For years, the Yorkshire terrier has been a wildly popular breed among dog owners. This he owes to his cute appearance and brave character. Although this doggie is a small size, his intelligence certainly does not disappoint. The Yorkshire terrier is a fun family and companion dog, has spirit and a very interesting history. Want to learn more about this dog breed? Then read on below.
The history: from rat catcher to exhibition dog
You might have guessed it: the Yorkshire terrier, also known as a Yorkie, is originally from Yorkshire in the United Kingdom. Experts believe that the breed came about by crossing several dog breeds, but especially several terrier breeds. Among others, the v and Paisley terrier, the Dandie Dinmont, the Manchester terrier and the Maltese (for its soft coat) can be found in the Yorkie’s pedigree. The Skye terrier can also be found in the family list.
The Skye terriers came around 1850 with their Scottish owners, who were then weavers, to the English Yorkshire. There they were crossed with waterside terriers and other local variants of the terrier. This was the beginning of the Yorkshire terrier!
The breed was incredibly popular. The Yorkie lent itself all too well to various chores that used to come in handy. Thus, the quadruped was to be found in garment factories to catch the rats, he was taken along on hunts to scavenge and he was often on the farm to be found as a rat repellent. A real asset. And that is how we still see this little dog: an asset – agile and smart.
The Yorkie has become a popular companion dog and the breed is seen as modern and elegant. This dog is even very popular as a show dog.
The character: this breed has a lot to offer
The Yorkshire terrier is often underestimated by dog lovers, a shame! This breed is in fact at home in all markets. It is thought that the dog only provides company and has little else in the house, but nothing is further from the truth.
The Yorkie is naturally territorial and therefore very watchful. Strangers will probably not easily shy away from this quadruped with a cute appearance. Nevertheless, the Yorkie will always be alert and warn his owner in case of need. They may be small, but this does not affect how incredibly brave they are. They sense unwelcome visitors razor sharp and will not be afraid to defend their owner.
In addition to being protective, this breed is also feisty and stubborn. They are not always easy to train. They have, like many other terriers, their own will and they do what they want.
This does not mean, however, that they are on their own. They are very affectionate and love to be as close to their owner as possible. In a family situation, this is often not ideal; the Yorkshire terrier usually attaches most to one person. However, this breed is sweet and patient with children. They like to be surrounded by people who want to keep them company.
Have you ever heard of small dogs pretending to be big dogs? The Yorkie could just be the inspiration for that. They have self-confidence and dare to go on a rampage even against the biggest and strongest dogs.
If you, as an owner, raise these four-legged friends in a disciplined way, you will have these dogs as happy and playful friends for life who are well able to listen to commands. They have great problem-solving abilities, learn quickly and are more intelligent than people often think. In addition, they also get along very well with other dogs.
The appearance and physique
Because the Yorkshire terrier has a sweet appearance, dog owners quickly fall for its friendly charm. In addition, they are small, the height at the withers is between 20 and 25 cm, and they weigh up to 3 kg. What is also characteristic is the long and shiny coat that often completely covers the dog’s face. Many owners therefore choose to raise the hair with a bow, thus getting it out of the face. At exhibitions they are also fans of the long and shiny coat and the Yorkie likes to show it off.
He enjoys good grooming.The dogs usually have a gray to black coat with light brown hairs around the face and legs. They have small, drooping ears that stand up when they hear a recognizable or interesting sound. They also have a small black nose and dark, friendly eyes. Furthermore, they have a small and hairy tail that is not always clearly visible because of the long locks. You only see the tail properly when they wag. The Yorkshire terrier shows his feelings through his tail: they waggle it fanatically when they feel good. By wagging the tail the dogs radiate much energy.
The care: the coat needs much attention
It is a small dog, but it needs a lot of care. Do not underestimate this.
The coat
Especially the coat needs a lot of attention, which provides energy. It is important to brush almost daily and check for tangles. This can take a lot of time, but fortunately the Yorkie enjoys it immensely. This makes brushing a pleasant chore.
It is also recommended to wash the coat regularly with dog shampoo to keep the coat shiny and supple. This makes brushing less time-consuming because the tangles are easier to remove. Furthermore, it is of course important to regularly check for fleas and ticks. An advantage of the coat of the Yorkie is that it has no undercoat and therefore does not shed. They therefore also suffer less from excessive hair loss.
The eyes
Besides taking care of the coat, it is good to regularly check for dirt. For example, the eyes need cleaning every now and then and they should be cleared of excess eye fluid. This should be done with careful and cautious hand. A damp soft washcloth lends itself perfectly to this.
The teeth
As with any dog, it is incredibly important to take good care of the teeth. The Yorkie can suffer from very bad teeth at a young age. Regularly brush the teeth with a dog toothpaste and have tartar removed at the vet is a must.
It is also advisable to give the quadruped chew snacks and toys to encourage healthy teeth. Teeth and gums will remain healthy and strong as a result.
The Body
Of course, proper care includes proper nutrition and exercise. A Yorkshire terrier has a great need for this. He likes to be outdoors and loves exercise. An overweight Yorkie can also cause serious health problems in the dog. It is therefore important that the dog eats a varied diet and not more calories than he burns.
Are there any diseases that occur in this breed?
Smaller dogs are less likely to get diseases, but because the Yorkshire terrier is a purebred dog, he is unfortunately no exception to the rule. Purebred dogs do have a chance of inheriting disorders and they are more susceptible to diseases.
PL (Patella Luxation) is the most common disorder. The kneecap of the dog is then loose and therefore shoots off the cartilage groove. Not only does the dog walk lame, it can also develop serious joint problems. A healthy exercise pattern, losing weight when overweight and a good animal physiotherapist can help. In severe cases, surgery may offer help.
Besides PL, Yorkshire terriers have an increased risk of eye disorders, such as cataracts. This can cause the little dogs to have problems with their eyesight and even go blind. To avoid these kinds of health problems, it is always recommended to buy your Yorkie from a recognized breeder. An experienced and approved breeder will map out the health risks and will do his best to prevent genetic disorders. Are you curious about the genetic risks of your Yorkie puppy? Then ask the breeder for the health and risks of the parents.
Finally, the Yorkshire terrier is a fairly fragile dog in addition to the common disorders. Due to the short legs and small feet of the quadruped, you should always be careful around the dog. He likes to play with other dogs and also hangs out with them, but he is much more at risk than a large or normal sized dog. For example, a Yorkie is more likely to suffer a broken bone or injury while running or playing. It is good to be aware of this. Always be careful in the presence of this little dog.
Did you know?
- The Yorkshire terrier is very affectionate and wants to be with everything?
- For the above reason, the dogs are often carried in a special carrier or bag, so they can go on city walks and shopping trips?
- Yorkies bond primarily with their owners? But that he also likes family situations?
- Yorkshire terriers love attention and like to be held?
- They are often shown at exhibitions? They are therefore also known as the most typical exhibition dogs?
- The four-legged friends like to be pampered, with hours spent enjoying brush treatments and a nice bath?
- The dogs were not only used to track rats in garment factories and farms, but also as absolute childhood friends protected the children at night from nasty rat bites? To do this, they remained constantly alert throughout the night.
- Yorkies live to be between 12 and 15 on average? This is quite old compared to larger dog breeds.
- Although the dogs can live well in a small living space or apartment, they prefer to be outside and love to play with other dogs?
Dog training for this breed
Yorkshire terriers are naturally alert and stubborn and therefore need the right training to be social and friendly towards strangers and other dogs. However, training them is not easy. Thanks to their stubbornness, they prefer to do what they want for themselves. Patience is a virtue, even when training your puppy or adult Yorkie.
What helps in training is rewarding good behavior by adopting a positive body posture or giving your doggie his favorite snack. The negative behaviors they may show, such as barking or pulling on the leash, you should not pay attention to. Rewarding them directly for obedient behavior works better. Nevertheless, it is important to set boundaries and not give the dog room to do everything he wants. Because the Yorkie has quite a big personality, he will not always accept this.
Preventing barking, growling and other bad behavior starts with good socialization. This makes the dogs more cheerful in dealing with others and they are less likely to take an offensive attitude when they see other dogs or people.
As mentioned earlier, the Yorkshire terrier is extremely intelligent. He can therefore learn many tricks and commands. The basic commands such as sit, give paw and go down (lie down), are the easiest to learn. Because the Yorkie is very proud and likes to show what he can do, he demonstrates the learned commands with love.
How much does a Yorkshire terrier cost?
Yorkie puppies are extremely popular and you therefore pay quite a bit for them. The price for a puppy is approximately $700 to $850. When you buy from a professional breeder, the prices are much higher. Then you have to think of $1100 to $1900.
Of course you can also adopt a puppy or adult dog from the shelter. With dogs that have been around for a while you can better estimate what kind of character they have. In addition, you can offer dogs from the shelter the chance of a better life.
Besides the purchase costs you also have one-time costs, such as the purchase of a basket, care products like a comb and brush, toys, a drinking and feeding bowl and a bag or basket.
Beyond the “initial costs” you will also have recurring costs for maintaining your doggie. This includes the food, vaccinations, grooming products such as shampoo and dental snacks, for example. The cost of the food is low, however, because the Yorkie does not eat that much. Monthly you can count on about $ 50 in recurring costs.
There are also costs for vaccinations, protective products against fleas and ticks and any costs for boarding – when you want to go on vacation without your dog.
How much exercise does this breed need?
Because this dog is so small, hours of walking every day is not necessary. Even indoors he can keep himself busy with exercise. This four-legged friend does love being outside, so playing outside is recommended. In heart and soul it is a terrier, so he is and remains active. Your must therefore ensure that he does not become bored; this can manifest itself in barking. Mental challenges are therefore also very nice for this breed.
Recognition of this breed
The Yorkshire terrier is an officially recognized breed of dog in the United States as of 1885. This means that it is a healthy dog breed that may be bred with and that you can participate in various events.
Do you already have a Yorkshire terrier or are you planning to buy one?
The Yorkie is an extremely suitable dog within each household. He is small, active, brave and likes to bond with his owner. The Yorkie is also very smart and learns tricks easily – if his stubbornness does not get in the way. This dog gets along well with children and other dogs, but loves a lot of attention from its owner.
The care of this four-legged friend requires almost daily attention, so think about this if you are thinking of purchasing this breed. Are you totally convinced and go for the family expansion with a Yorkie, then you will have a friend for life. Are you already a proud Yorkshire terrier owner and would you like to share your story? Then leave a comment below!
