Yorkshire Terrier

Vital Statistics:

Place of Origin: England

Group: Terrier, Toy, Companion

Height: 8-9 in.

Weight: about 7 lbs.

Life span: 12-14 yrs.

Trainability: moderate, housetraining problematic

Good with children: older, kind children

Good with other pets: depends, when raised with them

December’s Dog of the Month

Don’t let this breed’s diminutive size fool you. Typically terrier, they are lively and courageous.

The Yorkshire Terrier was bred by miners in Yorkshire, England in the 1800s to hunt the rats infesting the mine shafts. Among their forbears were probably black and tan terriers and the Maltese. Affectionately known as the Yorkie, this is a vigorous little dog.

What does the Yorkshire Terrier look like?

The Yorkie has a small head, medium length muzzle with a black nose. Height is about 9 inches, weight about 7 lbs. Its ears are set high, small, v-shaped and erect. Eyes are medium-sized and dark brown. The tail is docked and carried level with the back. The coat is long, fine and straight. Hair on the head is so plentiful, it needs to be tied back so as not to trail in food and for the dog to be able to see better. The Yorkie has no undercoat and in cold weather it needs protection when outdoors. Hair on the body and tail is dark steely blue, head, chest and limbs are tan. Daily grooming to avoid tangles in the coat is necessary.

What is the Yorkshire Terrier’s temperament?

The Yorkie is a typical terrier, lively and courageous. It can be stubborn and a bit domineering. It is very affectionate with its owner but may be wary of strangers and not very good with other pets. The Yorkie should be trained gently and socialized early to avoid unwanted behavior. As with all dogs the energetic Yorkie loves daily walks.

What are the Yorkshire Terrier’s uses?

The Yorkie, for its size is a very good watchdog, brave and clever. It is one of the most popular companion dogs in the world.

Possible Health Issues

Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease, hypothyroidism, patellar luxation, portosystemic shunt (liver defect), Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), collapsing trachea, dental problems, bladder stones, hair loss, cataracts, distichiasis (abnormally grown eyelashes)