Yorkshire Terrier: breed standard, maintenance and care

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

When Scottish farmers and English miners bred the Yorkshire Terrier to fight rats in farms, stables and mines, people probably didn't know that this small, determined and active rat-racing dog was in the future will become the most famous salon beauty - a symbol of we alth and security.

Modern Yorkshire Terriers

The Yorkshire Terrier, which has been standardized for years, is currently a very popular breed. Its representatives live both in rich houses and in ordinary apartments. And the reason for this was the most beautiful characteristics of the breed: non-shedding, odorless wool, miniature size of the animal, plasticity of behavior, stable psyche, which makes it easy to adapt to life in urban conditions.

However, fashion and popularity do not always benefit purebred dogs. The Yorkshire Terrier found itself in such a situation. The breed standard is not always incurrently maintained. The high cost of puppies determines the desire of unscrupulous breeders to cash in on the sale of offspring and at the same time not bother to control the exterior and psyche. Once in families, such dogs become wonderful companions and friends, but there are also incidents that can cause trouble for the owners: animals can mark territory, snap, bite, spoil furniture or bark at all passers-by. This doesn't happen often, but it does happen. A real Yorkshire terrier will never allow himself such behavior in his life. The breed standard implies not only the presence of external characteristics, but a certain behavior and character.

Features of the Yorkshire Terrier

Wool is the main feature that the Yorkshire Terrier boasts. The breed standard calls for a silky, downless coat that resembles human hair. It is very soft and beautiful, and therefore requires constant care. Every day it needs to be combed, and for those individuals who participate in exhibitions, before going for a walk, you definitely need to wind the wool on papillots. Such a laborious procedure will help preserve the hairy part, protect it from damage and prevent the appearance of split ends, because the show specimens have hair longer than the height of the animal.

The Yorkshire Terrier, whose standard (photo is given in the article) suggests the presence of a long beautiful coat, can sometimes have a brittle and puffy pile. With such a problem, properly selected cosmetics and regularcombing. Even if such care does not work, and the hair gets tangled, then there's nothing to be done - this is a genetic characteristic that cannot be changed.

There is another feature that the Yorkshire Terrier has. The breed standard does not limit the size of animals. Minimum height and weight are not specified. Therefore, the situation with the size of dogs is ambiguous. Some breeders oppose large species of this breed, while others seek to breed very small creatures that have a hysterical character and poor he alth. Amateur breeding of aggressive or cowardly dogs leads to the fact that the owners of such a pet will have to take it to a zoopsychologist for behavioral correction already in the first year of life. To avoid all these problems, you need to get a he althy and not too small puppy.

Yorkshire Terrier: standard, breed description

The first publications about the standard date back to 1986. It should be noted that it was supplemented and changed several times. The current RKF Yorkshire Terrier standard with the latest additions was published on 2011-10-11.

An interesting fact is that the minimum size of the animal (weight and height) is not indicated. It's hard to imagine, but the terrier is listed in the Guinness Book, whose height is only 6.5 centimeters.

What is the modern Yorkshire Terrier like? The breed standard describes the animal as a cheerful and active companion with amazing silky long hair that falls apart on the back in the form of a parting.

Doghas a compact strong body and graceful posture.

Considerable attention is paid to the character of the animal in the standard. The dog must certainly be inquisitive, active, friendly towards people, without any bouts of nervousness and aggression. The balanced and lively character is most acceptable for this breed, which makes it a salon dog and a good companion.

How tall is a Yorkshire Terrier? Standard sizes are not limited.

Terrier Appearance

How does the Yorkshire Terrier (standard) look like? The description of the animal should begin with the head. It should not be large, stand out with long ears, a rounded skull or an elongated muzzle. The nose of the terrier is certainly black, the eyes are small. The muzzle has a smart expression. The ears are set in a V shape and covered with red hair.

Whatever the size of the Yorkshire Terrier, the standard (the photo is given in the article) prescribes to follow the teeth without fail. The dog must have a scissor bite with the incisors strictly vertical with no space between the lower and upper teeth. A serious disadvantage is the absence of several teeth in the animal.

The compact, well-built body allows the Yorkshire Terrier to actively move without effort.

Color according to the standard

The standard describes both the coat itself and its color very precisely. Currently, there are a variety of Yorkshire Terriers, their colors vary from black to bright red. But a real purebred doghas a black saddle with bright red tan. As you grow older, the black tint is replaced by steel, but bright tan should not fade.

The red color of the coat should not rise above the elbow joint on the front legs, and above the hock on the hind legs. Quite long hair grows on the muzzle at the base of the ears.

The dog must move freely, straight ahead. In the latest edition of the standard, it was even stated that the coat should not interfere with the movement of the animal.

Serious faults of the breed are: wrong color, timid or aggressive behavior.

What is the lifespan of a dog?

Speaking of this breed, it should be clarified how long Yorkshire terriers live (standard). How long will a dog keep its owners happy?

How long do Yorkshire Terriers live? The Terrier breed standard implies good he alth of the animal. Individuals of this species live from twelve to fifteen years, and some - up to twenty. At the same time, their age does not affect their behavior, even in advanced years they run and have fun, like little puppies. Therefore, if we talk about how long Yorkshire terriers live (standard), we can safely say that they will delight their owners for many years.

But as for mini terriers, they don't have such a strong body and are more prone to various kinds of diseases. The average duration of their existence is from seven to nine years. However, keep in mind that mini-terriers have very brittle andfragile bones and a weak, even frail body - so laid down by nature. Therefore, bad situations often happen to them. Such pets require increased attention from the owners, as they can damage, dislocate or break their paw, even jumping off the couch. They are so small that you can step on them or pinch the door. Therefore, you should not buy such a dog for those who have small children.

The Yorkshire Terrier's weight standard, as we said, is not specified, but breeders know that it should be approximately 3.1 kg. Mini terriers usually weigh no more than two kilograms.

Small Yorkies (one to two kilograms)

Yorkshire Terrier (mini) is an adornment of a woman's handbag or pocket. It's hard to find it in an apartment. Such a pet easily gets along with all the inhabitants of the house: from people to mice and hamsters, chinchillas. The small standard of Yorkshire Terriers suggests that they eat little, but have a very capricious nature. The dog can't stand being alone. But she is not so much interested in games as she has a great desire to just sit in her master's arms. This species is completely unsuitable for breeding. In addition, you need to remember that such an animal requires a lot of attention even in terms of safety. It can be easily pinched or crushed. Children should be especially careful, because they love to play with animals, and small Yorkies should be treated with special care.

Yorkshire Terrier (Standard)

Yorkshire Terrier is an ideal dog for breeding and show career. He is a great friend on long journeys, a good companion for children. The Yorkshire Terrier is not only an excellent sportsman and watchman, but also a wonderful nanny. He learns circus tricks with ease.

But the fur of the animal will require careful care from you. There is a lot of it, and therefore very often Yorkies are sheared, they give intricate shapes to the hairline. Such a dog is suitable for keeping in any family.

What is the difference between standard and mini terrier?

Currently, many people tend to have mini-Yorks, because they are so small and cute. Apparently, such popularity affected the price, since the breed standard is cheaper than a cute baby. Although you need to understand that the mini terrier does not carry breeding value.

What is the difference between the Yorkshire terrier mini and standard? The difference between these animals is quite large, even though they belong to the same breed:

1. Little Yorkies should not be taken into families with young children. The bones of the animal are very fragile, and therefore it is very easy to cripple it.
2. A mini puppy needs constant supervision: he should not be allowed to jump from a sofa or bed, as he can dislocate his paw and hit his head.
3. You can not knit girls in miniature sizes. The "dimensions" and weight of the animal do not allow giving birth and bearing offspring. The dog might just die.
4. In little Yorkies, the fontanel does not overgrow, and therefore withthey need to be very careful.
5. As for standards, they are he althier, live longer. They are always cheerful and active.
6. Yorkshire Terriers (standard) get along great with all family members, especially with children. They take an active part in all games. Unlike Yorkies mini, the standard does not need close guardianship. Such a dog is quite strong and hardy.

Yorkshire terrier standard and mini, the differences between which we discussed, are very different, and this is primarily due to their size. Which animal suits you best - a pet doll or an active dog - decide for yourself.

Maintenance and Care

The Yorkshire Terrier will feel great not only in a city apartment, but also in a country estate. The main condition for keeping a pet is the availability of a properly equipped place to sleep.

It is also necessary to have tools for caring for hair, claws, eyes and ears, sets of clothes for different weather and a bag for carrying the animal.

The Yorkie's resting place is chosen so that it is not in a draft. An important point is the remoteness of this place from the master bedroom. Dogs of this breed do not like loneliness, and therefore they will not want to rest away from people. They should always be the center of attention. It is better to place the dog bed on some hill - so it will be more convenient for the animal to observe all household members, and at the same time be aware of all events.

The Yorkshire Terrier definitely needs to equip a toilet with a post. The toilet itself is betterchoose somewhere near the entrance as dogs love to mark the edges of their territory.

Combs for terriers must be purchased from metal, but brushes - wooden or with natural bristles. A plastic tool is not suitable for wool as it causes tangles. Those animals that do not walk much will need a nail cutter.

Your pet needs a lot of cosmetics (conditioners, shampoos, paw, ear and claw care products). It must be selected individually. Buy small packs and test them for a month.

The eyes are examined daily. Crusts are removed from them with the help of lotion. Ears are inspected and cleaned every week. Milk teeth in dogs should be removed by a veterinarian. In addition, we should not forget that Yorkies must be vaccinated, to protect them from infectious diseases.

Yorkshire Terrier food

Feeding is one of the main moments in the life of a terrier, in which he begins to show his character. Animals can easily refuse their usual food and beg for something tasty from the table of the owners.

Don't put dry food bowls all over the house. It is enough to give the Yorkie fifteen minutes to eat, and then put the food in the refrigerator. The food of the animal can be varied with seasonal vegetables, fruits, boiled rice. Yorkshire Terriers will benefit from homemade yogurt. For their preparation, low-fat homemade milk is used. Meat for feeding is taken with veins and cartilage. Puretenderloin is not suitable for feeding, because it does not give the proper load on the gastric tract. The meat must be cut into pieces and given to the dog, in no case is it recommended to give minced meat (it is poorly digested).

When choosing dry pet food, you need to know if it's right for your pet. The main indicator is the good functioning of the digestive system, as well as the excellent condition of the coat and skin.

How to choose the right puppy?

If you want to get yourself a pet of this breed, then first of all you need to pay attention to the standards of the Yorkshire Terrier. A puppy is selected according to certain characteristics:

1. The baby must certainly have a pedigree indicating the date of birth and nursery.
2. International passport (veterinary) with vaccinations must be available.
3. You should pay attention to the age of the animal. All vaccinations are done before 2.5 months, which means that the breeder should not sell puppies earlier.
4. You need to buy a terrier only in a kennel.

A he althy dog should look cheerful and cheerful.

Terrier training

A terrier puppy needs to be trained from the first day he enters your home. First of all, he must be taught to respond to his name, and also accustomed to the place of feeding.

During the vaccination period, puppies need to be taught to wear a harness and collar. It is best to put them on alternately and at this time entertain the dog so that he does not pay any attention to them.

Once your terrier gets used to these accessories, you can attach a short leash and let himhim to walk around the apartment with him.

As soon as the dog has passed all vaccinations and quarantine, it can be taken out for walks. This moment is very important for the animal, because it must learn to communicate with its relatives, this will avoid behavioral problems at the shows.

Walking the dog is necessary in an active form. This means that you need to constantly play with her, call her to her, treat her with goodies. You can't just wander monotonously down the street without paying attention to the Yorkie. A walk should bring joy and communication not only to the dog, but also to its owner. The best pastime is outdoor joint games without a leash: hide and seek, catch up. The animal must learn not to lose sight of its owner.

Yorkshire Terriers quickly learn the sport of agility. It gives them particular pleasure to pass all the shells. Terriers even compete in the smallest category.

Those who are fond of running can involve their dogs in the process. This sport is called canicross.

I would like to note that beautiful long hair cannot be combined with an active sport. In winter, snow, summer dust, dirt - all this has a detrimental effect on the hairline, which needs additional care. Very rarely people manage to combine the active sports life of York with exhibitions. Therefore, the hosts, as a rule, choose one thing: either medals or an active lifestyle.

However, you need to understand what to donot every Yorkshire terrier can play sports and actively play. Mini, the standards are very different from each other in terms of he alth and physical capabilities. There is no need to talk about an active lifestyle with respect to the mini terrier. Therefore, if you want to have an animal that will run and play sports with you, you will by no means be suitable for the smallest representatives of the breed, which are simply not capable of such feats.

History of the breed

The birthplace of the Yorkshire Terrier is considered to be England, or rather, two northern counties - Lancashire and Yorkshire. The immediate ancestor is the Waterside Terrier, which is also small and semi-longhaired. The main task of such an animal was the extermination of rodents, as well as accompanying the owners on trips along rivers and canals. It is for this reason that the breed got its name. At that time, peasants were not allowed to have large dogs, it was believed that they would help their owners poach.

Another breed similar to the Yorkshire Terrier is the Manchester Terrier. All ancestors of Yorkies were larger animals with semi-long hair. Their weight was between six and seven kilograms.

The first representatives of the Yorkshire Blue and Tan Terrier breed were standardized in 1886. And in 1898, the first club of lovers of these miniature dogs was formed.

Interesting Terrier Facts

Initially, in the homeland, terriers were used as rodent exterminators. However, currently the representativesbreeds have long forgotten their original purpose and live in our homes as pets.

In recent years, the breed entered the TOP-10. And the smallest representative with a weight of 113 grams is listed in the Guinness Book of Records.

York hair is similar in structure to human hair. It does not cause allergic reactions in humans. In terms of intelligence, Yorkies are ranked 23 out of 133.

The history of the breed has a number of famous individuals, including a York named Smokey. With a height of 18 cm, he weighed 1.8 kg. It was found by American soldiers in a fox hole in the jungles of Guinea. The animal, along with its owner, went through two years of military service, regularly skydiving, eating soldier food. After the death of Smokey (in 1957), a monument was erected in the form of a small dog in a helmet.

The oldest Yorkshire terrier still lives in the UK, over 22 years old.