An Overview of the Yorkshire Terrier

Our family owns 2 of these adorable breeds and we consider them to be special members of our family. We treat them as if they are our children and shower them with attention which makes them feel cherished.

If you are planning to purchase a dog I highly recommend this small breed. Here is an overview of the Yorkshire Terrier.

Origination

The Yorkshire Terrier originated from England and was named after the city of Yorkshire. They were originally used in the nineteenth century to catch rats in clothing mills and were considered to be a working dog. After a period of time Yorkshire Terriers transitioned from their working status to a close companion of prominent English families.

Appearance

Yorkshire Terriers are well known for their beautiful appearance and have a hypoallergenic coat that is silky smooth. Females generally don longer hair while males have more of a trim cut; although some owners adorn them with jewelry. Both sexes of this attractive breed can be seen dressed in various fashions and often treated as an accessory by their owner. Their tails are typically docked at a young age and they generally grow to be 7 pounds which puts them in the "AKC Toy Group."

Personality

Like people, every Yorkshire Terrier is distinctive and possess their own unique personality. Our furry friends are extremely different with our male being mellow and compliant and our female being feisty and rambunctious. Not aware of their small size Yorkshire Terriers tend to be brave and have been known to go up against dogs of a larger size.

Behavior

Although some owners state that their Yorkshire Terrier is difficult to train we've not experienced that problem. Our little ones are really eager to please and are very obedient. In addition they are exceptionally intelligent, active, and love attention.

Competition

As Yorkshire Terriers progress in age many of their owners enter them in competitions where they are known to show very well displaying their many talents.

Health concerns

One down side of owning a Yorkshire Terrier is the health issues that one may experience. These include eye infections, cataracts, bronchitis, skin allergies, genetic disorders, tracheal collapse, bladder stones, early tooth decay, poor tolerance to anesthetics, and delicate digestion. In addition some Yorkshire Terriers suffer paralysis in the hind quarters due to a herniated disk or other problems of the spine.

Life span

The typical life span of a Yorkshire Terrier is between 12-15 years of age; although some have been known to live longer.

Maintenance

Yorkshire Terriers are easier to groom compared to some other small breeds. Normal grooming includes daily brushing, a trip to a professional groomer, and an occasional visit to the vet for teeth brushing.

Because they are prone to digestive issues it's important for Yorkshire Terriers to be placed on a healthy diet and not be allowed to have table scraps.

Yorkshire Terriers are generally active dogs that require interaction with their owner, many opportunities to play, and daily walks which will promote good behavior minimizing behavioral issues.

Overall the Yorkshire Terrier is a wonderful breed to add to most families because of their loyalty, great personality, and eagerness to please.

Source

American Kennel Club