Yorkshire Terrier Breed Description

Introduction

The Yorkshire Terrier is often seen as a delicate little dog in a carry bag or in the arm of its owner. The true character of this dog is one of being fearless and very unaware of its small size. It is quite sturdy and enjoys being active and playful. They are intelligent and can learn tricks and obedience commands easily. Due to their small size they are great for apartment living and they make good watchdogs. Their coats come in the color combination of a dark steel blue with tan. Standing at 8-10 inches they average around 7 lbs. Because they enjoy exercise and are easy to train, they make good obedience and agility competitors even though they are quite small. Owners describe these dogs as having the heart of a large dog in the body of a small dog. They enjoy the same activities as their much larger relatives, such as walks, competition events, therapy work, and playing with their families. Many even like to retrieve toys. They do make wonderful, playful family companions and do well with other pets that will be tolerant of their boisterous spirit while realizing they are small.

History

The Yorkshire Terrier made its first appearance at a dog show in England in 1861. It was then called the Broken Haired Scotch Terrier, a reference to its ancestors. These were working dogs used to control rats and other pests in textile mills and coal mines. The Yorkshire Terrier, or Yorkie, was also called a Toy Terrier. The designation as Yorkshire Terrier was common by 1874.

The Yorkie is also thought to have descended from the Waterside Terrier, a breed resulting from the cross of Black-and-Tan English Terriers with Paisley and Clydesdale Terriers. In the mid 19th century, the Waterside Terrier was brought to the Yorkshire region of England by weavers emigrating from Scotland. The first record of a Yorkshire Terrier birth in the United States is dated 1872, and it has participated in shows since 1878.

Yorkshire Terriers were initially bred to be ratters, and there is evidence that the dogs may also have been used for hunting, with their owners carrying the dogs in their pockets to hunt in the fields. Yorkies were used for sport in rat-killing competitions during the 19th century.

Description

The Yorkshire Terrier is classified as a Toy, but its ancestry as a terrier is evident in its energetic and determined attitude. The dog has a long, luxurious coat that is parted on its face and from the skull to the tail along its back. The hair hangs evenly along each side of its compact body. The Yorkie has a small head, flat on top, and a black nose. Its erect ears are small and v-shaped. The Yorkie’s coat is blue and tan in color.

Temperament

Don't let their small stature fool you: every Yorkie has the heart of a large Terrier jammed into that tiny body! They are lively and curious and will constantly attempt to lead the way. It will be up to you to establish the pack order and that will need regular reinforcement. Yorkshire Terriers seem to have no idea that they are tiny. Fearless and outgoing, they never shrink into the background. As with any small dog, they are not highly recommended for small children who might accidentally hurt them, but having said that, they are known for being fond of youngsters of all ages.

Health and Care

Yorkies have long coats, and so they must be bathed regularly and their hair trimmed or shaved periodically. The coat should be brushed every day so it doesn’t get tangled. Yorkies should wear coats or sweaters in cold weather because they don’t have any undercoat to help them stay warm. Since the dogs eat very little, they need to high-grade, nutritious food.

The Yorkshire Terrier is prone to conditions like bronchitis, cataracts, and allergic skin reactions. They are somewhat picky about their food and may have digestive upsets if they eat food outside of their regular diet. Toy breeds like the Yorkie can be injured relatively easily by falls, other animals, or human clumsiness. Some breeders do not allow their dogs to go to homes with young children because of the risk of injury to the dog. As puppies, Yorkshire Terriers should be watched for hypoglycemia because their lack of muscle mass makes it hard for them to store and regulate blood sugar.

Interesting Facts

The smallest dog in recorded history was Sylvia, a matchbox-sized Yorkie who died in 1945 at the age of nearly two. At her death, she measured 2.5 inches tall at the shoulder and 3.5 inches from the tip of her nose to the tip of her tail. She weighed four ounces.
 

Sources

The American Kennel Club

The Yorkshire Terrier Handbook,Annie Swan, 1958

Wikipedia.org

Colors

Blue and Tan. Yorkshire puppies are born black and tan, gradually attaining their blue and tan coloration as they mature.

Living Area

The Yorkshire can adapt easily to most situations, making it a popular pet for families with children, single people, senior citizens, and just about anyone. They do great as apartment dogs, or enjoy the outdoors of a yard also. They are by no means outdoor dogs and need to be kept inside when not under supervision due to their size.

Recognized By

CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, APRI, ACR

Pets4You offers listings of Yorkshire Terrier breeders with puppies for sale.