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Yorkshire Terrier

Thinking about purchasing an Yorkshire Terrier? Then read our breed profile including a brief description, information on height, weight, color, coat, temperament, grooming, activity and history. Purchasing a new puppy is a commitment that may last ten or more years so please educate yourself on the Yorkshire Terrier breed, including all stages of their life from puppy hood to older dog.

Ask yourself will I be a good owner? Do I have the time it takes to train a new puppy? Do I have the resources to give my new dog a rewarding life. Do I have a local veterinarian that I can take my new dog to? Do I have a groomer or can I do the grooming myself on a regular basis. Fundamental requirements for a being a good Yorkshire Terrier owner;

properly feed your new dog,
house them comfortably
train them in basic obedience.

Before making a purchase talk to the breeder, ask them many questions about their dogs and the breed in general. A good breeder will teach you about the Yorkshire Terrier and they will have many questions for you about your home and life style and if this breed is suited for you and your family.

Questions you may want to ask an Yorkshire Terrier Breeder:

When were your Yorkshire Terriers born? When will they be allowed to leave?
Have your puppies received their first shots? being wormed? had a puppy check up with your veterinarian?
What type of socialization have the puppies received? with children? with other pets? in the home?
Have you seen genetic problems in previous litters? What are your health guarantees?
Are there any health certifications on the sire or dam?
What is the temperament of the puppies, of the mother? shy? boisterous? aggressive? skittish?
If you become unable to care for your new Yorkshire Terrier, will the breeder help you find a new home?

It is recommended that you sign a contract with the breeder so that there will be no misunderstandings on the arrangements made. Then bring home your new Yorkshire Terrier and enjoy as "there is no greater love then a dog's devotion."

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Yorkshire Terrier Profile

The Yorkshire Terrier is a long-haired toy terrier whose blue and tan coat is parted on the face and from the base of the skull to the end of the tail and hangs evenly and quite straight down each side of the body. They are a small and well-balanced breed, having square proportions. They have naturally erect ears, a black nose, and a flat and small skull. The puppies of Yorkshire Terriers are born black and tan, but soon gain more adult colors as they get older. Newborn Yorkshire Terriers are born black in color with tan on the eyebrow, jaws, chest and feet. They are fully mature in two years. The Yorkie (Yorkshire Terrier) is one of the world's smallest dogs and should not exceed 7 lbs in weight. Yorkshire Terriers may be tiny but they are a big-dog in a little-dog package. The Yorkie is an intelligent and confident pet. They are spirited and spunky, affectionate and lively. Although small, they are still terriers! They can be scrappy, courageous and assertive. They get along with everyone, but they may get nippy if not trained or socialized correctly. Yorkshire Terriers are compact in size, sweet in nature and cheerful in character.

Other Names: Yorkie

Type: Companion Dog

Height: 6 - 9 inches.
Weight: 3 - 7 lbs. They should not exceed 7 lbs.

Colors: Dark steel blue from back of head to root of their tail. Face, chest and feet are bright tan.
Coat: Glossy, fine and silky.

Temperament: Yorkshire Terriers are intelligent, confident, and affectionate. Lively and spirited, the Yorkshire Terrier is no wimp. They do sound the alarm if the need be, and though small can be hardy. They are brave and self-assured, and posses the typical terrier attitude. They are devoted, assertive, and courageous. They can be demanding and/or nippy if they are not correctly socialized or trained, and should be kept from children if this is the case.
With Children: Yes, does best with an only child and no roughhousing or hectic activity.
With Pets: Yes, they should be even tempered and co-exist peacefully with other breeds.
Special Skills: Rat catcher and family pet.

Watch-dog: Very High.
Guard-dog: Low.

Yorkshire Terrier Care and Training: Frequent daily brushing will keep the coat of the Yorkie in beautiful condition. They need consistent grooming. Yorkshire Terriers do best when some type of exercise is given, though it need not be special. A romp through an apartment or house will suffice. Extra care must be taken for the Yorkshire Terrier in cold or bad weather.
Learning Rate: High. Yorkies are easily trained but be careful not to spoil them, they can become demanding and nippy. Obedience - medium to low. Problem Solving - High.

Activity: Very High. This little breed has a lot of energy to use, and fortunately a small amount of room is needed for this.
Special Needs: Dental care, grooming, socialization, supervision with children and large animals, and training.
Living Environment: Yorkshire Terriers are quite adaptable. They can live anywhere from the city to the country. An apartment, house, urban or rural living is great for this breed. The best owner for this breed would be a firm but loving individual or family.

Yorkshire Terrier Health Issues: Eye irritations, hypoglycemia, Legg-Perthes disease, liver shunt, patellar luxation, premature dental disease and some puppies are born with open fontanels (parts of the skull).

Life Span: 12 -15 years. These dogs, like most smaller dogs, can live a long life.
Litter Size: 2 - 3 puppies.

Country of Origin: Great Britain
Yorkshire Terrier History: Yorkshire Terriers first originated in the same district as the Airedale terrier in England. They first appeared from "Huddersfeld Ben", the "first" Yorkie, around the year 1850. The Yorkie is thought to be made of the Old English Black and Tan Terrier, Maltese, Clydesdale Terrier, Manchester Terrier, Paisley Terrier and Skye Terrier. But, there are different lines that may have come from different dogs in the first place. Today they retain all of the same traits, however. The breed was perpetuated by income of poor farmers and workers, and thus to compete in the market, they would not share their "ingredients" of their particular Yorkies. The Yorkie (Yorkshire Terrier) became a fashionable pet in the late Victorian era in Yorkshire, England. They were originally called the Broken-haired Scotch Terriers. Yorkshire Terriers are a half progenitor of the Silky Terrier. The Australian Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier were mixed to create the Sydney Silky, or Silky Terrier. Only 20 years from their start did they come to America, and 66 years later became recognized by the American Kennel Club. Yorkshire Terriers made their presence known in the U.S. today and have become one of the most popular toy breeds ever.

First Registered by the AKC: 1936
AKC Group: Toy
Class: Toy
Registries: AKC, ANKC, CKC, FCI (Group 3), KC (GB), UKC

Yorkshire Terriers

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Wednesday, December 17, 2008