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YORKSHIRE TERRIER DOG BREED INFORMATION

Family	terrier
Life Span	11-15 years
Avg Size of Male:	Height: 8-9 inches Weight: <7 pounds
Avg Size of Female:	Height: 8-9 inches Weight: <7 pounds
Original Function:	small vermin-hunting
Overall Rating (out of 5)	Yorkies are friendly and intelligent, but dislike roughhousing. Some say they are big dogs in a small dog’s body, because of their bold and confident nature. Yorkshire Terriers are eager for adventure and do well in urban or rural living. These dogs are good watchdogs in that they tend to bark at other dogs, small animals, and strangers; however they can be trained not to bark as much. They are easily trained, but be careful not to spoil them. These very affectionate dogs aim to please.

The Yorkshire Terrier, (diminutive / nickname: Yorkie), is a breed of small dog, one of many toy dog breeds. Yorkies can be very small, usually weighing between 5 and 7 lb (2.5 to 3.5 kg).

Temperament

The Yorkshire Terrier, though a toy breed, still retains much of its Terrier ancestry in terms of personality. Though personalities differ from dog to dog, they are generally intelligent, independent and spunky. Yorkies, especially males, are very territorial and are known for their disregard for the limitations of their own size. They will often attack much larger dogs despite their extreme size disadvantage.

Yorkies typically get along well with other dogs and love to play together with them. However, they are terriers, and even an old, sedentary lap dog may eagerly hunt rodents. Because they are so small, they are easily injured; They usually get along well with children, but may be endangered if kept in the house with an undiscerning or abusive person, especially a child. Also, despite their small size, if attacked or continually provoked, like all dogs, they pack a surprisingly powerful bite.

Yorkshire Terriers tend to be more difficult to train than some of their canine cousins; however, this difficulty is considered to be a result of the breed’s characteristic prey drive rather than any major deficiency of intelligence as they were bred to work without human intervention.

Care

The Yorkshire Terrier requires daily brushing of its long hair to prevent knots and keep its luxurious shine. It is an active breed that will get plenty of exercise within the home, but its intelligence requires the mental stimulation of games. Yorkies enjoy short walks outside, however it is by no means an outside pet, as its coat requires much maintenance.

Health

Yorkies tend to develop cataracts in their old age, but their small size limits the effects of conditions such as arthritis. There is also the possibility of tracheal collapse, the cause of which is thought by many to be partially genetic, and partially caused by environment- specifically, the strain an energetic Yorkie puts on its neck when straining against its collar. Most veterinarians recommend use of a harness instead of a collar to help prevent the chronic coughing caused by partial trachea collapse.

As with many purebred dogs, the Yorkshire Terrier is prone to certain genetic disorders. Most common is the liver shunt (portosystemic shunt). In this condition some of the dog's blood bypasses the liver and as such does not get cleaned of those toxins that the liver is responsible for removing. A Yorkie with this condition might exhibit some or all of the following symptoms: small stature, poor muscle development, behavioral abnormalities, unresponsiveness, seizures, and so on; however, if treated by a veterinarian, the condition is most often reversible in time.

Hypoglycemia sometimes occurs in puppies and to a lesser degree in mature yorkies. The puppy will seem limp and lifeless, it's gums and tongue usually grayish blue in color. Often the eyes are unfocused and barely open. They may appear to be slightly sunken in. Temperature will be sub-normal and the puppy will be shivering and trembling in the early stages. As condition worsens, the puppy either goes into a coma or convulsions. Hypoglycemia is a metabolic disorder and death will result, unless properly diagnosed and cared for immediately, if the case is severe. The level of the blood sugar must be raised at once and the stress condition treated. A solution of 1/2 honey or any other natural sweetener and water given to the dog with an eyedropper or a turkey baster injector without the needle. This will help to raise it's blood sugar but a vet should be consulted regardless. Many times the cause of this is stress either by over handling, not eating enough in an 8-10 hour period or either being left in a cold environment or sleeping in a draft.

History

The Yorkshire Terrier is a breed that is a purposeful mix of other terriers most likely including the Waterside Terrier, Clydesdale Terrier, Paisley Terrier, rough-coated English Black and Tan Terrier, and perhaps even the Skye Terrier, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, and Maltese. The Waterside Terrier – a small, longhaired dog that is blue-gray in color – is the most prominent breed in the modern Yorkie. This elegant-looking dog is a product of the working class and was originally bred to catch rats. Initially it was looked down upon by the upper class, however it’s obvious beauty soon swayed the skeptics. Soon the tiny dogs were appearing in dog shows and on the laps of affluent mistresses. In 1872, the first Yorkshire Terrier was born in America, however by the 1880s the breed varied in size from 7 to as much as 14 pounds. Breeders and fanciers in both America and over seas decided that the smaller size with longer hair was preferred, and soon the Yorkie grew into the tiny dog with the lavishly long coat that it is today.