Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkshire Terriers live 11 to 15 years. Patellar luxation and dental crowding are the most common concerns. Portosystemic shunt, a liver condition, and tracheal collapse occur in the breed. Legg Calve Perthes disease and hypoglycemia in puppies also require attention. Use a harness rather than a collar to protect the trachea. Source from health tested breeders and schedule annual vet visits.

Your Yorkshire Terrier has a long, silky coat that needs brushing daily to prevent mats when kept long. Most pet owners maintain a shorter puppy clip that needs brushing every two to three days and professional grooming every six to eight weeks. Brush teeth daily since dental disease is the leading health problem in this breed. Clean ears weekly.

Your Yorkshire Terrier needs 20 to 30 minutes of active exercise daily. Short walks and indoor play sessions suit their moderate energy in a tiny frame. Mental stimulation through trick training keeps their sharp mind engaged. Avoid high impact jumping given the risk of patellar luxation and tracheal pressure.

Yorkshire Terriers are intelligent and quick to learn but can develop stubbornness without consistent boundaries. Use positive reinforcement with small food rewards. Start socialization early. Housetraining takes patience given their small bladder. Many Yorkies become bossy without clear structure so establish rules from day one.

Feed a quality tiny breed formula twice daily with carefully measured portions. Hypoglycemia is a risk for puppies so feed small frequent meals in the first months. Brush teeth daily or near daily since periodontal disease is one of the leading health problems in this breed. Keep treats minimal and calorie light.

The Yorkshire Terrier developed in northern England in the mid 19th century, bred by Scottish workers who brought various terrier breeds to Yorkshire during the Industrial Revolution. Workers crossed Paisley Terriers, Skye Terriers, and other small terrier breeds to create a compact dog capable of catching rats in the textile mills. The breed transitioned from working mill dog to fashionable Victorian ladies companion within a generation. The AKC recognized the Yorkshire Terrier in 1885. Today it consistently ranks among the most popular breeds in the world.