The Breed

AKC Group: Toy

Breed Group: Yorkshire Terrier Club of America

Rescue Group: Yorkshire Terrier Club of America Rescue

Intro: The Yorkshire Terrier, also called Yorkie for short, is the most popular Toy breed in the United States. Known for their self-confident personalities, they are perfect as companions and lap dogs.

Origin: The original Yorkie was known as the Broken-Haired Scotch Terrier, and was a 12 to 14 pound dog with wire hair that was bred to catch rats and other vermin. In 1870 the breed was renamed as the Yorkshire Terrier, after the English county of the same name. Huddersfield Ben, often considered to be the father of the modern Yorkie, was owned by Mr. W. Eastwood Huddersfield. Although no pedigrees are available for these first Yorkies, it is suggested that many breeds have contributed, such as the Old English Black and Tan, the Waterside Terrier, the Clydesdale Terrier, the Paisley Terrier, and possibly the Maltese.

Breed Characterstics: According to AKC standards, the Yorkie must not exceed 7 pounds. It has a compact build, and carries itself in a sprightly, self-assured manner. Their steel blue and tan coats are long, parting down the middle, straight, and silky fine. They have black noses and black pigmentation around the eyes. They must be brushed frequently, or can be trimmed in a puppy clip, an allover clip of 1 to 2 inches, for less maintenance.

Health Concerns: The average life expectancy is 15 to 18 years. Overall, the Yorkie is a healthy breed, with relatively few problems. Some of the more common ones are:

Luxating Patella: where the patella (kneecap) moves out of its normal location. Mild cases often require no treatment; severe cases may be able to be corrected surgically.

Portosystemic Liver Shunt: a liver defect which mimics liver failure. It is best treated surgically, but may also be maintained with diet and medication.

Cataracts: an opacity in the lens of the eye, is a common development in older Yorkies. Can sometimes be surgically removed.

Tracheal Collapse: a genetic weakening of the trachea which can be aggravated by pulling on a collar or from trachea tube when being sudated for a procedure. Can be treated medically, or for more severe cases, surgically. Can also result in death.

Temperment: Spunky and independent, Yorkies are often unaware of and indifferent to their small size in relation to the rest of the world. They are known for their disregard for the limitations of their stature, and will sometimes attack much larger dogs. They are intelligent, love to learn new things but have independent natures. They are usually easygoing, and get along well with other pets, but caution should be taken for their safety. They have a higher risk of injury due to their small size, so families with small children may want to consider another breed.