Yorkshire Terrier- a teddy bear, a lion, and a sassy New Yorker combined into one tiny package. They are a delightful blend of sugar, spice, and everything nice. With a personality larger than life and an attitude to match it, they are like mini lions with the confidence of a rockstar.
Okay, enough metaphors. Here’s what you need to know about the breed.
This small breed was bred to catch mice in mines and mills as well as hunt small animals like badgers and foxes. Their small size gave them an advantage. A fun fact is that these dogs transitioned from being work dogs to the fashion industry. Audrey Hepburn played a huge role in making them popular. She posed with her Yorkie, Mr. Famous and made it to the covers of magazines. Audrey Hepburn is not the only one, other celebrities like Miley Cyrus, Paris Hilton, Brittney Spears, etc. also have been proud owners of a Yorkie. (1)
If you google a Yorkie, images of them in a bag, cup, or a tiny basket will pop up. These tiny pets are not just fashion icons, but they also serve as great companions.
Let’s answer a few questions that you might have about them -
What are The Best Yorkie Personality Traits?
Here are some adjectives that can best describe a Yorkie – (4)
Courageous – Their tiny size doesn’t speak about their inner courage at all. They will not think twice before standing up to a large dog.
Affectionate – If you’re looking for a cuddle buddy, then you’ve got it here. They love being with their humans and following them around all day.
Playful – Packed in their tiny size is a load of energy that’s waiting to be let out. They make excellent playmates for children as well.
Intelligent – You won’t face many problems training them. They come with high levels of intelligence. And all that confidence would just be cocky if there was no intelligence, right?
Independent – Yorkies may follow you around most of the time, but they are not among the very clingy ones. So, if your day looks a little busy, don’t worry so much about them. They’ll take care of themselves.
Apart from these traits, you can also call them alert, confident, and adaptable.
What are Common Behavior Issues in Yorkies?
Yorkies may have some amazing traits that make them one of the most liked dog breeds among celebrities, but they do come with some behavioral issues. Some of them are – (2)
Excessive barking – Intelligent dogs tend to get bored easily. The lack of physical and mental stimulation can cause unwanted behaviors at times like excessive barking, chewing, etc.
Stubborn – They come with confidence and independence. These can make them stubborn at times.
Aggressive behaviors – In general, they are great with kids but not so much with mischievous ones. If treated with disrespect, they may not take it and behave aggressively.
Separation anxiety – They tend to get over-attached to their owners. When left alone for a long time, or without their favorite person in the house, they may develop separation anxiety which can be a clinical condition that needs treatment.
Unwanted behaviors in dogs usually occur when they are not trained and socialized properly at a young age. With patience and discipline, you won’t face so many problems with them.
Are Yorkies High Maintenance?
Maintenance comes in the form of time, energy and money. As far as time and energy are considered, you can call them a bit high maintenance. This is mainly because of their grooming and playing needs.
They will need a good amount of brushing, combing, and trimming if you want to carry a long coat, or else you’ll have to clip the coat short. Their high energy levels would also need a good amount of physical and mental stimulation.
Apart from that, money-wise, they are not very high maintenance. And don’t you want a dog to spend time with in the first place? (or to take them to the park and attract all the ladies)
More About Spot Pet Insurance
Talking about maintenance, a cost bucket that can put a dent in your savings is medical costs. Overall, a healthy breed, Yorkies do stand a chance to get affected by several illnesses during their lifetime. They include – (3)
Collapsing Trachea
Luxating Patella (dislocated kneecap)
Portosystemic Shunt (liver shunt)
Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (a degenerative disorder of the hip)
Pancreatitis
Hypoglycemia
With pet health insurance, you can save up to 90% of treatment costs. With Spot Pet, you can save many more other costs.
Spot accident and illness plans can be used with any licensed vet in Canada or the U.S. Whether you are home, or traveling to the U.S., veterinary services your pet receives for the diagnosis, treatment, or management of covered conditions can be eligible for reimbursement. Spot’s accident and illness plans can help cover a variety of conditions including broken bones, lacerations, aggression, kidney disease, diabetes, and more. With the addition of Wellness Riders for an extra cost, you can also receive reimbursements for wellness exams, certain vaccinations, dental cleanings, and more.
Learn more about dog insurance or get a free quote!
LaMon, V., DVM. (2023, October 13). Yorkshire Terrier (Yorkie). https://www.petmd.com/dog/breeds/yorkshire-terrier
Rey, L. (n.d.). 24Petwatch: The Yorkshire Terrier | Breed information and care guide. https://www.24petwatch.com/blog/yorkshire-terrier-guide
Colgate. (2023, October 19). Yorkshire Terrier Dog Breed - Facts and Traits | Hill's Pet. Hill’s Pet Nutrition. https://www.hillspet.com/dog-care/dog-breeds/yorkshire-terrier
