Fast facts
- Weight: 3 – 7 pounds (1.36 – 3.18 kg)
- Height: 7-9 inches (17.78-22.86 cm)
The appearance of a Yorkshire terrier
Yorkshire Terriers are small, long-haired dogs with solid, well-proportioned frames. You hold yourself upright, confident, and proud. A typical Yorkie has a flat head (with lots of hair), a medium-sized muzzle, alert and friendly eyes, and a pair of upright, V-shaped ears. Their tails are docked of medium length, while their coats hang long and straight. The coats are usually metallic blue on the body and tail, and brown everywhere else.
Trains
- Long, “easy-care” coat
- Small and cute
- Pretty and petite
- Refined
- Energetic and energetic
- Fearless
Ideal human companion
- singles
- Families with older children
- High energy types
How they live
Yorkshire Terriers are often referred to as toys with terrier qualities and are not your typical couch companion. They are clever, courageous, and independent animals with an energetic vivacity that can be felt throughout the house.
Easy-to-train Yorkshire Terriers have a strong ability to remember multiple commands and have many obedience skills. They are top competitors when it comes to sports and agility. This breed is also known for its independence. They need some privacy to be energized, but they also crave activity, participation, and attention.
No matter how many people or animals there are in the house, Yorkies will hold their own and get caught up in lots of hi-jinks that are mostly amusing and funny. This assertiveness mostly works as self-confidence, not as aggressiveness. They get on very well with other dogs and easily adapt to family life. Yorkshire Terriers are intensely protective, and have a fearlessness and relentless barking that make them great watchdogs.
Things you should know
Yorkshire Terriers can live up to 15 years but must be handled with caution. Be careful when holding or transporting them, and regularly feed them solid foods. Health problems can include portosystemic shunt (liver shunts), tracheal collapse, retinal dysplasia, patellarunation, and hypoglycemia.
Yorkies get along very well with children, but they don’t have the patience for the sudden movements and rough play of the little ones. Plus, they can be demanding and stubborn at times if they don’t prevail.
Like other small breeds, Yorkshire Terriers are over-confident. Keep them on a leash when walking as they tend to fight much larger dogs.
They should be groomed on a regular basis, including daily combing and brushing. The hair on their heads becomes so long that it is often necessary to tie it in a ribbon so that your Yorkshire Terrier can easily see and eat.
History of the Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terriers were bred in 19th century England from a mix of Scottish Terriers: Clydesdale, Skye, Paisley and Waterside Terriers; and were used by miners near Yorkshire to catch rats that had infested the mines. They were also useful as hunting dogs as they could hunt foxes, badgers, and other small animals into their burrows. As the years passed, they were bred smaller and soon became fashionable pets and standout dog shows.
