Yorkshire Terrier

Size: Small
Other Names: Yorkie
Country of Origin: England
Accreditation:
American Kennel Club (AKC): Toy
Canadian Kennel Club (CKC): Toys
United Kennel Club (UKC): Companion Dog
Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC): Toys
The Kennel Club (KC): Toy
Kennel Union of Southern Africa (KUSA): Toy
National Kennel Club (NKC): Recognized
New Zealand Kennel Club (NZKC): Toy

Height:

7–8 inches

Weight:

Less than 7 pounds

Color(s):

Blue (a dark steel-blue); tan (all tan hairs are darker at the roots than in the middle, shading to a still lighter tan at the tips); puppies are born black and tan, and are normally darker in body color

Coat:

Single; long, straight, fine, glossy, silky and cool to the touch

Description:

Historically, the Yorkshire Terrier was a working dog, weighing about fifteen pounds, and used to control rats in the coal mines and cotton mills of Yorkshire, England.  As a hunting group, terriers specialize in pursuing animals, usually vermin, that live in dens or burrows.  Animals that are cornered and defending their young will fight ferociously.  Therefore, any dog that would willingly pursue them must have an extraordinary degree of courage; terriers are bred for that quality.  By the late 1870s, Yorkie sizes averaged from three to seven pounds, as they remain today.

Temperament:

Yorkies are very intelligent, independent, courageous, loyal, and are quick to determine where they fit in a household's "pack".  With proper "pack leadership", the Yorkie is sweet and loving, and can be an excellent companion for children, and outgoing and friendly towards strangers.  Due to their small size, they are recommended for older, considerate children, who have been properly instructed in how to handle the dog.  Yorkies can develop jealous behaviors, and become snappish if surprised, frightened, or over-teased. The Yorkshire Terrier seems oblivious to his small size, and is ever eager for adventure.  He can become yappy, as he does his best to tell you what he wants.

Training:

If given the proper boundaries by owners, training the Yorkie can be easy.  The Yorkshire Terrier requires consistent, gentle leadership, and to know his owner is the pack leader.  Problems arise when owners allow the Yorkie to take control, because the dog is cute and small.  Housebreaking requires simple consistency.  Early socialization is recommended for the Yorkie to accept people, other dogs and household pets, and small animals.  Due to his heritage, if not properly socialized, the Yorkie may be given to chase, and aggression.

Care & Grooming:

Due to his relatively small size, the Yorkshire can have a poor tolerance for anesthesia, and is more likely to be injured by falls, other dogs, and owner clumsiness.  Yorkies can be picky eaters, not eating foods they do not like, and not enjoying mixed foods.  The Yorkie can have a delicate digestive system, with vomiting or diarrhea resulting when he eats foods outside of his regular diet.  Yorkies hair is like human hair; it grows continuously and falls out only a few strands at a time.  Maintenance of the Yorkshire Terrier’s coat for it is relatively easy, requiring a daily brushing, and a bath every few weeks.  However, the traditional long, show length coat is extremely high maintenance, requiring hours of daily brushing.  The hair on his feet and the tips of his ears can also be trimmed.

Shedding:

Low; the silky coat behaves more like hair than fur.

Health:

Yorkshire Terriers may develop tracheal collapse, dental crowding, patellar luxation, and portosystemic shunts in some lines.  Use a harness and keep teeth clean.

Lifespan:

13–16 years

Litter Size:

2–4 puppies