Yorkshire Terrier Breed Information
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Life Span: from 12 - 15 years
Litter Size: up to five puppies in a litter. Recognized By: CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, APRI, ACR Color: Blue and Tan. Yorkshire puppies are born black and tan, gradually attaining their blue and tan coloration as they mature. Hair Length: Long Size: Toy/Small Shedding: Does Not Shed Height: usually 8 inches or under. Weight: can range up to 7 lbs. Living Area: The Yorkshire can adapt easily to most situations, making it a popular pet for families with children, single people, senior citizens, and just about anyone. They do great as apartment dogs, or enjoy the outdoors of a yard also. They are by no means outdoor dogs and need to be kept inside when not under supervision due to their size. |
Description
The Yorkie's long, glossy coat goes all the way to the ground and requires daily brushing. The hair on its head is usually tied up or parted down the middle all the way to the tail flowing straight and evenly on both sides. It has steal blue on the body and tail but tan everywhere else. There maybe be an almost gold color around the face. The head is small and somewhat flat. The muzzle isn't very long with a black nose. Eyes are medium sized and dark in color. The ears are small, V-shaped and carried erect. They are not too far apart, covered with short hair, and very deep in color usually a rich tan. The mouth is either a scissor or level bite. The neck has good reach while the body is compact with a level back. The tail is customarily docked to medium length with plenty of hair. The legs are straight and well covered in hair of rich golden tans ending a few shades lighter at the roots. The hair on the body is moderately long, and perfectly straight no waves. It has a glossy, silky texture. The hair on head and muzzle grow long to meet the length of the body. Some owners if not showing their Yorkie will keep the head trimmed.Coat Description
The Yorkie's coat is mostly seen long and silky with a steal bluish and tan color. Often the hair on top of the head is worn up with bows to keep it out of their eyes. It is non-shedding and good alternative for people with allergies.History
The Yorkshire Terrier didn't begin as the fashionable and glamorous breed that they are today. They are a combination of so-called terrier breeds evolving from various terrier breeds. To best knowledge they think the Yorkshire was a crossbreed forming for the Waterside Terrier, Manchester Terrier, and Paisley Terrier. It got this name from all this taking place in Yorkshire, England.In 1873, the kennel Club of England was formed. The Yorkshire Terrier joined the 40 selected Non-Sporting breeds under the name of Broken-Haired Scotch and Yorkshire Terriers. In the late 19th century the Yorkie made its popularity to the United States. Since then is has remained one of the most desired breeds.
Temperament
Although the Yorkshire Terrier is a small toy breed best know for his beautiful silky coat and spunky character, there are a lot of great things that make this breed so popular. The Yorkie is a fearless watchdog. They have a great sense of hearing and can usually hear someone coming long before they get to the door. The Yorkshire seems unaware of his small size. They are devoted to their owners. Most will prefer to share your bed if you allow. Full of energy they can keep up with kids. Because of their small size they might need more supervision with smaller children. They are eager to play and get into any trouble they might find. They have a mind of their own and this feisty, sweet little dog doesn't like to do anything he makes up his mind not to do! Even though is breed categorized as a toy there is still a lot of terrier left in them. They like to be busy, inquisitive, and bold. They can be aggressive towards animals so it is always a good idea to introduce with caution. While a toy, and at various times a greatly pampered one, the Yorkshire is a spirited dog that definitely shows its inner personality.Health Problems
Concerns in Health might be Portosystemic Shunt, collapsing tracheas, Legg Perthes disease, patellar luxation, and occasionally seen Progressive Retinal Atrophy. It is important to keep them current on immunizations and teeth cleanings. Because of their size they can be susceptible to fragile bones. High falls or jumps can lead to problems with joints. The "teacup" Yorkies can be even more prone to health concerns and behavioral problems.Grooming
The positive part of a Yorkie's hair is that they do not shed. Although Yorkie puppies do not need much grooming at first it is a good idea to start young so they can become accustomed to it. It may take up to 6 months for the Yorkie puppies to grow long hair and as it is groomed it becomes a silky, straighter hair. It can take a lot of time to brush and groom this breed. If you are not showing this them there are various pet trims available for Yorkshires. It is not uncommon for the Yorkie to be sporting a Westie trim. This is the same trim that is very common for the West Highland White Terrier. To keep the coat smooth and clean you need to brush them almost daily. On the upside they don't need to be cut as often as some other toy breeds such as the Poodle. If showing a Yorkshire Terriers it is a good idea to keep the coat oiled. The oil keeps the hair coated and protected, and also prevents matting. Groomers can suggest what might work best on your individual dog. Probably the main concern for maintaining a Yorkie's coat is keeping it from getting matted. When bathing it is important to use a conditioner or at least a moisturizing shampoo made for dogs. You should plan on bathing around once a week but this really just depends on the environment in which they are kept. Companion Yorkies often wear their coats shorter for easier up keeping.Exercise
Yorkies are adventurous little dogs. They do not require a lot of exercise but do enjoy going on walks. The need plenty of attention and playtime is a great way to exercise these small dogs. They love room to run but might need to stay in a restrained area with so many hazards available to such a tiny animal. Being such a popular breed it is best to always keep these dogs within sight. A lot of dog owners have toy breeds that never get them returned if lost or stolen. It is always a good idea to keep various toys around for them to play with. They will mostly enjoy any game that interacts with their owners.Training
Yorkshire Terriers are very intelligent, but they can also be a little stubborn. Keeping the training happy and fun it a great way to get through to the Yorkies. They may tend to get bored and it is important to make it a fun, positive experience for them. One way to teaching your Yorkie new tricks is by holding a small treat in your hand. Treats and lots of praise tend to work well with Yorkies. It also helps to have a good sense of humor because they will try to "outsmart" you. If starting with a puppy, Puppy Kindergarten is a great way to go. Not only does this help them to learn new things but also owners might learn the best ways to deal with their dog's individual personalities. Also another positive of Puppy Kindergarten is the social aspect. This teaches your new puppy at a very young age how to socialize with other dogs. This will help them in the future to be less aggressive towards new dogs or environments.Because these dogs love to run and play it is important to keep them on a leash or within a closed off area where they cannot escape. Because of the popularity of this breed the chances of having them returned if lost is decreased. It is also a great idea to have them micro chipped for extra safety.