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Origins & History
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Description
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Temperament
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Exercise
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Grooming
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Photo
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Organizations
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Further web sites to explore
Origins
& History
The Victorian era ushered in
the Yorkshire Terrier as a 'fashionable' pet for the wealthy,
but in fact its beginnings came from the working class -
especially weavers. The breed became known as the
Yorkshire Terrier in 1870 at its first appearance at the
Westmoreland show after a reporter for 'The Field' (Angus
Sutherland) stated, "They ought no longer to be called Scotch
Terriers, but Yorkshire Terriers for having been so improved
there." Referred to as 'broken-haired Scotch Terriers'
nine years prior to that, even after the reporter's comment,
this breed was shown in both classes.
The Waterside Terrier (crossed
with rough-coated Black-and-Tan English Terriers), along with
the Paisley and Clydesdale Terriers, were brought to the
Yorkshire area by Scotch weavers who had migrated there.
All of these breeds combined to what is today's Yorkshire
Terrier.
The earliest record of a Yorkie
born in the States was in 1872 and classes for the breed have
been offered at all shows since 1878. Once the size and
weight became consistent between 3 and 7 pounds, only one class
was offered as there were seldom enough larger dogs to fill
another class based on size. Known sometimes as "7 by 7",
they should stand about 7" tall and weigh no more than 7 pounds
according to the standard.
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Description
Puppies that will have the
correct adult markings of the Yorkshire Terrier are born black
with tan markings. Once adulthood is reached, the metallic
'steel blue' is legendary combined with the golden rich tan
coloring on head, legs, chest and rear. Many owners 'bang'
the hair above the eyes with a bow or 'top knot' regardless of
the sex of the dog as part of the 'Yorkie' look when the hair is
kept long. And the coat requires
constant care and brushing to avoid damage or a poor 'look'
about it. The Yorkie is considered a 'low' shedder -
probably because of its small size, but also because owners tend
to pamper this dog just by nature.
Ear hair length and 'whiskers'
are left at natural lengths but the tails are normally docked
when very young.
A cuddler, the Yorkie also
cares for comfort, so don't be surprised if he 'claims' one of
your favorite pillows on the couch as his own.
As they are lively and quick, another expectation to have is
that they consistently 'trot around the house' and behind you
just to make sure 'everything is in order' (smile). The
tiny size can be an issue until they learn to be careful
underneath someone's feet!
Because the 'terrier' was
(happily) never bred out of the Yorkshire Terrier, this dog breed is just
as happy to be a 'non-pampered', rowdy dog. Usually not
keen on walks, a new puppy needs to learn (gently) who is the
'master of the pack' early, but expect occasional challenges to
your position.
The Yorkie should never be
casually medicated or sedated. They are usually sensitive
to anesthetics, vaccines and/or chemicals. Allergies run
in several breeding lines as well.
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Temperament
Yorkshire Terriers have been
described as 'never growing out of that two-year old stage' we
can all relate to in regards to children. Combine that
with a Terrier and you have the Yorkshire Terrier! And
because they're just 'so cute', they can easily turn this
feeling into manipulation if you're not careful with your
discipline of them.
There is a difference between a
dog's ability to be a "guard-dog" versus a "watch-dog". Having
said that, as a breed, this dog is unsuited to be a "guard-dog"
but a very alert "watch-dog". Not many things
fail to get a Yorkie's attention and some can perceive to
almost have a perimeter of their territory to patrol on a
constant basis!
Intelligence, learning rates
and obedience are three separate issues. While one dog
breed might excel in learning rates and intelligence, their
tendencies towards obedience might not go hand in hand.
This breed is poor to fair in obedience when compared to other dog
breeds, although it is high in learning rates and problem
solving - it's that Terrier part of the breed that will obey -
but only on their terms and when THEY themselves want to.
The same holds true in terms of
emotional stability and behavioral constancy - each varies
individually and separately as issues in each breed. In
this particular breed, they vacillate in emotional
stability and vary in behavioral constancies both.
Socializing with humans as a
family - with or without children - can vary greatly with each
dog breed. This breed socializes within a 'family'
environment once they know and trust all the members of the
'human pack' well. This breed is considered 'somewhat tolerant' of
considerate and respectful older children, but each dog is an
individual and should be regarded as such. It can not be
said strong enough that a child's welfare and safety must be
paramount in any situation - not only for a child, but for the
dog's future as well. Even a tiny dog such as the Yorkie
can leave a nasty bite on a small finger!
In
terms of territoriality, this breed is high to the point of
being 'bossy' or 'I have arrived... and your problem is exactly
what???'. With regard to
dominance of familiar people, this breed is average. As for
visiting strangers, this breed is friendly but can be a bit
territorial at times. With other
(strange) dogs, this breed tends to be dominant and/or a tyrant
if left to their own ways. With all of these traits -
although endearing to some - the Yorkie just does not make a
good selection around small children for they tend to 'claim'
people, places and things too readily. See
purebreds for more notes regarding this
breed.
Rankings for:
-- Stress when left alone: Depends on the individual dog,
their breeding and environment
-- Used for personal protection: Excellent watchdog because
they're so alert and bark so much by nature
-- Used as a guard dog: Poor
-- Barking: Shrill 'alarm' type barking - can be excessive
if not properly trained
-- Level of aggressiveness: Dominant yes - aggression no
(as we view that term)
-- Child friendly: Average for children 8-9 years or older, but clearly depends on the
breeding and early socialization with children if to be
successful at all
-- Socializing with other animals: Not usually very
friendly; dominant towards others regardless of the size it
encounters in another dog
(Special note:
Personality traits as listed above are not only genetic ones,
but are formed by time left with the mother, size of litter,
growing environment - and sadly - treatment by humans.
There are exceptions to every rule and these rankings are given
as a suggestion only to be used in your decision after careful
research and observation of your potential new canine member).
Rescue/Adoption:
If you find a Yorkie in rescue,
you can almost be assured that it arrived there because of
behavioral problems caused by a previous owner and/or bad breeding
lines.
This is another sad effect of the puppy mill and 'back-yard
breeder' trade. Breeding for small size and appearance,
its temperament and emotional state is never predictable.
Other issues that can appear are excessive barking, irritable
snapping (and/or fear biting) without warning, potty training,
head or touch shyness as well as guarding of 'people, places and
things' from other family members.
Potty training can be a
major issue for this breed (especially in bad weather
outside for they hate cold weather and/or rain), so an inside
litter box may be a viable option - sweaters are usually a
'must' in any of these inclement weather conditions.
All of these behavioral issues can
be resolved if the right adoption occurs - permissiveness or a
lack of proper attention to the dog just
makes these issues worse. Yorkies always need fair but
firm discipline to achieve their best - this can't be said
strong enough.
Although this is a popular
breed (3rd in 2005 behind the Golden and Labrador Retrievers)
and considered a 'novice breed' for new owners, unless you do
your research ahead of time and are prepared for the long haul,
don't consider rescuing a Yorkie. Despite the very small
size, this is a terrier tried and true. If you can,
observe the dog in the surroundings it is most comfortable in
before you make your final decision - 'shelter situations' only
increase the bad characteristics (snappy, yappy, irritable,
suspicious, etc.) of this breed, so that's not always a fair
environment to judge them by.
This is not the breed to rescue
if you have very small children or toddlers around, for children
seldom realize or anticipate what the Yorkie will do when faced
with tiny fingers grabbing their toys (or what they perceive as
'theirs', even if it's not). Because of their small
stature and big, outgoing hearts, even the Yorkie believes it
can play rougher than it physically can! And because a
Yorkie likes to 'run the show' no matter what, it won't hesitate
to challenge much bigger breeds (like Rottweilers, Pit Bulls or
even Great Danes!). Larger 'prey-driven' breeds also
consider the Yorkie as a delicacy or 'moving target' despite the
fact that "Fido would never hurt a fly" thinking. Yorkies
and other big dogs just don't mix well at all as the Yorkie is
generally utterly fearless.
On the positive side, this is a
highly portable pet and make good companions for someone who
enjoys an intelligent and busy dog. Their adorability can
manipulate just about anyone, if they've been raised and trained
properly!
Notes on
purebreds: This is another breed that has been
produced in volumes by 'backyard breeders' and puppy millers.
It's fairly easy to get a puppy from one of these sources and
find the Yorkie later to be neurotic and structurally unsound.
There is no such thing as a 'Teacup' Yorkie (see below in links
for further information). A Yorkie under 4 pounds is much
more susceptible to hypoglycemia (also known as low blood
sugar). It's not uncommon to find Yorkies larger than the
standard of seven pounds - this is no way limits their ability
to be a great pet - just that they are not 'showable' in
purebred shows.
No reputable breeder would sell
a Yorkie puppy before 12 weeks - or to a family of rowdy
children... this is just not a breed that will be successful in
these situations. It's critical to have the ability to see
both the father and mother of any litters before you decide to
get one of their puppies. Check both parent's teeth for
soundness - poor teeth run through some breeding lines.
And a reputable breeder will already have registered the litter,
so "I'll send you the purebred paperwork later" is not a valid
reason.
Another major health issue to
investigate further is liver shut. Don't buy a puppy
without the bile acids test being run before eating, after
eating and you've seen the results of both tests. For more
information, see Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue below in the
links section.
Be wary of selecting this breed
of dog if you've not done your research (and homework) prior -
this is not an 'impulse' dog breed selection to make - both for
you and your family.
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Exercise
This is a '24/7' energizer
motor-scooter with very high activity both inside and outside
the house. If he can catch it, "it" might become an issue
you'll have to address on outside and/or inside activities (such
as cats, birds, insects, etc.). Outside exercise levels
are listed as low, simply because they have to take a gazillion
steps to one of your own because of their small size!
Several times around the block twice a day will do the average
Yorkie.
Jumping from high places (even
though the Yorkie believes he can do this) can crush his
delicate bones. Falling objects (or humans tripping over
them) is another source of damage to Yorkies.
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Grooming
This is a high-maintenance
breed for grooming in a dog. The Yorkie might not care
about it, but as its owner, you will. If from a good
breeding, you will find the hair is fine, silky, glossy and
perfectly straight without any waving. Most owners keep
the hair trimmed and off the floor as well as the 'bangs' pulled
up with a bow on top. Although they shed very little,
there is extensive brushing involved. Tartar tends to
build up in toy breeds, so regular dental care and brushing is
required. Address this early and you'll have no problems
later as the Yorkie grows and matures.
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Photo
(Images, courtesy of
Wikipedia under the GNU
licensing terms)
(courtesy of
Dog Show USA)
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Organizations
associated with this breed:
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Other
web sites to visit:
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Breed: the Yorkshire
Terrier 