Yorkshire Terrier

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The Yorkshire Terrier was originally bred to kill rats, but these days, they are mostly family pets or show dogs.

They are small with big personalities, feisty, loving and elegant. This could be the perfect breed if you are looking for a sweet companion for your family or household.

They need plenty of exercise but would make a great flat/apartment dog due to their size. They will still enjoy a good daily walk, especially if they have no garden to run around. They are very playful dogs, so they should adapt well as long as they get plenty of playtime.

Remember, a bored dog will usually become mischievous, whether it be nuisance barking, chewing or digging. Try to ensure they are occupied with jobs, playtime or plenty of exercise to keep them out of trouble.

They love to be with you and the family but tend to bond more with one special person. They are good with children and have their limits on being messed around with, so they are probably a breed to avoid if you have toddlers. They will run around the garden with older kids all day. They also make great lapdogs and love to snuggle with you.

Yorkies make for excellent watchdogs. They will alert you to every little thing going on. They can be a little barky, so you must train them to be quiet on command. They are un-trusting of strangers, and you must ensure they are socialised early to combat this.

They should be fine with other dogs and cats if brought up with them. They can be a little bossy, as with most terriers. They are hunters, so the instinctive need to chase neighbour’s cats and small animals is probably too strong to control. Ensure your outside area is well enclosed and they can’t escape when giving chase.

Yorkshire terriers are relatively intelligent and reasonably easy to train but are a little stubborn and independent. You will want to discover their motivation reward early on to make the best progress. They prefer fun and playful training rather than being harsh or forceful. They are slow and difficult to house-train and walk on a lead.

They shed very little hair, but it does require clipping which would normally be done by a professional every few months. This makes it more expensive, but you could learn to do it yourself if you have the time or inclination.

Yorkshire Terrier Stats

The Yorkshire Terrier is the result of cross-breeding between various terrier types and first appeared around England’s Yorkshire region during the middle of the 19th century. The early Yorkshire Terriers could be as large as 6kg and were used, similar to other terrier breeds, to kill rats. Over time, breeders produced a smaller, more beautiful dog, a household pet and show dog, rather than a rat killer.

  • Weight -3kg –8kg
  • Size – 18cm – 25cm
  • They live for 12-15 years

Best Trait – Fun lapdog

Worst Trait – High-maintenance coat

Categories: Dog Breeds