Description

The Yorkshire Terrier is well known for its long coat. The glossy coat requires quite a bit of daily grooming and usually the hair on the head is styled by tying it up or parting it. The coat is usually parted all the way to the tail so that is flows of either side of the body in an even manner. The coat is usually a blue color with some tan.

The Yorkshire Terrier has a flat, small head with a gold colored face. The muzzle is short with a black nose. The eyes are a dark color and medium in size. The erect ears are triangular in shape and close together. They are usually a deep tan color. The bite is either a scissor bite or a level bite. The Yorkshire Terrier has a compact body with a longer neck and level back. The tail is usually docked. The legs are straight.

Coat Description

The Yorkshire Terrier’s coat is its main descriptive feature. The coat is silky in texture and flows along the body. It is always straight without any wave or curl. The coat is a blue and tan color. The hair on the head is often groomed and tied up, usually complemented with a bow or other decorative item. The Yorkshire Terrier is not a shedder, despite the long coat.

History

The Yorkshire Terrier is an evolution of other terrier breeds. It was crossbred from a Waterside Terrier, Manchester Terrier and Paisley terrier. The name came from the fact that the breeding was done in Yorkshire, England.

The Yorkshire Terrier has been a part of the English Kennel Club since the club was started in 1873. It is a non-sporting breed and listed under the name Broken-Haired Scotch and Yorkshire Terrier. The Yorkshire Terrier came to the United States in the 19th century where it has remained a popular breed.

Temperament

The Yorkshire Terrier is a toy breed so it is a perfect house dog. It is known for its beautiful coat and its lively character. They are quite popular as a pet and as a show dog. The Yorkshire Terrier has a great sense of hearing and makes a great companion dog. They often do not know their size and will act out as a watchdog.

The Yorkshire Terrier is a devoted breed that loves to be close to its family. It is a dog that is very content to sleep in bed with its owner and who loves attention. They make a great family dog, but should be watched with small children and larger dogs due to their small size.

The Yorkshire Terrier loves to play and will often let this get them in trouble. They can be mischievous and will need to be well trained in order to keep them from getting into too much trouble. They can be stubborn and certainly have a mind of their own.

The Yorkshire Terrier is a character. They often act much larger then they are. They can be feisty and bold. They love to show off their authority and they will often do as they please no matter what they may be told. They have a lively spirit that has led to their popularity.

Health Problems

Health concerns for the Yorkshire Terrier often revolve around their size. There is a concern about broken bones and injuries from falls and jumps. They may also suffer from Portosystemic shunt, collapsing tracheas, Legg Perth’s disease, patellar luxation and progressive retinal atrophy. They should always be properly immunized and see the vet regularly to prevent illness.

Grooming

Grooming the Yorkshire Terrier is important. This breed requires constant grooming to keep its cost in good form. They do not shed, which is one good thing about the breed. However, they need regular brushing to keep their cost flowing and smooth. Grooming should start as a pup so the dog can get used to it. Yorkshire Terriers not used for show are usually cut to make grooming easier. The Yorkshire Terrier can benefit from bathing once a week, but it is important to use both a shampoo and conditioner to make grooming easier.

It is important o understand that the Yorkshire Terrier requires grooming of its coat everyday. Grooming can take anywhere from a half and hour to a couple hours, depending upon the extent. That is why some owners will keep the hair trimmed.

Exercise

The Yorkshire Terrier is very active. They love to explore and will often exercise themselves on their own. They do like to go on walks and need a lot of attention and interaction. Their exercise needs are minimal, but it is the attention that is most important. They do not do well without constant interaction. They love to play games and will benefit from having a range of toys.

Training

The Yorkshire Terrier is smart, but they have a mind of their own which can make training interesting. In order to train a Yorkshire Terrier the approach needs to be fun. The dog should have a good time during training and not feel as if they are actually being taught anything.

Yorkshire Terriers are good at learning tricks. The best way to teach tricks is to offer reward treats. They will learn rather quickly and can be quite fun to work with.

Sometimes the Yorkshire Terrier will try to outsmart the trainer. They will often try to get away with things so a firm hand in needed in training efforts to get anything done.