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.




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

These guys are as rare as hen's teeth but American Eskimo Spritzers. They were breed in Germany in the middle ages to be watch dogs for the cart merchants. They needed a dog that could keep up with the pony drawn cart and who wouldn't eat them out of house and home - yet were brave enough to deliver a nasty bite if someone crossed over to their cart.

"The American Eskimo Dog was originally bred to guard people and property and, therefore, is territorial by nature and a valiant watchdog. They are not considered an aggressive breed. But, due to the breed's watchdog history, American Eskimos are generally quite vocal, barking at any stranger who comes within close proximity to their owners or their owner's territory."

"The American Eskimo is an affectionate, loving dog. Hardy and playful, they are excellent with children. Charming and alert. Because of the dog's high intelligence and its willingness to please, it is easy to train and often rank among the top scorers in obedience trials. American Eskimos like to work. They are naturally wary of strangers, but once introduced they become instant friends. Eskimos need to be part of the family with a firm, consistent, confident pack leader. "

We're on our second one. The first one was deemed a hero by the city of Corona when she alerted on four people robbing my next door neighbor's town home. We lived there for a year and she didn't bark once at the thousands of people that passed our place until that night. Still to this day have no idea on how she knew that the four Crips gang members were up to no good - from a second story bedroom, with the blinds and windows shut.

You often seen them as circus dogs in Europe jumping through the flaming hoops on the backs of ponies.

Our dogs have both loved the car - if you open a door to our truck they'll jump in and love going for the ride - something I think dates back 500 years to the original breed. Despite all the hair she loves the heat and isn't bothered at all by freezing cold. Our current model is after the mailman and UPS delivery guy. She'll hear them a block away inside over the noise of the TV and start huffing before they come around the corner.