Items to Buy for a Yorkie Puppy

Yorkies are a small, hardy and spunky breed. Yorkshire terriers often exhibit the toughness and take-charge attitude bred into terriers by the English farmers who used them as rat-catchers and guard dogs. So yorkies, like most terriers, need strong guidance from their owners --- especially while they're being trained through puppyhood. Though yorkies' small size and high-maintenance coat might require a few specialized supplies, many of a yorkie puppy's needs are the same as for a puppy of any breed.

  1. Transportation

    • Yorkies are energetic and active, so they enjoy frequent and relatively long walks. When the puppy is still in the midst of training, a short leash --- about 6 feet long --- keeps the puppy easier to guide and control. However, as the yorkie gets older, you might eventually decide to use a retractable leash and a harness to give the dog more freedom of movement on walks. The puppy also needs a cloth, flat collar. The collar must be close-fitting enough so it won't slip off, but there should be about two inches --- or space for you to fit two of your fingers --- between the puppy's neck and the collar. The puppy also needs an ID tag, attached to its collar, giving its name and owner's contact information. In some states, such as California, a dog license is also necessary. You can apply for the dog license through your local branch of animal services. The dog will also need a crate, for use in the car, on airplanes and in the home. Because the yorkie is a small dog, usually under 10 lbs., it is likely to fit within most airlines' restrictions for carrying a pet into the cabin; therefore, the choice between a hard- or soft-walled carrier is based on your personal preference. The crate should be large enough for the yorkie to stand and turn with ease.

    Cleanliness

    • Yorkies don't shed, but their coats are very full, fine and silky, and require regular grooming. Many owners ask the groomer to clip the coat short, for easier maintenance, and tie up the topknot with a ribbon. The yorkie's hair should also be trimmed short on the feet and the tips of the ears. A dog brush, nail clippers and dog shampoo can be useful to keep the dog neat between grooming visits. In dealing with outdoor waste, plastic bags are useful on walks, a long-handled pooper-scooper is convenient for cleaning the yard, and puppy pads can be used indoors. In case of accidents inside the home, buy a urine neutralizer. On the recommendation of your vet, you might also need de-worming and flea medication for your yorkie puppy.

    Food

    • Stock a supply of the food your yorkie puppy was eating at the shelter or breeder's. Yorkies don't need breed-specific dog food. Yorkies are prone to digestive problems when given exotic treats, so a blander diet is best. For treats, your yorkie puppy might enjoy rawhide bones, or a kong filled with their regular food. Stainless steel or ceramic water and food bowls are durable, and sure not to leach chemicals into your yorkie's food.

    Comfort

    • Yorkies are sensitive to the cold, which is exacerbated by their small size, so the breed should wear a jacket when going out in chilly or windy weather. The puppy will need at least one dog bed, and can have as many as you wish to give it. You should lay a towel or blanket in its crate, as well. If the puppy is very young or fretful, a ticking clock and hot water bottle laid in its bed might help it sleep. It'll remind the puppy of sleeping against his warm mother and hearing her beating heart.