Yorkshire Terrier | Dog Breed Information & Facts – Pictures

Last Updated on December 25, 2021 by Pets Feed

If you want to have a toy dog in your house, which, despite its small size, has the character of a fearless hunter, be sure to get yourself a Yorkshire terrier. Representatives of this English breed seem to really look like a soft toy, but in fact they are real terriers.

The Yorkshire terrier is a small dog. If you are thinking of adopting one, it is very important that you first investigate the character and other related factors of a Yorkshire Terrier.

Yorkshire Terrier photos

Physical characteristics of the Yorkshire terrier

If we speak generally about the appearance of the Yorkshire terrier, its weight according to standards should not exceed 3.1 kg, the coat is long, evenly hanging on the sides, the body is strong, and the bearing is important.

Of course, the Yorkshire terrier does not deserve such a short description, so let us dwell in more detail on the exterior of this breed:

The neck is long, the head is small, flat, the ears are high and not very far set, also small, have a V-shape, covered with short hair. Muzzle slightly wide, scissor bite, even. Jaws are even, tightly compressed, teeth stand upright. The nose is black. The eyes are small, dark, directly set, the look is clear, very expressive, intelligent. The edge of the eyelids is painted black.

The body is compact with a slightly convex chest, the back is flat, the lower back is strong, straight.

Both the front and hind limbs are straight, even, the shoulders are well located, the angles of the hind limbs are moderate. Both the front and hind limbs are very covered with wool, the color of which is slightly different from the tips to the roots – at the roots, the hair is several shades darker. Paws are round, fingers fit tightly, claws are black.

The coat of the Yorkshire terrier is long, straight, shiny and silky, has a delicate texture, not fluffy and not wavy. The coat hangs evenly on the sides of the even parting on the back.

The coat color of the Yorkshire Terrier is different on different parts of the body. According to the standard, a thoroughbred Yorkshire Terrier is as follows:

Head, chest, limbs – golden, red-brown;
From the back of the head to the tail, the flowing coat is gray-steel;
The tail is dark blue.

The movements are light, free, with a good pace, the back in motion is necessarily straight.

Yorkshire terrier character

The Yorkshire terrier is distinguished by being an alert, intelligent and very lively dog. It is an excellent breed to live with all kinds of families because it adapts wonderfully to any environment. One of the attitudes that can disturb you and that you must keep in mind before adopting one, is that this little dog can adopt the habit of barking a lot because it is a vigilant and alert dog by nature. . If it is not to your liking, you should think of other less barking breeds.

Other characteristics of the general character of this breed can be its overprotective and stimulating attitude, surprising in a small breed. You must be very clear that the education of the Yorkshire terrier must start from the moment he is a puppy with the socialization process so that you can enjoy a sociable, trained and mentally healthy adult dog. We generally speak of a dog very sympathetic and attached to his family, of an easy treatment and really very affectionate. It is perfect for any family.

Nature awarded the Yorkshire Terrier breed good health. The owner, who, by all rules, feeds, maintains and cares for his little pet, will be able to enjoy his healthy appearance, playful disposition and live next to him for 13-15 years. There is information about long-lived Yorkies who have survived to 20 years, which cannot but rejoice.

Unfortunately, these cute babies, like all living things on earth, sometimes get sick. Yorkshire terrier dogs have their own breed diseases that “attack” them because of their small size. Owners of a Yorkie need to familiarize themselves with the list of these diseases in order to pay special attention to their symptoms, causes and in time to prevent health problems. The following list shows the diseases that are common in Yorkshire terriers:

Cryptorchidism is a disease characteristic only for Yorkshire Terrier males, in which one or two testicles do not descend into the scrotum, but remain either in the groin or in the abdominal cavity. Cryptorchidism is treated only in an operative way and then, only in those cases if it causes the dog inconvenience. Cryptorchid dogs are not allowed for breeding, as this ailment is inherited. At shows, cryptorchos are disqualified, so if you buy a show-class dog, be sure to wait for the testicles to drop into the scrotum.
Joint problems (Partessa disease, Dislocation of the patella) – diseases characteristic of small breeds of dogs, characterized by impaired joint function. Treatment depends on the stage of the disease – from physiotherapy to surgery.
Fontanel non-growth. It should be remembered that in representatives of this breed, the fontanel can remain open throughout life. This fact in itself is not a disease, but can lead to brain injuries.
Tooth change disorder. Due to the small size of the jaw, Yorkshire Terriers often have a problem that molars begin to grow even before the milk teeth have fallen out. This leads to a violation of the dentition, occlusion, pain and suffering of the animal. Yorkers must monitor the pet’s teeth shift and, if this problem is found, milk teeth must be removed at the veterinary clinic.

Many health problems can be avoided if regular preventive examinations are performed by a veterinarian and routine vaccinations are carried out. Experienced dog breeders do not allow self-medication, and also avoid contact of their pets with homeless, wild animals. Remember that the health of your pet is completely in your hands!

When having a Yorkshire Terrie ..

There is nothing complicated in the Yorkshire Terrier care. An indisputable plus is the absence of the problem of mandatory walks. A small dog quickly learns to use a toilet tray or a special diaper used as a toilet. But at the same time, the owner of the Yorkie should consider that his pet needs walks, active games in the fresh air, so any opportunity for walking a restless baby should be used.

As for walking with a Yorkshire Terrier, oh remember that they are quite sensitive dogs, so in a strong sunshine the baby will suffer from heat in his warm coat, and in the winter, you will have to put him in a warm jumpsuit or jacket.

Clothing for Yorkshire Terrier is not only a tribute to fashion (although not without it). Because of their small growth, dogs really freeze much more than representatives of large breeds and can easily get sick in the cold season.

Always about the good care of a Yorkshire Terrier, we certainly need talk about its security. After all, such a crumb can easily be injured by pinching the door or stepping inadvertently. It is generally not recommended to take a little puppy of the Yorkshire Terrier to a house where there are small children, because the children will think that this is a living toy, and during the game they can squeeze or throw a defenseless animal on the floor.

All responsibility in such cases rests with adult family members.

If you have already decided and purchased a Yorkshire Terrier, determine the personal territory for your pet from the first day.

Ideal option – let the dog select the place for itself. Choosing the “corner” for the dog yourself, consider the following rules:

On its territory, the Yorkshire Terrier should feel safe, cozy and comfortable;
Never forcibly pull an animal out of its “corner”, neither for encouragement nor for punishment. The personal territory of the pet must be inviolable;
It is not recommended to install a dog bench in the corridor, in the passageway. Arrange so that from his “corner” the doggie can watch everything that happens in the room;
On the territory that you have chosen for the dog, install a mattress, rug or basket. Since a Yorkshire Terrier belongs to small breeds, you can install a whole small dog house.

Keeping a little Yorkshire Terrier in the house requires all household members to be more attentive, careful. It is necessary to provide the four-legged pet with safety, protection, love and affection. Regarding safety and health, pay attention to the following:

Remove all chemicals to places where the dog cannot get. The same goes for drugs;
If you drop a pin, needle, reel, piece of cotton wool, etc. on the floor, be sure to find and lift it. Also be careful about all the small items that your Yorkshire Terrier can swallow. Such an unplanned “treat” can result in serious problems with the health of the pet, up to surgery;
Although the Yorkshire Terrier is a decorative dog, the blood of a real hunter is seething in his veins. Therefore, the doggie will not miss the opportunity to delve into the ground. So the owner of a small fluffy digger should tidy up the flowerpots with potted flowers;
The wiring should be hidden, the puppy can try an electric cable on the tooth;
During the New Year holidays or other similar events, make sure that your Yorkshire Terrier does not eat tinsel or needles from the New Year tree. Such a meal may result in intestinal inflammation;
If you do not want to spoil a puppy’s bite, never force anything from his mouth;
Make sure that the Yorkshire Terrier does not go out onto the unfenced staircase or balcony.

Basic care

Dogs like the Yorkshire Terrier require special care. It’s all about their luxurious long hair, just for a couple of days leave the handsome long-haired one on one with his curls, and they will turn into warlocks, which are so difficult to fight. But do not think that only the fur of your Yorkie requires attention. Consider in detail all the points of care for a small pet:

Eyes. Wipe daily with a cotton swab dipped in water. This procedure helps to remove secretions. If this is not done, eye discharge, mixed with dust, gets into the eyes, which can lead to conjunctivitis.
Teeth. You will say that only a human needs a toothbrush, but in fact the teeth of your four-legged pet also need a toothbrush and regular brushing. If this is not done for sure, the dog will have an “indestructible” plaque, and then stones. If you do not want to use a brush for cleaning your dog’s teeth, you can replace it with special chewing “bones”. In case of formation of dental deposits, which the owner of the animal cannot cope on his own, it is necessary to consult a veterinarian. Please note that with improper care, your pet may lose teeth in the second year of life.
Claws. For owners who spend a long time and often walk with their pet in the fresh air, the problem of long claws disappears by itself. After all, their dogs themselves grind overgrown claws on the road surface. If the dog spends most of the time on the sofa or in the arms of a loving owner, he needs to trim his claws from time to time.
Ears. Ear cleaning using cotton buds is carried out once every 5-7 days. To make such a hygienic procedure easier and better, the wool inside the ear canals is removed.
Coat. If your Yorkshire Terrier does not participate in exhibitions, then there is no need to grow wool long to the floor. In most cases, the owners of such dogs make their pets a haircut every 3 months. There are a lot of options for all kinds of hairstyles for Yorkshire Terrier dogs! Despite the haircut, the hair needs to be combed daily with a special brush and, of course, bathed with detergents for long-haired dogs.

If your Yorkshire Terrier regularly participates in exhibitions, then its coat should be long. Care for this coat requires increased attention. It must be washed with balm, in addition to washing, lubricated with oil. This is done so that the wool does not get tangled, for the same purpose, curls of wool are wound onto papillots.

Exercise

The Yorkshire Terrier is an energetic little dog and you need to give him the right amount of daily exercise to be a happy, healthy and well-balanced dog. A good 30-minute exercise is ideal, but being terriers, Yorkies love to run in a back garden as often as possible to really let off steam, keeping in mind that fencing must be extremely good for keeping these little dogs. The other thing to keep in mind is that Yorkshire Terriers feel cold and should wear a coat outside during the colder winter months, whether they are out for a walk or running around a garden.

They are very intelligent and as such, Yorkies must receive a lot of mental stimulation to be truly happy. If these little dogs don’t get enough “things to do,” they will find their own ways to have fun, which can be destructive at home, excessive barking, and they are also prone to separation anxiety.

That said, young Yorkshire Terrier puppies should not exercise too much, which includes being able to jump up and down furniture, go up and down stairs as their joints and bones continue to grow and pressure excessive on them could cause a dog a few problems later in their life.

Feeding

On the very first day a Yorkshire Terrier puppy stays in your house, install a bowl for food and a bowl for drinking water for him. This should be a place where the dog can eat calmly, otherwise the animal will draw food from the bowl and drag the pieces into a secluded corner, for example, under the table. In most cases, the place for feeding is determined in the kitchen, but this decision is entirely at the discretion of the owner.

Yorkshire Terrier puppies should have 6 meals a day before reaching 6 months of age. Then you can feed two or three times a day. The norm is 2 tablespoons of feed for each kilogram.

Once a Yorkshire Terrier is 10 months old, it can be fed adult food and receive 2 or 3 meals a day spread evenly throughout the day, ensuring that a puppy’s blood sugar does not drop too low.

For small dogs and specifically for the Yorkshire terrier, special food is needed. And here is what to feed from the table (cook separately). Foods you can give to a Yorkshire terrier:

Lean meat: chicken, beef, turkey – 50%;
Porridge: rice, wheat, buckwheat;
Boiled fish (a couple of times a week);
Boiled egg;
Fresh and boiled vegetables;
Dairy products; fruits.

Do not give:

Fatty meat;
Milk;
Sweets, smoked meats, salted;
Flour and pasta products;
Bones;
Raw fish;
Potatoes, legumes.

Training and education

If you want to have an obedient dog, take time and money to raise it from an early age. Some novice dog breeders believe that the small breed does not require any training, it is the service breeds that require the passage of entire training courses. This is a completely erroneous opinion, an ill-bred four-legged baby can destroy your home and disturb your peace, both night and day.

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Yorkshire terrier dogs, for example, adore barking loudly, and not only for a reason, but just like that, out of boredom. Thanks to the correct education of dogs, you can wean from this habit.

To determine the optimal way of education and training, you need to determine the individual abilities of the animal. Regarding a Yorkshire terrier, when training it, you can use the fact that the representatives of this breed are mobile, energetic, playful and at the same time adore their owners, like to spend time with them and please, if there is such a case.

It is worth a little push Yorkie to the right actions and show what the owner wants from him. As a result, the little fluffy will try to give everything 100% so as not to upset the owner. The reward for a Yorkie will be a gentle word, stroking, scratching behind the ear. After class, it is recommended that you sit quietly on the couch with your pet in your lap. Such incentives contribute to successful training.

If you think that it is not necessary to train the Yorkshire Terrier, know that the curious dog herself will begin to learn the world around you without your help. For example, what your shoes taste like, what you can find in a flower pot or what happens outside the apartment. It is better if the owner of a little fidget takes the pet’s mind himself and develops good qualities in the dog.

All owners of Yorkshire Terrier dogs must remember that their ancestors are hunting dogs. Therefore, Yorkies are very stubborn, like to bark and delve into the ground. This is necessary and possible to fight, unless, of course, you want to turn a decorative dog into a hunting dog. If the dog shows aggression or barks for no reason, stop such manifestations without fail. Raising a good dog will help on time started education!

Yorkshire Terrier Dog Breed Highlights

Before you get a dog, you need to find out everything about it, about all the advantages and all the disadvantages of the breed you have chosen. This article is about Yorkshire terrier dogs, so we will consider the pros and cons of representatives of this breed:

Positive points

Wonderful companion because he is so loyal and affectionate.
Large guard dog because he thinks he is a large dog in the body of a small dog.
The Yorkshire Terrier makes a great pet and when socialized well, it is good with older children.
When socialized well, the Yorkshire Terrier is generally good with other animals and pets.
It is an extremely intelligent and fast thinking dog.
Always alert and lively, never boring.
The Yorkie likes to be on the move and busy.
It is easy to train because it is such a smart little dog.
Not demanding on the exercise front.
Thrives in a family environment.

Negative points

It can be barking if it is not properly socialized at a sufficiently young age.
The Yorkshire Terrier does not like to be alone and suffer from separation anxiety.
Can sometimes be too protective.
Not the best choice for families with toddlers or very young children.
High maintenance on the grooming front.
The Yorkshire Terrier requires professional maintenance several times a year.

Origin of the Yorkshire Terrier

The Yorkshire Terrier first appeared in the 19th century, when it began to develop a small breed of easy-to-care terriers for rat hunting. It was not until 1860 that it was officially presented in competitions, the Yorkshire terrier that we know today and such was its popularity that swept away various competitions and exhibitions. It is thought that the Yorkshire breed may be a descendant of the English Toy Terrier, the skye terrier or the dandie dinmont tierrer among many others, that is to say that its origin is not entirely clear.

It was an easy breed to care for and educate, with very nice physical characteristics and not at all aggressive with people, but with animals, their main task. It was perfect for any type of family because at that time, it was one of the most “economical” breeds that existed.

As explained, the Yorkshire terrier has been used among the humblest classes for the elimination of rat pests. Despite its small size, it was well known that the Yorkies had killed many of these rodents without fear. They were so popular that they began to participate in various “sports” related to the rats chasing and betting at the time.

Later, it was the British bourgeois who found a sweet and handsome companion dog in the Yorkshire terrier and began to stop using it for hunting rodents. However, the history of Yorkshire as a rat hunter still accompanies it because it is not difficult to warn very alert and hunting specimens.