Yorkshire Terrier
A guide to an adorable doggy!
Small in size but big in personality, the Yorkshire Terrier makes a feisty but loving companion. Although Yorkies can make for great apartment pets, they also have a tendency to be yappy, which neighbors may not appreciate. They’ll need a bit of maintenance too, especially when it comes to dental care. While these pups are playful, they’re also small and can be injured by children. But if you can provide lots of love, attention, care, and playtime, you’ll have a loving, adorable companion who’ll stick to you like your shadow!
An average Yorkie has
Size:
Around 3kg and grow to 20-23cm in height.
Coat:
Yorkshire Terriers are a longhaired, non-shedding breed. They need
grooming every day, even if their coat is cut short.
Exercise:
Needs about 30 minutes a day for adult dogs.
Life Span:
12+ years. Yorkshire Terriers are one of the longer-living breeds and
can live into their late teens.
Yorkshire personality
This is an active little dog who needs a daily walk for stimulation. Fun and games are always an added bonus. They might look cute but because of their small stature, there’s a risk of him trying to boss you around. Socialization and training can help, and it’s worth keeping in mind that companion dogs like Yorkies crave attention the most, so they might act up to get it. But with steady training, you’ll raise an affectionate and sweet natured dog.
Ideal owner
If you’re a city or town dweller looking for a fun-loving, small stature dog to share and don’t mind occasionally having to carry them when you’re out and about or covering a bit more distance, then a Yorkie could be the right dog for you. They’re naturally inquisitive, which makes them great as playmates and, like other dogs of the Terrier group, can be prone to try digging their way out of your garden. If you’re prepared for a dog with a larger than life personality, and perhaps have older children and aren’t thinking of adding additional pets to your brood at a later date (Yorkies are thought to bond better when they grow up with other pets, as they can be a tad possessive and territorial) you’ll be blessed by this tiny package of dog delight!
How to training your pet
As an intelligent and entertaining little dog, a Yorkie will be a fun playmate and you’ll enjoy learning a few tricks together. When it comes to obedience training, with confident leadership shown by the owner, the Yorkshire Terrier isn’t too hard to train. But beware giving into their cuteness, otherwise you may find that they start to act up to get more of what they want most–your attention. The Yorkshire Terrier can apparently be somewhat challenging to housebreak, so you’ll need to stay alert and stay patient, rewarding good behavior.
Grooming a Yorkie
Yorkshire Terriers have a long, silky coat that continues to grow, much like human hair. This means that while Yorkies don’t shed as much as other breeds, they do require a high level of grooming. Including daily brushing into your routine can help to prevent matting of their long fur, and regular haircuts from a professional groomer are necessary. Your groomer will be able to help you choose from a number of Yorkshire Terrier cuts and styles. Typically, long-haired Yorkies will sport a top knot to keep fur out of their eyes, while owners who prefer shorter hair go for a trimmed-all-over ‘puppy cut’.
Things to be careful
Due to the delicacy of their limbs, and they’re known for being prone to knee issues–a nasty sounding condition called luxating patellas (slipped-out knee caps), you should be careful not to let your Yorkie jump from high places, especially as a puppy while bones are still developing. Their eyes are also somewhat prone, some Yorkies can have retinas which gradually deteriorate which can lead to them losing their sight. Responsible breeders will tell you all about the medical history of a puppy’s parents and grandparents, and may even have screened specifically for some of the more common issues this breed can face. Broadly speaking, Yorkies are a fairly healthy breed, but many pet parents opt for pet health insurance just in case.
Rescued Yorkies
Yorkies may seem like a blessed dog breed, but especially because
they are so loved by people, it's common to see cases of yorkshire
abuse and exploitation. It is certainly easier to take in puppies
and young adoptable dogs, but many times, those young ones came to
this world through the suffering of theis parents. If you really
want a yorkshire to become part of your family, please give a chance
to a rescued adult yorkie!
All dogs available for adoption are first placed in foster families
to be rehabilitated, trained and socialized so that they can be
placed with their forever families without any problems.
👉 Learn more about other dog breeds!
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