The Yorkshire Terrier is a dog known to all. If you are thinking of adopting one, it is very important that you first consider its characteristics and needs. Knowing what food he needs, the size he will reach as an adult or how to carry out his education, are some of the basic things that you should be clear about. Remember that a dog can accompany you for many years and that you are responsible for its well-being.

Whether you are thinking about adopting an adult Yorkshire Terrier or a puppy, here is the information to help you decide more about the future with your Yorkshire Terrier dog.

The origin of the Yorkshire Terrier

The Yorkshire Terrier first appeared in the 19th century. It was then that breeders began to develop a small breed of terrier, suitable for hunting rats. It wasn’t until 1860 that the Yorkshire Terrier we now know was officially featured in competitions. They are believed to be descended from the English toy terrier, the Skye Terrier or the Dandie Dinmont terrer. However, its origin is not entirely clear.

They were an easy breed to care for and educate, with very beautiful and aesthetically appreciated physical characteristics, and also not aggressive towards people. They were perfect for any type of family, since at that time they were one of the most “economical” breeds that existed.

As we have been explaining, the Yorkshire Terrier was used for the elimination of rats. Despite its diminutive size, it was well known that the miners’ Yorkshire hunted these rodents fearlessly. They were so popular that they began to participate in various “sports” related to the extermination of rats.

Later it was the British bourgeoisie who found in the Yorkshire Terrier, a sweet and beautiful companion dog. So, they began to stop using them in hunting rodents. However, Yorkshire’s history as a rat-catcher still accompanies them, as they are excellent at identifying pests.

Physical characteristics of the Yorkshire Terrier

The Yorkshire Terrier is considered a toy or miniature dog. Their average weight is 3.1 kg when they reach adulthood. They weigh little, but Yorkshire Terriers weighing up to 7 kg have been recorded. The size they reach will depend directly on their parents. The physical characteristics of the Yorkshire terrier are determined by the official standard. They have the following peculiarities:

The Yorkshire has a compact body, with abundant medium-long hair. His hair is smooth, shiny, silky and combines different shades: black, tan and silver gray. They are also popular for being hypoallergenic, making them suitable for people with allergies. His hair is easy to style and generally care for.

How is the personality of the Yorkshire Terrier?

The Yorkshire Terrier stands out for being an alert, intelligent and very lively dog. It is an excellent breed to live with all types of families, as it adapts wonderfully to any environment. One of their traits that you should know is that they can adopt the habit of barking a lot. This is because they are watchful and alert dogs by nature. If that doesn’t fit your circumstances, you should think of other breeds that may bark less.

Other characteristics of this breed is its overprotective and defiant attitude. This can be surprising in such a small breed. You must be very clear that the training and education of a Yorkshire Terrier must begin from the puppy stage with the socialization process. In this way, you can enjoy a sociable and mentally healthy adult dog. We usually speak of a very friendly dog ​​that is attached to its relatives, easy to handle and really very affectionate. They are perfect for any family.

Caring for a Yorkshire Terrier

The Yorkshire is a dog that will not need much specific care. However, we will tell you some details that will help you keep them happy, clean and beautiful for longer.

The first of your usual care will be brushing. Brush him at least every other day because his long coat is prone to matting and collecting dirt. In addition, if we do not try to avoid the appearance of knots, later it will be much more difficult to eliminate them.

The tremors that accompany the small body of a Yorkshire Terrier are very common, either from the cold or from stressful situations. It will be important to prevent them from getting cold by wearing clothes for small dogs and protecting them from the rain.

Bathing a Yorkshire Terrier is also very important to keep its hair free of dandruff; another factor of concern for allergy sufferers. The regularity with which we must bathe our Yorkshire Terrier is usually about two weeks. But that will depend on the particular dog, the length of the coat, or how dirty it gets in the park.

Your education and / or training

The training of the Yorkshire Terrier will start from its socialization. It is very important that you let them meet other people, dogs, vehicles and objects of all kinds. This will be useful so that they do not develop fears, phobias or fights with other dogs in adulthood. Although it’s a great thing for your dog to meet lots of people and animals, you want to make sure this process is a positive one. Avoid scares, aggressions or annoyances at all costs.

After its socialization stage, the Yorkshire must start in training, either in a group or individually at home. It is very important that they learn the basic commands that are useful to you in your day-to-day life. Also, practicing obedience with your dog will help you build a good relationship with him. Although it sounds strange, it will also be essential to add different types of games in your usual routine. This allows them to relieve tension and burn stored energy.

Health of a Yorkshire Terrier

A Yorkshire Terrier can accompany us for a long time, living between 15 and 18 years, as long as they are well cared for to prevent typical diseases of the breed. For example: patellar luxation, spinal problems or congenital hydrocephalus.

In addition to degenerative or inherited diseases, Yorkshires can suffer from bone dislocation problems. This usually happens if they play with children or other large dogs that can exert too much force on them. Explain well to your children how they should behave with dogs, because it is a small and delicate animal.

Would you like us to take care of your furry’s veterinary care? We would love it! You can write us an email to info@hospitalveterinariglories.com, contact us through this web form or call us at 932 460 805.