Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkshire Terrier: BREED BOX Country: Great Britain Size: 5-7lb(2.5-5kg), 9in(23-24cm) Temperament: Spirited Grooming: Regular grooming needed Recognition: FCI, AKC, ANKC, CKC, KC(UK), NZKC

Yorkshire Terriers are cute and adorable but most people don’t know that they have a background as a dog who had to earn a living. They may be pampered pets today but the Yorkie originated in the mill towns of England where they were champion ratters. Those days are long behind them, but the brave and energetic Yorkie keeps his terrier personality with pride.

Breed History

The Yorkshire Terrier originated in the city of York in Yorkshire England in the 19th century. They can trace back to the small Waterside Terrier which also had a blue-gray long coat. These dogs weighed around 10 pounds. The Waterside Terrier, in turn, had been formed by crossing the Black and Tan English Terrier from the Manchester area and the Paisley and Clydesdale Terriers that were then in existence. According to history, the Waterside Terrier was brought to the Yorkshire area by the itinerant weavers who came to England from Scotland around the mid-19th century. The small dogs from these crosses were used to catch rats and other vermin in the clothing mills in the area and they were very good at it since they were terriers through and through and terriers excel at this kind of work. However, the little dogs with the beautiful coats also made good pets and they soon caught the eye of people who weren’t interested in rat-catching. Yorkies first appeared at a dog show in England in 1861 and became known as the Yorkshire Terrier in 1870 when they were clearly recognized as a new breed. They became a fashionable pet after this time.

Yorkies were first born in the United States in 1872 and they have been exhibited at dog shows in the U.S. since 1872.

Appearance

In appearance the Yorkshire Terrier is a Toy dog. They weigh between four and seven pounds and they have a long blue and tan coat that is parted down the middle from the head to the tail. It hangs evenly and straight on each side. The tail is docked and carried a little higher than the level of the back. They carry their head high and they have an attitude of confidence. Although small, Yorkies are brave and determined. They retain many terrier qualities including being energetic and having a desire to investigate things.

A great deal of emphasis is placed on the quality and condition of the dog’s coat. The texture should be glossy, fine and silky. It should be moderately long and perfectly straight. It should not be wavy. Dogs usually have a fall of hair on the top of their head that is held in place with a bow. This is called a “top knot.”

Puppies are born black and tan and gradually change color as they mature.

In The Home

In the home the Yorkie makes an outstanding pet. They are particularly good pets for apartment living due to their small size and minimal exercise requirements. They are very adaptable to most living circumstances as long as care is taken with them. For instance, Yorkies are not outdoor dogs. They will not do well if left entirely outdoors or kenneled. They won’t do well if left out in the heat or cold. They are Toy dogs and so you need to treat them with the same kind of care that you would use with any Toy dog.

In addition, Yorkies need to have regular interaction with people. As with all Toy dogs, Yorkies need to be well socialized from the time they’re puppies so they will get along well with other dogs and pets and know how to behave with people they don’t know. Otherwise they can develop very bad manners or become very spoiled.

Yorkies can be good around children but they are usually recommended for older children because of their small size. It can be easy for very small children to hurt them accidentally.

Yorkies can become bossy if you do not insist on being the leader in your home. They are very affectionate and loving and they make wonderful companions but many owners have a tendency to let their Yorkie be the boss. They are smart and usually easy to train but they can be stubborn unless you are firm with them. They can be difficult to house train for the same reasons. If you are firm and persistent your Yorkie can be house trained the same way any other dog can be. If you treat your dog like a real dog and not a baby he will be much better behaved.

Care

Yorkshire Terriers need regular brushing to keep their coat looking good. You will probably need to brush and comb it daily to avoid matting. Regular bathing and conditioning are also recommended to keep your dog looking nice. You will also need to clean your dog’ ears regularly to avoid ear infections and trim his nails regularly. On the bright side, your Yorkie will not require a lot of clipping or trimming. You will only need to keep the ends of his coat trimmed evenly. Like many Toy dogs, Yorkies can have dental problems so you should brush your Yorkie’s teeth weekly to keep them clean.

Yorkies do suffer from some health problems. Some of the health problems Yorkies can be subject to include bronchitis, liver shunt, lymphangiectasia, cataracts and keratitis sicca. They may also have skin allergies or reactions to vaccinations.

The breed can also suffer from some genetic problems. These problems can be found in some Yorkies but certainly not all. You should talk to a breeder to see if these problems have been found in their dogs or if they have done any health testing to try to screen for the problems. Health testing can often help detect problems so breeders can avoid using dogs with those problems. Genetic disorders include distichiasis (an eyelash problem), hydrocephalus, hypoplasia of dens, Legg-Calve-Perthes Syndrome, luxating patella, retinal dysplasia, tracheal collapse and bladder stones. With all of these possible problems, Yorkies still usually live 12-15 years. Dogs which are called “teacup” Yorkies and which are very undersized (three pounds or smaller) usually live much shorter lives because of health problems.

Where to Find a Yorkshire Terrier

In the United States the AKC parent club for Yorkshire Terriers is the Yorkshire Terrier Club of America. You can contact them to find information about Yorkies and Yorkie breeders. The Yorkshire Terrier Club of American also has a wide network of Yorkie rescue clubs across the country. They can help you find a rescued Yorkie who needs a home.

It may be possible to find a Yorkie or a Yorkie mix in an animal shelter. Like many Toy dogs, Yorkies are bred in large numbers and they often do turn up in shelters. Even with their best efforts rescue people can’t get all of them out of shelters. Check with your local shelter to see if they have a Yorkie if you are interested in one. They may not have any Yorkie puppies. It’s very rare to find purebred puppies in a shelter or even in rescue.

• Color: Dark Steel Blue, Tan
• Life Expectancy: 14-16 years
• Other Names: Yorkie
• Ideal Owners: The Yorkshire Terrier is an excellent companion dog for all ages. They are great with children however it must be noted that because they are such a small breed children under 5 can easily injure them. Like most breed the Yorkshire Terrier does not take well to being alone and if everyone in the household is away 9-5pm it is best to have 2 dogs.

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Yorkshire Terrier Reviews

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