How to Raise Yorkshire Terriers

Yorkshire Terriers are small dogs that were first bred in Yorkshire, England, leading to their name. Considered a toy terrier for their small size and weight, these dogs are considered to have loving, active and bold characteristics. When raising a Yorkshire Terrier, it is important to be informed on the necessary upkeep these dogs require within a household in order to be a suitable parent to these small companions.

Things You'll Need

  • Yorkshire Terrier
  • Grooming supplies: comb, sheers.
  • Indoor space
  • Meats or dog food
  • Spay or Neutering (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Raise a Yorkshire Terrier as the only pet if possible. While these dogs can get along with other animals if brought up with them from a young age, they are extremely possessive toward their owners and have been known to fight other dogs to the death.

    • 2

      Provide obedience training for your Yorkshire Terrier. Yorkshires are considered easily adaptive to being house trained, specifically in staying within a designated area when left alone. Limit their time alone as low as possible, however, as they emotionally depend on human company.

    • 3

      Evaluate if you want your Yorkshire Terrier to be spayed or neutered from a young age, as the older they get, the more pain they remember. Spaying prevents a female Yorkshire from going into heat and having babies along with protecting the female dog from uterine infections and breast cancer. Neutering prevents increased sexual arousal with male Yorkshires, and lessens their drive for marking their territory, fighting other dogs and demanding dominance within a household.

    • 4

      Bathe and groom your Yorkshire Terrier as necessary. These dogs do not shed, causing their fur to grow until trimmed. The fur growth can fall over their eyes limiting their visibility and the fur can also cause their ears to be weighed down by the additional mass.

    • 5

      Arrange for your Yorkshire Terrier to remain an indoor dog. Despite having an outer and undercoat, Yorkshire Terriers feel the cold very easily and require dry, warm living conditions.

    • 6

      Feed your Yorkshire a diet without corn or soybeans, as the two are difficult for Yorkshire Terrier's to digest. Consider feeding your pet a diet of meat and fish, although if dog food is preferred, make sure the first two ingredients are pure meat if possible.