The Wire Fox Terriers and Yorkshire Terriers are different dog breeds with distinct personality traits, temperament, physical appearance, and sizes. However, it is possible to crossbreed these two dogs and get a Wire Fox and Yorkshire Terrier mix. So, what is Wire Haired Yorkshire Terrier?
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What Is a Wire Haired Yorkshire Terrier?
A Wire Haired Yorkshire Terrier, also known as Wire Torkie, is a crossbreed between a Wire Fox Terrier and a Yorkshire Terrier.
Wire Haired Yorkshire Terriers balance the medium sizes of Wire Fox Terriers and the small sizes of Yorkshire Terriers, making them have a standing height of around 11.5 inches and weigh about 12 pounds.
Wire Fox Terriers were initially bred as hunting dogs to help flush foxes out of the holes. On the other hand, Yorkshire Terriers were originally bred as ratters to help eliminate rats and mice from mills and mines.
The combination of these hunting instincts makes a Wire-Haired Yorkshire Terrier have high instinctive intelligence levels. Some of the appearance and personality traits that distinguish a Wire Torkie include:
Size and Weight
Although Wire Fox Terriers are also considered small dogs, they are larger than Yorkshire Terriers, with a standing height of around 13 to 15 inches and a weight of approximately 18 pounds.
On the other hand, Yorkshire Terriers are smaller, with a standing height of 8 to 9 inches and a weight of around 4 to 9 pounds. The combination of these sizes makes the resulting Wire Torkies to be slightly larger than a purebred Yorkie.
Usually, male Wire Torkies are slightly larger than their female counterparts, with an average weight of 12 pounds and a standing height of 11.5 inches. On the other hand, female Wire-Haired Yorkshire Terriers weigh around 11 pounds and have an average standing height of 11 inches.
Physical Appearance
In most cases, the Wire Torkie tends to take the color combinations of the Yorkshire Terrier parent. That means you can find a Wire Torkie in blue and tan or a blue and gold color combination.
Keep in mind that Wire Torkie can have a wide range of coloring patterns, unlike the Wire Fox Terrier or the Yorkie. The paws are bigger, and the snout is box-shaped like the Wire Fox Terrier parent. The ears of Wire Torkies stand straight up, and will usually have a covering of a short layer of golden fur.
Health Conditions
Considering that a Wire Torkie is a mix of two distinct dog breeds, it is prone to the health issues affecting both the Wire Fox Terriers and the Yorkshire Terriers. Some of the inherited health conditions and diseases that might plague Wire Torkies due to their sheer size include:
- Reverse sneezing
- Portosystemic liver shunt
- Patellar luxation
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Hypoglycemia
- Collapsed trachea
- Legg Perthes disease
- Arthritis
Hunting Instincts
Since Wire Torkies are a crossbreed of two dog breeds originally bred for hunting, they have a strong prey drive. Typically, they have high energy levels to keep them running around and they demonstrate high instinctive intelligence when playing with interactive toys.
Although the prey drive is an instinct and doesn’t mean their tendency to chase and catch prey is out of aggression, it is advisable to keep them on a leash especially when going for hiking, jogging or long walks.
Grooming
Wire Torkies need regular grooming as the hair is prone to tangling and matting. It is advisable to brush the hair daily using a detangling comb to prevent tangles and knots from forming. In case the knots form, you can use a spray bottle to help reduce the discomfort when brushing.
Temperament
Although Wire Torkies are affectionate and loyal to their family members, they are sensitive and don’t take punishments lightly. The hunting instincts make them stubborn and territorial, making it challenging to train them.
That means you will need to use positive reinforcement methods when training a Wire Torkie. They are unfriendly to strangers, so consider keeping them on a leash if there are frequent guest visits.
However, their unfriendliness to strangers, protective nature, a greater sense of hearing, and good vocals makes them a good choice for a watchdog.
Related Questions
Physical Appearance Can I Leave a Wire Haired Yorkshire Terrier Alone?
You can leave your Wire Torkie alone for a short time. Due to its loyalty to its owners, leaving it alone for too long will make it have separation anxiety and develop destructive behavior. Some signs of separation anxiety might include loss of interest and excessive barking.
Do Wire Torkies Bark a Lot?
Wire Torkies bark a lot due to their territorial and protective nature, especially when they see or hear a stranger. In most cases, they will also bark at their owners to try and express their feelings. Keep in mind that they can also bark due to stress when left alone for too long.
Final Thoughts
Wire Haired Yorkshire Terriers are a mix of Wire Fox Terriers and Yorkshire Terriers. They are fairly small dogs with a strong prey drive and high instinctive intelligence. Although loyal to their family members, they are unfriendly to strangers, making them good watchdogs.
