believe this is a great question to ask as it is so important to do your research on the various characteristics and traits of the different dog breeds you are interested in to make sure you find the perfect fit for both your family and the dog.
Why I Decided to Bring Home a Baby Yorkie
Almost four years ago, I began this exact research. I had been mourning Sophie, my Maltese, who I lost to heart disease, for a significant period of time, and I felt that bringing home a new puppy to love would help me with my grief. I knew I could not bring another Maltese home at that time because I did not want to compare my new puppy with Sophie, so I went to Google to research other toy dog breeds that were known for being excellent companions, good travelers, and hypoallergenic (i.e., no shedding).
After intensely researching many dog breeds, I determined that a Yorkshire Terrier was the right fit for me.
Why I Believe Yorkies Make Such Great Pets
Yorkies are Devoted Companions
My husband often jokes with me that I "imprinted" on Bailey too hard when she was a puppy because Bailey is completely devoted to me. There is no question in our household that Bailey and I are "together". She is never more than a few feet from me (and often in my lap). She follows me around as I move around the house and backyard and snuggles me at night. She is always by my side.
Yorkies are Small
Yorkies generally range from 3 -10 lbs, making them great travel companions. Bailey is on the larger side at just over 9 lbs, but is still very easy for me to carry in a dog carrier or dog sling. She and I go shopping, have lunch, take road trips, and travel on planes. She even once traveled with me in a horse carriage!
Yorkies are Hypoallergenic
I dislike shedding. I admit "shed" does happen at my house thanks to my sweet kitties, but if I can choose to reduce the amount of abandoned fur, I will. Yorkies are great because they do not shed. While this does mean yorkies come with a grooming cost, it is nice to be able to take your dog to places and not have to generally worry about people being allergic to your dog or leaving a mass of hair behind.
What Surprised me about Yorkies
Yorkies are Protectors
After Bailey grew out of her puppy phase, she added the role of "protector" to her companionship duties. You might not picture a yorkie when you think of home security, but trust me, they are fierce when it comes to protecting their house and loved ones.
For instance, last year we had a mouse get into our house. My cats, who are both rescues and once lived on the streets, were unfazed by this new guest. Bailey, on the other hand, went to work immediately. She ran the mouse down, cornered it, and....before I could get there...shall we say, "disposed" of it. I had never seen her hunt...I am not sure how long my mouth was open in shock.