Notwithstanding its tiny size, the Yorkshire Terrier is a feisty but loving pet. Known for their devotion to their owners, elegant appearance, and suitability for apartment living, the “Yorkie” is one of the most favoured toy dog breed in the U.S.
Yorkies are good apartment pets, but they can be yappy, which your neighbours may not appreciate. Their dental health will require some maintenance, too. They’re playful, but they’re also small and can be injured by children. You will have a loving, adorable companion if you give her lots of attention, care, and playtime.
Famous Yorkies
Funny Face (1957)
Meet the Fockers (2004)
A Fish Called Wanda (1988)
High School Musical 2 (2007)
Famous Owners
Kristin Cavallari, Gisele Bundchen, Tom Brady, Danielle & Kevin Jonas, Naomi Watts.
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Yorkshire Terrier History
Scottish workers came to Yorkshire during the Industrial Revolution to work in coal mines, textile mills, and factories, bringing a dog called a Clydesdale Terrier or Paisley Terrier. It is thought that these dogs were much larger than the Yorkshire Terrier we know today and were primarily used to catch rats in mills.
Probably the Clydesdale Terrier was bred from the English Black and Tan Toy Terrier and the Skye Terrier. It is also possible that the Waterside Terrier contributed to the development of the Yorkshire Terrier. The dog had a long blue-gray coat and was small.
During the bench show of 1861, a Yorkshire Terrier was shown as a “broken-haired Scotch Terrier.” Huddersfield Ben, born in 1865, became a famous show dog and is considered the father of the modern Yorkshire Terrier. Due to its development in that area, the breed received that name in 1870.
The British Kennel Club first registered Yorkshire Terriers in its stud book in 1874. In 1898, the first Yorkshire Terrier breed club was founded in England.
Yorkshire Terriers were first recorded in the U.S. in 1872. As early as 1878, Yorkshire Terriers were allowed to compete in dog shows. Those early shows divided Yorkshire Terrier classes by under 5 pounds and over 5 pounds. Eventually, exhibitors settled on one kind with an average of between 3 and 7 pounds.
Yorkshire Terrier Traits
Known as the Yorkie, the Yorkshire Terrier seems quite full of himself, and why not? Yorkshire Terriers are one of the most glamorous dogs in the world, with their long silky coats and perky topknots sure to catch anyone’s attention. Due to his tiny size, he often travels in style, carried by his adoring owner in unique dog purses.
His long steel-blue and tan coat may be the Yorkie’s crowning glory, but his personality makes him lovable. Despite his small size (weighing a maximum of seven pounds), the Yorkshire Terrier is a large dog in a tiny body, always on the hunt for adventure.
In keeping with their terrier heritage, Yorkshire Terriers are affectionate towards their owners, but they can be suspicious of strangers and bark at strange sounds and intruders. When it comes to your neighbours, teaching them when and when not to bark is essential.
No squirrel is safe from them, as they can also be aggressive toward strange dogs.
The Yorkshire Terrier has a soft side as well, despite their bravado. Family time and attention are essential for them. They don’t like being left alone for long periods. Overprotecting your Yorkie isn’t a good idea. In contrast, if your actions suggest that the world is a dangerous place for them, they can become neurotic.
Yorkshire Terriers should live with older children who have been coached to respect them more than small children and toddlers due to their size. When startled or teased, they can become snappish.
Yorkies make excellent apartment dogs if they get some exercise every day, perhaps a nice walk around the block or a good play session in the living room.
No matter where they live, they’ll get along with other dogs and cats as long as they’ve been raised with them. When a new dog or pet is introduced to the house, Yorkies may become possessive of their owners. Since they are terriers, they may challenge the “intruder,” and the terrier spirit will fight to the death if a fight breaks out. Introducing a Yorkie to a new animal requires a lot of care.
Yorkshire Terriers tend to get chills in damp areas or if they’re wet. Yorkshire Terriers can be picky eaters and have delicate digestive systems. A Yorkie with teeth or gum problems may have eating problems. Take your Yorkie to the vet if he is in pain while eating or after eating.
Yorkies tend to keep their puppy teeth, especially their canines. You should check his teeth frequently during the first five months of your puppy’s life. Take your dog to the vet if you notice an adult tooth trying to come in, but the baby tooth still exists. Having retained baby teeth can cause the adult teeth to come in unevenly, resulting in tooth decay later.
Health
This breed is typically healthy, but like all breeds, they may experience specific health conditions. Not every dog of this breed will get these diseases, but it’s essential to be aware of them. Some common health problems include:
- Patellar Luxation
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
- Portosystemic Shunt
- Hypoglycemia
- Collapsed trachea
- Inverted Or Reverse Sneezing
- Allergies
- Osteochondrosis Dissecans (OCD)
Regardless of how healthy your dog is, a pet’s health insurance plan can help you stay prepared for any of your dog’s medical needs.