Facts of Yorkshire Terrier (Yorkies)

The Yorkshire Terrier, also referred to as the Yorkies are lively and inquisitive types of dog breeds. They are playful and spend most of their time dashing around while checking things out.

Yorkshire Terriers are small dog breeds, bred to be companions and are often clever, brave, determined and energetic. They are the most popular toy dog breed in the United States and his devotion has won many fans.

They are known to have some tolerance to other animals and make good pets because of several reasons. Their size makes it easier to carry them around and you can also allow them to rest in your lap as they view their surroundings.

Unlike other breeds, they easily adapt to different types of apartments. You can easily travel with the Yorkies as they also like adventures. They are less expensive to board compared to larger dogs and they often fit within the weight restrictions on pets.

Yorkies tend to be affectionate dog breeds as they love interacting with humans. You will always see him jumping on your lap while you are watching or follow you around the house.You should never leave them alone in the house as they like seeing people and playing around with older kids.

You need to groom the Yorkshire regularly since most members of the family would often carry them around. They are always confident and intelligent making them the perfect family companions.

It is also necessary to provide the Yorkshire with behavioral training to control the way they interact with other people and their surroundings.

Yorkshire Terrier Breed Characteristics

Main Highlights

• Yorkshire Terriers, also referred to as ‘Yorkies’, originated from the United Kingdom and are mostly bred in the United States.
• They belong to the Toy and Terrier breed group
• The Yorkshire terriers can be carried easily in special dog purses when traveling to different places.
• The Yorkies are affectionate towards their family and they might also become suspicious of strangers.
• Yorkies are likely to be aggressive towards strange dogs or squirrels.
• Yorkies require lots of attention and time with the family members. It is a bad idea to leave them alone in the house.
• Yorkies make fine apartment dogs provided they have a nice walk around the block or a good play session in the living room. They also become snappish when teased or startled.
• Yorkies would get along with other pets in the homestead irrespective of their home environments. It is only possible if the other animals are also friendly.
• Yorkies are terriers who like challenging the “Intruder”. They often show reactions when you bring other new pets in the house. It is important to take good care when introducing the Yorkshire terriers to a new animal.
• Yorkies can help you identify strangers, but do not expect them to provide protection because of their reluctance to attack.
• Yorkies are not afraid of the big city when they are properly trained. It is necessary to provide them with adequate training as it controls their behavior when adapting to new environments.

Breed History

Workers from Scotland came to work in Yorkshire during the Industrial Revolution in England. They worked on the textile mills, coal mines and factories bringing with them the Paisley Terrier dog breed. They were also referred to as the Clydesdale Terriers.

They were bigger compared to the recent Terriers and they were used primarily to chase after the rats in the mills. The Paisley Terrier was then crossed with other terriers such as the Tan Toy terrier, Skye terrier and English Black Terriers.

Another dog breed that might have contributed to the development of Yorkies was the Waterside Terrier. This type of Terrier was a small dog breed that had a long and blue0gray coat.

Yorkies were registered in the British Kennel Club for the first time in 1874 studbook. In 1898, the first breed club of the Yorkshire terrier was formed. These dog breeds began competing in dog shows since 1878 and the Yorkies classes used to be divided by weight.

Most exhibitors managed to settle on a single class of Yorkies with an average weight of between 3 and 7 pounds. The Yorkies are known to have originated in the Northern England which is the largest part of the United Kingdom. They were later spread to other countries by immigrants from the foreign nations.

Today, the Yorkies are popular in the United States and they are favorite dog breeds because of their playful and devoted nature.

Other Names

The Yorkshire terriers have been referred to by several names depending on where they are bred. Other dog owners have also given them unique names according to their character or playful nature.

Some of the common nicknames include Yorkie, Yokey, and Yorkie Terrier. You can also give your terrier a nice name according to their behavior.

Yorkshire Terrier Temperament

Although the Yorkshire Terriers are small, they are known to be active, curious, fond of attention and very overprotective. It is not advisable to leave the Yorkies with typical young children because of their smaller size. They make ideal companions for families with older children and other reputable breeders.

The reason why it is easy to train the Yorkies is that they have the ability to work without the human assistance. They were originally developed as a working breed and they require much of the mental and physical stimulation.

To keep their minds busy, it is essential to take the Yorkies for long walks, play with them indoor games and provide adequate training.

Yorkies are known to be happy and can adapt quickly to new environments. They make suitable pets for several homes and thrive on love and attention. However, some Yorkies will be more timid to other strange dogs and would prefer staying close to your comfort. It is the behavior of the Yorkies to bark frequently.

It makes them excellent watchdogs as they can easily alert you in case of intruders when they are close. Although they have a tendency of barking, it is necessary to provide the Yorkie with adequate behavioral training and exercise.

Yorkshire Terrier Size and Weight

The size of Yorkshire Terriers is usually inconsistent depending on their parental breeds. They weigh no more than 7 pounds and measure approximately 8 to 9 inches. Most people prefer Yorkies that weigh four to six pounds.

There are other breeders who offer the teacup Yorkies which are often smaller than the standard Yorkshire Terriers. Although they may be cute dog breeds to carry around, they are prone to genetic disorders.

Health and Potential Problems

Some of the health problems that are present in the Yorkies include portosystemic shunt, keratitis sicca, cataracts, lymphangiectasia and bronchitis. Their digestive systems are also delicate and they may experience diarrhea or vomiting when they consume toxic substances outside their normal diet.

Yorkies have a poor tolerance for anesthesia and are likely to be injured by other dogs or high falls because of their small sizes. There is also the possibility of your Yorkie experiencing a hair loss or inflammation at the injection site.

Their skin can become dry as a result of allergies and they usually have a lifespan of 13 to 20 years. Yorkies with a smaller size such as the teacup Yorkshire Terriers usually have a shorter lifespan because they are prone to health problems.

There are other types of genetic disorders that occur in the Yorkshire Terriers. Some of them include hypoplasia of dens, retinal dysplasia, Distichiae eyelashes, distichiasis, and bladder stones. They can also experience hypoglycemia which is as a result of low blood sugar. It is caused by too much time between meals.

Care Features

The Yorkshire Terriers like playing outside and also enjoy a walk in the courtyard.You can also keep them well exercised with little effort since they are always active while indoors. Yorkies are generally obedient to training when performing respective or agility trials.

It is difficult to housetrain your Yorkie because there may be small accidents that can lead to injuries. You can develop a well-trained Yorkie when you direct them where to go from the beginning and congratulate them for doing something good.

Yorkies do not tolerate extreme cold or heat because they are definitely house dogs. Most dog owners prefer to paper train their Yorkies to prevent taking them outdoors where there are extreme weather conditions. Yorkies also love squeaky toys and would enjoy fetching you the toys that are thrown at them.

Feeding Schedule

The amount of food that you feed your Yorkie will depend on his weight and size. They are small dog breeds and thus eat little quantities of food.

The recommended daily amount of high quality dry food that you can feed your Yorkie is a half to 3/4 cups. There is also a bigger difference in the quality of dog food you buy for your Yorkie. It is important not to feed them with fatty foods. See: Best Dog Food for Yorkies

You can keep your pet in good shape by feeding him twice a day at regular intervals and by measuring his food. Providing your Yorkie with a balanced diet not only boosts their immune system but also increases his lifespan.

Coat Color and Grooming

The Yorkies have a long and silky coat that does not have any hint of a wave since they are perfectly straight. They shed very little and also have a single coat. Most of the Yorkie show dogs have hair that touches the floor. They Yorkshire puppies are usually born black, having a blue and tan coat that developed steadily as they grow older.

Other colors of the Yorkies include black and tan, black and gold, blue and gold. They need regular grooming because of their long hair. It is also important to check your Yorkies ears regularly as part of the grooming process for any signs of infection.

They can lose their teeth at younger stages in their lifetime a lot of tartar develops on their surfaces. It is necessary to brush their teeth regularly to enhance the growth of your dog’s teeth.

Children and Other Pets Compatibility

Yorkies are not recommended for families with young children because of their sizes. Younger children can step on or drop them easily. Holding the Yorkie too tight can also lead to severe internal injuries.

They are affectionate to older kids and can get along well with other pets if socialized at an early stage. They are confident to go after strange dogs and form a tendency to bark at strangers or intruders.

Teacup Yorkshire Terriers

Individuals who do not find the regular Yorkie cute or adorable often go for the Teacup Yorkie. They are smaller than the normal Yorkie dog breed and most people like them because of their spirited personality. Although Teacup Yorkies are tiny, there are higher responsibilities for owning one.

They are incredibly fragile as both puppies and as adults. Although they are smaller in size, it does not prevent them from becoming stubborn or inquisitive and enjoy exploring and activity.

One significant downside of the Teacup Yorkies is that they are prone to illnesses and have a shorter lifespan compared to the normal Yorkshire Terriers.

Conclusion

Before you make the decision of purchasing a Yorkie, it is important to learn about their character and temperament. It is also necessary to understand their nature and health stability depending on the type of dog breed.

The normal Yorkie and the Teacup Yorkshire are all adorable and most owners would be proud to own one of them. It is important to take good care of them from a younger age by providing extensive care.

Give your Yorkie a balanced diet as their body requires essential nutrients that are useful in boosting their immune system. Regular grooming is a requirement when it comes to the Yorkies since they are prone to certain infections or illnesses.

It is also important to provide your dog with behavioral training as it is useful in controlling the way they interact with other people and new environments.

Although they can alert you of intruders, their small size does not qualify them to offer protection. Yorkshire Terriers have been popular in the recent times because of their playful nature and adaptability to different apartments.