Yorkshire Terrier

The history of the Yorkshire Terrier is closely tied to the Industrial Revolution in 19th-century England. Contrary to their modern glamorous image, the ancestors of the Yorkie were working-class dogs owned mainly by laborers and miners in Northern England, particularly from the counties of Yorkshire and Lancashire. Scottish workers who migrated north to find jobs in textile mills and coal mines brought their small terriers with them. These dogs were used for hunting rats and other small rodents in the mines, factories, and homes.

The exact origin of the Yorkie is shrouded in mystery, as early breeders didn’t keep detailed records. It’s believed that several different types of terriers were used to create the breed, including:

• Clydesdale Terrier or Paisley Terrier: A now-extinct breed very similar to the Yorkie but larger in size. Considered a direct ancestor of the Yorkshire Terrier, it was valued for its long, silky blue and tan coat.
• Waterside Terrier: Also known as the “Yorkshire Blue and Grey Terrier.” A small dog with a long blue-gray coat kept by workers near the rivers of Yorkshire.
• Black and Tan English Toy Terrier: Contributed the Yorkie’s characteristic coloring and compact size.
• Skye Terrier: May have influenced the length of the coat and the shape of the ears.
• Maltese: Some canine experts suggest a possible influence of the Maltese on the silky texture of the coat.

One of the most famous “founding fathers” of the breed is a dog named Huddersfield Ben, born in 1865. Although he was quite large by modern standards (around 12.1 pounds), he possessed all the key traits of the breed and became a very successful show dog and sire, making a huge contribution to the formation of the Yorkshire Terrier we know today.

Initially, the breed was known as the “Broken Haired Scotch Terrier,” but in 1870, after a show, a reporter for “The Field” newspaper proposed naming the breed after the county where it was perfected—the Yorkshire Terrier. The name quickly stuck. The English Kennel Club officially recognized the breed in 1886.

Over time, thanks to its attractive appearance and lively personality, the Yorkshire Terrier transformed from a rodent hunter into a favorite of the Victorian aristocracy and a fashionable companion. Its popularity soared, and it spread worldwide, becoming one of the most beloved toy breeds. Other toy terriers that have gained similar popularity include the Biewer Terrier and the Australian Silky Terrier.

The Yorkshire Terrier is a miniature dog with a long, straight, silky coat that hangs evenly on both sides of the body from a part that extends from the nose to the tip of the tail. Its appearance combines the elegance and confidence of a true terrier.

• General Appearance: A compact, well-proportioned dog with a proud posture. The back is straight.
• Size and Weight: The FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale) Standard No. 86 only specifies a maximum weight of up to 7 pounds (3.2 kg). The American Kennel Club (AKC) indicates a desirable weight of 4 to 7 pounds (approximately 1.8-3.2 kg). Height at the withers is typically 6-9 inches (15-23 cm), although the standard doesn’t regulate this. There are so-called “mini” or “teacup” Yorkies that weigh less than 4 pounds, but they are not recognized by the standard and often have serious health problems.
• Head: Small and flat, not too rounded. The muzzle is not too long.
• Eyes: Medium-sized, dark, shiny, with an intelligent, alert expression. Not bulging. Eye rims are dark.
• Ears: Small, V-shaped, upright or semi-erect, set not too far apart. Covered with a short, rich, reddish-tan coat.
• Nose: Black.
• Bite: Scissor bite (upper teeth overlap the lower teeth tightly).
• Neck: Long enough to allow for a proud head carriage.
• Body: Compact, with a level top line. The chest is moderately broad.
• Tail: Formerly traditionally docked to about half its length and carried slightly above the backline. In countries where docking is prohibited, the tail remains its natural length, well-covered with a coat that is darker than the body’s.
• Limbs: Forelegs are straight, hind legs are straight when viewed from the rear, with moderate angulation. Feet are round, with black nails.
• Coat: The most characteristic feature of the breed. The body coat is moderately long, perfectly straight (not wavy), glossy, with a fine, silky texture, not fluffy and without an undercoat. Structurally, it resembles human hair. The coat on the head is long, a rich golden reddish-tan color, and it is especially long on the sides of the head, at the base of the ears, and on the muzzle.
• Coloring: Very specific. A dark steel blue color (not silver-blue) extends from the back of the head to the base of the tail, never mixing with tan, bronze, or dark hair. The coat on the chest is a rich, bright reddish-tan (fawn) color. All reddish-tan hair is darker at the roots than in the middle and lightens towards the tips. Important: Puppies are born black and tan, and the characteristic steel-blue color develops gradually, sometimes taking up to 2-3 years.

The Yorkshire Terrier is the embodiment of the “big dog in a small body” principle. Their personality is a vibrant mix of terrier traits and companion dog qualities.

Main characteristics of a Yorkie’s personality:

1. Energetic and Lively: Yorkies are very active and playful dogs. They love to run, play, and explore the world. Even as adults, they maintain a puppy-like spontaneity and enthusiasm.
2. Brave and Curious: As true terriers, they are not afraid to challenge dogs significantly larger than themselves and are curious about everything new. This bravery sometimes borders on recklessness, so they require supervision.
3. Loyal and Affectionate: Yorkies are very attached to their owners and want to spend as much time with them as possible. They love being the center of attention, sitting on laps, or just being close by.
4. Intelligent and Smart: These dogs are quite smart and learn quickly, especially if training is done through play and with positive reinforcement. However, their terrier stubbornness can sometimes complicate the training process.
5. Alert and “Talkative”: Yorkies make great “doorbells.” They react with barking to any unusual sounds or the appearance of strangers. Although their bark isn’t very loud due to their small size, it can be quite persistent. Early socialization and teaching a “Quiet!” command will help control this trait.
6. Sociability: Most Yorkies get along well with people, including children (provided the children are taught how to handle a small dog carefully). They can also coexist with other pets, especially if raised together. However, their hunting instinct may show up toward small rodents.
7. Need for Attention: Yorkies don’t handle loneliness well and can suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for too long. This may manifest as destructive behavior or excessive barking.

It’s important to remember that, despite their small size, a Yorkshire Terrier is a dog with its own needs for activity, socialization, and training. Excessive pampering and giving in to every whim can lead to the development of “Small Dog Syndrome,” where the dog becomes disobedient, aggressive, and demanding.

The ancestors of Yorkies were hunters, and some of those instincts have been retained. This is evident not only in their bravery but also sometimes in a desire to chase small animals. Similar traits can be seen in other terriers, such as the lively Jack Russell Terrier, though the Yorkshire Terrier today is primarily a companion.

Yorkshire Terriers are generally quite healthy dogs with a lifespan of 12-16 years, and sometimes even longer. However, like all breeds, they are prone to certain genetic and acquired diseases. Knowing about these potential problems will help owners recognize them in time and seek veterinary care.

The most common health problems in Yorkies are:

• Dental and Gum Problems: This is one of the most frequent issues in Yorkies. Due to their small jaw, teeth often grow crowded, which promotes the buildup of plaque, tartar, gingivitis, and periodontal disease. Puppy teeth may also not fall out on time, requiring their removal. Regular tooth brushing (ideally daily), using special dental toys and treats, and professional cleanings from a veterinarian are essential.
• Patellar Luxation: A condition where the kneecap slips out of its normal position. This is a common problem in small breeds. Symptoms include limping or skipping on three legs. Treatment depends on the severity and can range from conservative to surgical.
• Tracheal Collapse: A weakening of the tracheal rings, leading to its narrowing and difficulty breathing. A characteristic symptom is a loud, “goose honk” cough, especially when excited, pulling on the leash, or pressure on the neck. Using a harness instead of a collar is recommended.
• Portosystemic Shunt (PSS): A congenital circulatory abnormality in which blood from the intestines bypasses the liver without being purified of toxins. This can lead to neurological disorders, stunted growth, and urinary problems. Diagnosed with blood tests and ultrasound. Treatment is usually surgical.
• Hypoglycemia: Low blood sugar, especially dangerous for puppies and very small (teacup) Yorkies. Symptoms include weakness, shaking, disorientation, and seizures. It’s important to ensure regular feedings with high-quality food.
• Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease: Avascular necrosis of the femoral head, leading to its destruction and arthritis of the hip joint. It presents as lameness. Treatment is usually surgical.
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): A hereditary eye disease that leads to a gradual loss of vision and blindness. Genetic tests are available to identify carriers.
• Sensitive Digestion: Yorkies can be prone to digestive upsets, vomiting, or diarrhea when their food is changed or they eat inappropriate things. It’s important to choose high-quality food and stick to a feeding schedule.
• Injuries: Due to their small size and fragile bones, Yorkies are highly susceptible to injuries from falls (even from a small height, like a couch), careless handling, or playing with larger dogs.

Prevention:

• Buy a puppy from a responsible breeder who tests their dogs for hereditary diseases.
• Provide high-quality, balanced nutrition.
• Maintain regular dental care.
• Use a harness instead of a collar.
• Provide a safe environment to avoid injuries.
• Visit the vet regularly for check-ups and vaccinations.
• Do not overfeed your dog; maintain an optimal weight.

Caring for a Yorkshire Terrier requires time and attention, especially if you want to keep its luxurious coat in show condition. However, even if you opt for a short haircut, regular grooming is essential for the dog’s health and comfort.

Yorkie Coat Care

A Yorkie’s coat is structurally similar to human hair—it’s thin, silky, and has no undercoat. This means that Yorkies shed very little in the usual sense (they lose hair the same way humans do), which makes them a good choice for some people with allergies. However, the lack of an undercoat also means they don’t handle cold well.

Key aspects of coat care:

• Brushing: If the coat is long, it must be brushed daily with a metal comb and a natural bristle brush to prevent matting. Start from the tips and gradually work your way to the roots. Using a special conditioner spray will make brushing easier and reduce hair breakage. If the dog has a short haircut, you can brush less frequently, 2-3 times a week.
• Bathing: It’s recommended to bathe a Yorkie about once every 1-3 weeks, depending on how dirty it gets and its coat type. Use a high-quality shampoo and conditioner for dogs with long, silky coats. It’s important to rinse all products thoroughly to avoid skin irritation. After bathing, gently blot the coat with a towel (don’t rub!) and dry with a low-heat blow dryer while brushing.
• Trimming: If you don’t plan to participate in shows, the most practical option is a regular trim (every 6-8 weeks). There are many trimming styles for Yorkies—from a very short “puppy cut” to more styled looks. A trim significantly simplifies coat care. You can learn to trim your dog yourself or go to a professional groomer.
• Top Knot Care: For Yorkies with long hair on their heads, it’s usually gathered into a ponytail (a top knot) to keep it out of their eyes. Use soft elastics without metal parts and don’t tie the ponytail too tightly. Regularly check the skin under the elastic.

Other Aspects of Care

• Eye Care: Daily, wipe the corners of the eyes with a damp wipe or special lotion to remove tear stains and prevent tear-streaking.
• Ear Care: Regularly (once a week), check the ears for dirt, redness, or a foul odor. Clean the ear canal with a cotton ball soaked in a special lotion. It’s recommended to pluck or trim the hair inside the ear canal to ensure ventilation and prevent infections (it’s best to trust a groomer or vet with this).
• Dental Care: This is a very important aspect! Brush teeth with a special brush and toothpaste for dogs every day or at least several times a week. Regularly visit the vet for an oral exam and professional cleaning.
• Nail Trimming: Trim nails about every 2-4 weeks if they don’t wear down naturally. Use special nail clippers for small dogs.

Physical Activity and Maintenance

Despite their size, Yorkies are energetic dogs that require daily physical activity. This doesn’t mean hours-long runs, but regular walks and playtime are necessary for their physical and mental health.

• Walks: 1-2 short walks a day (15-20 minutes each) are sufficient. Use a harness to avoid pressure on the trachea.
• Play: Yorkies love to play. Offer them games with a ball, interactive toys, or hide-and-seek with treats. This will help meet their need for activity and stimulate their mind.
• Maintenance: Yorkies adapt wonderfully to apartment living. They don’t need a lot of space but do need their own cozy spot with a dog bed. It’s important to ensure a safe environment by putting away small objects they might swallow and limiting access to dangerous places (balconies, stairs without railings).
• Temperature: Due to their lack of an undercoat, Yorkies are sensitive to cold. In cold weather, they will need a warm coat for walks. They also don’t tolerate intense heat well.

Yorkshire Terriers are smart dogs who aim to please their owners, making them quite trainable. However, their terrier nature can manifest as stubbornness and independence. Training success depends on patience, consistency, and using the right methods.

Key principles for training a Yorkie:

• Positive Reinforcement: Yorkies respond best to methods based on encouragement—praise, treats, and toys. Avoid harsh methods and punishment, as this can cause fear or defensive aggression in a small dog.
• Short and Engaging Sessions: Training sessions should be short (5-10 minutes) but frequent. Make the sessions fun and varied to keep your dog interested.
• Consistency: All family members should follow the same rules and commands. Inconsistency confuses the dog and makes training more difficult.
• Early Socialization: This is a critically important aspect of raising a Yorkie. From a young age, introduce your puppy to different people, sounds, places, and other (well-socialized and vaccinated) dogs. This will help them grow into a confident and well-balanced dog, preventing the development of fears and aggression.
• House-training: Yorkies can be challenging to house-train, especially in apartments. It’s important to be patient, take the puppy outside frequently (especially after waking up, eating, and playing), praise them for success, and never punish them for accidents. Some owners use potty pads or litter boxes, but this can complicate full outdoor training.
• Barking Control: Yorkies are prone to barking. Teach the “Quiet!” command from an early age and don’t encourage unnecessary barking.
• Getting Them Used to Grooming: From puppyhood, accustom your Yorkie to brushing, bathing, ear and teeth checks, and nail trimming. Make these procedures pleasant by using praise and treats.

Don’t let your Yorkie’s small size become an excuse for bad behavior. Rules and boundaries are important for any dog, regardless of size. Training and socialization will help your Yorkie become a pleasant and well-behaved companion.

Proper nutrition is the foundation of a Yorkshire Terrier’s health and longevity. Their digestive system is quite sensitive, and their small size requires careful control of the quantity and quality of their food.

Types of Feeding:

• Dry Food: The most convenient option. Choose high-quality super-premium or holistic foods specially formulated for small breeds. Pay attention to the ingredients: meat should be the first ingredient, not grains. The kibble size should also be adapted for small jaws. Dry food helps clean teeth from plaque.
• Wet Food (Canned): Can be used as a supplement to dry food or as a main diet (if it’s a complete formula). It has high palatability but doesn’t help clean teeth.
• Natural Diet: Requires careful balancing of all nutrients (proteins, fats, carbs, vitamins, minerals) under the supervision of a veterinary nutritionist. The diet’s basis should be lean meat (beef, chicken, turkey), organ meats, dairy products, vegetables, and a small amount of grains (rice, buckwheat). It is strictly forbidden to give them food from the table, bones (especially cooked bones), sweets, smoked, fatty, or fried foods.
• Mixed Feeding: Combining dry and wet/natural food. It’s important not to mix different food types in a single feeding.

Feeding Schedule:

• Puppies (up to 4 months): 4-6 times a day in small portions.
• Puppies (4-6 months): 3-4 times a day.
• Puppies (6-10 months): 2-3 times a day.
• Adult Dogs (after 10-12 months): 2 times a day (morning and evening).

Important points:

• Portions: Follow the food manufacturer’s or veterinarian’s recommendations. Don’t overfeed your Yorkie, as they are prone to gaining excess weight.
• Fresh Water: Your dog should always have access to clean drinking water.
• Treats: Use treats sparingly, mainly during training. Choose special treats for small-breed dogs. Factor their calories into the total daily diet.
• Sensitive Digestion: Introduce any changes to the diet gradually over 7-10 days to avoid an upset stomach. If your dog shows allergic reactions or digestive problems, consult a vet to choose an appropriate diet.
• Forbidden Foods: Chocolate, onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, avocado, bones, alcohol, caffeine, xylitol (sweetener).

• War Hero: During World War II, a Yorkshire Terrier named Smoky became a true hero. She was found by American soldiers in the jungles of New Guinea. Smoky accompanied her owner, Corporal William Wynne, participated in combat flights (with her own parachute), warned of danger, and even helped run a communication cable through a narrow pipe, saving the lives of many soldiers. After the war, Smoky became a therapy dog, visiting the wounded in hospitals.
• Color Change: Yorkie puppies are born black and tan. Their characteristic steel-blue and golden coat develops gradually, and the final coloring may not be complete until they are 2-3 years old.
• Not Just for Purses: Although the Yorkie has become a symbol of a “glamorous” dog, its ancestors were working terriers that hunted rats in mines and factories. This hunting instinct still sometimes shows up today. Their relatives, like the Jack Russell Terrier, are still used for rodent control.
• “Human” Hair: A Yorkshire Terrier’s coat is very similar in structure to human hair. It grows continuously and lacks an undercoat, which is why Yorkies are considered a hypoallergenic breed (although allergies can be triggered by dander and saliva, not just hair).
• First Official Therapy Dog: The aforementioned Smoky is considered one of the world’s first officially registered therapy dogs.
• Longevity Record Holders: Yorkies often make the list of long-lived dogs. With proper care, they can bring joy to their owners for over 15 years.
• Celebrity Favorite: Thanks to their appearance and size, Yorkies have always been popular among celebrities and high society, from the Victorian era to today.

Do Yorkshire Terriers shed a lot?
No, Yorkies shed very little. Their hair is similar to human hair and falls out gradually, not seasonally like breeds with an undercoat. This makes them a potentially better choice for people with allergies, though no dog is 100% hypoallergenic.

Are Yorkies good for families with small children?
Yorkies can get along well with older children who are taught to handle a small dog carefully. However, due to their fragility and delicate bones, they are not recommended for families with very young children who might accidentally injure the dog.

Do Yorkies bark a lot?
Yes, Yorkies are prone to barking. They are alert and react to strange sounds and strangers. Early socialization and teaching the “Quiet!” command can help control this trait.

How much physical activity does a Yorkie need?
Despite their small size, they need daily activity. Short walks (15-20 minutes) once or twice a day and active playtime at home are usually enough to keep them in shape.

Are Yorkshire Terriers easy to train?
Yorkies are smart but can be stubborn. They respond well to positive reinforcement and short, engaging training sessions. Consistency and patience are key.

Can a Yorkie be left alone for a long time?
Yorkies are very people-oriented and don’t tolerate loneliness well. They can suffer from separation anxiety, which can manifest as destructive behavior or excessive barking. This breed is best suited for people who can give them a lot of attention or work from home.

What kind of grooming does a Yorkie’s coat need?
Grooming depends on the coat’s length. A long coat requires daily brushing, regular bathing, and top knot care. A short trim makes grooming much easier but still requires regular brushing (a few times a week) and bathing.

What is a “teacup” Yorkie? Should I buy one?
“Teacup” is not an official variety of the breed but a marketing term for Yorkies that weigh significantly less than the standard (under 4 pounds). Such dogs are often the result of improper breeding and have very serious health problems (hypoglycemia, heart disease, increased bone fragility, hydrocephalus, etc.) and a much shorter lifespan. Responsible breeders and veterinarians do not recommend buying “teacup” dogs.