The Yorkshire Terrier

Origins
The Yorkshire Terrier (also named Yorkie) has its origins in England, in the region of Yorkshire. In the late 1800s, some Scottish people arrived in Yorkshire, looking for work; they brought with them various small terrier specimens. Later on, the breed was displayed at different dog shows.

The Yorkie was introduced in America in 1872 as a showdog and popular pet for the Victorian Americans. After World War II, the fame and interest about the Yorkshire terrier expanded urther.

Appearance
The Yorkie belongs to the small dog breeds category, also a famous showdog. These dogs have a height of 18-20 cm at the withers and a weight of 2.8 – 3.2 kg.

The body is covered with a silky and glossy coat, which varies in color, from black to dark blue, many times displaying a “saddle” area of coat, colored in tan and blue. The face fur is either long and waving down the muzzle towards the neck, or short and barb-wired, especially seen in the puppy stages. Showdogs often have a long coat that hangs all the way to the feet area.

The ears are covered with short fur, staying always erected. The fur markings that appear on the face should have a tan color.
The body is compact and small but proportionate, ending in a long tail. The feet are small and covered by fur. The coat is silky, straight, fine.

Grooming
This is an extremely important job to achieve if the Yorkie takes part in any dog shows. But for the ordinary Yorkie, a monthly bath and daily brushing is a must. You can also trim the fur shorter on the legs and ears, just to be sure that the dog movement isn’t obfuscated.

If your dog has a longer coat and is a showdog, the bathing process should be done weekly, and you should wash the long fur with special oils, and protect your dog’s feet with stockings.

Health Facts
The Yorkshire Terrier has a lifespan of 12-15 years. This breed is prone to various health problems. Among these, there are some genetic disorders that can appear: luxating patella, retinal dysplasia, bladder stones, tracheal collapse.

Also, your dog can suffer from hypoglycemia, especially because you dog doesn’t eat frequently and loses the small amount of muscle mass left (less food, less glucose storing, so irregular blood sugar degree). The modifications in the feeding schedule and a poor nutrition can lead to parasites, bacterial infections, liver shunts.

The environment changes could also affect the Yorkie. In the hot weather, the dog can suffer sunstrokes and burns.

Temperament and Lifestyle
The Yorkie is the second most popular dog in the American Kennel Club breed popularity list. They Yorkshire Terrier is small, sociable, cheerful, really adaptable to any living conditions. The confidence it displays is surpassed by loyality and affection towards its owner, either experienced or inexperienced.

The Yorkie becomes confident and shows stability if it is properly socialized, behaving very well with children and other humans, although the small size can be a cause of injury among children.

These dogs love to exercise (not intensively), having a great deal or energy and playful attitude, being avid chasers. But during walks you should keep your Yorkie tied to a leash at all times, so he doesn’t get injured in any way.