Yorkshire Terrier Breed Info

Hello love. The diva toy Terrier, lovingly nicknamed Yorkie! Is a Yorkshire Terrier the right breed for you? Find out!

Yorkie Facts

Yorkshire Terriers are named after Yorkshire, a city in England. They were bred to hunt vermin, capture and kill vermin, mostly rats, in clothing mills. While Yorkies are tiny and adorable, their small size fits perfectly into rodent holes. Later, Yorkies became companion dogs for European high society where, again, their small size continued to be an asset. Now sprinkle in long flowing hair and beautiful brown eyes, and they became the perfect “high society” accessory. But trust me, Yorkies still possess Terrier genes even if they’re wearing bows and nail polish. Try walking them next to a small rodent hole in the park. They will carry on like a Terrier. 🙂

Yorkshire Terrier puppies are born with darker coats, which lighten up as they grow. Usually their tails are docked at 2-3 days old in the U.S. Yorkies are under 7 pounds and usually live up to 12+ years.

Temperament

Yorkies are Terriers, which explains their courage. They have a small body with a large dog personality, and will not think twice to bark at a Great Dane. It’s important to socialize them as puppies, especially before 16 weeks of age. I know, they are so tiny then, but after 16 weeks of age, their socialization window closes.

While it’s disheartening to some to witness the pluckiness of a Terrier, I say embrace it. Not only are Yorkies breathtakingly beautiful, they are smart and maintain a strong work ethic. Yorkies excel in agility, obedience, Earth Dog trails and the newest terrier adventure, barn hunting.

Yorkies are tiny and some are teacup size (2-4 pounds as an adult) so keep them away from small children. Yorkies can easily be stepped on or dropped, which can cause serious injuries from these types of accidents. While many pet owners are fascinated with teacup Yorkies, they are even more fragile so keep them safe.

Training

Due to their Terrier tendencies, it’s best to enroll them in puppy and basic manners group class.  Plus, Yorkies excel at learning new behaviors, especially when paired with positive reinforcement and clicker training! Not only will they learn polite manners, but they will also build confidence around larger dogs and meet different people. While we smile when Yorkies growl at larger dogs, this is usually due to lack of confidence. Read tips on locating the best professional dog trainer here.

Digging is very common with Terriers, as it’s what they were bred for. As most Yorkies live in apartments or homes with minimal yards, it’s important to provide plenty of digging opportunities or they will dig in your leather sofa. 🙂 Find a large box, then cut a side hole so your Yorkie can easily enter the box. Now fill the box with old towels and newspaper, then scatter treats within the layers. Turn your Yorkie loose, show him the hole and now he has a digging pit! If he’s not sure about entering the hole, scatter a few treats next to the outside and inside entrance.

I’ve heard potty training can be troublesome with Yorkies, or basically small dogs in general. I don’t think it’s breed specific, but size specific if that makes sense. Smaller dogs have smaller bladders plus it’s pretty darn hard to tell if a Yorkie puppy is urinating or sitting, right? So, it’s easy for mistakes to go unnoticed, which makes potty training even tougher. Read more potty training tips, and for apartment dwellers, read paper training tips.

Barking can be an issue, as with all dogs. I’m hesitant to label any breed as an excessive barker, as dogs are individuals, but some are more vocal than others. It’s important to find the trigger for your Yorkie’s barking and problem solve from there.  If your Yorkie is barking at everything, partner with a professional dog trainer who can zero in on the trigger. There is always a trigger, even if it’s a lack of confidence. Lack of confidence can easily be solved with participation in a positive reinforcement group class. 🙂

Grooming

While Yorkies need professional grooming every 6-8 weeks, they really don’t have a dense undercoat. Instead, they have silky long hair that can easily tangle. If your Yorkie tangles easily, ask your professional groomer for product recommendations. Every week, you should completely brush out your Yorkie using a pin brush (brush with bristles further apart than most brushes), which untangles his coat without breaking or splitting his hair.

Don’t forget weekly nail trims and ear cleanings. Due to their smaller size (big teeth in a smaller mouth), Yorkies are predisposed to gum disease so brush his teeth several times a week with dog toothpaste and a tiny soft bristled toothbrush (child size).

Health Issues

Yorkies are pretty healthy, but they are predisposed to eye disease. Also, they can develop patellar luxation, meaning their knee caps can move or pop out of place, which is pretty painful.

Locate a Yorkshire Terrier

If a Yorkie sounds like the right dog for you, locate responsible breeders and rescues at Yorkshire Terrier Club of America. These folks are the experts in this breed and health test their dogs to prevent painful health issues in the future.