A toy breed of dog usually steel blue and tan with silky long hair and a big personality. They have a lifespan of 12-16 years and an average weight of 1,5kg to 5kg. They make loyal and fierce little companions for a single person, especially working from home. They require a lot of attention and minimal exercise. Yorkies would make fantastic guard dogs as they are alert, courageous and not afraid to bark!
| Breed | Yorkshire Terrier |
|---|---|
| Life Expectancy | 12 – 15 Years |
| Size | Toy – Small |
| Origin | England |
| Shedding | Low |
| Energy | 4 |
| Attention | 5 |
| Training | 4 |
| Barking | 4 |
| Mental | 5 |
| Drooling | 1 |
| Body | One of the smallest dog breeds, they have a small yet sturdy body with a small head in comparison to their bodies. Dark eyes, a medium length muzzle and V-shaped ears. They naturally have a long straight yet fine coat, with a steel blue body and tail yet tan legs and head with feathering on the tail and ears. |
| Coat | Yorkshire Terrier coats are usually steel blue and tan, however they can be tan or black as well. Unless kept short, Yorkshire Terriers require daily brushing and weekly to bi-weekly baths to upkeep. If kept short, weekly brushing and monthly baths are adequate. Regular nail clipping and ear cleaning is needed, and they need their teeth brushed daily. |
| diet | A high quality, size appropriate kibble should be enough. They can be picky eaters and are prone to obesity, so be sure to feed your Yorkie the appropriate amount. |
| exercise | Although energetic, a daily walk around the block or a play time would be sufficient exercise for these little guys. They require not only physical stimulation but mental stimulation as well and this can be achieved with a walk and some sniffing outdoors. Swimming is not recommended for them. |
| health | Overall Yorkshire Terriers are pretty healthy and have very few health issues. Most commonly they have dental problem or luxating patella (slipping kneecaps), although allergies and heart problems can also occur. Regular vet check-ups, dental cleanings, high quality food and adequate exercise should help prevent any health issues. |
| environment | Yorkshire Terriers do well in small apartments or homes and don't require much space although it can be beneficial. Lots of toys are needed for mental stimulation and they do a lot better with a stay at home parent as they crave constant attention and often develop separation anxiety. They don't do well in harsh temperatures and would need a dog jacket if going out in extreme colds. |
| maintenance | They are considered high maintenance due to their grooming requirements. They require a high-quality, size specific food, frequent grooming and loads of attention and some exercise. |
| personality | For such little bodies they have big personalities! They are loyal, fierce, extremely affectionate, energetic and very domineering! They crave a lot of attention and are very much a lap dog! They work really well as guard dogs as they are not afraid to bark. They are easily trained although they can be stubborn sometimes. They do best with rewards-based training and will learn quickly and get bored just as fast. Yorkies are often mischievous and will pick fights with larger dogs and chase smaller rodents. |
| Family Life | Yorkies require a lot of attention and love and is perfect for a single person working from home. They can be good with kids, but supervision is needed as they will often be snappy towards pestering kids. They can do great with other dogs or animals if socialized well, although they like chasing smaller mammals or rodents. They are often very protective over their human and will make great watch dogs. |
| Fun Facts | -Yorkshire Terriers do great in dog sport and agility competitions<br /> |
| Breed History | Developed during the mid 1800's in no other place than Yorkshire, England who would have guessed! Originally a working-class dog, they were a combination of different terriers from England and Scotland. They were used in the mines to exterminate rats as they were small enough to fit in the rodent holes. They were also used to hunt and chase small to medium sized wild animals into their burrows and attack. Yorkies were popular for their courage and hunted with lots of success. In the mid to late 1800's, dog shows grew in popularity and so did Yorkshire Terriers, eventually becoming a status symbol and lapdog for the proper English mistresses. Originally exhibited as Broken Haired Scotch Terriers until 1870, when the name was changed to Yorkshire terriers. They were fairly unknown before the 1870's and then slowly started to climb the popularity ladder. They are still considered one of the most popular dogs in the world. |
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.