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These tiny yet mighty dogs have become a firm favorite since their emergence in the mid-1800s. Yorkies are bold and feisty despite their small size, their breed resulting in the crossing of several terrier breeds, including the Skye, Dandie Dinmont, and even possibly Maltese.
Ever wanted to know more about these silky-coated little companions? We’ve got you covered!
We are going to take a look at all things Yorkie, from size and coloring, personality and temperament, all the way to proper care, maintenance and training.
Let’s see what these perky, protective pups have to offer!
Lifespan
11 - 15 years
Size
Small / Toy Breed
Weight
Approx 7 lbs
Height
7 - 8 inches
Colors
4 primary recognized coat colors: Black, Blue, Tan and Gold
Size of home
Flat / Apartment with yard or nearby dog park access
Exercise
30 to 60 minutes daily - split into multiple short walks
Grooming
A full brush out 2-3x per week and baths every 1-2 weeks
About their name
The name "Yorkshire Terrier" is derived from where they were originally bred, in the mid-1800s.
Where they’re from
Yorkies emerged as a result of workers migrating from Scotland to the Yorkshire and Lancashire counties. To assist with their work, workers bred Black and Tan Terriers with Clydesdale Terriers and Paisley Terriers to achieve their desired size of dog. It was only in the Victorian era that they became popular as "pets" with the royal endorsement.
About their temperament
Yorkies are quite protective dogs, making devoted companions and effective guard dogs. Due to this tendency to guard their territory, however, they can be quite vocal when spotting "intruders". Likewise, due to this protective nature they are prone to suffer from separation anxiety.
Yorkshire Terriers originally hail from the counties of Yorkshire and Lancashire in the United Kingdom.
In the mid-1800s, Scottish weavers brought ‘Broken-Haired Scotch Terriers’ over to England, which subsequently bred with local terriers, and later with breeds such as the Dandie Dinmont terrier, Skye terrier, Manchester Terrier and Maltese. This all led to the Yorkshire Terrier we know and love today.
At the time, what was deemed a Yorkshire Terrier was quite loose in definition - as if a dog had certain features like a "terrier shape" or "blue on its body" meant it was deemed this breed. This, however, changed in the 1860s when a dog named Huddersfield Ben became extremely popular at a dog show and set the breed standard.
Yorkies are tiny in stature with bright eyes and an often curious expression. Likewise, their ears often point straight up, giving them a look of alertness. They are quite compact and dainty, and are often quite graceful.
Longer haired Yorkshire Terriers can boast a beautiful long and silky coat, and their coloring tends to be a mixture of tan, black and blue-gray. They don’t tend to shed much, which is an extra benefit for those with dog allergies.
These little champs are known for being super brave but a little bossy, and can command a space in no time. On the flip side they are also extremely affectionate and loving towards humans and don’t really like to be left on their own. They have a protective streak which can make them seriously loyal companions.
Yorkies are known to be gentle with kids and other animals, however it is always advised to supervise playtimes - as smaller breeds can easily get hurt by kids if they aren’t careful.
Like a lot of small dogs, they can be quite vocal, but with some proper training this can be discouraged and lessened. If you’re struggling to train your Yorkie - a common occurrence due to some Yorkshire Terriers having a low food-drive - then we would recommend booking in for specialist training to help address this behavior.
Yorkies are pretty smart and take to training routines quite well, however they can also be willfully disobedient if they decide they don’t want to do something! As they’re extremely intelligent, this can also mean that they have a stubborn streak when they set their mind to something.
The best way to train a Yorkie is to find what they highly value (this may or may not be food, so be prepared to experiment) and use this as an incentive to reward successful training. A combination of praise and tasty treats should be enough to incentivize a Yorkie, but be ready to mix it up depending on their unique personality.
Socializing your Yorkshire Terrier is always a good idea too, whether this be through regular walking and meeting other dogs and people, or dog socialization classes where they can get used to others in a safe and controlled environment. If you don’t engage in socialization at an early age, you may risk your Yorkie becoming reactive to other people/dogs in later life, which is why it’s integral to get this training in at an early stage to set them up for success.
In terms of disciplining a Yorkie, we would never recommend hitting or spanking your dog - as this constitutes dog abuse and will make your dog fear you rather than exhibit the desired behavior. Rather, when your Yorkie does something you don’t like - mark this behavior with a clearly negative noise such as “uh-uh”. This will help to signal your displeasure. And so when your Yorkie does make the right decision and you make a positive noise or offer them praise, this will help to clearly demonstrate what you want or need from your dog.
Smaller dogs have fast metabolisms but small stomachs, meaning they will require their food little and often. Small breeds may have different nutritional needs to bigger dogs, and so choosing a food specifically designed for small breeds is super important.
If you’re unsure what small dog breed food is best, we’d suggest high-quality proteins (such as your typical beef, chicken and fish) as this will help with their muscle development and maintenance.
A well-balanced and nutritionally complete diet is what every dog owner should aim for, but with Yorkies it’s extra important to make sure they’re receiving all the nourishment they need from their food. Small, frequent meals throughout the day will help to prevent your Yorkie suffering from hypoglycemia (low blood sugar, which may become apparent as weakness/clumsiness.)
In terms of grooming and maintenance, Yorkshire Terriers tend to have quite full coats, particularly the longer haired ones. It is recommended that you brush your Yorkie every day, ensuring that any matts or tangles are removed, as well as checking the fur thoroughly for any mud or feces that may have gathered. Giving them a bath every one to two weeks is also suggested for keeping their coat healthy and vibrant, without overly washing and stripping their fur of all oils.
Small dogs can also be more prone to dental issues, and so brushing your Yorkie’s teeth once a day is also advised as part of a daily grooming routine. This isn’t always the easiest task to complete, especially with a small breed dog, so we would recommend starting as young as possible to get your Yorkie accustomed to their teeth being handled.
Smaller dog breeds tend to be more prone to certain health conditions, particularly in comparison to big dogs. Here are a few of the most common amongst Yorkshire Terriers:
Hypoglycaemia - Very common in small dogs and puppies, this sudden drop in blood sugar can cause weakness and shaking, even leading to seizures. If your dog displays signs of hypoglycaemia you must seek medical assistance immediately.
Dental Issues - Again, small dogs can be prone to dental disease and mouth issues, as a small mouth can mean more teeth-overcrowding and displacement, and as a result food and tartar can get trapped and build up, causing longer term issues.
Bladder Stones - this is where a collection of minerals form in the bladder. Typically, there are 3 ways that bladder stones in dogs can be addressed and that’s through dietary dissolution, surgical removal or non-surgical removal by urohydropropulsion.
Liver Shunt- Often caused by a birth defect, a Liver Shunt is the result of blood bypassing the liver due to an abnormal blood vessel connection around the liver. Symptoms of a liver shunt often appear as circling and disorientation, slower growth, and even seizures.
Collapsing Trachea- Common in small dogs and often diagnosed when the dog develops a ‘good honk’ sounding cough, this condition occurs when the tracheal cartilage grows overly flexible, making it harder for air to reach the lungs.
Patella Luxation - With symptoms including intermittent limping, a hunching of the lower back and bowleggedness in the hind legs, patella luxation occurs when the kneecap shifts sideways and out of position. There are various treatments for a luxating patella, including anti-inflammatory medicine, restrictions in exercise and even surgery if needed.
Atopy - this is a hypersensitivity to specific allergens, causing itching and skin trauma which can be particularly uncomfortable for Yorkies. Left untreated, it could also contribute to other health issues down the line via infection.
It is always important to do your research before buying from a dog breeder, as dogs who have been poorly bred, especially from parent dogs with existing health conditions or diseases, are more likely to develop health problems and experience more issues in the longer term. A lot of dog diseases and disorders can be hereditary, and so it’s vital to know the health history of the parent dogs.
It is always advised to go and meet your puppy in person, as this way you can see which one you connect best with. This is also a great opportunity to ask the breeder all the important questions you need qualified.
We would always recommend rescuing a puppy if you can, as there are so many pups in rescue shelters that need loving homes.
However, if you’re set on purchasing a Yorkie puppy from a breeder, you may want to consider whether you will want to show your Yorkie in shows in the future or if they’re simply going to be a domestic companion for yourself. This may influence which breeder you decide to go with and will mean more thorough research of the Yorkie puppy’s heritage to confirm they come from a strong family line.
Yorkie puppy prices can vary depending on breeder, pedigree and health - on average, Yorkie puppies tend to cost anywhere between $600 and $2,500 USD. It also depends if you’re adopting a rescue or going straight to a trusted breeder to get your Yorkshire Terrier.
You may also want to factor in the costs of things like:
Insurance: approx $50 per month or approx $600 over a year
Vaccinations: approx $30 - $90
Microchipping: approx $50
Monthly food costs: approx $20 - $300
And then you’ll have additional ad hoc expenses on top of this, including toys, obedience training, dog food/water bowls, leash, harness and collar, grooming tools, dog bed, dog crate, carrier and more.
It’s no small investment, inviting a dog into your life. So if you are considering searching for your very own Yorkie pal, we’d recommend ensuring that you’re financially secure enough to cover all these costs - and any unexpected expenses - now and into the future.
Whether you choose to buy or rescue a Yorkie, we would always say the most important thing is to meet your pup in person. This way you can see if they are in a good state of health, as well as if you have any concerns with them.
Yorkshire Terriers can make wonderful companions if they are given love and structure - they will be loyal for years to come. That’s why they’re a Potty Buddy favorite!
Remember, the key takeaways about this breed are as follows:
-Yorkshire terriers are highly protective of their homes and people
-They can be quite vocal but with the right training this can be managed
-Yorkies require frequent brushing to ensure their coat remains healthy and tangle-free
-As a small breed, they can suffer from a number of medical issues during their lifetime so it’s best to be prepared and proactive about protecting your little one’s health and wellbeing
-Yorkshire Terriers respond best when praised and you use positive reinforcement throughout their training
-The average cost of a Yorkie puppy can vary, depending on whether you choose to go with a rescue or a private breeder, but don’t forget the additional ongoing costs of their care too
And there you have it - everything you need to know about the Yorkshire Terrier breed. Now that you know more about this dog type, do you think it’s a fit for your family?
Make sure to check out our other dog breed profiles, as if you’re on the fence about Yorkies then you may just find the perfect canine companion from one of our other featured breeds.
Big, small or somewhere in between, don’t forget that Potty Buddy is always here to help you during those initial puppy potty training years. Or if you end up inviting an older canine into your home, we can help with that too.
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