Yorkshire Terrier Information
87Need expert Yorkshire Terrier information to decide if this is the right dog for you? You've come to the right place!
Yorkie History & Background
An adorable member of the toy dog group, the Yorkshire Terrier is a mixture of England's finest terriers, made up of the Clydesdale terrier, English black and tan terrier, waterside terrier, and the Paisley terrier. What a noble background!
By the late 1800s, Yorkies had made their way to America but because there were so many variety of sizes, the Yorkshire Terrier did not make its exclusive name until the early 1900s. It was at this point that the majority of Yorkie breeders decided that the smaller sized Yorkshire Terrier was preferable.
Yorkies have a terrific personality! They are known to be bold, confident, and courageous. Although small in size, they pack a tremendous amount of personality into their small package. And the Yorkshire Terrier seems to be oblivious to its small stature, and you’ll often see them play with much bigger dogs with no fear. Always eager for fun and adventure, this dog can be a bit aggressive towards other small animals and strange dogs. It definitely maintains that old rough-edged terrier spirit.
Yorkie Upkeep and Maintenance
Like other terriers, the Yorkie needs to have plenty of exercise on a daily basis. A lot of people think small dogs don't need much exercise, but it's just not true and daily exercise will often do a world of good in helping your Yorkie stay happy and healthy. However, the good news is that Yorkies can get all of the physical activity they need simply by running from room to room inside of the house or small apartment. Of course this does not mean that the Yorkie should not be outside. In fact, they love to take a brisk walk with their owner at any chance possible. Naturally, you should keep your dog on leash to avoid problems with other dogs.
As far as living arrangements are concerned, the Yorkshire Terrier is not meant to live outdoors - they're a definite "inside dog" and are most happy when they are with you. This breed prefers the companionship of its family and human contact. If you must leave your Yorkie outside for any short period of time, just be sure that there is plenty of shelter, adequate bedding and lots of water. This is even more important if you live in a warm climate.
Yorkshire Terriers tend to grow very long hair and grooming can be an important issue to address. Whether or not you decide to keep your dog with long hair or not will determine ongoing grooming needs. Most Yorkie owners keep their pets trimmed with what's called a "puppy cut" so that it only needs a thorough brushing three to four times per week. Long hair will need to be looked after a little bit more often so that it does not tangle and mat. We'll look into compiling an article on how to groom a long-haired Yorkie soon, so stay tuned.
Don't Buy A Yorkie Until You Watch This Video!
How Long Yorkies Live and Health Information
Good news - the Yorkshire Terrier has a lifespan of up to 16 years when raised in a positive environment by a health minded dog owner! That means that you can expect to enjoy your Yorkie for many years to come as long as you provide adequate nutrition and health care.
And more good news - Yorkies have no major health concerns like those that can plague other breeds. Aren't you smart for picking a Yorkie? :-)
The only minor health concern to look out for with Yorkies is patellar luxation. Veterinarians do suggest, however, that dog owners have their Yorkies specifically tested for eye problems, knee dysplasia, and have a liver ultrasound based on their age. Check with your vet to see if these are tests appropriate for your particular dog.
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Comments
Try using a oatmeal shampoo. Dont use rinse.
Elsa -- You may also want to investigate changing the diet for your Yorkie. Many skin problems are a result of nutrition. I'll work on compiling a page on this with specific tips, but in the meantime I'd suggest trying an all-natural food at your pet store.
Marison -- Thanks for the excellent tip! Oatmeal shampoo is great for Yorkie skin.
Does anyone recomment a good pet food? I'm feeding her Innova, which is supposed to be good (according to pet store) I have also been sprinkling her with a very small amount of baking soda and combing it through her hair, this seems to keep her from being so smelly and I dont feel the need to be bathing her all the time, which may be drying out her skin. The baking soda was recommended in an article on the internet but it really helps
My Yorkie has been having an ongoing skin problem for the last year. I am at my wiitts end. I have changed food a few time, did the allergy test and shots, have tried oatmeal shampoo, pills and still has the itching and smell and is constantly chewing at his paws. HELP!!!!!!
My yorkie name i free-way and he loves to run around the house and by reading this info it has helped me be a better mom
I have a yorkie , He is 9 weeks old. He weighs 1pound , How big do you think that means he will get?
I HAVE A YORKIE AND I CAN NOT HOUSE TRAIN HIM FOR NOTHING ANY SUGGESTION
I'm glad you pointed out that Yorkie's need human companionship and attention...without it, better call the dog whisperer.
How often does a yorkie need to have his hair trimmed to keep it neat?
What kind of shampoo would be useful for a yorkie??
Hmm nice info. 16 years is a lot of time for a Yorkie :)
Very informative hub,as u said that they are indoor pets ,how do one deal with the issue of potty training
I am very agree on this statement 'Yorkshire Terriers tend to grow very long hair and grooming can be an important issue to address'. I have seen many Yorkshire with unmanaged long hair, smells badly and even have skin problems. Take good care of the Yorkshire please.
Good information here, thanks. I was quite surprised to know the the Yorkshire terrier is an indoors dog!!
That is a very noble background I share from hear on refer to them as duke Yorkshire terrier.
A 16 year life expectancy is impressive. Good to know when choosing this dog.
dont training! dog have to be freedoom.
A lot of noticeable and important points have been pointed about Yorkies. Great work.
Aw, I love yorkies! They're the best, I have one already, but I really wan't another one. I loved the information you provided I learned a lot.
Last week my little yorkie woke up with a "black eye" she looked like someone had kicked her in the face, I was horrified. When I got her into the vet he took one look at her and told me she had a abcessed tooth that had reached into the eye. Anyway, she had emergency surgery, the tooth was removed, the abcess cleaned and after a couple of days she is doing fine, still has a drain in her cheek, but she is ok. I have her teeth cleaned one a year but she was at least 4 months overdue, I simply put it off, mostly because of finances and simply not thinking anything that major would happen to her. So...anyone with small dogs like yorkies be aware of their teeth, mine is now getting a new vaccine that is supposed to help prevent tartar build up, have to get a booster every 6 months but it it prevents this from happening again I will gladly do this for her.
My dog Buster, 7 pounds, had skin problems, we saw the Ve,t changed foods multiple times, he had no hair on his legs, hair loss on his nose, he was scratching violently, we gave him benadryl stared out with 1/4 of all dose pill worked up to 1 pill, after a year we were up to 1 at nite, and 1 in the morning. it seemed to lessen the problem but not cure it. The problem was simulair to Natailas problem above. Here is her post....
"My Yorkie has been having an ongoing skin problem for the last year. I am at my wiitts end. I have changed food a few time, did the allergy test and shots, have tried oatmeal shampoo, pills and still has the itching and smell and is constantly chewing at his paws. HELP!!!!!! " Natalia
This my not work for any or all yorkies, but We tryed a supliment that looked like sand its a digestive bacteria, well it seems to have worked his hair is back and he doesn't scrach near as much, lick as much, smell as much. He is still a bit on the greasey side. We told the Vet on one of our visits she said she noticed the difference can't explaine it. but if it works, and with no side effects, do what you got do do. John S.
I just purchased a yorkie 2 days ago that is 10 weeks old. Any suggestions anyone can give for a first time yorkie owner.i know nothing abourt these dogs, and would like to be a better mommy to him.
yes. I just got a yorkie abot 5 months ago. He is VERY outgoing, and plays with my oldest dog KOKOA. But GIZMOE is very sweet, and tends to cry alot. They play very often and eats kokoa's food. Is that bad??? He also eats his own food. Very greedy, but stayus fit. I dont brush his teeth. Is that bad??? But when you first purchase a yorkie, love him and play withj him. The younger, the better it is to teach him tricks. Mine knows lots. But, how do u house train them. It IS SOOOO HARD!!!
I've done my research, and having grown up and owned three dogs in my 22 years, I know that it's very important to keep up on grooming and DENTAL HYGEINE! Especially Yorkies. Not taking proper care of their teeth can result in early tooth decay, and that can lead up to a high vet bill. There is special toothpaste, and tooth brushes you can get for dogs(I find that a baby toothbrush works just fine. They have VERY soft bristles. If it's okay for a baby, it's ok for your pup) for Yorkies, all you need is a pea-sized amount of the toothpaste, and you're good to go! I would suggest doing this at least once a week. Sure it seems like a lot of work, but it's like anything else you add do your daily/weekly routine. It'll just come naturally after a while! Just make sure it is DOG toothpaste. Consult it with your vet, or even your breeder(see what they use) to make sure what type is best for your dog. Also, you'll wanna buy from a REPUTABLE breeder who has MOM AND DAD ONSITE!!!! Go see the Mom and Dad, as well as the pups. If the Mom and Dad are not socializing with you, chances are they're not breeding the dogs for the right reasons, and you are just providing the people money for personal profit. Just do your research, take your time, and you'll be fine!!! I hope I helped some people a bit! Goodluck!! =)
hi had my yorkie for seven weeks now his brilliant just have to keep taking him outside in the garden to let him know thats where he should go to the toilet. And prays him everytime he goes. have the odd accident now when we don't open the back door on time. His fourteen weeks now and doing great.
I have two Yorkies and love them very much. I never thought I would be a dog person, but after owning a Yorkie, it changed my perspective.
i shower my puppy yorkie every sat is iy ok?
everyday? That's a bit much. I wash my little girl about once a week or when she gets dirty/smelly. I've heard washing that much can dry out their skin a lot
I've had my yorkie, Henry for a year now and he turned a year old on april 5, about 2 months after I got him he got some bumps on his belly so I took him to the vet. Since then he has been diagnosed with allergies, then mites and then allergies and now no immune system. He is playful and alert and the vet said we could keep him on steriods for the rest of his life (maybe 5 years) but he rips his skin off when we reduce the drugs and his skin is always red. I see when I bathe him , when I rinse him the water is black.I wash him in oatmeal shampoo until the water rinses clean instead of black and the I use the shampoo the vet gives me because there is supposed to be pellets in there to help him and then the water turns balck again...pretty desperate here...any one have this going on??..If you have answers please email me at ROBTHOMS8@AOL.COM
my yorkie is 5 months old his teeth have started falling out. And his hair is still very black on his back been trimmed once just wondering when his hair colour will change? The top of his head is very grey any ideas thanks .
Hi My yorkie will be 6 months August 15 and she is the love of my life, her name is Bella and she is beautiful. my question is i have seen her once or twice drag her backside across the the carpet is this a sign of some type of irritation to her rear end. I bath her every two weeks and brush her everyday, what should i do?
My Yorkie's name is Abbey, i just got her yesterday, she is almost 8 weeks old... and she seems reluctant to get used to my house. she won't go and "explore" she just stays under me all day. any advise on how to get my Abbey to warm up to her new home
and Phyllis dragging the behind across the carpet is more a sign of warms... get Bella to the vet...
For Robin robthoms8@aol.com: All that flip-flopping for diagnosis? Sounds more like a game of elimination versus really knowing what's going on for certain. I'd like to sugggest a second opinion. I have no idea where you are, but here in CA my vet can call and consult with the vets at UC Davis--they're like the Mayo Clinic for dogs! I bet your vet could consult them, too. Two heads are better than one. Anyway, they may have ideas for using empiracal testing for diagnosis (an educated guess is still only guessing, right?) At least they'd be more objective if they're not selling you supplies. Good luck!! :)
I have my Yorkie for 16 years. While her health is not great at the moment. (Various problems to include heart defect and tumor in her belly) she is hanging in there and always greets me at the front door with a wagging tail. I am very lonely at the moment because I know that her time is very soon coming to an end. My Vet is fantastic but she has slowed down so much in the last week that I fear I have only a few days left with her. How will I cope without her? She is such a big part of my life! :(
how often do you groom a yorkie? his fur is "puppy cut"..^^
Yorkie Breeders
- Yorkie Breeders updated Sat Jul 26 2008 1:38 pm CDT
If you are thinking about getting a pure-bred Yorkie puppy, then you’ll want to deal with reputable, professional Yorkie breeders. And if you want to make sure that the purebred Yorkie puppy is in great health, has a sound temperament, and one that will match with your personality and lifestyle, then you need to find an honest and knowledgeable Yorkie breeder, one that will help you find that perfect Yorkie puppy. - 3 months ago
working
Elsa says:
13 months ago
MY Yorkie has bad skin problems, Ive tried everything to help her not itch so much, once in awhile she needs antibiotics . I do give her Benadryl at night if she is to itchy, does anyone else try this, it seems to help a bit.