The Yorkshire Terrier

Mar 1, 2010 Author: Administrator | Filed under: Dog Breeds

Yorkies are small dogs with big dog attitudes! These dogs know no size difference; they’re mentally as big and bad as the other guy. They’re so bold they’ve been know to take on Great Danes (be sure to protect your Yorkie from his foolhardi … er, bravery). Even so, don’t count the Yorkie out as a lap dog, because they can cuddle with the best of them.

In show, Yorkies seem to glide across the ground, as their long, floor-length coats cover up their tiny feet. Yorkies can weigh as little as one pound, but thankfully, most breeders don’t breed dogs this tiny. With dogs this small, health problems are almost inevitable. The The American Kennel Club requires Yorkies to weigh less than seven pounds, but they don’t set a minimum weight. For these reasons, the AKC deems the Yorkie a member of the Toy Group.

Yorkies’ coats are long, often down around their feet. The coat can be silver, blue or black hair, and often they have tan on their heads and legs. Puppies are all born with black and tan coloring, but develop and lighten to different degrees. Groom your Yorkie at least three times a week to prevent matting. Some silkier coats might only need to be groomed once a week.

The Yorkie is the ultimate apartment dog. Of course, they don’t mind a good yard for running. Truthfully, some Yorkshire Terriers never venture out and are litter trained instead. If you can’t walk your Yorkie daily, play an indoor game of fetch to burn up that energy. If you have a yard, check for gaps at the fence bottom, because Yorkies love to explore. Any gap, however small, should be addressed before letting your dog out. An escaped Yorkie, small and cute as he is, doesn’t always have a chance to get back home. A passerby might take the little guy home, thinking he’s lost or abandoned.

Yorkshire Terriers love to be in the thick of daily life. However, these dogs don’t do well with toddlers. This isn’t because Yorkies are bad with kids, but because of their delicate frames. A good-tempered Yorkie will actually let the kids squeeze, poke and pull on him, and this is unfair to the Yorkie, as they could get hurt.

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Despite the Yorkie’s size, obedience classes are still recommended. Without proper training, these little guys can develop bad habits while becoming quite stubborn. Also, obedience training may save your Yorkie’s life if he escapes but responds to your call.

The breed doesn’t carry very many serious health problems. You might see some dental issues, such as retained baby teeth or plaque build-up. To avoid these problems, try to brush your dog’s teeth several times a week. Look into supplying some raw, appropriate sized bones he can gnaw on (cooked ones splinter). This will help him get some extra calcium as well. Some other problems that occasionally come up with Yorkies are hernias and hypoglycemia. Just taking care and paying close attention can help your dog stay healthy.

You obviously won’t be shelling out the big bucks to feed your Yorkie. They don’t eat much; just look at their size! Just make sure to not spoil your puppy by feeding exclusively soft food. If this happens, he might refuse to eat the dry food which he needs keep his teeth in good shape.

This pocket-sized dog packs a punch that belies its size — and guarantees plenty of fun. If this is what you’re after, consider the Yorkshire Terrier!