[alaskayorkie]

Originally, my wife brought one home. As much as I was always a Lab guy, we'd talked and decided she could get any dog she wanted. She did the research and decided on a Yorkie, which I'd never even heard of. Not 2 weeks later, a friend said she had to get rid of her Yorkie puppy because of an allergy. Eddie came into our lives. He was followed later by Jack, a senior rescue, and now Jillie.

Flash forward 12 years, and I don't see myself owning any other breed. For a 60 year old man, they really fit my lifestyle. They're wicked smart and teachable, satisfying all my needs to have a smart dog that I don't have to apologize for. They have a lot of energy, so it gets me off my butt to go on walks. But, being small, they don't need to run 7 miles a day to get tired. A couple half-hour walks, and we're done. Fits my lifestyle.

Small dogs can be more socially acceptable, too. You wouldn't bring 2 rambunctious border collies over to a friend's house for dinner, but we're frequently asked to bring the Yorkies with us. I'm leery of kennels, but I've always had good luck finding house sitters who don't mind hanging out with our Yorkies.