Breed Summary

Yorkshire Terriers are surprisingly bold, brave, and adventurous despite their small stature. Their boldness can cause them to challenge larger dogs; they just don’t see themselves as small. Early training and socialization can help manage such behavior. Firm, consistent training is also recommended to ensure your Yorkie understands its place in your home and who is pack leader. Untrained Yorkies are prone to Small Dog Syndrome, making them nervous, neurotic, snappy, or yappy. They are intelligent and alert, often serving as very effective watchdogs. They are companionable and affectionate, and they are best suited to families with children who are old enough to understand how to handle such a small dog.