If you're considering bringing a Yorkshire Terrier Black and Gold into your family, you should know that they're a toy breed that typically weighs between 7-15 pounds and stands about 6-7 inches tall at the shoulder.
Their small size requires regular exercise to keep them happy and healthy, so be prepared for daily walks and playtime.
Yorkshire Terriers are known for their big personalities, and the Black and Gold variety is no exception - they're curious, spunky, and full of energy.
To ensure your Black and Gold Yorkshire Terrier gets the exercise it needs, try to set aside at least 30 minutes each day for playtime and training.
Their small size also means they're prone to being picked up and cuddled, which can be a great way to bond with your dog.
A unique perspective: Small Yorkshire Terrier
History and Origin
The Yorkshire Terrier has a rich history that dates back to the mid-1800s. Scottish weavers brought small terriers to England to control rodents in textile mills.
These terriers were used to squeeze into tight spaces and catch rodents, and they were preferred for their small size. Several breeds, including the Skye terrier and Dandie Dinmont, contributed to the creation of the Yorkshire Terrier.
The breed was first recognized by the Kennel Club of England in 1886, which changed its reputation from a working-class exterminator to a fashionable companion. Breeders further decreased the Yorkie's size to make it a better lapdog.
The Yorkshire Terrier made its way to the United States in the late 1800s, where it was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885.
Traits and Characteristics
Yorkshire Terriers are a toy breed, and they're one of the smallest breeds in the world, weighing just 5 to 7 pounds and standing between 7 and 8 inches tall.
Their size is just one of their unique attributes. They're a bicolor breed, with colors that come in variations of either black or blue, mixed with gold or tan. Their eyes are almost always a shade of dark brown.
Yorkies are known for their dainty appearance, with small bodies, delicate features, and expressive eyes. Their long, silky coat can reach floor-lengths if not trimmed, and it's often compared to human hair rather than traditional dog fur.
Here are some key traits of a Yorkshire Terrier:
- Feisty and confident
- Affectionate and friendly
- Brave and willing to stand up for themselves
- Can be wary of strangers
- Tend to bark a lot
- Can be challenging to train
- Generally healthy with a long lifespan of 11 to 15 years
Some common health issues that can affect Yorkies include:
- Collapsing Trachea
- Luxating Patella (dislocated kneecap)
- Portosystemic Shunt (liver shunt)
- Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (degenerative disorder of the hip)
- Pancreatitis
- Hypoglycemia
- Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis (severe vomiting and diarrhea)
- Cataracts
- Glaucoma
- Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (tear deficiency causing dry eyes)
- Dental Disease
- Obesity
It's essential to keep your Yorkie safe, especially since they're a toy breed and can be prone to injury from falls or rambunctious play.
Living with a Yorkie
Living with a Yorkshire Terrier requires a lot of time and attention, especially when it comes to grooming needs.
Yorkshire Terriers are intelligent and curious dogs, so they need puzzle toys to keep them engaged and stimulated.
Their big personalities can also lead to a lot of barking, as they are vigilant and vocal dogs that will alert their owners to any perceived threats.
Training can help curb excessive barking, but it's just in their nature to bark frequently.
For another approach, see: Do Maltese Dogs Bark a Lot
Yorkshire Terriers are small dogs that can easily get injured during play, so homes with very young children or large dogs need to be cautious.
It's essential to supervise playtimes between Yorkies and kids to prevent any accidents.
Yorkies can also be at risk of wildlife attacks, especially in areas with coyotes, so it's crucial to take precautions when outside.
Never leave your Yorkie unattended outside, and consider investing in a coyote protection vest to keep them safe.
Microchipping your Yorkie is also a must to ensure their safe return if they ever get lost.
Yorkshire Terriers are known for being super brave and a little bossy, but they're also extremely affectionate and loving towards their owners.
They don't like to be left on their own, so they make great companions for people who are home a lot.
With proper training, you can discourage their vocal nature and have a well-behaved Yorkie.
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Things to Consider Before Owning a Pet
Owning a Yorkshire Terrier is a big responsibility, and it's essential to consider a few things before bringing one home.
The lifespan of a Yorkshire Terrier can be up to 15 years, so you'll need to be ready for a long-term commitment. This means you'll have to consider whether you're willing and able to care for a dog for the next decade or more.
Yorkies are big in personality, which means they need owners who are patient and don't mind a spirited and tenacious breed. They're not the best fit for families with overly rambunctious children or dogs, as they can be fragile.
Yorkshire Terriers are big barkers, so if you're looking for a quiet breed, the Yorkshire Terrier isn't it. They'll need owners who can tolerate some noise.
To keep your Yorkie's coat looking its best, you'll need to brush it daily and get regular haircuts every 4 to 6 weeks. This can be a bit high maintenance, but it's worth it for the beautiful results.
Here are some key things to consider before owning a Yorkshire Terrier:
- Lifespan: up to 15 years
- Personality: big and spirited
- Barking: frequent and loud
- Grooming: high maintenance
- Exercise needs: moderate, but can thrive in apartments or homes with small yards
Health and Care
Yorkshire Terriers are known for their big personalities, but they can also be prone to certain health issues. Regular grooming is essential to keep their coat looking and feeling its best.
Small dogs like Yorkies have fast metabolisms but small stomachs, so they need to eat little and often. A high-quality food specifically designed for small breeds is crucial to ensure they're getting all the nourishment they need.
Yorkies are more prone to dental issues, so brushing their teeth once a day is a must. This will help prevent tartar buildup and keep their breath fresh.
Some common health problems in Yorkies include patellar luxation, collapsing trachea, and eye problems. It's essential to keep an eye out for symptoms like limping, coughing, and unusual eye discharge.
To prevent hypoglycemia, it's recommended to feed your Yorkie small, frequent meals throughout the day. This will help keep their blood sugar levels stable.
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Here are some common health issues in Yorkies:
- Patellar luxation: a condition where the kneecap shifts sideways and out of position
- Collapsing trachea: a chronic, progressive disease that can cause noisy breathing and coughing
- Eye problems: including cataracts, conjunctivitis, and progressive retinal atrophy
- Hypoglycaemia: a sudden drop in blood sugar that can cause weakness and seizures
- Dental issues: including tooth overcrowding and tartar buildup
- Bladder stones: a condition where minerals form in the bladder
- Liver shunt: a congenital liver disorder that can cause circling and seizures
Care and Maintenance
Yorkshire terriers are small dogs with big personalities, and they require regular care and maintenance to stay happy and healthy.
Their fast metabolisms mean they need to eat little and often, so choose a high-quality food specifically designed for small breeds.
Small, frequent meals throughout the day will help prevent hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, which can cause weakness and clumsiness.
Yorkshire terriers have full coats, especially the longer-haired ones, and need to be brushed daily to prevent mats and tangles.
Daily brushing also helps remove any mud or feces that may have gathered in their fur.
Yorkies need to be bathed every one to two weeks to keep their coat healthy and vibrant.
Brushing their teeth once a day is also essential to prevent dental issues, and it's best to start this habit as soon as possible.
Nail trims are necessary every month or so, depending on how much they wear down their nails.
Regular grooming will help keep your Yorkie looking and feeling their best.
Their coats can be either long and show-worthy or short and easy to maintain, but either way, they require regular trims to prevent overgrowth.
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Training and Behavior
Training a Yorkshire Terrier requires patience and consistency, especially when it comes to housebreaking. They can be stubborn and don't like to go outside in inclement weather.
To start training, begin with positive reinforcement and socialization when your Yorkie is still a puppy. A puppy obedience class is a great option for both training and socialization.
Yorkies respond well to praise and tasty treats, but be prepared to mix it up depending on their unique personality. They can be willfully disobedient if they decide they don't want to do something, so finding what they highly value is key to successful training.
Socializing your Yorkie is essential, and regular walking and meeting other dogs and people is a good start. Early socialization can help prevent reactivity to other people and dogs in later life.
A combination of praise and treats can incentivize a Yorkie, but be ready to mix it up depending on their unique personality. They have a stubborn streak when they set their mind to something, so consistency is key.
Here are some key points to remember when training a Yorkie:
- Start training early with positive reinforcement and socialization
- Be patient and consistent, especially with housebreaking
- Find what your Yorkie highly values and use it as an incentive
- Socialize your Yorkie regularly to prevent reactivity
Exercise
Yorkies are highly energetic dogs that require regular exercise to stay happy and healthy. Aim to provide two 15- to 30-minute walks per day at a moderate pace.
Yorkies should be able to run and play off leash, which can be mentally stimulating for them. They can enjoy activities like fetch, dog sports, and agility.
Yorkies are not well-suited to extreme temperatures, so plan outdoor exercise accordingly. Try to go out during the coolest part of the day in hot weather.
Yorkies don't need much room to work out their little bodies, making indoor play a good option.
Training
Yorkies are bright little dogs who can take to training fairly well, though they can be bossy at times.
To start training, aim to begin when your Yorkie is still a puppy to prevent bad habits from forming and to socialize them with various people, other animals, and situations. Attending a puppy obedience class as soon as your dog meets the age requirement is a good option for both training and socialization.
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Yorkies can be difficult to housebreak, in part because they can be stubborn and often don't like to go outside in inclement weather. Be patient and consistent during this process to reinforce good housebreaking habits.
Many Yorkies don't do well when they're left alone for most of the day, so they prefer lots of attention and companionship. They might develop separation anxiety and bad habits if their social needs aren't met.
The best way to train a Yorkie is to find what they highly value and use this as an incentive to reward successful training. A combination of praise and tasty treats should be enough to incentivize a Yorkie.
Socializing your Yorkshire Terrier is always a good idea, whether this be through regular walking and meeting other dogs and people, or dog socialization classes. If you don't engage in socialization at an early age, you may risk your Yorkie becoming reactive to other people/dogs in later life.
Disciplining a Yorkie requires a gentle approach - hitting or spanking is never recommended as it constitutes dog abuse and will make your dog fear you rather than exhibit the desired behavior.
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Yorkie Temperament
Yorkies are known for being super brave, but a bit bossy. They can command a space in no time, but are also extremely affectionate and loving towards humans.
They don't really like to be left on their own, and have a protective streak that makes them seriously loyal companions. Yorkies are gentle with kids and other animals, but it's always advised to supervise playtimes.
Like a lot of small dogs, Yorkies can be quite vocal, but with some proper training, this can be discouraged and lessened. If you're struggling to train your Yorkie, it's recommended to book in for specialist training.
Here are some key personality traits of Yorkies:
- Bold and lively
- Loyal and affectionate
- Highly intelligent and trainable
- Confident and stubborn
Yorkies are naturally suspicious of strangers, so early socialization to both people and other animals is important. They tend to do better with older children who understand what a "gentle touch" means.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the rarest color of Yorkie?
The rarest color of Yorkie is blue, white, and tan or solid colors, but they don't meet AKC breed standards. These unique colors are highly sought after, making them a rare find among purebred Yorkies.
How much is a golden Yorkie?
The cost of a pet-quality Yorkie, also known as a Golden Yorkie, is between $3,000 and $5,000. Prices may vary depending on the dog's quality and registration status.
Are black Yorkshire Terriers rare?
Yes, black Yorkshire Terriers are relatively rare due to the breed's standard coloration. They are less common than tan and blue Yorkies.
What is a golden Yorkie?
A Golden Yorkie is a variation of the Yorkshire Terrier breed with a lighter tan coat color, often appearing golden or blonde due to longer hair. This unique coloration is a result of their coat's natural aging process.
What is a 3 color Yorkie?
A Parti Yorkie, also known as a 3 color Yorkie, is a purebred Yorkshire Terrier with a tri-color or multi-color coat due to a recessive gene. This unique coat pattern is a result of the breed's traditional colors mixed with a genetic variation.
Sources
- Dainty, dazzling, and daring: The Yorkshire Terrier (24petwatch.com)
- according to the AKC (akc.org)
- various eye problems (yorkieinfocenter.com)
- United Yorkie Rescue (unitedyorkierescue.org)
- Save a Yorkie Rescue (saveayorkierescue.org)
- The Yorkshire Terrier Club of America (theyorkshireterrierclubofamerica.org)
- Yorkshire Terrier Puppies For Sale (akc.org)
- Yorkshire Terrier (ctvsh.com)
- Yorkshire Terrier (Yorkie) Dog Breed Information (pottybuddy.co)
- https://www.petmd.com/dog/breeds/yorkshire-terrier (petmd.com)
- https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/yorkshire-terrier/ (akc.org)
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