About Yorkshire Terriers

The Yorkshire terrier, or Yorkie, is a small dog breed with a long, silky coat. Yorkies are popular pets because of their small size and playful personality. Most weigh no more than 7 lbs., and are about 8 inches high at the shoulder. Their coat is a blend of tan, brown, white, black and blue; the colors and patterns vary considerably from dog to dog.

  1. History

    • As the name of the breed suggests, Yorkshire terriers originated in Yorkshire, England. The breed's ancestors are believed to be a mixture of several types of terriers used to control rat populations in workplaces. Some of these were long-haired terriers brought to England by workers from Scotland in the mid-1800s; others were English terriers already present in the area. Black and tan terriers are thought to be the source of the modern Yorkshire terrier's coloration. The Yorkshire terrier was first brought to the United States in 1872, and in 1878 became one of the first breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club.

    Features

    • Yorkshire terriers are unique because of their coat, which is long, silky and resembles human hair in texture and appearance. They are highly intelligent dogs and easily learn to recognize many different commands. Like many small breeds, Yorkshire terriers are bold, independent, and act as if they are unaware of their small size. Although they do not usually develop nuisance barking, they do bark easily in response to unusual or alarming sounds. Yorkies are outgoing and friendly; they usually get along well with adults, children and other dogs.

    Benefits

    • Yorkshire terriers make particularly good pets for people who suffer from allergies; they shed very little and produce far less dander than most other breeds. Because of their reduced dander production, they also have less odor than many dogs. Due to their independence, a Yorkie is a good choice for busy pet owners. They are unlikely to develop separation anxiety and can tolerate being left alone for several hours a day. Although they enjoy being near people, they generally do not get underfoot and do not expect to be the center of attention.

    Considerations

    • Because of their long, silky coat, Yorkshire terriers require considerable grooming. Left uncut, the dog's hair will grow extremely long and become very difficult to care for. The coat requires trimming approximately every 6 weeks. Thorough daily brushing is very important to prevent matting in this breed. Yorkies are also more difficult to house-train than other dogs, and their small size puts them at risk for injury if small children are allowed to play with them without close supervision. Like all purebred dogs, Yorkshire terriers are prone to numerous inherited health problems. Yorkshire terrier mixes are less likely to suffer from these conditions, but may lose other benefits of the breed.

    Function

    • Like all terriers, Yorkies were originally working dogs bred to keep rat populations under control. In some cases, they were also used to hunt small game. Modern Yorkshire terriers are primarily kept as house pets; they are prized because of their small size, cleanliness and balanced personality. They are also used as alarm dogs; they will readily alert their owners to any unusual activity, particularly at night.