Teacup Yorkies: Playful Friends

Originally bred in the mid-19th century Yorkshire, England to catch rats, the Yorkshire Terrier was first introduced to Americans in 1872. In 1878, it was one of the first breeds to be acknowledged by the American Kennel Club as eligible for registration. Since then, these cute little pups have warmed our hearts and our homes, earning a spot as the second most popular breed in the United States. Like all the Yorkshire Terrier types, the Teacup Yorkie is bright, energetic, and a favorite of dog lovers everywhere.

The Teacup Yorkie isn’t technically considered a breed on its own. Instead, they are Yorkshire Terriers bred specifically for their small (or "teacup") size. Despite being small in stature, however, Teacup Yorkies are known for being very energetic, extremely intelligent and exceptionally bold. While they generally get along well with other dogs, they are also quick to try to establish leadership as the alpha dog. In keeping with this spunky personality, Teacup Yorkies aren’t afraid to challenge larger dogs, and this can get them into trouble. It’s also another reason they are not recommended for families with small children.

Independent and loyal, Teacup Yorkies share the same personality as all Yorkshire Terrier types. While they can often be found snoozing in a warm lap, they also like to sleep in privacy, often finding a corner or isolated place in which to doze off.

They can be fiercely protective of their families, and are known to be rather territorial, at times defending their owners from a much larger opponent. Teacup Yorkies are also extremely alert and will bark at the slightest possibility of an intruder.

Teacup Yorkies are charming and intelligent. However, because of their sharp minds, they can get bored very quickly. While they may not need a lot of room to run, frequent walks and a wide variety of toys and distractions are a necessity to keep them occupied. They tend to be very easy to train, as they pick up commands very quickly, and have even been shown to recognize and retrieve different toys by name. Despite this high level of intelligence, though, they are known to be very difficult to housetrain.

All in all, Yorkshire Terrier types of all kinds make good household pets for families with older children. With its lively, energetic personality and generally sweet disposition, the Teacup Yorkie fits in well in any home. Usually not weighing more than seven pounds, their small size makes them easy to carry and take on trips. And since they get on well with other animals, they will adjust well to multi-animal homes, or families with older, responsible children.

If you’re considering purchasing a Teacup Yorkie, be sure to read up on the breed. There are plenty of sites offering Yorkshire Terrier information that will help you in selecting a healthy puppy. Like all Yorkshire Terrier types, Teacup Yorkies can suffer from several health problems that are common to the breed, but researching both prospective breeders and knowing what signs to look for can help to ensure that you’re adding a healthy, happy pup to your family.

Having raised several Teacup Yorkies, Susan Bailey is well experienced in the care and habits of small breeds. Bright and energetic, all Yorkshire Terrier types, including the Teacup Yorkie, have a wonderful even temperament and are well suited to almost any family. In this article you’ll find Yorkshire Terrier information, focusing on the temperament of the Teacup Yorkie.