Talk to me about Yorkshire Terriers

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I've only ever had a cat, never been a dog owner. When I was out at work, a cat was the best choice as they are more independent and can be left alone longer than a dog. I'm due to retire soon and would like a small dog that I can take away with me in my campervan. I've always liked the idea of a Yorkshire Terrier, but actually know nothing about them.

Are they as cuddly as they look? good-tempered? easy to train? Should I buy a puppy or an older dog? Do they have many known health issues? How do I find one from a reputable source? Any advice gratefully received.

A neighbour has had various Chinese crested dogs, both the slightly odd naked ones and the fluffier type. We are die hard large gundog people but these dogs are marvelous little things, so easy to keep and cuddly. Theirs aren't very yappy but they are people dogs so they like to be with you.

I mention them as my parents are in a similar situation to you with retirement plus campervan and after meeting our neighbours dogs are planning to have the fluffy variety as their next dog.

I think early training is absolutely key with this breed. They are so keen to learn. We trained ours to walk in fields as soon as we got him, and he is fantastic. Never runs away, and can even walk near sheep and totally ignore them

This. They’re clever little things and if you don’t set up good training techniques they learn very fast how to get their own way.

Thing is many yorkie owners don’t bother as it’s easier to pick them up and carry them round than teach them recall, basic commands, good manners etc. And that’s why they have an arsey reputation, because so many aren’t treated with proper respect.

I find positive reinforcement works wonders. The minute I tell him he’s a good boy he’ll do anything to earn more praise. I just tell him he’s a good boy along with a command when he’s doing something I want him to do, and that’s it learned.

I find positive reinforcement works wonders. The minute I tell him he’s a good boy he’ll do anything to earn more praise. I just tell him he’s a good boy along with a command when he’s doing something I want him to do, and that’s it learned
I've never had a small breed first and wasn't interested in one. This one came to us unexpectedly, so went along with it. I've been so surprised how incredibly clever our dog is. As you say, teach them a command, praise and reward, and it's learnt for good. Thankfully, we are a family who love teaching, so we all got involved and he couldn't get enough of it.

He even learnt not to bark. We tackled it immediately as it started. He quickly learned that it was a behaviour not acceptable. He very rarely barks now, but when he does (only when he sees something in the garden), we just have to remind him, and he muffles his barks and then stops. It's quite cute.

I find myself talking to him all the time like I did to my toddlers because he understands as well as they did at about 24 months.

Have you considered a Havanese? Small and very portable but are bred as lap dogs and don't seem to have the terrier personalities !?

My brother has a Havenese and much as I love my (large) dog, his is perfect for a life of travel.. laid back, happy to meet people and doesn't need huge walks or lots of space to be happy (my brother lives in a flat in central London but travels all over and his Havanese just takes it in his stride)

I have had two Yorkies, both male, both great dogs. One was tiny 2kg, the other was a bigger one 7kg. Tiny ones can have more health problems and are more injury-prone. Both dogs were playful, affectionate, feisty, curious. Neither were yappy. Bigger one liked long walks, neither would go out in the rain or snow! Grooming isn’t a problem if you keep on top of it. Yorkies like to travel and campervan holidays sound ideal!

I hot my two Yorkshire Terrier/Biewer Terrier dogs from a woman in England. They were almost a year old. The issue I'm having is peeing on beds. I let them out into garden in the morning and yet the male comes in and either pees on kitchen floor or on my bed. It is getting frustrating. Can someone help

I personally like Westies that would be my little dog of choice

The issue I'm having is peeing on beds
It could be behaviour from past negative experience.

Or struggling to adjust to change and testing what it takes for you to still love and keep them.

Patience and gentle disciplining whilst still giving lots of positive reward. Talk to them about not seeing and if they don't do it when they are at risk to do so, give a treat and lots of verbal rewards.