Yorkshire TerrierCharacteristics, history, training and care

The FCI standard says the Yorkshire Terrier comes from the same area as the Airedale Terrier and appeared around the 1850s. Behind it lie the old black and tan terrier, as well as other breeds such as the Maltese and the Skye Terrier. Its present name was accepted in 1870.

Wikipedia says that, in the mid-19th century, Scottish workers who came to Yorkshire looking for work brought several types of terrier with them, and the breed was developed mainly by workers in the cotton and woollen mills of Yorkshire and Lancashire. Mary Ann Foster's dog Huddersfield Ben fixed the type of the breed.

How the breed developed

• Around 1850 – The first Yorkshire Terriers appear.
• 1870 – Its present name is accepted.
• Second World War – A dog called Smoky revives interest in the breed.
• 30 October 1954 – The FCI recognises the breed.

Indicative rating: 5 stars means the highest level. It is based on the ratings the American Kennel Club gives the breed and on the FCI standard.

The standard describes it as very compact and neat, with a very upright carriage that gives an air of importance. The coat hangs straight and evenly down each side, with a parting from the nose to the tip of the tail.

General appearance

On the body, the coat is moderately long, perfectly straight, glossy, fine and silky, never woolly. On the head the hair is long and a rich golden tan, deeper on the sides of the head, at the base of the ears and on the muzzle. The AKC says the coat is very similar to human hair.

The standard calls for dark steel blue (not silver blue) from the back of the skull to the root of the tail, with no fawn, bronze or dark hairs, and rich golden tan on the head and chest. No other colour or combination is accepted.

The standard describes it as an alert, intelligent toy terrier, full of life, with an even temperament. It keeps the hunting instinct of terriers, whether it is chasing a toy indoors or a rodent in the garden.

The AKC says the Yorkie loves its owners, is very intelligent and eager to please, and praise and rewards work much better than harsh corrections. It should be socialised from an early age, with new situations, people and dogs introduced slowly and calmly.

Tips for effective training

• Praise it a lot. Rewards work best.
• Socialise it early. Slowly and calmly.
• Limit jumping. Especially in puppies, for the sake of their knees.
• Teach it “quiet”. It can bark quite a lot.

The AKC says small dogs need exercise too: walks at a steady pace and short bursts of chasing a ball. Two short walks a day are usually enough.

Tips for a balanced life

• It suits an apartment.
• Tie the hair on its head up in a topknot.
• Keep it from big jumps.

Coat and skin care

The AKC says the coat is similar to human hair and should be treated the same way. If it is kept long, it should be brushed daily. The hair on the head is trimmed short or tied up in a topknot so that it does not irritate the eyes. It should be bathed about once a week, and the ears checked weekly.

Common health problems

The AKC says the Yorkie is generally healthy, and responsible breeders check their dogs for:

Other care

• Limit jumping in puppies.
• Brush its teeth often.
• Check the ears weekly.

The AKC recommends good-quality food suited to the dog's age, and attention to its weight.

Tips for a healthy diet

The table gives a starting estimate, calculated with the formula from the Merck Veterinary Manual. The first two calorie columns show the calories per day for a healthy adult dog. The last column shows what this means in dry food with 3,500–4,000 kcal per kilogram.

• Give puppies their food in three to four small meals.
• Treats count towards the daily portion.
• A dog is at the right weight when you can feel its ribs under the coat without pressing hard.

Foods to avoid

Some human foods are dangerous for dogs: chocolate, coffee, grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol (a sweetener used in chewing gum), macadamia nuts and alcohol.

Physical and emotional maturity

In dogs, sexual maturity usually comes between 6 and 12 months. Small breeds become adults faster than large ones, usually at around one year.

Mating and pregnancy

Pregnancy lasts about 63 days, counted from ovulation. Mating a female on her first heat is not recommended. The FCI standard requires that only healthy dogs of typical breed appearance are used for breeding.

Caring for the puppies

In small breeds, a litter has 3–4 puppies on average. The puppies are very small and fragile in the first weeks, so they must be kept warm and handled with care. Socialisation starts early: gentle handling, everyday noises and new people.

• No more than 3.2 kg. One of the smallest dogs.
• A coat like human hair. That is how the AKC describes it.
• A working people's dog. Bred by mill workers.
• Huddersfield Ben. He fixed the type of the breed.
• Smoky, the war dog. She revived interest in the breed.

Smoky

Wikipedia says Smoky, a Yorkshire Terrier who became famous as a “war dog” in the Second World War, revived interest in the breed.

Huddersfield Ben

Wikipedia says the portrait of Huddersfield Ben, the dog who fixed the type of the breed, was painted by George Earl.

How much does it weigh?

No more than 3.2 kg.

Does it shed?

Very little; the AKC gives 1 out of 5.

How often should it be brushed?

Daily, if the coat is kept long.

How long does it live?

The AKC gives 11–15 years.