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Yorkshire Terrier Information
Need expert Yorkshire Terrier information to decide if this is the right dog for you? You've come to the right place!
Yorkie History & Background
An adorable member of the toy dog group, the Yorkshire Terrier is a mixture of England's finest terriers, made up of the Clydesdale terrier, English black and tan terrier, waterside terrier, and the Paisley terrier. What a noble background!
By the late 1800s, Yorkies had made their way to America but because there were so many variety of sizes, the Yorkshire Terrier did not make its exclusive name until the early 1900s. It was at this point that the majority of Yorkie breeders decided that the smaller sized Yorkshire Terrier was preferable.
Yorkies have a terrific personality! They are known to be bold, confident, and courageous. Although small in size, they pack a tremendous amount of personality into their small package. And the Yorkshire Terrier seems to be oblivious to its small stature, and you’ll often see them play with much bigger dogs with no fear. Always eager for fun and adventure, this dog can be a bit aggressive towards other small animals and strange dogs. It definitely maintains that old rough-edged terrier spirit.
Yorkie Upkeep and Maintenance
Like other terriers, the Yorkie needs to have plenty of exercise on a daily basis. A lot of people think small dogs don't need much exercise, but it's just not true and daily exercise will often do a world of good in helping your Yorkie stay happy and healthy. However, the good news is that Yorkies can get all of the physical activity they need simply by running from room to room inside of the house or small apartment. Of course this does not mean that the Yorkie should not be outside. In fact, they love to take a brisk walk with their owner at any chance possible. Naturally, you should keep your dog on leash to avoid problems with other dogs.
As far as living arrangements are concerned, the Yorkshire Terrier is not meant to live outdoors - they're a definite "inside dog" and are most happy when they are with you. This breed prefers the companionship of its family and human contact. If you must leave your Yorkie outside for any short period of time, just be sure that there is plenty of shelter, adequate bedding and lots of water. This is even more important if you live in a warm climate.
Yorkshire Terriers tend to grow very long hair and grooming can be an important issue to address. Whether or not you decide to keep your dog with long hair or not will determine ongoing grooming needs. Most Yorkie owners keep their pets trimmed with what's called a "puppy cut" so that it only needs a thorough brushing three to four times per week. Long hair will need to be looked after a little bit more often so that it does not tangle and mat. We'll look into compiling an article on how to groom a long-haired Yorkie soon, so stay tuned.
Don't Buy A Yorkie Until You Watch This Video!
How Long Yorkies Live and Health Information
Good news - the Yorkshire Terrier has a lifespan of up to 16 years when raised in a positive environment by a health minded dog owner! That means that you can expect to enjoy your Yorkie for many years to come as long as you provide adequate nutrition and health care.
And more good news - Yorkies have no major health concerns like those that can plague other breeds. Aren't you smart for picking a Yorkie? :-)
The only minor health concern to look out for with Yorkies is patellar luxation. Veterinarians do suggest, however, that dog owners have their Yorkies specifically tested for eye problems, knee dysplasia, and have a liver ultrasound based on their age. Check with your vet to see if these are tests appropriate for your particular dog.