It seems likely that selective breeding resulted in the small size of the Yorkshire Terrier, but someone apparently forgot to tell this little guy that he's a scaled down version of a terrier. Indeed, the Yorkshire Terrier is a brave soul, tending toward fierceness if he feels he or his territory is being threatened.
The Yorkshire Terrier - or Yorkie, as he's commonly called - developed in England only a little more than a century ago. With roots that new, it should be easy to trace the lineage but this is one dog that has defied efforts to pin down the origins. As it happens, it was miners who developed the Yorkshire Terrier in an effort to find a tenacious dog that could kill the rats in the mines. The miners required that the dog be able to fit into small places in order to catch the rats, but be tenacious enough to not fear the rats. Though the Yorkshire Terriers the miners came up with typically weighed only a few pounds more than the rats they chased, they were game little dogs who went after their prey with a vengeance.
It was only over the past few decades that the Yorkshire Terrier became a companion dog treated with all the elegant favor of the rich and famous. Today, many Yorkshire Terriers are pampered pets, though not only for the rich. The behavior of these dogs can become a problem if they are pampered too much. The natural tendency for some people to "baby" an animal of this size should be curbed to some degree. These are active little dogs that need to romp, play and show off their tenacity.
As a general rule, a grown Yorkshire Terrier will weigh six to eight pounds, though seven seems to be a very common average. "Teacup" or miniature versions of the Yorkshire Terrier occur fairly often, usually weighing five pounds or less. These smaller Yorkies sometimes have increased health risks and many seem to be snappish, shy or exhibit other undesirable traits that are not overly evident in their normal sized counterparts.
As a rule, the Yorkshire Terrier is Remember that his ancestors were selected for their ability to run into the dangerous mines in search of vermin. The Yorkies of today need that same sense of duty and challenge. Today, it typically comes in the form of play, but the Yorkshire Terrier's need for challenge shouldn't be ignored. New tricks and commands are a good way to occupy some of this dog's time, but he also needs some plain old playtime where he's encouraged to run and romp. If presented in a way that doesn't attract the Yorkie, new things may seem like orders and this dog may not take orders well. That includes - but isn't limited to - housetraining.
Remember that for all the terrier tenacity, these are small dogs. They have little bones and won't generally survive kicking or excessive roughness. Discipline and play has to be done with the size of this little guy in mind. After all, the Yorkshire Terrier may have forgotten that he's living in a little body, but the people who care for him can't.
The Yorkshire Terrier is classified in the Toy group by the American Kennel Club. The AKC requires the Yorkie to be less than seven pounds but there is no minimum weight limit. Some Yorkshire Terriers can weigh as little as one pound, but in order to breed dogs this tiny, health is often sacrificed, so it is not a popular option.
Yorkies have beautiful long flowing coats of hair and they seem to glide across the floor, as their long hair hides their tiny feet. Yorkies can have silver or black hair with tan accents on the heads and legs. Yorkies are black and tan when first born.
Yorkies make excellent apartment dogs since they are small and thrive well with apartment life. The Yorkshire Terrier adapts well to outdoor living also, as they are inquisitive and love to explore. It is a good idea to make sure your fence has no holes or gaps or your Yorkie will find a way through. If you keep your Yorkie inside most of the time it is very important to his mental and physical health to get plenty of exercise.
Yorkies are very sociable and love being the center of attention. They enjoy an active family life; however, the Yorkshire Terrier is not a good choice for families with small children. The Yorkie is good natured and will endure poking and squeezing to the point where a small child can easily injure such a delicate dog.
Yorkies are small but can still develop big behavioral problems if not properly trained. Obedience classes are very important, in fact it could save your Yorkie's life some day if he ever gets lose and runs towards traffic.
Yorkshire Terriers are a healthy breed and don't normally develop serious health conditions. They do show a tendency towards hernias, hypoglycemia, and dental problems.
Yorkies are small eaters so it won't be expensive to feed them. However, be careful not to spoil them with soft foods as Yorkies need dry food to keep their teeth healthy. You should also brush his teeth several times a week starting when he is a puppy so he gets used to it.
Most Yorkshire Terriers will require grooming at least three times a week to keep their lovely long hair from matting.
So if you are looking for a little dog with a lot of spunk, then look no further than a Yorkshire Terrier.
Both Charles Kassotis & George Adams are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Charles Kassotis has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home Appliances, Gifts for loved ones and Pets. For more information on Yorkshires and other Popular, and not-so-popular breeds of dogs, visit . Charles Kassotis's top article generates over 135000 views. to your Favourites.
George Adams has sinced written about articles on various topics from Finances, Pets and Doberman Pinscher. George Adams is a staff writer at and is an occasional contributor to several other websites, including. George Adams's top article generates over 2400 views. to your Favourites.