Yorkshire Terriers are also referred to as Yorkies and have a tenacious personality. Since it is bred from different breeds people are always curious about what group a Yorkshire is in. It is classified as a toy dog although it has some terrier traits.
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What Group Is a Yorkshire Terrier In?
The Yorkies can be traced back to the mid 19th century. There were workers from Scotland who came with other breeds of Terrier to Yorkshire. The breeding of Waterside terriers and various terriers brought the existence of Yorkshire terriers.
Originally they were used by weavers to control rodents. However, as time went by, they became fashionable dogs, especially during Victorian times.
Characteristics of Yorkshire Terriers
Yorkies have a typical terrier build, meaning that they are compact and neat. They also carry their heads in the sense of importance and confidence.
Head
- They have a small head that is not too round and slightly flat on the top.
- They possess small ears, pointed, v-shaped and erect.
- Yorkshire terriers have brown or hazel eyes that look intelligent and sparkly.
- Their muzzle is not too long and has a black nose.
Body
- Very compact and well-proportioned ranges from four to seven pounds.
- They are relatively short.
- They have a level back, so their backs do not slant too much from the shoulders to the rump.
If you want to know how much your Yorkshire puppy will weigh as an adult, double its weight at three months.
Legs and Feet
- The Yorkies have straight forelimbs.
- The hind legs are straight when seen from behind and bent when viewed from the side.
- They have round feet and black toenails.
Coat
- The Yorkshire terrier has long hair.
- The blue and tan hair hangs evenly on each side of the body.
- It has a single part that is straight and silky and runs from the tip of the neck to the nib of the tail.
- I should trim the hairs around the ends of the ears.
Colour
The most common colors for Yorkshire are blue and tan. However, it can also be black and tan or black and gold. The colors appear in the following manner:
- Body: Black or blue from the tip of the tail to the back of the neck.
- Head: Gold or golden tan on the fall, with a richer gold/tan on the muzzle and the ears.
- Chest and legs: Gold or tan on the chest. Gold or tan does not go higher than the stifle on the back legs and the elbows on the front legs.
Personality
Due to its small size, Yorkshire’s true personality is confusing;
- Yorkies are domineering and aggressive.
- They are affectionate.
- They are attention seekers.
- They make perfect watch dogs.
- They do not like children and can be snappy when they are around them.
- Yorkshire terriers coexist well with cats and other dogs though they can be aggressive around other small animals.
- If not trained, Yorkies can be barkers.
Living With Yorkies
Due to their small size, Yorkies do not need a lot of space. They make perfect apartment dogs who also enjoy outdoor walks.
- They shed little hair and require regular care to maintain their good shape.
- Brushing or combing is required every week if the hair is clipped.
- It is best if I do not keep the hair long, for I may need more hours of grooming or even need professional help.
Training and Care
Training Yorkshire is vital. This will help its big personality from getting out of hand. Yorkies are barkers, however, through training, they can bark less. If trained properly, they can also be attentive to you.
A well-trained Yorkie will make a visit to the veterinarian easy for me. Yorkies should be kept in areas that are warm since they are easily affected by the cold.
Related Questions
As I strive to keep my Yorkies healthy here are some answers to commonly asked questions.
How Many Times Should You Feed a Yorkie?
You should feed your Yorkie twice a day with a total of half a cup of dog food. However, discussing exceptional dog food, feeding schedule, and exercise need with my veterinarian is essential. This will help prevent my Yorkie from being overweight.
What Common Health Problems Do Yorkies Have?
- Collapsing trachea: This is a condition displayed by a chronic cough. Yorkshires are susceptible to this condition which might get worse with time.
- Patellar luxation: It is a condition where the kneecap becomes loose and might lead to dislocation.
- Portosystemic shunts: This is a flaw in the flow of blood between the body and the liver. I can detect it before they get to the age of two, and it is manageable by dieting and surgery.
Conclusion
Yorkshire Terriers are among the best toy dogs available. However, it is best to do thorough research before getting one. They have been bred since time immemorial to offer companionship to humans.
The Yorkies are ideal for people with limited space and city dwellers.
