CHAPTERS

Chapter 1: Yorkshire Terrier in Focus

Yorkshire Terriers may often time look like your fashionable roommate, your sassy friend, your playful sibling or that very adorable kid you always wanted. In whatever attitude or mood it appeals, you can expect it to be confident, lively, smart, adorable, and a caring devoted pet you’ve always dreamed of.

The Yorkshire Terrier is a unique and quite an extraordinary breed of dog but it may not be the right choice for everyone. Before you decide whether or not it might be the right pet for you and your family, you need to learn and invest a significant amount of time in getting to know these animals.

In this chapter you will receive an introduction to the Yorkshire Terrier breed including some basic facts and information as well as the history of how it came about. This information, in combination with the practical information about keeping Yorkshire Terrier dogs in the next chapter, will help you decide if this is the perfect cat companion for you.

Facts About Yorkshire Terriers

Yorkshire Terriers are rank 7^th of the most popular dog breeds in the world according to the American Kennel Club (AKC). These dogs are a small terrier type that was developed in England.

The body of a Yorkie is neat, compact and well proportioned. Yorkshire Terriers usually have black, medium – sized eyes that are not too prominent, coupled with ears that are small and V – shaped. They have a long straight coat that is hypoallergenic (common among terrier types) and these dogs are also eligible for dog shows. The most common colors for the Yorkshire Terrier breed include Black and Gold, Black and Tan, Blue and Gold, Blue and Tan.

The Yorkshire Terrier was developed as a toy breed which may not come as a surprise because of their small bodies, but before they became house pets of aristocrats back in the day, they were originally owned by the working class particularly the weavers, in which they serve as a rat catcher, and their fine long silky coats are used as looms. Yorkshire Terriers protect and serve as a watchdog as well; they are fond of barking and they also have a reputation for being brave and investigative. The Yorkshire Terrier is a very intelligent dog and a highly trainable breed; they are not easily fooled and they only trust people with whom they form very strong bonds with.

Yorkshire Terriers often described as a dog that is “upright and confident” can also be bossy at times when left to their own devises. Proper socialization and training from a young age will help prevent the Yorkshire Terrier from being suspicious of new people and excessive barking. Yorkshire Terriers do very well as family pets but is not advised for families with very young children 7 years old and below.

This breed is fond of attention and constantly seeks affection from their owners; they are ideal as first pets but like other dogs, have a tendency to have unstable, aggressive temperaments which can be also dangerous to innocent strangers, that’s why socialization and training at an early age is highly recommended.

The Yorkshire Terrier stands about 8 to 9 inches tall at maturity and there is only a slight difference in size between males and females of the breed. These dogs weigh an average of 7 pounds with a maximum of 9 to 10 pounds. Since the Yorkie is a very active and agile dog, it has a great deal of energy and may need a fair amount of exercise to work off that energy although the Yorkie doesn’t necessarily require regular or excessive amount of exercise. It can adapt to almost any kind of environment, which is why they are also perfect for owners who live in apartments. They are generally curious yet controllable indoors as long as they get enough mental and physical stimulation during the day and have proper house training.

The average lifespan for the Yorkshire Terrier is between 13 and 16 years and the breed is very healthy in general. Like many small dogs, however, the Yorkshire Terrier is prone to health issues such as Patellar Luxation and Portosystemic Shunt.  In terms of grooming, the Yorkshire Terrier shreds a lot and may require regular brushing to maintain their long – haired coat.

Quick Facts

Pedigree: Terrier dog breed

AKC Group: Toy Group

Breed Size: Small

Height: 8 – 9 inches (20–22 cm) for females and males

Weight: average of 7 pounds (3.2 kg); maximum of 8 – 10 pounds

Coat Length: long and straight coat

Coat Texture: gloss, fine and silky

Color: Black and Gold, Black and Tan, Blue and Gold, Blue and Tan

Markings: Gold Mask, Tan Mask

Ears: small, V-shaped and erect

Tail: medium-length

Temperament: active, bossy, friendly, loyal, bold

Strangers: may be wary around strangers

Other Dogs: generally good with other dogs if properly trained and socialized; may tend to launched itself to larger dogs

Other Pets: friendly with other pets but if not properly introduce may result to potential aggression

Training: curious, intelligent and very trainable

Exercise Needs: very active; doesn’t require regular or excessive amount of exercise

Health Conditions: generally healthy but predisposed to patellar luxation, PSS, cataracts, retinal detachment, dry eye, corneal dystrophy, keratitis, hypoglycemia, and progressive retinal atrophy

Lifespan: average 13 to 16 years

Yorkshire Terrier Breed History

During the mid – 19^th century, particularly around 1860’s, a breed of dog called the Waterside Terrier was brought to Yorkshire, England by immigrants who were weavers from Scotland. The Waterside Terrier is the Yorkie’s ancestral breed which was formed by crossing an old rough – coated Black and Tan English Terrier (that are common in Manchester) with a Paisley and Clydesdale terriers.

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