If you are looking for a dog that is elegant, small, easy to carry and doesn’t take up too much space, then the Yorkshire terrier is perfect for you. In case you have recently adopted one, here is a post that will help you name your beloved Yorkie. Below is a brief guide on everything you need to know in order to raise your Yorkshire terrier puppy along with a collection of beautiful pictures of Yorkshire terriers.
Facts and characteristics of the Yorkie
- The breed originated in Great Britain.
- It is one of the smallest breeds available today; only a Chihuahua is smaller than the Yorkie. A Yorkie named Sylvia supposedly owns the record for being the smallest dog in history. She weighed just 4 ounces!
- It is said that in the early 1800s, many weavers owned Yorkies. People often joked that the weavers spun their pet’s golden coats.
- The first Yorkshire terrier came to America in 1872 and the AKC registered the breed in 1885.
- This is a working dog and in early days they played an important role of keeping homes and warehouses free of rats.
- Several breeds have gone into making of the Yorkie progeny. This includes terrier, Waterside, Paisley, Skye, Leeds terrier, Maltese etc.
- Coat texture- Over the years, Yorkie’s coat has undergone many changes. Ideally, it should be long, straight and silky. Standard or accepted colors for show dogs include dark steel blue, tan, silver blue with tan etc. Blue and tan is the approved color description.
- Size- Weight for males and females should ideally be less than 3 kg with height between 22-24 cm.
- They have a lifespan of 12-14 years.
Where to find a Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkshire Terrier club of America website is the best place to search for breeders in your area. Apart from breeders, you can find Yorkshire terrier puppy at animal shelters and rescue homes. There are positives and negatives when it comes to adopting. First of all, you might never know the history of the Yorkie you adopt. Also shelters might not carry purebred Yorkies as many strays meet their death before they can come to the shelters. Of course, the plus side is that you will be doing a good deed and might even save a life. It is best not to buy your Yorkshire terrier puppy from a pet shop as these usually come from puppy mills and chances of them having a canine disease are very high. So how much should you expect to pay for your Yorkie? The price can vary depending on whether you are looking for a show quality dog as well as the part of the country you are located in. If you purchase your puppy from a breeder, a pet shop or from a show kennel, then expect to pay anywhere between $500 and $2000 for it.
Temperament
The Yorkie is a small dog with big personality. In general, they are known to be loving dogs that make ideal family pets. Yorkies do well in families with older kids. This is a charming breed that gets along well with most people and pets. Their barking frequency is moderate and their temperament can be best described as medium. As with any other breed, early obedience training and socialization is vital to avoid behavioral problems in your pet. Here is a summary of the Yorkshire terrier’s temperament:
- This is an intelligent dog that enjoys great popularity owing to its cuddly, cute looks.
- However, although small, they can be meddlesome. This is a dog that knows how to assert itself despite its size.
- The Yorkie is intelligent and easy to train. They learn quickly and are always glad to go on walks.
- As stated above, they are great with children.
- They are usually robust and love to be cuddled.
Pictures of Yorkshire Terriers
Pictures of Yorkshire Terrier Mixes
Also check out our article on the Chorkie – a Chihuahua and Yorkshire Terrier mix.
Training your Yorkie
It is best to attend some sort of obedience training class with your puppy. You can also use reward or lure training; puppies respond well to it. There are plenty of guides and videos on clicker training as well. Check out some of brief training guides to help you get started. As with any breed, the Yorkshire terrier will do well with gentle, consistent and patient training. Group training classes are also a great option as they help your puppy socialize with other pets and are often a lot less expensive than private lessons.
- Your Yorkie will love the training sessions-he will view them as a time to bond with you and will be very eager to show off what he has learned.
- Do not for once allow your pet to think he is in charge-he will quickly resort to bullying.
- Training, as stated above, should start early and be continued for life.
- Enroll your puppy in some basic manners class and then teach him whatever you want such as carrying his leash or keeping his toys away etc.
Exercise
A great advantage of owning a Yorkie is that anyone can exercise the dog. While they do tend to pull and run, they do not have the same power as that of larger breeds. Your Yorkie can also get most of his exercise indoors. Teach your pet to fetch, chase toys on ropes or obey different commands and s/he is likely to get all the physical and mental stimulation they require.
Health issues
This breed is prone to patellar luxation and hip dysplasia. You can do a lot to maintain your pet’s health. This includes feeding it the right diet and observing his bathroom, feeding and behavioral habits. Get your pet neutered/spayed at an early age. Also use tick/flea protection and conduct regular vet exams to detect problems early on.
Grooming
Get your Yorkshire terrier puppy used to grooming from an early age. This not only will keep his coat in top condition, it will also be a valuable bonding time with your pet. Yorkies will require daily grooming for life. So do get your pet used to it early on to avoid struggle. Grooming is also the time to do a daily check for minor problems.
Food
If you have brought your puppy from a breeder, find out from this person what your pet has been eating. The AAFCO is an official body for Animal Feed Control. They have placed certain guidelines on commercial dog food and also have definitions for dog food ingredients. Wet food or canned food is often targeted for small or toy breeds like the Yorkie. However, you often end up paying more just for the water content. It is best to make homemade meals but always check with your vet about the ingredients to use. If you use commercial dog food, do pay attention to its best before date. Avoid free feeding your pet as it can sometimes lead to obesity.
We hope this brief guide helps you decide whether a Yorkshire terrier will make a great pet for you.
