The
origins of the cute, courageous and fiercely independent Yorkie
can be traced back to the north of England in Yorkshire during
the 19th century.
From much
larger terrier breed - commonly trained as rat catchers - the
Yorkshire Terrier has since evolved into a much smaller toy breed
beloved by millions of U.S. and U.K. dog owners.
Much like
another popular small breed, the Shih
Tzu, the Yorkie is a long-haired breed with a coat similar
to human hair and, with far less dander, may be a favored choice
among those prone to dog allergies.
Yorkshire Terrier behavior
& personality
"Ben",
a mid-19th
century Yorkie.
As many owners
can tell you, Yorkshire Terriers' perhaps most endearing quality
is that they never realize their pint-size limitations, with the
boldest of them likely to face danger with all the self-confidence
of a German
Shepherd.
Their intelligence
and independent nature may present difficulties with early socialization
and house training, which often require patience and consistency
rather than harsh treatment (or worse, over-pampering), lest they
grow up to be nervous and withdrawn.
Sometimes
as picky as cats
at mealtime, Yorkies sometimes need extra time to find a favorite
flavor or brand of food before settling into a regular feeding
regimen.
Care &
Health
While they
are less prone to shedding than other breeds, the Yorkshire Terrier
does require constant grooming and brushing to avoid the coat
becoming a mess of tangles.
Yorkies
make great family pets, but extra care should also be taken around
younger children to prevent from rough play and accidental injury.
For this reason, many breeders or adoption agencies will reject
an application for a Yorkie from families with small toddlers.
Diseases &
conditions common to Yorkshire Terriers include hypoglycemia (low
blood sugar), intestinal illnesses and bronchitis. As they mature,
Yorkies are also congenitally prone to diseases affecting the
liver, kidney or thyroid gland.
More about Yorkshire Terriers around the Web:
Yorkshire
Terrier - Wikipedia entry featuring photos, description,
and extensive information on breed temperament, personality, general
care and health concerns, the Yorkie in history, literature and
pop culture with related references and resources.
Yorkshire
Terrier Club of America - Check out a full description of the official breed
standards, show calendar, rescue resources, Yorkie history, photo
gallery, grooming tips, online bulletin board.
YorkieTalk.com
- Join the online community with busy forums & chats with exchange
of advice on show dogs, grooming, health, training tips, toys
& product reviews, photo galleries.