Yorkies are quite popular all around the world and their demand among the Indian dog lovers is also gradually increasing. They are widely popular for their furry body and adorable size. And, if any Indian dog owner wants to raise this woolly breed then they should be aware of their low tolerance to high temperatures. Yorkies need to be kept in cooler areas, mostly inside the house during the summer season of India. They should be well hydrated throughout and the amount of exercise should be reduced for them in the hot climate. And potential owners should get their Yorkie only from a trusted breeder as there may be some genetic problems in the breed if not bought from a reputed breeder.
Yorkshire Terriers are categorized under toy group because of their small stature and extremely compact built. They have a very long coat which comes down to their paws when they are fully grown. Official breed standards for the Yorkie are given below:
Yorkies are considerably lighter in weight and miniature in height. Males and Females have almost the same body dimensions. The average weight of a Yorkie should remain under 3.5 kg and their height is most likely to fall between 7-8 inch.
|
WEIGHT |
HEIGHT |
|
|
MALE |
2-3 kg |
7-8 inch |
|
FEMALE |
2-3 kg |
7-8 inch |
Yorkie’s coat is one of the most distinct features found in them. They have a long glossy coat having a silky texture. Trimming of the coat can be done to provide ease of movement to the Yorkie. The hair on the head region is very long also and is mostly tied down with a bow. The hair can also be trimmed from the ear tips and the feet region to make them neat and tidy. Coming to the color of their coat, Yorkies mostly possess a coat in colors like black, tan, gold et cetera.
Yorkies, as mentioned, are very tiny and have a compact and well-proportioned body. The chest area has medium to long hair and the back region is rather short. Forelegs and hind legs are straight and small, contributing to the overall small stature of the Yorkshire Terrier.
Their head is small and a little flat from the top. They have medium sized eyes which are dark in color and are quite expressive. They also have V-shaped, small ears which are set not too far apart.
They have sound teeth firmly placed inside their mouth. Also, the muzzle is on the shorter side.
Yorkies should not be judged based on their size as they have quite a bold and courageous personality. They are very intelligent and thus sometimes like to make their own decisions and hence should be trained early. Yorkies are generally playful and affectionate towards the family but are rather reserved with other canines, strangers et cetera. Temperamental characteristics of Yorkies are listed below:
Yorkies are very popular around the world as can be seen by their #9 position in ranking list for most popular dog breeds as of 2017. Although, they were famous mainly in the foreign countries like the U.S.A., U.K. and some more, their popularity in on the rise in the Indian households as well.
Yorkies are adored for their cute size, beautiful coat, and bold personality. There are very suitable for anyone with a smaller house as Yorkies being so tiny require a lot less space than many other breeds. They are very energetic and are mostly in a playful mood. Despite being smaller in size, they still have a heart of a terrier and are quite watchful and alert of their surroundings. They have a great watchdog ability too.
But they are far from a perfect breed especially in a country like India. They are not very comfortable with an excessive hot climate which is prevalent in India. A Yorkie may have a heat stroke because of intense heat from the sun in the summer season. They require special care and attention from their owners during this time. They are also not that easy to train as they sometimes think independently which might make them a bit stubborn while getting trained. Also, to keep that magnificent coat intact and beautiful forever, they require a whole lot of grooming which might be not suitable for many potential owners.
But still, if someone who is ready to care for this breed passionately, can afford their grooming needs and can be a persistent dog trainer will be very happy and excited to bring this charming pooch into their lives and have a wonderful time raising it.
Yorkies are divided into various types on the basis of color, coat, size et cetera. Major types of Yorkies are as follows:
Also, they are present in four different types of color combinations which are listed below:
|
Adaptability |
**** |
Sensitivity Level |
***** |
|
Affection Level |
**** |
Potential for mouthiness |
** |
|
Apartment-Friendly |
***** |
Drooling Potential |
* |
|
Barking Tendencies |
**** |
Energy Level |
***** |
|
Friendly towards dogs |
** |
Health Issues |
**** |
|
Friendly towards other animals |
*** |
Intelligence |
***** |
|
Child Friendly |
** |
Playfulness |
**** |
|
Exercise Needs |
** |
Shedding Level |
*** |
|
Grooming Needs |
***** |
Social Needs |
**** |
|
Good for novice owners |
*** |
Stranger Friendly |
*** |
|
Trainability |
** |
Watchdog Ability |
**** |
|
Tolerates Heat |
** |
Tolerates Cold |
** |
As with all the other smaller breeds, Yorkshire Terrier should also be fed a bit carefully. They should be given a limited amount of food as required and should be fed in multiple doses and not all at once. Food can be home cooked or can be bought from pet stores as long as it’s nutritious and good for the Yorkie.
Every dog requires some amount of physical activity and exercise to remain healthy and fit. And that is same with the Yorkies, they require regular exercise although for smaller durations to remain fit and fine. Walk or playtime in the park on a daily basis for about half an hour is more than enough for this tiny pooch.
Training a Yorkshire Terrier is not too easy. A trainer must be passionate and eager to train their Yorkies, must invest a good amount of time and should start from an early age. Yorkies have a tendency to think independently and thus can become hard to train as they get easily distracted and may act a bit stubborn. They should be trained with a calm attitude and by the use of positive reinforcement to boost up their morale. Harsh training methods must be avoided as they are quite sensitive.
The beautiful and luxurious coat that a Yorkie possesses comes at a cost for its owner and that is heavy grooming needs. The coat must be brushed on a daily basis. The hair on the forehead must be trimmed or tied down with a topknot. They also require weekly bathing so that the dirt on their coat can be cleaned off. Their ears should be thoroughly checked at least once a week for any infection or dirt. The only upside to their hard to maintain coat is that it doesn’t shed that often.
Yorkies, if purchased from a disreputable breeder, may possess several genetic health issues and that is why it is highly recommended to get these delicate breeds from a trusted breeder. Apart from these genetic issues, common health problems that can be found in a Yorkshire Terrier are:
A Yorkie bought from a quality breeder is usually healthy and fit. And, visits to the veterinarian are quite rare.
It is believed that, at the time of industrial revolution, numerous Scottish workers moved to Yorkshire for the purposes of work. They started working in the textile mills and the coal mines. Along with them, they also bought several dogs which were called as Clydesdale Terrier or Paisley Terrier.
These dogs were used to catch rats and were quite bigger in size when compared to the Yorkies of today. It is believed that these dogs were crossed with several other breeds like the Tan Toy Terrier, English Black Terrier, the Skye Terrier, and the Waterside Terrier. And this led to the birth of Yorkshire Terriers.
In 1865, a dog was born named Huddersfield Ben which is now considered as the first ancestor or the father of the Yorkies that we know today. In 1870, the breed was officially given its name based on the place where is it was developed. And they were registered in the British Kennel Club in the year 1874. In later years, these dogs were used to compete in dog shows because of their attractive appearance.
