Yorkshire Terriers, or as they are more commonly known, Yorkies, are a small dog breed of the terrier type. Originally these tiny, fancy dogs were not so prim and proper; They were used for catching rats in clothing mills. Yorkies are part of the toy group. They originated in northern England and came to North America in 1872. During the Victorian era the Yorkie was a very popular pet and show dog in England and since America embraced Victorian customs, they also embraced the Yorkie and they are still popular today.
Adult Yorkies remain small and usually reach 6-7 inches and height and only weigh no more than 7 lbs. They have a long, glossy coat that requires diligent combing and grooming. Their silky hair tangles easily and without constant attention it can become tangled and matted. A good dog brush and dog comb is a necessity with this breed. Their coat is tan with steel blue on the body and tail. They have abundant hair on their heads that must either be trimmed or secured with a bow or ribbon.
Yorkies can have delicate digestive systems and should only be fed quality food. Vomiting and diarrhea can occur as a result of them eating outside of their normal diet. Like many toy breeds, their small size makes them have a poor tolerance for anesthesia. They can also suffer from skin allergies, cataracts, Luxating patella, liver shunts, tracheal collapse, and bladder stones. They typically have a life span of 12-15 years.
Though tiny, the Yorkie is a very active, curious, attention loving dog. Unlike many small dogs, well adjusted Yorkies do not display the submissive attitude lap dogs can adopt. For this reason, Yorkies typically are not a good choice for households with small children. Yorkies have a natural disposition to work hard without human assistance, and therefore are usually easy to train. They descended from a working breed so they require both physical and mental stimulation. They tend to bark a lot, making them excellent watch dogs. Yorkies are very adaptable and are suitable for most home and living situations.
Fun Facts:
1. The smallest dog in recorded history was Sylvia, a Yorkie from England. She passed away at 2 years old in 1945, weighing only 4 ounces and measuring 2.5 inches tall at the shoulders and 3.5 inches long.
2. Yorkies first appeared in dog shows in 1861 but at the time they were called Broken Haired Scotch Terriers.
3. In 1944, during WWII, a female Yorkie was found in the jungle in New Guinea near Japanese lines. She didn’t understand English or Japanese and no one claimed her so William Wynne of the Air Force adopted her and named her Smoky. She became a war hero by helping save soldiers’ lives during the war carrying communications wires through an underground tunnel. She accompanied her owner on 150 air raids and 12 air-sea missions. She even jumped from a 30 ft tower with a specially made parachute!
4. Yorkies are the 6th most popular breed in the U.S.
5. A 12lb Yorkie saved her elderly owner’s life by fighting off the attack of an 80lb Akita. The Yorkie survived and only needed 9 stitches.
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