Yorkshire Terrier dog breed

The Yorkshire Terrier is a feisty little dog with a big personality and total unawareness of its actual size. A mix of their small size and devotion to their owners makes the breed a popular choice for families and apartment dwellers. Although they are terriers, Yorkies are part of the Toy dogs group as their original vermin hunting purpose is obsolete. Other features that make them popular are their lack of shedding and low exercise needs, they are also generally a healthy breed without any special health concerns besides the common diseases all dogs are prone to. Keep reading below to learn more about the Yorkshire Terrier dogs

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Yorkshire Terrier
Breed height

M: 20 - 22 cm / 8 - 9 inches
F: 20 - 22 cm / 8 - 9 inches

Breed weight

M: 1.8 - 3.1 kg / 4.0 - 7.0 lbs
F: 1.8 - 3.1 kg / 4.0 - 7.0 lbs

Breed lifespan

Healthy dogs of this breed lives
average between 11 to 15 years

Breed group

Toy dogs: Small breeds with large personalities. Great lap warmers

Breed size
Yorkshire Terriers are small dogs. Adult dogs weigh up to 3.1 kg / 7 lbs and has a height of up to 22 cm / 9 inches to the shoulders
Coat size
Yorkshire Terriers are long-haired dogs. Their fine hair can grown to floor level and beyond once the dog reaches about 1 -2 years of age
Shedding
Yorkshire Terriers barely shed. They may lose hair when bathed or brushed. They do not shed seasonally like most breed does either
Trainability
Yorkshire Terriers are intelligent dogs that are quick to learn if properly motivated. They are however quite stubborn and independent
Breed health
Yorkshire Terriers from reputable breeders are generally a healthy canine breed that is not prone to any genetic illnesses or diseases
Socialization
Yorkshire Terriers are not the most social and friendly of dog breeds when it comes to encountering strangers and other animals
Energy
Yorkshire Terriers are quite energetic dogs, but they tend to burn off their energy at home. Short daily walks are mostly sufficient
Barking
Yorkshire Terriers are considered moderate barkers. Some Yorkies may be quite yappy, while others may not bark much at all

Yorkshire Terrier general info

The Yorkshire Terrier dates back to the 1800s in England, where it was made by crossing various Terriers to create this long-haired dog whose main purpose was to hunt vermin. It soon became popular with wealthy ladies due to its beauty and small size, even though it was a bit larger than the Yorkies today. In the 1880s, Yorkshire Terriers had found their way to America, but they varied so much in size that there was great confusion about how large the dogs should actually be, with some weighing up to 6.3 kg / 14 lbs. In the early 1900s, a decision on both sides of the Atlantic ocean was made to reduce the size of the breed and have it grow even longer hair. Their mission was successful and the result is the highly popular Yorkshire Terrier we know today

Yorkshire Terrier appearance

Yorkshire Terriers are small-sized dogs that weigh up to 3.1 kg / 7 lbs and have a height of up to 22 cm / 9 inches from the floor to the shoulders. These dogs are born black, but gradually get their tan and blue colors as they mature. Their coat is fully grown by the time they are 1 – 2 years old, at which point it can go down to floor level or further. Yorkies have characteristic small ears shaped like a V, carried erect. Their heads are small, with a rather flat base on top and medium-sized eyes. Their backs should be leveled, with a medium tail carried higher than the back. Due to their beautiful appearance, Yorkies are popular dogs in the show ring, and the dogs love the extra attention

Yorkshire Terrier temperament

Yorkshire Terriers doesn’t seem to be aware of their tiny size, they are eager for adventure and trouble. Yorkies can be quite stubborn and want to do things their way. They can be aggressive towards strange dogs and other small animals, in other words, they are true to their Terrier heritage. When it comes to their own family, they are loving and devoted affectionate dogs that make a great addition to the family. As with all dog breeds, socialization with humans and other dogs should start at an early age to teach the dog how to behave when encountering strangers and other dogs. Signing up for a puppy class is the first step along the way for getting a more well-behaved companion

Yorkshire Terrier health

Yorkshire Terriers are generally a healthy breed, as long as they come from reputable breeders and not puppy mills. It is always important to do proper research on the breeders and bloodlines before getting a puppy. As with all dog breeds, they are prone to developing certain common diseases. This can include eye problems, skin allergies, orthopedic problems, and ear infections. Healthy Yorkshire Terriers have an average lifespan of 11 to 15 years. Regular wellness checkups at the vet should be done at least once a year to track the dog’s development and catch any potential health issues early on, which improves the chances of successful treatment. If you suspect that your dog is having issues, or have changed its behavior radically, you must contact your vet and schedule an appointment as soon as possible for a consultation

Yorkie shedding and grooming

Yorkshire Terriers barely shed, making them excellent choices for people who are not fond of dog hair floating around their homes. They do require daily grooming to remove loose hair, and during the grooming, that is probably where you will see most of its shedding. When Yorkshire Terriers shed, the hair they lose usually sticks to the coat instead of ending up on the floor and other places. If your Yorkie is subject to excessive shedding, contact your vet and ask for guidance and maybe schedule a checkup to be on the safe side. Diets that are rich in meat also helps reduce shedding and promotes healthier skin

Yorkshire Terrier barking level

Yorkshire Terriers bark quite a lot, they often have a lot of important messages they need to tell you with their high-pitched yapping. Not all Yorkshire Terriers are barkers thou, some can be silent. Common reasons for dogs barking are protection, alerting, being bored, fear, seeking attention, separation anxiety, or just saying hello. You can read more about barking at this guide from WebMD Pets: Understanding why dogs bark. All dog breeds can be trained to reduce barking, another thing that should be focused on learning from an early age. There are plenty of books and online resources where you can learn how to reduce barking, like YouTube, online courses, and various websites

Yorkshire Terrier dog training

Yorkshire Terriers are not the easiest to train due to their stubbornness and independence, they are however intelligent and quick to learn if they have the proper motivation, like treats and praise. As they are energetic creatures who like being on the move, teaching them the basic commands like sit, stay, and lay can be a bit tough. Teaching your dog new commands and tricks should be done in a distraction-free area after a walk when the dog has burned off energy. The first step on the long road is signing up for a puppy class, here you will learn the basics about dog care and training, most classes also have supervised playtime among the puppies for socialization. You can also watch dog training videos, attend online dog training courses, or grab a dog book

Yorkie exercise requirements

Yorkshire Terriers are energetic dogs that need both physical and mental stimulation, but they burn off most of their energy at home. Since they are so small in size, short daily walks with at least 30 minutes of exercise are quite sufficient for the Yorkies. Another great way for dogs to burn off excess energy is to play games, like fetch, for example. That way they get to both play and run at the same time. Dogs that don’t get the exercise they need can get bored and destructive towards furniture. Making sure the dog gets enough exercise keeps it both healthy and happy. With small dogs like the Yorkshire Terrier, you can replace the walks with playtime indoors if the weather is bad

Caring for dogs

Grooming is not the only maintenance your dog requires throughout its life. Complete examinations at the vet should be done at least once a year for adult dogs. Puppies should come in every 3 or 4 weeks until they are around four months old. Contact your vet and they will set you up with schedules.
Trimming the claws should be done whenever they touch the ground when the dog is standing up, or make it a frequent routine to keep them short
Brushing the teeth should be done on a daily basis to prevent gum diseases. Chew bones and toys will also help strengthen your dog’s teeth and gums
Cleaning the ears to prevent ear infections is also another important part of the dog’s routine maintenance. You can have your vet show you how to do it

Socializing dogs

No matter what kind of dog breed you have, socializing it from an early age is the most important thing you can do in order to get a well-behaving buddy that reacts to the world around it in a healthy way. Until your puppy is around 16 weeks old, it should encounter different kinds of people, situations, and locations, learning that the world is a wonderful place to live. Puppies have a short developmental window in which their experiences will form their future selves. Puppies should however not be forced into situations they might feel uncomfortable with, as bad experiences may imprint and stay with the dog for the rest of the life. You can watch free videos from professional dog trainers on how to socialize your new puppy and learn how to do so the correct way

Yorkshire Terriers on Instagram

Here are some pictures of the Yorkshire Terrier on Instagram. See even more pictures of this dog breed by exploring #YorkshireTerrier or at Google Image Search

Video of the Yorkshire Terrier

Here you can see a video of the Yorkshire Terrier about training and caring, as well as some basic information about this highly popular small-sized dog breed

Frequently asked questions

Yorkshire Terriers are loving and devoted to their owners, a trait that makes them excellent family dogs. Due to their small size, they are also particularly popular with apartment dwellers

There are no dogs that are hypoallergenic, some breeds can however cause fewer allergic reactions than other breeds. The proteins that dogs produce are what causes the allergic reactions. These proteins are found in the hair, saliva, dander, and urine. Some individuals may have an irritant response to the actual dog hair, the solution for that is getting a dog with a low level of shedding. You can continue reading about allergies and reactions at HealthLine

Yorkshire Terriers barely shed, even though they are long-haired dogs. The little they shed usually sticks to the coat, so the only times you see their shedding is mainly when doing the daily grooming

Yes. Yorkshire Terriers are quite intelligent dogs that are quick to learn. They do however need proper motivation in form of treats or praise, as they are a quite independent and stubborn breed

Yorkshire Terriers are very good for apartment living due to their small size and low exercise needs

Yorkshire Terriers do not handle being left alone for long periods of time very well, due to their strong bond with their family. Bored dogs may also become destructive and suffer from anxiety separation

Yorkshire Terriers can be aggressive towards strangers and other dogs due to their Terrier instincts. Socializing the dog from an early age is important to teach the dog that aggression is not required when encountering unfamiliar people and animals

References and resources

You can absorb more knowledge about this dog breed from the resources below. Websites, books, and social media sites where you can ask dog owners questions

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