YORKSHIRE TERRIERS WHY WE LOVE THEM: A toy dog with spunk and vigor, the tiny Yorkie (generally weighing from 3 to 13 pounds) makes for an intelligent companion who can be a particularly good match for owners in small spaces. The AKC’s Gina DiNardo calls them “big dogs in a little dog package.” They’re perfect for your lap and for cuddling, yet they’re also sturdy, smart and feisty, and can be trained to respond to commands and to do tricks. It’s also not uncommon to find these pint-sized competitors on the agility course. Yorkies, who ranked seventh in popularity in 2015, have hair rather than fur and shed very little, so they can be suitable for owners with allergies, adds Yohannan.
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WHAT TO CONSIDER: Yorkies can be yappy, and those whose hair is kept long must be groomed frequently. Yohannan notes that they have a high prey drive (as many terriers do) and will go after other pets (cats, hamsters) if you don’t introduce them properly. Yorkies are prone to congenital bone and joint issues as well as liver disease, but the good news is that they typically live from 12 to 18 years, says MaryElizabeth Dugmore, president of Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue Inc. j
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