Yorkshire terrier | Temperament and care

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These mischievous little ones can live in urban flats or in a chalet on the outskirts of the city. They are affectionate with the family and are even jealous if other dogs or cats steal their daily portion of pampering.

But do not worry, because inside the home they do not look for problems. Of course, outside … that is something else! Discover in this guide more details about the intense temperament and characteristics of the glamorous Yorkshire Terrier.

Index of contents

  • 1 Yorkshire Terrier Characteristics
  • 2 This is the temperament of a Yorkshire Terrier
  • 3 What care does a Yorkshire Terrier need?
  • 4 Brief history of the breed
  • 5 Curiosities of the Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkshire Terrier Characteristics

Compact in size and aristocratic in appearance, their haughty gait gives them natural elegance. They have a well-proportioned body, with a long neck and a level back. The chest is poorly developed, with slightly arched ribs.

Its legs are short, well populated with hair. The front ones are positioned straight, while the rear ones have a moderate angulation. The feet are round and with black nails. The tail is straight and quite long; they usually carry it a little higher than the back.

The Yorkshire Terrier’s skull is flat and small, proportional to the rest of the body. The head should not be very rounded, nor the muzzle prominent. The truffle is black and small. Also, the eyes are medium in size, dark in color. The expression is of liveliness and intelligence. The small, V-shaped ears are almost always on alert.

Its coat is long and straight throughout the body, falling to both sides from the back. It has a fine and shiny texture. In order not to limit your vision, it is usually collected with a bow or two. The accepted color is the fire tone on the head, chest and legs, with a dark steel blue mantle covering the rest of the body.

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Height 17 cm approx. in males and females

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Weight of 3.2 kg approx. male and female

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Smooth and silky hair

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Affectionate and vivacious character

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Regular health, probability of developing various pathologies such as patellar dislocation in the knees, progressive retinal atrophies, hypoglycemia and collapse of the trachea.

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Estimated life expectancy between 11 and 15 years

 

yorkshire terrier with short hair

This is the temperament of a Yorkshire Terrier

Affectionate with theirs, the specimens of this breed will soon gain the sympathy of the members of the home. If you ignore them they will show their anger through destructive behavior. They are not very tolerant dogs with childish antics and, due to their small size, they can be easily injured. Therefore, its adoption is not recommended for families with very young children.

They also don’t like being isolated in the yard or being alone at home for a long time. For these dogs it is essential to be able to interact with human beings and feel that we care about them. Now, you shouldn’t be too overprotective either, because in that case they could become fearful or neurotic.

Yorkshire terrier they are naturally suspicious of strangers and will not hesitate to bark at any home visit, whether you are a seller or a friend. Training to stop this trend should start as soon as possible.

Early socialization also helps curb terriers’ temperament. Beyond that, his instruction presents no major difficulties. They are clever and curious dogs, who always seek to please. Positive reinforcement, with compliments and rewards for good behavior, gives excellent results.

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In the place of coexistence they will get along well with other dogs and cats, provided they have been raised together. If you share your life with a Yorkshire Terrier and want to introduce another pet at home, you must do it with care and patience, so that they do not feel that they have ceased to be the center of attention.

What care does a Yorkshire Terrier need?

The specimens of this breed adapt to any type of home, although their exercise needs should not be neglected. Taking two to three short walks a day will keep your body and mind balanced. Inside the home they are quite active, because they like to play and check that everything is in order.

If you have a garden, they will be happy to share a game session with you several times a week. They are fascinated by noisy toys, although they tend to break them to find the source of the beep. Renew them from time to time so they don’t eat any component that can choke on them.

Ah! And you must be very careful during the outings. Although they are small, Yorkshire Terriers are believed to be the size of a Great Dane. Keep a close eye on how they behave with other dogs, as it is not unusual for them to look for a fight in the park. A good idea is to always carry them with a long strap that allows you to control their movements without taking away their freedom.

Despite being native to northern Europe, these dogs do not tolerate cold environments and even less humid climates. Excessive heat doesn’t sit well with them either.

Maintaining its coat is not easy. They must be combed constantly to prevent tangles. You can trim or tie the strands o
f hair that fall on their faces so that they do not bother them or prevent them from seeing. Also, baths are recommended every two weeks.

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The teeth tartar problems They are frequent in this breed, so you should brush their teeth frequently. The ears are also very sensitive areas and must be checked weekly to avoid infections.

Brief history of the breed

This variety was developed in the mid-19th century in England. Their origins are quite humble, as it is believed that they came together with Scottish spinners who migrated to the north of England after the Industrial Revolution.

His work, at first, was to get rid of the abundant rats that populated the warehouses where the tissues were kept. Among the ancestors of the “Yorkies” there is the extinct Black and Fire Terrier, the Scottish Terrier, the Airdale and even the Maltese Bichon.

With the standardization of the breed, the popularity of these dogs increased among the ladies of the upper classes. They acquired their definitive name in 1970 and stopped being known as the dogs of the Scottish spinners or Paisley Terriers, to adopt the name of their adoptive county: Yorkshire.

Curiosities of the Yorkshire Terrier

The silky coat and demeanor of this breed have dazzled celebrities around the world, from singers like Paulina Rubio or Britney Spears to actresses like Naomi Watts. Even Paris Hilton has shared her life with a Yorkie!

In recent years a variety known as “Teacup Yorkshire Terrier” has emerged. They are even smaller in size, which have become fashionable for their eccentricity. This type of Yorkshire Terrier is not officially accepted. In addition, it tends to inherit a greater number of genetic problems.