Yorkshire Terrier Breed Guide

Yorkshire Terriers are a toy breed with a long, luxurious coat that comes in blue and tan. The coat is parted on the face and along the back, from the skull's base to the end of the breed's tail. The hair is fine, silky, and glossy. These dogs have a flat head, medium-sized muzzle, and a black nose. Their eyes are medium and their ears are V-shaped and small. Yorkshire Terriers measure 8 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh 4 to 7 pounds.

Energetic, determined, brave, and independent, Yorkshire Terriers are big dogs in little bodies.

Highly adaptable, Yorkshire Terriers travel well and make great pets for singles or families with older children. They need limited exercise but require a considerable amount of attention and affection from human family members. These energetic and bold dogs tend to be feisty and bossy and do much better indoors than outside.

Affectionately called Yorkies, these dogs are highly portable and are one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States, according to the AKC Registration Statistics.

Energetic, determined, brave, and independent, Yorkshire Terriers are big dogs in little bodies. They are fun to have around and make good family companions. These dogs crave human companionship and activity, but they also need time alone to recharge on occasion. When in the mood, these little dogs will assert themselves and become involved in fun and amusing hijinks.

The breed gets along very well with other dogs and older children; even cats make great companions for the small breed. Spunky and playful, Yorkies enjoy games and spending time with the whole family. However, when frustrated or otherwise in a bad mood, these dogs will nip at rambunctious children or become aggressive with unfamiliar dogs.

Yorkshire Terriers make good watchdogs due to their fearlessness and strong bark. They are very confident and may pick fights with larger and unfamiliar dogs. This can get them into a lot of trouble. Generally easygoing, these dogs can be stubborn and demanding if they don't get their way.

Yorkshire Terriers are prone to a variety of health conditions. Some of these are common to small breed dogs, such as poor digestion, bone fractures, tooth decay, and joint and hip problems. Yorkies are a very fragile breed and should be handled with care at all times.

Weakened collapsing tracheas, hypothyroidism, luxating patellas, dental issues, and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease are all seen more often in Yorkshire Terriers than in some other dog breeds. Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is another concern. Additionally, the breed is prone to developing certain types of bladder stones, ingrown eyelashes, hair loss, and cataracts. Yorkies also have a high incidence of portosystemic shunt, a liver defect.

Without regular veterinary checkups, daily exercise, gentle handling, proper nutrition, and standard canine vaccinations, Yorkshire Terriers typically live 12 to 16 years.

Easy to train, Yorkshire Terriers learn quickly and can remember multiple commands. These dogs also easily master obedience skills. The Yorkie responds very well to positive reinforcement, especially food rewards and praise. They love getting positive attention for doing tricks and following commands.

These dogs need firm, consistent, and structured training in order to excel and learn appropriate behaviors. They must be taught restraint when encountering unfamiliar dogs, and they should learn when barking is appropriate and when it is not. Of course, these naturally yappy dogs will never be completely quiet.

Owners must understand that it is easy to be manipulated by a Yorkie. It's also very easy to spoil these dogs. No matter how cute and small they are, Yorkshire Terriers are very capable of learning manners and appropriate behavior. Because negative behavior is considerably harder to correct in adult dogs, Yorkies should begin training early in life.

Regular grooming is a necessary part of caring for Yorkshire Terriers. These dogs need daily combing and brushing, and the hair on their head must be pulled up and tied to keep it out of their eyes. Dogs that are kept as pets and not shown can have their hair clipped short to reduce grooming time. Still, these dogs need to see a groomer regularly. The good news is that Yorkies don't shed very much, which means less irritation for allergic owners and less hair on furniture and clothing.

These dogs need weekly baths with a pH-balanced doggy shampoo. A thorough rinsing and drying are very important. Tangles should be combed from the coat before bathing.

The Yorkie's nails need trimming every week or as often as necessary to prevent them from clicking against the floor. Weekly ear checks can detect excess ear wax and signs of ear infection before they become serious, and daily brushing will help protect against tooth decay and gum disease.

Yorkshire Terriers hail from Yorkshire, England. The breed was primarily used to catch rats in clothing mills during the 19th century, but they also chased badgers, foxes and other small creatures into their burrows. These dogs developed from a mixture of Scottish terrier breeds, including the Skye, Clydesdale, Waterside, and Paisley.

In its early days, the Yorkie was a favorite among the working class, especially the weavers. Eventually, though, the breed became a beloved companion animal to European high society families. As the breed's popularity increased, breeders began selecting for a smaller size.

By 1872, the breed made its way to the United States. The little dogs quickly became favorites of the upper class and some were used as political mascots. One Yorkie even lived in the White House; the Nixons owned a Yorkie named Pasha.

The American Kennel Club officially recognized the Yorkshire Terrier in 1885.