I think a lot of people get yorkies expecting the typical small dog/ lap dog personality. They want a very calm, quiet dog who does well with no exercise and no stimulation. They want a dog content to lay in the same place for long periods of time. This is why I think they are so shocked by the terrier personality and why you hear so much about it with Yorkies. Yorkies ARE great little dogs- they can get a lot of exercise in a smaller area making them ideal apartment or city dogs. However, they do need exercise and mental stimulation. This can be accomplished many ways- some time to run in the backyard, games of fetch down a long hallway, long walks, trips to the dog park, trips to the pet store, etc. You need to give them the opportunity to get out and see new things and also to stretch their legs. Yorkies are feisty, playful, outgoing, and stubborn, and loving. If mine don't get enough exercise or mental stimulation- they will make their own fun- this usually means tearing something apart (hopefully their own toys!) or getting into some other kind of trouble. If your prepared for the crazy life that is a TERRIER, you will be rewarded a million times over with the love they provide.
