Yorkshire Terrier: Yorkie Breed Basic Facts
Yorkshire Terriers are among the smallest of dog breeds. They’re also referred to as “Yorkies,” and they’re known for their unique personality and adorable appearance. Furthermore, Yorkies are faithful dogs who love to play with kids, making them popular pets among families.
In this article, we’ll be discussing the basic facts about the Yorkshire Terrier breed. We’ll find out a little about their history, personality, traits, and maintenance. We’ll also cover their temperament, trainability, and common health concerns.
History
Yorkshire Terriers were brought to England in the 1800s. At the time, some Scottish weavers migrated to England and introduced the breed. Since Yorkies were first discovered in Yorkshire and Lancashire, they were named after them.
However, no one knows the exact lineage of this toy dog. That said, Yorkies do share the breed of several others, including Dandie Dinmont and Maltese.
Moreover, these compact dogs used to love catching rats in mills and mines. Fun fact: Yorkies were originally bred for this task. Nevertheless, after arriving in England, they became lapdogs of Victorian ladies.
We can’t exactly blame them for making pets out of these adorable little Yorkies, can we? At present, they’ve also become our trusted watchdogs and beloved companions.
Personality
So many people are in love with the charms of Yorkies that we think they sometimes forget how bold, feisty, and fearless these toy dogs can be.
Like full-pledged terriers, Yorkies are also highly energetic and mischievous. Despite their occasional stubbornness, they’re intelligent and can be cooperative when they decide to be. Plus, they’re quick learners and are pretty adaptable, so they’re fairly easy to train.
Yorkies are alert as well, especially when it comes to vermin and intruders. Furthermore, they’re highly affectionate towards their family and with children.
Yorkies are rather vocal, though, so you need to be ready for a lot of barks and howls. Plus, they like to play and need a lot of mental stimulation.
Social Traits
Yorkshire Terriers are excellent social animals. That’s how they became a prevalent house pet and lapdog. They’re also great with older children and make wonderful companions for the elderly.
Nonetheless, as with most dog breeds, you’ll need to keep an eye on them to avoid mishaps. In addition, if you have rodent pets at home, never leave them alone with Yorkies. Perhaps because they have a history of hunting rats and mice, catching one comes naturally to them.
Another thing about them is that they can be quarrelsome toward strange dogs. They may be open to strange people, but their adaptive level to new dogs is average. This means you need to supervise them when being introduced to other pets for the first time.
Physical Traits
As stated, Yorkshire Terriers are among the smallest dog breeds. They can stand about six to 8 inches tall and weigh from 2 up to 7 pounds. They also have a small head that’s slightly flat on top. With small ears that are usually erect and pointed, you’ll know how attentive this breed is.
Additionally, Yorkies are typically a dark bluish-gray color, with a tan on the face, chest, and legs. They’re toy-sized and have a black nose, a level back, and a docked tail that’s slightly higher than the back.
Most outstandingly, Yorkshire Terriers boast long, silky straight hair that can sweep the floor when grown. However, growing a Yorkie’s coat requires a lot of effort, patience, and consistency. This brings us to the topic of how to maintain a Yorkie breed.
Grooming
Despite the fact that Yorkies don’t shed much, frequent grooming is still necessary. That is, even if you clip their coat short, they still require weekly baths and daily hair brushing.
Moreover, you need to trim them at least once every three weeks. Like other dogs, their nails have to be clipped regularly and their teeth brushed properly as well.
You can bring your pooch to a professional groomer, but you may also learn how to do the basics yourself. That way, you can at least cut back on the costs of caring for this high-maintenance dog.
Exercise
Yorkshire Terriers have a lot of energy despite their small size. That’s why you should walk them for about 30 to 40 minutes each day and provide them with mental stimulation.
Plus, Yorkies can live for 11 to 15 years. This will not only keep them healthy for the majority of that time, but it’ll also save you from their incessant chewing and barking.
These dogs soothe themselves through some destructive behaviors when they’re anxious or bored. So, remember to play with them, keep them busy, and never leave them alone for long periods.
Common Health Conditions
As with all pets, it’s critical to provide your Yorkies with a healthy and balanced lifestyle. It’s heartbreaking to see sick pets, so you have to stay vigilant and never neglect them.
On that note, here are some common Yorkshire Terrier health conditions.
Patella Luxation
Yorkshire Terriers are similar to small breeds and can be prone to luxating patellas, or temporarily displaced kneecaps. This may be a result of jumping on uneven surfaces with varying textures.
Dental Problems
This is a common concern, particularly among small breeds. Tartar and plaque buildup on their teeth can cause infections. So, brushing their teeth on a regular basis can help prevent dental problems in Yorkies.
Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes affects many dogs, but Yorkies are more prone to it than other breeds. Maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise will help to lessen this chance.
Conclusion
Yorkshire Terriers are active and intelligent little dogs. However, don’t let yourself be deceived by their small size and superb appearance. In reality, they’re these tiny bundles of courage, playfulness, and self-importance. In a nutshell, Yorkies require large amounts of effort and great responsibility. Nonetheless, they give you comfort and amusement in return. They’ll also ease your loneliness and make your days shine a bit brighter. A Yorkshire Terrier makes quite a lovely guard and companion.