Dog Profile-Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkshire Terriers are an old British breed of dogs that was obtained by combining a Manchester Terrier with a Skye Terrier and with a Dandy Dinmont Terrier.Yorkshire Terriers were raised by miners in York for catching mice and unwanted rodents mostly.By making several selections, the genes of the breed have been progressively improved so that the exemplary would be smaller.During the Victorian Era,Yorkshire Terriers were given another utility,since then becoming popular company animals and lapdogs.The official name for the breed was chosen in 1870.

Origins: England

Height: 11.0 - 23.0 cm

Weight: 2.0 - 3.0 kg

Physical Appearance: Yorkshire Terriers are small-sized,well proportioned dogs.Some exemplaries are extremely small.As a matter of fact,a Yorkshire Terrier called Big Boss broke the record for "World's smallest dog" in 1995 having only 11,9 cm height and 12,9 cm length.Yorkshire Terriers have small,conic skulls,equal in length to their snouts.Their maxillary is strong and covered with long hair,their nose and eyes are dark coloured.They have tiny,V-shaped ears.Their coat is regarded as a splendor-long,silky,shiny and smooth.Puppies are born with bi-coloured black and brown coats but later turn silver-brown in adulthood.These dogs are hypoalergenic-that's right,they produce no allergy to humans due to the fact that their body is covered with human-like hair follicles.Their forehead hair should be kept in a topknot so that it does not cover their eyes,thus deteriorating their eyesight in time.

Personality: Yorkshire Terriers are brave,intelligent and determined dogs.They are big dogs in small bodies,true Napoleons of the canine world.Yorkies are sensitive dogs and should be treated with gentleness and affection.They are loyal companions to their owners and can get along with young children if they are not teased-however, they are best with older children.Yorkies also get along well with other dogs and animals but will often bark when detecting an "intruder",be it animal or man.Start socialising them early!

Care: This pooch requires daily brushing and combing.The forehead hair must be held in a topknot to protect its eyesight.Its coat can be kept long or trimmed, "puppycut" style.During winter, buy this dog an additional coat to protect him from cold.Its average lifespan is 10-15 years.

Environment: This dog is perfectly adapted to an apartment lifestyle.Yorkies are sensitive dogs and require a lot of love and affection.They need a moderate level of activity but can be very energetic, as well.Three short walks per day should do the trick.They can also adapt to a more sedentary lifestyle but one walk per day is a must!

Training: A trainable but sometimes stubborn breed.Training must be consequent and serious but also gentle and friendly so that the dog finds it enjoyable and executes its owner's commands with pleasure.

Utility: Yorkies are affectionate and loveable companions but are also very capable watchdogs due to their acuteness and tendency to alert their owner when they detect an intruder.