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The Yorkshire Terrier is a compact, toy-shaped terrier of over seven pounds whose crowning glory is floor length, steel blue silk coat and a rich golden tan.
Don’t let Yorkie’s modesty fool you. Steadfast, enthusiastic, brave, and occasionally bossy, Yorkie exhibits all the traits of a true terrier. Often named the most popular dog breed in various American cities, Yorkies pack the attitude of a lot of big cities into one small but self-important package. They are a favorite of urban people worldwide.
Yorkies are long-lived and less-allergic (the coat is more like human hair than animal fur), and they make tiny little sentinels. It is a true “”personality breed””, providing years of laughter, love and close companionship.
The Yorkshire Terrier was developed in the northern English counties of Yorkshire and Lancashire in the mid-1800s. At the end of Victorian times it became a fashionable lapdog for proper English women, but its beginnings were uniquely labor-class.
The breed is said to be the creation of Scottish weavers who migrated to the English North Country and brought their Scottish terrier with them. (We stop here to distinguish between Scottish terriers, ie the special breed designated as the Scottish terrier and the Scottish terrier.) Many of the now extinct Scottish terrier breeds are part of the genetic mix of Yorkies, as well as such still skies And the current terrier as Dandy Dinmont. A historical source suggests the addition of Maltese blood.
Scots weavers were proud of their tough little terriers, small enough to squeeze into the nooks and cranes of textile mills in search of rodents. Jokes were made about Yorkie’s long, silky coat, stating that its thinly textured hair was the product of the loom. York’s home territory was a center for mining as well as cloth-making, and many Yorkies were employed as exterminators in coal mines.
The turning point in the breed’s history came in 1886, when the Kennel Club (England) granted Yorkie recognition. With this splash of hype, Yorkie became fashionable as a companion to women. And, as Yorkie’s popularity grew among fashion, she was reduced in size to better cater to her new job description: adorable, entertaining companions sitting on the lap of luxury.
Yorkies were first seen in America in the 1870s, and the AKC recorded their first Yorkie, a woman named Belle, in 1885.
A long-haired toy terrier whose blue and tan coat splits on the face and from the base of the skull to the end of the tail and hangs evenly and exactly straight on each side of the body. The body is clean, compact and well proportioned. There should be a sense of passion and self-importance in a dog with a high-head car and a confident manner.
The gestation period in lasts for 60-64 days The primary period of the reproductive cycle of the female is called Proestrus and goes on for around 9 days. During this time the females begin to draw in males. The subsequent part is the Estrus when the bitch is receptive to the male. It goes on for around 3 to 11 days. The third part is the Diestrus. Usually, it happens around day 14. In this period the bitch’s discharge changes for distinctive red and reaching its end. The vulva gets back to average, and she will no longer allow mating. The fourth part called the Anestrus. The time span between heat periods ordinarily keeps going around a half year. The litter size ranges between 6 to 8 puppies at a time’
The Yorkshire Terrier’s coat is very similar to human hair and should be treated accordingly. If the coat is kept long, it needs to be brushed daily. To avoid eye irritation, the upper head hair should be cut short or pulled into a top knot. Yorkies will need a bath every week. Check the ears weekly for any debris or signs of infection. The breed’s national parent club, the Yorkshire Terrier Club of America, offers detailed grooming and bathing instructions on its website.
Yorkies love their owners, and are very intelligent and eager to please. Effectively praising and behaving for good behavior will work far better than the drastic reforms with Yorkie. Starting at an early age, Yorkies should be socialized for awkward situations, people and other dogs. Take her slowly to new situations, and always in a calm and happy atmosphere. These should be positive experiences. Despite their small size, Yorkies can participate and excel in canine activities such as rally, agility and obedience, and many Yorkies work in roles such as medical work with their human partners.
Small dogs also need exercise to be mentally and physically healthy. Yorkies would benefit from both moderate exercise, such as walking at a steady pace with their boss, as well as occasional short bursts of activity, such as chasing a tennis ball in the backyard. A short walk twice a day will be enough for your Yorkies to see new scenes and burn off energy. Participating in dog sports such as obedience or agility will provide a beneficial activity to keep him healthy as well as challenge his mind.
Yorkshire Terriers should perform well on high quality dog food, whether it is commercially manufactured or prepared at home with the supervision and approval of your vet. Any diet should be appropriate for the age of the dog (puppy, adult, or senior). Some dogs are at risk of being overweight, so watch your dog’s calorie consumption and weight level. Treatment training can be an important aid, but giving too much can lead to obesity. Know which human foods are safe for dogs and which are not. Contact your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet. Clean, fresh water must be available at all times.
Yorkshire terriers are generally healthy dogs, and responsible breeders examined their stock for health conditions such as eye anomalies and luxating patella, a dislocated knee once called a “”gait knee”” in humans. To help avoid the latter, care must be taken to limit Yorkie’s jumping height, especially as a puppy.
Recommended health tests from the National Breed Club: