Yorkshire Terrier

Breed Description

The Yorkshire Terrier is a small decorative dog that enjoys immense popularity all around the globe. This breed ranks among the top 10 most popular dogs worldwide. Yorkshire Terriers particularly captivate women and children. It’s no wonder, as this little dog is easy to take anywhere. They are almost always cheerful and friendly. Loving owners affectionately refer to them as “little bundles of joy.”

It is worth noting that these adorable toy-like pups had practical applications in the 19th century: fashionable ladies in England carried them for a specific reason. They would bring the dogs along to attract fleas away from the heads of the English aristocracy. Additionally, it was common to dress these dogs in various outfits, showing them off at balls. Since cats were considered symbols of evil, Yorkies served as pest control, catching rats and mice, which they did quite well. After all, they have the blood of hunting Scottish Terriers in their veins. These breeds were true exterminators of foxes and martens and even performed guarding duties at home.

An interesting fact: it is known that Yorkshire Terriers are descendants of Sky Terriers and Scottish Terriers. Later, to improve the quality of the Yorkies’ fur, they were bred with Maltese dogs. However, this claim is debated among a broad circle of dog breeders.

The breed received its final name in the late 1870s. However, dogs from that era differed in appearance from today’s representatives. Their bodies were longer than those of modern Yorkies, and their fur was much longer. This was thanks to weavers who kept such dogs because they could not afford larger animals. They deliberately worked on enhancing the appearance of their dogs’ coats. A long-haired terrier weighed between 6 and 7 kg and had an extraordinary color. The very long, straight fur resembled silk in texture and had a unique gray-blue hue at that time. Due to this feature, the popularity of the new breed spread beyond England. For example, the first mentions of Yorkies in Germany date back to 1912. The breed appeared in the USA slightly earlier, with the first American York documented in official records in 1886.

Today, this breed is not used for hunting. The standard states that it is a decorative companion dog.

Appearance

A small decorative dog with straight long hair is distinguished by its liveliness and playful nature. With an extremely low weight of 2.5 – 3.2 kg, the breed is among the smallest in the world. Standing 18 – 20 cm at the shoulder, the Yorkshire Terrier ranks in the top five smallest dogs, trailing only the Chihuahua and the Prague Rat Terrier. With proper care, Yorkies can bring joy to their owners for 13 – 16 years.

Particular attention is drawn to the structure and color of the animal’s coat. At the same time, the Yorkshire Terrier is very capable of showing its terrier nature when it comes to active play. An extremely energetic dog knows no fatigue during games, and its eyes, peeping out from under its brows, sparkle with a playful fire. This is why they are so loved by children.

To this day, various bows and trinkets are woven into Yorkies’ fur. These embellishments give the dogs a completely unique appearance.

Their immense popularity and the lack of requirements for minimum weight have allowed for some deviations from “traditional” Yorkshire Terriers to be accepted.

Today, there are several varieties of these dogs, primarily distinguished by their size and weight. Subtypes include super mini Yorkies (weighing up to 1.4 kg), mini Yorkies (weighing up to 2 kg), the Biewer (extremely rare, weighing from 2 to 3.5 kg but with a unique coloring), “star dust” (weighing up to 5 kg with special coat color shades), and other varieties. It is particularly important to note the weak health of these dogs, as the pursuit of profit often takes precedence over the preservation of the breed’s healthy gene pool.

Отличительные черты

Голова

The standard yorshik has a medium-sized head. It is proportional to the size of the dog and is completely covered with silky fur. The fontanel is fully closed, and the forehead is distinct and not prominent. When palpated, the skull is slightly flattened on top, but still closer to a spherical shape.

Морда

Not too short a muzzle. This phrasing cannot give a clear idea of the size of a Yorkie's muzzle. The more pronounced the "doll-like" appearance of the muzzle when viewed from the front, the shorter it is. "Baby-face" Yorkies have especially short muzzles. This trait has a very negative impact on the dog's health. It leads to severe problems with breathing, heart issues, and significantly reduces lifespan.

Уши

Triangular ears peek out from the dog's fluffy hairstyle. The V-shaped ears of Yorkies hint at their relation to terriers. The cartilage in their ears is quite firm, which keeps them upright. Notably, the color of the fur on their ears is always different from the main coat color.

Глаза

The small round eyes are deeply set and seem to "peer out" from beneath bushy eyebrows. The gaze of Yorkies has a special magnetism. The tenderness combined with a sparkle of mischief is characteristic only of these dogs. According to the standard, the eye color should be as dark as possible, and the sclera shouldn't be visible.

Зубы

Straight, well-developed jaws should only have the correct bite. Sometimes this bite is referred to as a scissor bite: the upper canines overlap the lower jaw. The teeth grow at a right angle to the jaw and are not too large. It is very important to ensure a constant supply of calcium to the dog's body. Otherwise, dental problems in the dog are inevitable.

Корпус

The physique of the Yorkshire Terrier is very compact and harmonious. Currently, the standard specifies that the dog's back should be straight and strong. The chest should not protrude forward and should not be too wide, as this could give the animal the appearance of a powerful and stocky dog.

Конечности

Regardless of the type of your Yorkshire terrier, the legs should be straight. The length of the legs should not disrupt the overall proportions of the dog. This gives it maximum maneuverability. The front legs are entirely covered with long fur, and the color is slightly lighter than the main tone. The shoulder blades do not protrude, and the withers are not prominent. The claws are always black. The hind legs of the Yorkshire terrier are well-developed. The muscles are well-defined. The structure of the hind legs is more adapted for jumping and pushing. This ensures high mobility for the animal.

Хвост

В настоящее время допускается не купировать хвост собаке. Однако раньше такая процедура носила обязательный характер. Итак, куцый хвост йорка обычно средней длинны (при купировании убирается половина его длины). Он полностью покрыт шерстью и не завит. С начала 2000-х годов стандарт допускает не укорачивать хвост животному. В этом случае обязательным условием является окрас длинной шерсти хвоста с тёмным оттенком голубого.

Шерсть

The pride of any Yorkshire Terrier lies in its coat. Shiny and silky, it should be as long as possible but not hinder the animal's free movement. A distinctive feature of the coat is that it can only be straight and should be accentuated by color on the dog's muzzle, tail, and paws.

Окрас

The classic coloring of a Yorkshire Terrier is not dark blue, as sometimes stated in certain sources. According to the standard, the color is a dark steel on the back all the way to the tail. No speckles or other shades are allowed. The fur on the head is a bright brown, with a more reddish hue on the ears. When looking at the dog from the front, you can notice that the fur on the chest is slightly darker at the base and transitions to a golden hue towards the tips.

Character

Remaining terriers at heart, Yorkshire Terriers understand that their owners value their appearance and cheerful demeanor above all, rather than their working qualities. Therefore, they try to detach themselves from their hunting past and take charge in the home, almost always staying close to their owner (most often, of course, the owner is a woman). The affection these dogs feel for their “favorite person” knows no bounds. Being extremely lively by nature, they expend a great deal of energy attracting the attention of family members. Dogs are particularly inventive in throwing special looks to earn another round of praise. Yes, these clever pups are very resourceful and never miss an opportunity, especially when it comes to training. Capable and very intelligent, they are willing to move mountains for the praise and smile of their owners.

It’s worth noting that the bravery of Yorkies is almost as limitless as their love for family. A dog is ready to spring to the defense of its family and will not be intimidated by even larger dogs.

Such cuties easily find common ground with everyone living under the same roof. Forgetting their ancestors, they get along well with both cats and parrots. However, during walks, they will eagerly seek out the trail of a passing mouse or happily hunt for falling leaves. Yet even during such “hunting,” the dog will keep a watchful eye on its owner. Like all terriers, the Yorkie is always alert. However, if the little dog loses sight of them, it will become genuinely worried. But not for itself, rather for its loved ones. This shows its independence and sense of responsibility.

In addition to their adventurous spirit, Yorkies have inherited loyalty and agility from their ancestors. They zoom around like a whirlwind when given permission. Males, in particular, exhibit this trait strongly. They get excited very quickly, but returning to a calm state is much harder for them than for female Yorkies.

Dogs get along wonderfully with children and can serve as their babysitters. For elderly owners, these charmers act more like entertainers and try to energize homebodies. Although they are quite ready to adopt the habits of their older companions. Often, these dogs serve as effective antidepressants.

However, the breed does not handle solitude well. This greatly affects their nervous system. A dog cannot stay alone for long and becomes irritable, sometimes showing aggression or cowardice. Their psyche suffers greatly from a lack of attention. This must not be forgotten.

Care and Maintenance

How difficult is it to take care of a Yorkshire Terrier? The answer to this question usually involves basic care guidelines, while the difficulty of the process is assessed by the person asking it.

So, care and upbringing should start as soon as the puppy arrives home. The puppy must have its own space, ideally a bed or even a small house, which can be bought from specialized stores or ordered online. Due to their size, dogs can avoid wearing a muzzle, but leashes and harnesses are essential, so be sure to acquire them in advance. During winter walks, it’s best to dress your dog in warm and cute outfits. They give your pet a particularly endearing appearance. Moreover, dog footwear is now fashionable, which can protect a Yorkshire’s paws from cold or mud in damp weather.

Speaking of walks, it’s important to remember that dogs need to expend their energy, which they have in abundance. Don’t neglect walks. Ideally, you should walk your dog at least three times a day. The duration can vary from 30 minutes and more, depending on you and the weather. In poor weather, your dog might just want to breathe fresh air without much enthusiasm. During walks, dogs are very eager to repeat various commands that cannot be trained at home. Dogs living in private homes can stay outdoors as long as they wish; just make sure their area is safe and free from anything sharp or protruding from the ground. This way, you can save your flower beds and vegetable patches.

Every dog should have its nails trimmed, and Yorkshires are no exception. This should be done at least once every month and a half. Naturally, their nails won’t wear down on their own, as you have a decorative dog, not a working one. So, you will need to take care of this personally instead of relying on nature. Very often, Yorkshires can be seen in dog grooming salons, which is a popular trend in large cities. In such places, not only will your dog’s nails be trimmed, but they can also get a grooming.

Now, let’s talk about the most labor-intensive part of caring for a Yorkshire Terrier: caring for your dog’s beautiful coat. It flows elegantly from the back to both sides, cascading down to the dog’s paws. These qualities have been meticulously developed by breeders.

How often should you bathe a Yorkshire Terrier? Even though not all dogs enjoy this procedure, it is essential to do it at least twice a month. When bathing, the water should not be hot; the temperature should not exceed 35 – 37В°C. You should be very careful to prevent drops from getting into the animal’s ears. To prevent the dog’s paws from slipping on the bathtub floor, it’s advisable to place a rubber mat or a regular cloth down. A firm stance will make the dog less nervous since, for some inexplicable reason, Yorkshire Terriers don’t particularly like water. They often show distress during bathing. The next step after bathing is to dry the coat. First, you should towel dry the dog. To avoid catching a chill, you should dry it with a hairdryer afterward. However, if the dog is afraid of the noisy device, you can simply use a dry towel to wrap it up, spending this time together. The minutes spent with you will be seen by the dog as a reward for its “sufferings.” Then, the coat should be brushed. Many dog owners often weave various ribbons into the fur and even braid unique hairstyles.In addition to this, the coat requires brushing every other day.

Training and Education

Yorkshire Terriers quickly learn simple commands. However, don’t even try to turn your family pet into a fighting dog.

For successful training, early socialization is required, and you should consider the dog’s personality traits.

From the first days of having a puppy at home, get him used to his own name. Avoid playing loud music and warn your children to postpone their noisy games for a while. This will help the animal adapt to its new home and assess the situation properly.

Gradually introduce the Yorkie to basic commands, but do not extend training sessions beyond 15 minutes. Your dog will get tired in that time and start to distract himself with more interesting activities. Additionally, he may be less willing to engage in future training sessions.

If your children are 10 years old or older, involve them in the training sessions with the dog. This way, you can divert them from gadgets and computer games and help them develop a sense of responsibility.

Before the first walks, the Yorkie should be familiar with essential commands such as “come,” “no,” “don’t,” and “yes.” Alongside these, teach your dog the command “beside” from the first walk. Note that timely rewards for success motivate the dog to continue learning. Never be afraid to praise your pet excessively; it’s worse if his motivation is low. Remember the professionals’ rule: there’s no such thing as too many rewards.Absolutely do not shout at the dog or punish your four-legged friend for refusing to follow a command or executing it incorrectly. Be patient and consistent in achieving results.Always remember that two charming eyes are watching you on the cute face of your pet. If you show weakness, your dog will immediately take your place and will manipulate you based on their experience.If you have doubts about your abilities, consider hiring professional dog trainers and taking courses to train your Yorkie. Regardless, maintain a positive attitude, as dogs read your emotions and always empathize with you. Zooiniki offers puppies with documents and health guarantees.

How to Choose a Puppy

Are you ready to take responsibility for a creature 24 hours a day that may get sick and requires considerable grooming? Are you willing to wake up earlier than usual to spend 20-30 minutes outside with the dog in any weather? If you answered yes to these questions, you can start choosing a Yorkshire Terrier puppy.

First and foremost, you need to thoroughly study the characteristics of the breed. It wouldn’t hurt to visit a few kennels, but definitely do not rush into a purchase, especially based on photos in online advertisements. This breed is extremely popular in Russia, and there is a risk of buying a puppy with genetic issues or a mixed breed.

While at the kennel, pay attention not only to the appearance of the puppy’s mother and the living conditions of the dogs. Carefully assess the behavior of the adult dog. If it is nervous or aggressive, these traits may be inherited by its puppies. It will be impossible to correct the situation later. Don’t forget to check the dog’s documents and verify the puppy’s veterinary passport. It should include records of vaccinations and tests. Additionally, inquire about the presence of a tattoo or chip; this substantially increases trust in the breeder.

When starting to choose a puppy, observe it closely. An aggressive or timid puppy is not a suitable candidate for purchase, even if it seems very cute. Everything else is relatively straightforward: the belly should not be hard or bloated. The coat should be even and free of defects. The dog’s eyes should not be teary, and the ears should be painless and clean. Make sure to touch the puppy’s nose with the back of your hand; it should feel warm and dry.

Note: when visiting a kennel, pay attention to whether the breeder offers you to wash your hands before you start choosing a puppy. Typically, this signals that the kennel owner is concerned about preventing infections, meaning they take good care of their animals’ health. A reputable kennel is the best place to choose from a variety of listings.

Health and Diseases

The classic Yorkshire Terrier cannot be classified as a dog with weak health. However, the pursuit of fashion has produced quite a few breeds of Yorkies. Generally, the smaller the weight and size of the dog, the weaker its immune system. We will focus on the standard Yorkie.

Among the wide range of diseases, they are typically divided into congenital and acquired.

The most common congenital diseases in Yorkies primarily include hip joint diseases. Among them is Legg-CalvГ© disease (or Perthes disease). This condition leads to the death of bone tissues in the pelvic organs of Yorkies and has irreversible consequences.

Dental diseases occur quite frequently. Baby teeth often do not fall out in time, leading to the growth of permanent teeth soon after.

Allergies are common as well. However, they are usually a result of improperly selected food or cleaning products. Changing the diet and switching shampoos resolves this issue in 90% of cases.

One unpleasant condition is cataracts, typically seen in older dogs. This list also includes retinal pathologies. Currently, there is no precise statistics on the number of such diseases.”Baby-face” Yorkies have the weakest immune system, leading to problems with breathing, digestion, and heart issues. Their lifespan is significantly shorter than that of standard counterparts. – the best site about pets where you can buy or sell a puppy.