The full-grown Yorkshire Terrier is a beloved companion for many dog owners. They typically weigh between 7 and 15 pounds.
Yorkshire Terriers are known for their small stature, but they have a big personality. Their average height is around 6-7 inches tall.
These little dogs are often referred to as "Yorkies", and they're a popular choice for city dwellers due to their compact size. They require regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling of their fine coats.
Yorkshire Terriers are intelligent dogs that respond well to positive reinforcement training.
Discover more: Is a Yorkie a Good Family Dog
Origin and History
The Yorkshire Terrier's origins date back to 1865 with the birth of Huddersfeld Ben, the foundation sire of the breed.
Born in Yorkshire, England, Ben was a tough little dog that hailed from a region notorious for its hardworking coal miners and mill workers. These workers needed dogs to keep vermin under control in the mines and textile mills.
The breed's name comes from its birthplace in Yorkshire, England. The specific breeds that make up the Yorkie are not known, but it's believed that the Skye Terrier, Maltese, black and tan Manchester Terrier, and possibly the Dandie Dinmont Terrier were the main forebears.
Yorkies were initially much bigger dogs, but as their reputation as good-looking and reliable working dogs spread, they quickly became more popular as companion pets for high society. As a result, they were bred smaller and smaller.
Physical Characteristics
The long coat on the Yorkshire Terrier is a defining feature, and it requires regular brushing to prevent matting and tangling.
The coat should be glossy, fine, straight, and silky, with a specific color pattern. The hair on the back of the neck to the base of the tail should be dark grey to black, while the hair on the head, high chest, and legs should be a bright, rich tan.
In adult Yorkshire Terriers, the coat color is a crucial aspect, and the American Kennel Club places importance on it. The hair on the tail should be a darker black, and there should be no black hairs intermingled with the tan-colored fur.
- The coat color can vary, but the standard colors are dark grey to black on the back and bright, rich tan on the head, high chest, and legs.
- The hair should be glossy, fine, straight, and silky, with a specific texture that is considered hypoallergenic.
The
The word "the" is a fundamental part of the English language.
It's a definite article that helps us specify which noun we're referring to. For example, in the section on "Body Shape", we learn that the average human body is roughly rectangular in shape.
The definite article "the" is often used with singular nouns, like "the heart" in the section on "Internal Organs".
Coat
The Yorkshire Terrier's coat is one of its most distinctive features. It's a fine, straight, and silky texture that's considered hypoallergenic.
The coat comes in a variety of colors, including dark grey to black on the back, sides, and tail, with a bright, rich tan on the head, high chest, and legs. The hair on the tail should be a darker black than the rest of the coat.
The traditional long coat is extremely high maintenance and requires daily brushing to prevent knotting. It's also recommended to wrap the coat in rice paper, tissue paper, or plastic after a light oiling with a coat oil to prevent breakage.
In addition to regular brushing, owners may also trim the hair short for easier care. For shows, the coat is left long and may be trimmed to floor length to give ease of movement and a neater appearance.
Here are some common coat colors and characteristics:
- Dark grey to black on the back, sides, and tail
- Bright, rich tan on the head, high chest, and legs
- Dark black tail hair
- Silver-blue and pale cream coats
- Golden coats (not recommended for breeding)
Health and Care
Yorkshire Terriers require daily walks to meet their exercise needs, and they prefer temperate weather. They can thrive in small yards or even apartment open areas, but owners must be vigilant about removing household hazards.
To keep your Yorkie's long locks manageable, you'll need to comb them daily and remove any leaves or burrs that may tangle in the coat. Biweekly bathing and conditioning can also help reduce the risk of matting and tangling.
To keep your Yorkshire Terrier in good condition, vets recommend feeding them a breed-appropriate, high-quality pet food two to three times a day. Stick to the portion sizes on the packaging, taking into account their age and exercise levels. Including a dry food can also help fend off gum disease.
Here's a quick rundown of Yorkie-specific health concerns:
- Patellar luxation, a common issue in very small breeds, can cause hind-leg "skipping"
Hypoallergenic Coats
The Yorkshire Terrier's coat is a unique aspect of its breed. It's considered hypoallergenic due to its fine, straight, and silky texture.
The typical Yorkie coat doesn't shed much, losing small amounts only when bathed or brushed. However, it's worth noting that allergists believe the dog's dander and saliva can still trigger allergic reactions.
The fine, straight, silky coat is a result of its genetic makeup. This type of coat requires regular brushing to prevent matting.
The long coat of the Yorkshire Terrier can be prone to matting if not properly cared for. Regular brushing is essential to prevent this.
Here are some key facts about the hypoallergenic coat of the Yorkshire Terrier:
- The Yorkie coat is considered hypoallergenic due to its fine, straight, and silky texture.
- The coat doesn't shed much, losing small amounts only when bathed or brushed.
- The dog's dander and saliva can still trigger allergic reactions.
Coat Care
The Yorkshire Terrier's coat is a sight to behold, but it requires regular care to prevent matting and tangling. Its long locks need to be combed daily, and any leaves or burrs must be removed immediately.
Daily brushing is crucial, and you can use a bristle brush for short and shaved coats, or a pin brush for long coats. The traditional long coat is extremely high maintenance and requires daily brushing to prevent knots.
Intriguing read: Rat Terrier Long Hair
To keep your Yorkie's coat looking its best, you can trim it short for easier care. For shows, the coat is left long, and may be trimmed to floor length to give ease of movement and a neater appearance.
The coat might get knotted if not brushed daily, so make it a habit to brush your Yorkie's coat every day. A bristle brush for short and shaved coats and a pin brush for long coats are the best tools for the job.
The hair on the feet and the tips of ears can also be trimmed to keep them looking neat and tidy. To prevent breakage, the coat may be wrapped in rice paper, tissue paper, or plastic, after a light oiling with a coat oil.
Here's an interesting read: Maltese Yorkie and Shih Tzu Mix
Health
Taking care of your physical health is crucial to overall well-being. Regular exercise can help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Exercise has been shown to increase energy levels and improve mood. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per day.
A healthy diet is essential for maintaining a strong immune system. Eating a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables can help provide essential vitamins and minerals.
Proper hydration is also vital for maintaining physical health. Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water per day.
Getting enough sleep is crucial for physical and mental restoration. Most adults need 7-9 hours of sleep per night.
Life Span
When you bring a Yorkshire Terrier into your life, you're making a commitment to care for them for many years. The average life span of the Yorkshire Terrier is 12 to 15 years.
If this caught your attention, see: Welsh Terrier Life Expectancy
Nutrition
When feeding your Yorkshire Terrier, it's essential to stick to the portion sizes on the back of their pet food packaging, keeping their age and exercise levels in mind.
Feeding your Yorkie two to three times a day is recommended by vets to keep them in good condition.
You can help fend off gum disease in your Yorkie by including a dry food in their diet.
A breed-appropriate, high-quality pet food is the best choice for your Yorkshire Terrier's nutrition.
Additional reading: Homemade Food for Maltese Dogs
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Yorkies bark a lot?
Yorkies are known to be vocal dogs and tend to bark at various noises. Proper training can help control excessive barking, especially in young puppies.
Can a Yorkie weigh 15 pounds?
While it's technically possible for a Yorkie to weigh more than 7 pounds, a healthy adult Yorkie typically weighs between 4 and 7 pounds. Yorkies weighing 15 pounds are unlikely to be within the breed's normal weight range.
Is a Yorkshire Terrier a good house dog?
Yes, Yorkshire Terriers make excellent indoor dogs due to their friendly nature and low-shedding coat. They're a great fit for apartment living and suitable for older people or those with limited space.
At what age is a Yorkie fully grown?
Yorkies typically reach their full-grown size around 12 months, but may continue to develop muscle tone until 18-24 months.
Is a Yorkshire Terrier a good family dog?
Yorkshire Terriers can make great family dogs with proper training and socialization, especially with older children who understand boundaries. They're a playful match for kids, but require gentle handling and care.
Sources
- Vetstreet - Yorkshire Terrier (vetstreet.com)
- WebMD - What to Know About Yorkshire Terriers (webmd.com)
- Dog Breed Info Center - Yorkshire Terrier (dogbreedinfo.com)
- American Kennel Club - Yorkshire Terrier (akc.org)
- The Kennel Club - Yorkshire Terrier (thekennelclub.org.uk)
- United Kennel Club - Yorkshire Terrier (ukcdogs.com)
- PetMD - Yorkshire Terrier (petmd.com)
- Yorkshire Terrier Dog Breed | Origin, History, Personality & ... (nylabone.com)
- Dainty, dazzling, and daring: The Yorkshire Terrier (24petwatch.com)
- "Toy Breed Hypoglycemia" (veterinarypartner.com)
- "Luxating Patella" (peteducation.com)
- "Breed Predisposition to Disease and Congenital Conditions" (petdoc.ws)
- "Official Standard of the Yorkshire Terrier" (theyorkshireterrierclubofamerica.org)
- "Yorkshire Terrier" (netpets.com)
- "Yorkshire Terrier (Yorkie) Dog Breed Information" (akc.org)
- "Yorkshire Terrier History" (wordofpoochs.blogspot.com)
- Yorkshire Terrier (thekennelclub.org.uk)
- Yorkshire Terrier Facts & Advice - Dog Breeds - Petplan (petplan.co.uk)
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