Yorkshire Terrier – Yorkie
A popular terrier breed, the Yorkshire Terrier (or Yorkie) is a small dog with a big personality. These feisty toy dogs are spunky, sweet, and friendly but can be demanding. They might look delicate, but they’re up for anything. If you’re looking for a little dog who makes a great watchdog, consider a Yorkshire Terrier.
Breed Profile
Height
7 - 8
Inches
Weight
7
Pounds
Life Span
11 - 15
Years
Health
health
Portosystemic shunt
What is it?
When there is an abnormality in the blood circulation around the liver, that is called a portosystemic shunt. Usually, a shunt will cause most of the blood to bypass the liver, so only some of it gets cleaned
Clinical signs:
Drooling, depression, confusion, issues functioning normally, muscle tremors, slow growth, and pressing their head against a wall.
Treatment:
Closing the shunt slowly with an ameroid constrictor.
Other risks:
A portosystemic shunt can make it difficult for your pup to grow. In less severe cases, a meal with a lot of protein can cause signs to appear briefly. It is possible for there to be multiple shunts, but it is very unlikely.
Eligible vet bill
$5,000
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://www.spotpetinsurance.ca/sample-policy for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
health
Patellar Luxation
What is it?
Patellar luxation is a condition where the kneecap slips out of place. In humans, it is often referred to as a “trick knee.”
Clinical signs:
Skipping (raising the affected leg while walking), kicking/stretching the leg out, pain, bow-leggedness, and lameness.
Treatment:
Arthritis medication, soft tissue reconstruction, deepening the grove the kneecap fits into, structural correction.
Other risks:
Activities like climbing stairs or that require any jumping can make the problem worse. Obesity can also have negative effects on dogs with patellar luxation.
Eligible vet bill
$2,000
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://www.spotpetinsurance.ca/sample-policy for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
health
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
What is it?
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease causes a lack of blood flow to the femoral head (the ball of the hip joint).
Clinical signs:
Lameness and pain when touched.
Treatment:
Femoral head and neck osteotomy, total hip replacement.
Other risks:
Since there is a genetic factor, it’s best not to breed dogs with Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. After surgery, it’s important to give your dog supplements that your pet’s vet prescribed to prevent other problems.
Eligible vet bill
$2,500
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://www.spotpetinsurance.ca/sample-policy for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
Personality
Affectionate
If there’s anyone that your Yorkie will want to be around, it’s you, so be prepared for many doggy kisses.
Friendly
Yorkies are ready to be best friends with pretty much anyone, from family members to strangers, so wherever you two go, your
Spirited
Yorkies are pretty energetic dogs, so they’ll need quite a bit of exercise.
Bossy
They may be small, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have the confidence to try to run the home.
Lifetime Care
Coat
Yorkies usually have a long and silky coat, although you can cut it to be shorter.
Colors
Black and gold, black and tan, blue and tan, steel blue and gold
Hypoallergenic
Yes, they are hypoallergenic since their fur is similar to human hair.
Grooming
Yorkies with long hair need to be brushed daily to get rid of tangles. All Yorkies need to have their nails clipped, and their teeth and ears cleaned regularly by a groomer or at home.
Training
With their intelligence and willingness to please you, Yorkies are pretty easy to train, as long as you are engaging and use lots of praise, as well as an acceptable amount of treats.
Yorkshire Terrier: Dog Breed Information Guide
A small breed that’s both adorable and opinionated, the Yorkshire terrier is one of the most popular dogs to own. Even though they first gained fame among the poorer classes, they are beloved in all social circles today.
Whether you are looking for a show dog or a tiny companion dog to add to your family, a Yorkshire Terrier can be a great choice.
We hope to provide you with enough information so you can figure out if a Yorkshire terrier would fit in with your family. At Spot Pet Insurance, we’ve learned what it takes to be a great pet parent. One of the keys to success as a pet parent is knowing your pet’s wants, needs, and personality.
If you understand where your pup is coming from, you can help improve their quality of life, and you can be sure that you have the time and energy to take care of these adorable dogs. Plus, with our other educational resources, you can look into fun things to try to enjoy with your pup.
Sometimes the history of a breed can also give us an idea of why our dogs act or behave the way they do. Learning about your future pet before adopting can help prevent some mistakes and an unhappy situation for both of you.
What is the history of the Yorkshire terrier?
Terriers were bred to catch vermin, like mice and rats, that would destroy things that people needed for their livelihoods. Currently, there are many different terrier breeds, and the Yorkshire Terrier has the distinction of being the smallest breed.
Yorkshire Terriers came about during the time of the Industrial Revolution. When Scottish workers moved to England to find more jobs, they brought their terriers, such as the Clydesdale and the Paisley. Both dogs had long silky coats.
As time went on, the Scottish dogs were bred with English terriers. Some of these Yorkshire ancestors are the Old English terrier, the Skye terrier, the Waterside terrier, and Scotch terriers, eventually producing the Yorkshire Terrier.
Yorkshire terriers were excellent ratters (dogs that catch rats). They were able to get into small spaces that other dogs couldn’t. However, as dog shows became more common, Yorkshire Terriers began to gain popularity among upper-class British ladies.
They were small, affectionate, and elegant, the perfect choice for a Victorian lady’s lapdog. In the late 1800s, Yorkshire Terriers made their way to the Americas.
Are Yorkshire Terriers Vocal?
Yorkshire Terriers do not come without their faults. They can be stubborn on rare occasions and can be a bit bossy. They tend to bark a lot. Whether they’re trying to warn you of a new friend coming or expressing their opinion, silence may be difficult to have.
Although Yorkshire Terriers are pretty vocal, they can be trained to keep on the quiet side with positive encouragement.
Are Yorkshire Terriers adaptable?
A properly socialized Yorkshire Terrier will adapt to new places and situations pretty easily. They are indoor dogs, though. With their long coats, it’s easy for them to get dirty, so it’s best to keep them inside unless it’s time for them to go for a walk or play.
Are Yorkshire Terriers adaptable?
A properly socialized Yorkshire Terrier will adapt to new places and situations pretty easily. They are indoor dogs, though. With their long coats, it’s easy for them to get dirty, so it’s best to keep them inside unless it’s time for them to go for a walk or play.
What are other potential health conditions for Yorkshire Terriers?
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
Collapsed trachea
How much exercise does a Yorkshire Terrier need?
It’s important that your pup get enough mental and physical exercise. That way, you won’t have a tiny dog zooming around the house trying to get into trouble. For mental exercise, obedience training or other engaging activities should do the trick, as long as you continue to teach them new things.
For physical exercise, a Yorkshire Terrier will do best alternating between steady-paced activities, like a short walk, and activities that require bursts of energy, like playing fetch or tug-o-war. You should do both daily, and walks should probably be taken twice a day.
How should you socialize your Yorkshire Terrier?
Socialization is an important part of training that should be started when your pup is young. They need to be introduced to new people, places, and dogs slowly but surely. Yorkshire Terriers can be a bit bossy towards small animals and dogs, so be sure to make sure they know how to behave in public.
Yorkshire Terrier: An Introduction to the Breed
Purebred Yorkshire Terriers are considered a toy breed due to their small size and weight. What they lack in height, though, they make up for in bravery, sweetness, and spirit.
Yorkshire Terriers have a very long, silky coat, much like the Lhasa Apso’s. It’s important to help your pup keep their hair out of their face, so you can give them fun hairdos, like putting it up in a ponytail or something similar. Get a sense of the financial implications of owning a Yorkshire Terrier here!
Yorkshire Terriers do not typically have any markings, although their coats are usually a mix of two colors, usually blue or black with tan or gold. Their beautiful coats do require a lot of care since it’s important to prevent matting or other issues that could cause your dog discomfort.
Your Yorkshire terrier looks beautiful with a long coat, but if you think you can’t handle it, they also look pretty cute with their hair cut short like when they were puppies. Either way, your Yorkshire Terrier will be absolutely adorable.