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Learn all about Yorkshire Terrier Dogs and Puppies through our indepth
guide to the Yorkshire Terrier dog breed. You'll find solid information
about
Yorkshire Terrier dog history, Yorkshire Terrier life
expectancy Yorkshire Terrier dog appearance,
Yorkshire Terrier dog temperament and personality, Irish
Setter dog health issues,
Yorkshire Terrier puppy care, training Yorkshire Terrier
puppy dogs and more. Also includes important information
about choosing a responsible Yorkshire Terrier dog breeder.
Yorkshire Terrier Dogs
Often called the Yorkie or Yorkie dog, the Yorkshire Terrier has enjoyed the status of a favored companion for roughly 200 years. Considered to be the second most popular breed of dog in the world (the Labrador Retriever being the first), his is a story of rags-to-riches. To tell the story of the Yorkshire Terrier is to reveal how one little hero scaled the social barriers to become a pampered pet and a star of the silver screen. There is little hope of ignoring this adorable little canine when he turns on the cuteness and demands your attention.
Yorkshire Terrier Dog History
The Yorkshire Terrier owes his existence to a now-extinct breed of dog, known as the Waterside, or Weaver, Terrier. Created from a cross of Scottish Clydesdale and Paisley Terriers, which were then bred with the English Black-and-Tan Terriers, the Waterside was well-known for his long blue-gray coat and petite size of about 10 pounds. A favored pet of many of the weavers who journeyed from Scotland into England, during the 19th century, he would then cross with the local dogs in the area and eventually produce the small Yorkshire Terrier.
At the time, Yorkies were considered a part of the working class themselves. In a time when a dog earned his keep, the Yorkshire Terrier was commonly employed in the weaving mills as a chaser of vermin. Skilled ratters, their tiny bodies were able to squirm and wiggle their ways into places that larger dogs and even cats couldn't go, and the Yorkshire Terrier's feisty temperament made him a ferocious fighter. The presence of the Yorkshire Terrier in the mills became so common that it was often joked that the Yorkie's long flowing coat was the finest product to be produced on the looms.
Huddersfield Ben is generally recognized as the founding sire of the Yorkshire Terrier dog breed. Born in Huddersfield, County Yorkshire, Ben lived a short existence from 1865 to 1871. Although an accident claimed his life at a mere 6 years, he was the winner of more than 70 prizes in a variety of dog shows and ratting contests, and he was also known to breed true-to-type, the offspring that he sired consistently weighing under 5 pounds and bearing his unique characteristics. While the breed was originally known as the Broken-haired Scotch Terrier, the name would be changed to the Yorkshire Terrier, in honor and recognition of how much development of the breed had occurred within this small area.
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The Yorkshire Terrier Dog Breed In Brief
Country of Origin:
United Kingdom
Yorkshire Terrier Height:
6 - 9 inches at the shoulder
Yorkshire Terrier Weight:3 to 7 pounds
Yorkshire Terrier Color Variations: No variations
Yorkshire Terrier Size Variations: Toy size only
Yorkshire Terrier Exercise Needs: Moderate
Yorkshire Terrier Grooming Demands: Demanding
Yorkshire Terrier Trainability: Moderate
Yorkshire Terrier Life Expectancy:13 to 15 years
Good With Children:
Best with older, well behaved children.
Good With Other Pets:
No
AKC Breed Group:
akc
Yorkshire Terrier Dog Appearance
The Yorkie is a toy variety of dog, weighing in at less than 7 pounds when fully grown. Black and tan as a puppy, the Yorkshire terrier's body coat eventually becomes a rich, glossy blue and tan shade, giving him the distinctive coloration as he matures. The only recognized coloration of the Yorkshire Terrier is this variety, so beware of any trying to sell you dogs that are parti-colored or any other variety.
The Yorkie's coat should ideally part down the center, from head to tail, with their hair falling to each side in a straight, silky mantle. Exhibitors of show dogs are allowed to trim their Yorkies' hair so that it is floor level, though most pet Yorkshire Terriers are often kept with a short coat. Interesting to note is that a Yorkie dog's coat is never referred to as "fur" but is, instead, called "hair." This is due to its similarity to human hair; the Yorkie being one of the few breeds of "hypoallergenic" dogs, who do not shed and are considered to be better than other breeds, for those who are allergic to pet dander.
While Yorkies typically weigh right around 5-7 pounds, you will often find people who advertise teacup Yorkies, miniature Yorkshire Terrier puppies, or tiny tiny Yorkie pups. This is simply a marketing gimmick that is employed by unethical breeders in order to claim higher prices for their dogs. Yorkshire breed registries do not recognize any kind of sub-standard or petite variety of the Yorkshire Terrier breed and actually advises against purchasing dogs that are advertised as teacup Yorkshire Terriers - such animals are not only extremely frail, but if they are true dwarfs or the result of heavy inbreeding, they are often very unhealthy and overrun with genetic faults and disease. While tiny teacups may be considered cute, it’s an unsound practice to breed such animals and the sale of mini Yorkies should be discouraged.
Is the Yorkshire Terrier Right For You?
This is a very commonly asked question and yet, it is still not asked enough. Before purchasing a Yorkshire puppy, one should first take their lifestyle into careful consideration. The Yorkshire Terrier is a very frail little dog and does not do well in a household with children (both from risk of injury as well as the noise tending to make them very nervous and excitable). One must also be very careful of the Yorkie with other pets, such as larger dogs that can injure him, accidentally, during play.
Yorkies are often difficult to socialize, as well. They tend to be very nervous and high strung, which commonly makes them yappers or prone to nip. Left alone for long periods of time, this breed can also be highly destructive and frequently suffers from Canine Separation Anxiety. Of course, for many, the good outweighs the bad and the Yorkshire Terrier is worth it. Known to be very affectionate towards their owners as well as being considered to be an ideal pet for those who are allergic to pet dander, it all depends on your lifestyle and the dog you choose in the end. Take your time and pick wisely, and you're sure to find a wonderful pet with lots of love to share.
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