Quoted:
I have three dogs right now.
People are going to laugh at me but my smallest is my favorite by far. He's a Yorkie that thinks he's ten foot tall.
Other than his handicap of he's too small to do anything about it, he beats every breed I've had in every category bar none. He not only is a warning system but a directable one. I can say, "What's outside" and in the window he goes. Any noise outside gets his attention. My house has doggie door and he's in and out it ten times more than my Jack Russel or Beagle. At night, he's the first one to respond to "That's not right" noises.
My wife's a little disappointed. She wanted a nice docile lap dog like the breed is portrayed in movies and on TV not the little heller from a breed bred to kill rats but that's what we got. He's a constant source of amusement for me. Damndest hunting dog I ever had. Say Squierell and he's like the movie "Up", "Where? Where?". Watching him lay into a catfish is hilarious stuff. He'll sit on the edge of the boat just watching the line till you catch one then try to rip it apart. He bullies my other two dogs but they have no issues let him pretend to be Alpha.
Neat extras is he doesn't shed and a small size means easy transport, easy care, low feed cost, and most important small turds. He's my constant companion now. If I go out the door, he thinks he should. I only take a leash because place require them. He sticks close and listens to my every word. I'm trying to count his vocabulary which is well over 40 words now which a lot for a dog. Best part, man, he's so small you just pick him up anytime you have the need. Mines all Alpha though. He still has his balls. He wants to be close but cuddling is not his thing. Cut any dogs balls, they turn more like a bitch. I figure all those on TV have their nuts wacked. The breeders I know, their males are just like mine, little warriors.
Downside, of course, is you gotta watch them around big dogs and car doors. Upside to that is they are very smart and know their size. Mine will dominate any dog it meets but not stupid enough to go up and let one rip its head off. That's because it thinks its a killer too and it knows better. You ought to watch him shake toys like he's breaking their neck. Its constant laughter.
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I know people think Yorkies are Foo Foo dogs, but I'm sold. We're already looking for our next one to join the pack. There are amazing little dogs which is why they cost so damn much.
"Warning by Yorkshire Terrier, Protection by Smith and Wessen"
Tj
They were breed to kill things...Rats to be exact...not just any rats but coal mine rats. Coal mine rats can be be 10 lbs+
For SHTF I would want a bigger dog. My 120lb rott fits fine in a canoe. I bet a 400lb black bear would have trouble killing him.
Maybe German short hair pointer? Gaurd dog, strong prey drive, and wants to please if you are looking for a smaller dog.