What anatomical feature defines membership in the Order Carnivora for the Yorkshire Terrier?

Specialized teeth adapted for shearing flesh, the carnassial pair

Membership in the Order Carnivora is determined by shared anatomical characteristics, particularly relating to feeding adaptations, irrespective of an animal's current diet. The key feature emphasized for inclusion in this order is the development of specialized teeth known as the carnassial pair. These teeth are structurally adapted to function like shears, enabling the effective cutting and shearing of flesh. While the name suggests an obligatory meat diet, this order is broad, including omnivores and herbivores like bears. Therefore, a Yorkie, despite consuming kibble, belongs here due to this fundamental skeletal and dental heritage designed for processing animal protein, a trait shared with its predatory relatives.