Everything You Need to Know About Types of Yorkshire Terriers

Yorkshire Terriers, or Yorkies, are a beloved breed for many reasons. They originated in England in the mid-19th century as ratters in coal mines.

Their small size, typically weighing between 7-15 pounds, makes them a great companion for city dwellers.

Yorkies are known for their big, curious eyes and silky, fine coats that require regular grooming.

Their friendly and outgoing personalities have earned them a spot in many hearts.

The Yorkshire Terrier's origin story is fascinating. Huddersfeld Ben, born in 1865, is recognized as the foundation sire of the breed.

Huddersfeld Ben hailed from the county of Yorkshire in northern England, which is where the breed got its name.

The rugged region of Yorkshire was home to hardworking coal miners and mill workers who needed small dogs to keep vermin under control in the mines and textile mills.

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, now-extinct Leeds Terrier, and possibly the Dandie Dinmont Terrier were the main forebears.

Originally called Broken-Haired Scotch or Yorkshire Terriers, the name Yorkshire Terrier became official in 1870.

Yorkshires 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.

This led to them being bred smaller and smaller.

Yorkshire Terriers are a lively, self-assured breed who's bundles of fun. They have a hunting instinct and are bold, fearless characters.

Their small size belies their big hearts and personalities, which can range from cuddly and perky to mischievous and outgoing. They love to follow their people around and get into everything.

To ensure your Yorkie is a wonderful companion, set limits and start training early. Socialization is key, exposing them to many different people, sights, sounds, and experiences when they're young. This helps them become friendly, well-rounded dogs.

Yorkies need lots of exercise and stimulation, so be prepared for long walks and games in the house to keep their busy minds occupied. They'll also appreciate some quiet time, so make sure to balance their energetic nature with calm moments.

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Yorkies require regular grooming to prevent tangles, especially if kept in full coat.

They must be brushed and combed every day to keep their long hair under control, and their face hair should be secured out of their eyes in a topknot.

Clipping the coat makes grooming much easier, although it still requires regular brushing.

Yorkies shed little and carry less dander, making them a good choice for allergy sufferers.

Their teeth require frequent cleaning to prevent problems.

Yorkies are active indoors and don't need a lot of effort to stay exercised, but they do enjoy going for walks and playing outside.

They can be difficult to housetrain because their small "accidents" are easy to clean up, but it's essential to show them where to go from the start and reward them for doing their business in the right place.

Yorkies are best suited as house dogs and don't tolerate extreme heat or cold well, so it's often best to paper train them in these conditions.

Discover more: Yorkshire Terrier Coat

Yorkies have a beautiful, fine, straight, and silky coat that requires regular attention to prevent tangles. They must be brushed and combed every day to keep their coat looking its best.

The good news is that Yorkies shed very little, which makes them a great choice for people with allergies. However, their hair does grow long and needs to be secured out of their eyes in a topknot.

Many owners prefer to keep their Yorkie's coat clipped, which makes grooming much easier. Regular brushing is still necessary, but it's a lot less work than dealing with a full coat.

It's worth noting that Yorkies tend to have problems with their teeth, so regular cleaning is a must to keep them healthy.

For another approach, see: Rough Coat Border Collie

Yorkshire Terriers are active indoors, so they don't require a lot of effort to keep them well-exercised. They're receptive to training, especially if it's fun and rewarding.

To housetrain a Yorkie, it's essential to show them where to go from the beginning and reward them for doing their business in the right place. Accidents are small and easy to clean up, but letting them slide can create bad habits.

Yorkies are house dogs and don't tolerate extreme heat or cold well, so it's crucial to keep them indoors when the weather is too hot or cold. Many people paper train their Yorkies to avoid taking them outside in bad weather.

Yorkies love squeaky toys, but it's essential to check them regularly to ensure they haven't chewed them open and pulled out the squeaker.

Yorkshire Terriers are a small toy breed, typically weighing between 4 to 7 pounds and standing about 7 to 8 inches tall at the shoulder.

Their luxurious, silky, and fine-textured coat is a combination of blue and tan, with a steel-blue or silver-blue body and rich tan markings on their face, chest, legs, and tail.

Yorkies are prone to inconsistencies in size, with some growing to 12 to 15 pounds, while others weigh less than four pounds.

Yorkshire Terriers are small dogs, but their size can be inconsistent. They should be around 8 to 9 inches at the shoulder.

Yorkies can weigh anywhere from four to seven pounds, with four to six pounds being the preferred weight. They can grow to be quite large, with some weighing up to 12 to 15 pounds.

Beware of breeders who offer "teacup" Yorkshire Terriers, as these dogs are prone to genetic disorders and are at a higher health risk.

Yorkshire Terriers are a small toy breed, typically weighing between 4 to 7 pounds and standing about 7 to 8 inches tall at the shoulder.

Their luxurious, silky, and fine-textured coat is one of their most striking features, often a combination of blue and tan.

Regular brushing and occasional trimming are necessary to prevent matting and keep their coat in good condition.

Yorkies have a lot of energy despite their small stature, and they enjoy playtime and short walks.

They're intelligent dogs and can be quick learners, excelling in activities like obedience training and agility.

Expand your knowledge: Small Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkshire Terriers are often considered a good option for people with allergies, but it's essential to understand their coat and what it means to be hypoallergenic.

The Yorkshire Terrier coat is typically fine, straight, and silky, and it's said to shed very little, losing small amounts when bathed or brushed.

Many popular dog information websites list the Yorkshire Terrier as a hypoallergenic breed, but allergists caution that this may not be the case for everyone.

Allergists recognize that some people may be able to tolerate a particular dog, but they agree that this cannot be stretched to fit all allergic people and entire breeds of dogs.

The dog's dander and saliva are typically the culprits that trigger allergic reactions, but some people may find that they can tolerate a Yorkshire Terrier.

The Yorkshire Terrier is a popular breed for many reasons, but how do they stack up in terms of overall rating? In this section, we'll break down the ratings for this beloved breed.

Family-friendly Yorkies are generally great with kids, scoring a 4 out of 5. This makes them a great choice for families with children.

Exercise needs are also a consideration, and Yorkies score a 4 out of 5 in this area. They need regular walks and playtime to stay happy and healthy.

On the other hand, Yorkies can be a bit finicky when it comes to training, scoring a 3 out of 5. Consistency and patience are key when teaching a Yorkie new tricks.

Yorkies also don't do well when left alone for extended periods, scoring a 2 out of 5 in this area. They thrive on attention and interaction with their owners.

If you're considering getting a Yorkie, you'll want to know how they get along with other pets. Yorkies score a 3 out of 5 in this area, making them a good fit for families with other pets, but not necessarily the best choice for households with multiple small pets.

One area where Yorkies really shine is in their energy level, scoring a 5 out of 5. They're always up for an adventure and love to stay active.

Finally, Yorkies have relatively low grooming needs, scoring a 2 out of 5 in this area. They require occasional brushing and nail trimming, but don't need to be bathed frequently.

Here's a quick rundown of the Yorkshire Terrier's ratings: