Hi and welcome to my Yorkie hub! The Yorkshire Terrier, or Yorkie as is commonly called, is by far the dog of choice for the glitzy personality. This blog will tell you a little of the Yorkshire Terrier history, how to choose a Yorkshire Terrier, how to groom a Yorkshire Terrier, and other things you may not have known. Plus, why they make an absolutely wonderful accessory to anyone who wants to be seen with a beautiful companion on their arms!

They are absolutely wonderful pets to carry around with you EVERYWHERE!

The Character of The Yorkie

Although they make absolutely wonderful carry companions, the Yorkshire Terrier breed is bold and active. They can be very hostile towards other dogs, growling and barking at them. They are surprisingly brave for such a small breed. They are also quite loyal and affectionate. Because of some of these characteristics, they are really not recommended if you have small children. They are also jealous, I might add. If you have a Yorkie already, you know what I mean.

Origin Of The Yorkie

Named for the English city from which they originally come from, Yorkshire Terriers were used in the nineteenth century to catch rats in clothing mills. This is kind of hard to believe because they are such beautiful dogs, but it is true. Eventually, the breed left the workforce and became a companion animal to families of European high society. That sounds a lot better now, doesn't it?
The breed sprang from three different dogs, a male named Old Crab and a female named Kitty, and another female whose name is not known. They were all originally bred from Scotch terriers, but eventually coming down the line to what they look like today. Ultimately the name Yorkshire Terrier was given to them on account of their being improved so much in Yorkshire.

Health Issues

Some of the health issues that are associated with Yorkies are bronchitis, lymphangiectasia (which is inflammation of the lymph nodes), Portosystemic shunt (which is a bypassing of the liver by the bodies circulatory system), cataracts, and keratitis sicca (which is a fancy name for dry eyes).
These are just some of the health issues associated with this breed, but it does not mean that they will get all of them, or even any of them. It is just issues found mostly in the Yorkie.

Feeding Your Yorkie

Until the teething phase is over, which should occur at about 6 months of age, your Yorkie will need to be fed three meals a day. However, between 6 months and 1 year two feedings should be sufficient.
Once your Yorkshire terrier matures it is possible to start feeding it once a day, however you can continue to divide the meal in two offering half in the morning and half at night. Ultimately if you are really unsure the best way to feed him, you can always ask your vet for the best way to go about it.
Also, it is a good idea to supplement this little ball of energy's diet with a good vitamin and nutrient supplement.
As your Yorkie gets to an older age, Yorkies can live up to and over 7 years of age, switch to a dog food recommended for senior dogs, or a dog food that is high in carbohydrates.
One thing you always must do is to make sure your Yorkie has fresh, cool water available at all times.

Grooming

Cleanliness is very important as dirty hair cannot grow well. The Yorkie should
be bathed once every week or two. Some need a bath more often than others.
Any good dog shampoo is recommended along with a good conditioner.
First make sure you have all the tangles out of the coat. A wide tooth metal
comb is good for this along with a good brush. Don't pull mats out, gently work
them out with your fingers first and then the comb. Always work from the ends
of the hair to the part closest to the body. A little detangler on the mat will make
it easier to get out and also save coat. A good brushing every day keeps the
tangles away.
When all the tangles are out, then shampoo and rinse. After you have rinsed,
rinse again to make sure every bit of soap is out of the coat. Left in, it will dull
the coat and might cause itching. Then use a good conditioner. A small sponge
works really well for rinsing the face so as not to get water in their nose and
mouth.
Towel dry and then use a blow dryer, if your Yorkie can stand it, on a lower setting to gently dry the hair. The Yorkie coat is very similar to human hair, as the way it grows, so treat accordingly.

Overall

Sometimes it doesn't matter what anyone says, if you made up your mind that you are going to be a new owner of a Yorkie, you will eventually get one sooner or later. This hub is just to give you an idea about the breeds demeanor and origin. For those of you who already own one of these beauties, this hub is just to give you some facts about the breed.
The personality of this breed and the toy size make him/her a wonderful companion in the home and on the road. Keep your Yorkie healthy and happy with regular grooming, regular walks (don't carry them all the time!!), and regular visits to your vet.