Yorkshire Terrier is among the smallest dog breeds but big in personality. They are very loving companions of humans. One of the most popular dog breeds in the United States was "Yorkie", which was known for winning the hearts of many fans. Yorkshire Terriers are suitable for apartment life due to their small size and elegant look. Like many other purebred dogs, you can find them in the care of shelters and rescue centers.
Although the Yorkshire Terriers are good for apartment life, their yappy nature makes them one of the bad dogs for the neighbors. You need to pay special attention to their maintenance, especially when we talk about their dental care. Don't leave them alone with the children as they have small size and can be injured by the children while paying. If you want a dog like your shadow, these are going to be sick to you like your shadow. Let's know more about this cute and loving dog breed.
History
The Yorkshire Terrier dogs
belong to the Scottish workers who came to England during the industrial
revolution to work in mines, textile mills, and factories. They bring a dog
with them known as Clydesdale Terrier, which is much larger than the present
Yorkshire Terrier. Their primary purpose was to catch the rat in the mills. It
is thought that these larger terriers were crossed with the other Terriers, maybe
with English black, Tan toy Terrier or Skye Terrier to produce the present
Yorkshire Terrier. It's also thought that the Waterside Terrier also has a role
in producing the present Yorkshire Terrier.
The first Yorkshire Terrier
was shown in a bench show in 1861 as a "Broken-haired Scotch terrier".
Another Yorkshire Terrier named "Huddersfield Ben" was born in 1865
and became a very popular show dog. Many breeders consider this special
individual the father of the present-day Yorkshire Terriers. The York Terrier
name was given to the breed in 1870, when most of the development had taken
place. The first Yorkshire Terrier was registered in the British Kennel Club
stud book in 1874, while their very first special club was formed in 1898.
It's believed that the earliest Yorkshire Terrier was born in the U.S in 1872 and compete in dog shows in 1878. At first, their two classes were defined, the first one is below the 5 pounds weight and the second is above the 5 pounds weight.
Size
The Yorkshire Terrier dogs can be grown up to 8 to 9 inches in height at the shoulder with around 7 pounds weight. But their preferred weight is 4 to 6 pounds. They are also a little inconsistent in their size, as it's not unusual for an individual to weigh less than 4 pounds, while the other individual can grow up to 12 to 15 pounds weight. Many breeders also offering the teacup Yorkshire Terrier, but beware of these breeders, as the dogs that are less than their standard sizes are prone to different health issues. They have a higher risk of genetic disorders as compared to other dogs.
Personality
Although the Yorkshire Terrier
is small, but they are known for their adventurous terrier spirit. Many
individuals are known for their cuddly and perky personalities and love to
follow the steps of their owners. While some individuals are mischievous and
outgoing.
Make sure to set some limits for your Yorkshire Terrier if you want a wonderful companion.
Try to start their training at an early age to get the perfect results. You can let them on their way and then try to correct their bad habits. They need early socialization and exposure to different people, sights, and sounds.
Health
Yorkshire Terriers are also
prone to different health issues like many other dog breeds. But the breeder
you choose plays an important role in determining their health issues. Make sure
to check the health clearance of both of your puppy parents and ensure that
they are cleared for a particular condition. For the Yorkshire Terriers, you
can check the health clearance of OFA for hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia,
hypothyroidism, and von Willebrand's disease. You can also check the Canine Eye
Registry Foundation certificate for eye conditions. Some common health issues
of the Yorkshire terriers include the following.
·
Patellar Luxation
·
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
·
Portosystemic Shunt
·
Hypoglycemia
·
Collapsed Trachea
·
Reverse Sneezing
Besides these health issues, you can also check for eye infections, teeth, and gum problems, as these can also occur in Yorkshire terriers.
Care
Yorkshire Terriers love to
take a walk outside and playing with their owners. But you don't need to take
them for some special exercises like many other dog breeds as they are very
active indoors. You don't need to put a lot of effort into keeping your
Yorkshire Terrier well-exercised. So, in general, it's easy to train these
small dogs due to their active nature. You can give them a reward during training
to perfectly train them for various tasks. If you are putting in some good effort,
you are going to end up with a well-trained Yorkshire Terrier dog.
But you need to take some special care about your Yorkshire Terrier dog as these are small dogs and don't tolerate the extreme heat and cold.
Yorkshire Terriers love the squeaky toys, but you need to make sure these are not chewing them pulling out the squeaker.
You can also provide them the fetching toys; a crocheting ball is very good for your Yorkshire Terrier.
Feeding
A high-quality dry food divided into two meals is perfect for the Yorkshire Terriers. The daily recommended dry food amount for Yorkshire Terrier is ½ to ¾ cups. But how much your adult Yorkshire Terrier will eat can differ from individuals to individuals. It depends upon their exact size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level. Maybe a high active individual needs more dry food as compared to a lazy individual. The quality of the dry food also plays an important role in determining the amount.
Make sure to keep an eye on your Yorkshire Terrier intake to prevent them from being overweight. It's a perfect way to keep them fit and in good shape.
Coat Color and Grooming
Yorkshire Terriers are known
for their long, silky, and perfectly straight coats. Their coat is single-layered
and sheds very little as compared to many long-haired dogs. They have a blue and
tan coat during their early age, which develops to lighten with their age and turn
into a blue or gray. The interesting fact about the Yorkshire Terriers is that
their color continues to lighten with their age.
It's not easy to groom them due to their long silky coat, which tangles very easily. Even if you keep your Yorkshire Terrier coat is small, you need to brush it daily to prevent the mats and keep them clean.
You need to take some special care of your Yorkshire Terrier teeth as the small dog breeds are prone to dental problems.
They can build a
lot of tartar on their teeth at an early age. Check their years regularly to
prevent them from offensive odor.
