Learning All About the Yorkshire Terrier
Spunky, intelligent, stubborn, and busy are all words used to describe the adorable Yorkshire Terrier. Also known as Yorkies, this breed has been man’s best friend since the 1800s.
The modern Yorkie is a sweet and sassy lap dog. However, they were originally bred to hunt down mice and other small rodents, particularly in hard-to-reach areas and underground tunnels.
And Yorkshire Terriers have had many other roles throughout history. According to the American Kennel Club, during WWII, “a Yorkie named Smoky is credited with saving the lives of soldiers by dragging a communications cable through an 8-inch-wide, 60-foot-long drainage culvert. She is also thought to be the world’s first therapy dog, visiting wounded soldiers in hospitals.”
To learn more about the Yorkshire Terrier, Animal Care Center has put together a breed guide. So, keep reading and fall in love with the fierce and affectionate Yorkie.
Of course, if you have any questions we did not answer here, contact the office to get them all answered by our friendly and knowledgeable staff.
Yorkshire Terrier Appearance
The Yorkshire Terrier is classified as a toy breed. Their heads are relatively small, topped with perky V-shaped ears.
The Yorkie’s coat is made of long, fine, straight hair, more like human hair than typical dog fur. Some owners will have their Yorkie’s coat cut short, while others allow it to grow to floor length. Keeping your Yorkshire Terrier’s hair from tangling and matting is challenging and requires regular brushing. For this reason, many owners will stick to the shorter grooming style.
The tail of this breed is typically docked at half the natural length and has long, fine hair like the rest of the body.
Variations
The following are some of the most common variations of the Yorkshire Terrier breed.
The original Yorkshire Terrier: Purely bred, the Yorkshire Terrier will have a bi-color coat. The typical color combinations are blue and gold, blue and tan, black and gold, and black and tan.
Black Yorkies: This variation of the Yorkie is rare. Black Yorkies are not purebred but have almost identical personalities to the original Yorkshire Terrier. Their coats are, of course, entirely black.
Parti Yorkies: Parti Yorkies are tri-colored rather than bi-colored. They typically have the traditional tan and blue coloring with black, white, or chocolate additions.
Yorkshire Terrier Statistics
Average Height:
Male- 9 inches
Female- 8 inches
Weight: 5-7 pounds
Life Span: 14-16 years
Not sure if your rescue fits this description? Give us a call to find out at Animal Care Center.
Yorkshire Terrier Care
Yorkies require close care and regular grooming. Yorkshire Terriers are intelligent yet headstrong. For this reason, they genuinely thrive with consistent training.
Additionally, they are small and accident-prone, so be sure always to supervise your Yorkshire Terrier, especially while they explore new areas.
In the care paragraphs below, we will briefly go over the following:
- Nutrition
- Grooming
- Exercise
- Health
For further information on pet care and training classes, speak with our staff by clicking here.
Nutrition
As with any dog breed, your Yorkie needs quality food to have the best possible health. However, there are a couple of pointers to follow when it comes to this breed. Firstly, Yorkshire Terriers can quickly become overweight. To avoid this, be sure to feed them the correct portions for their weight and activity level. Secondly, consider wet food. Crunchy kibble can be a problem for the Yorkie’s sensitive teeth. And finally, this breed is known to be some of the pickiest eaters. Try switching between dry and wet food or between beef and chicken flavors to keep their interest.
Grooming
The Yorkshire Terrier’s fine and human-like hair is incredibly difficult to maintain, especially if kept long. If not brushed daily, their hair will all too easily tangle. That’s why many owners prefer the “puppy cut,” which is short and just as adorable. Yorkies require regular grooming with either style to keep their silky coats knot-free and under control.
Exercise
Yorkies are nicknamed the “tomboy toy” because of their spunky personality and adventurous characteristics. And like any other dog, they benefit from regular walks and supervised play. Because they are so small, keep a close eye on your Yorkie to avoid accidental injury from a fall or rough play.
Health
Yorkshire Terriers are prone to dental disease and several other health issues.
The following are some of the most common health concerns for Yorkshire Terriers:
- Microvascular Dysplasia (MVD)
- Protein-Losing Enteropathy (PLE)
- Knee problems
- Weight problems
- Allergies
Furthermore, the best care you can give your Yorkie is to have an excellent veterinarian to rely on. That is what Animal Care Centers is all about, providing the best care for pets and their owners.
Animal Care Center Loves All Their Furry Family Members
From the moment you enter Animal Care Center, you’ll be among the friendly staff, owners, and pets who prefer Dr. Williams. So, you need not worry one bit.
The total preventative care of your pet is our pleasure.
The best care for your furry family member is at Animal Care Center. We provide complete care for all your pet’s health needs, including dental care, internal medicine, and emergency care.
Caring for the total pet is our specialty. From eyes and ears to testing and surgery, the people of Smyrna, Georgia, and the Greater Atlanta Area can count on the fantastic staff at Animal Care Center and our own Dr. Williams.
