Dog: YorkshireTerrier - Characteristics, Temperament, Breeding, Care, Photo, Video

Yorkshire terrier

The Yorkshire terrier is a breed of dog product of the combination of Scottish and English terriers, which originated when a part of the population of Scotland was displaced, due to the Industrial Revolution, and settled in England.

Temperament

Although small, the yorkshire possesses the characteristics of courage and tenacity typical of terriers. The yorkshire gladly admits all kinds of people. He is active, overprotective, loves to be the center of attention, and will not show the gentle temperament seen in lapdogs (which is a consequence of his independent nature of working without human help when he was raised to hunt rodents). It is an easy breed to train, as long as the owner is constant. Like any dog, it needs exercise in relation to its capacity and physical fitness.

They tend to bark a lot, and this makes them excellent watchdogs, as they will sound the alarm when someone approaches and appears threatening. If excessive barking becomes a problem, it can be resolved with proper training.

At the intelligence level, the yorkie was ranked 27 in the Stanley Coren ranking about the intelligence of dogs.

Characteristics

The characteristics of this breed are: small size with an approximate weight, according to the breed standard, of 3.2 kg (7 pounds) and its hair is brown, black and gray. The smallest Yorkshire terrier in the world named Lucy (Accredited by The Guinness Book of Records) weighed 2.5 pounds.

The original Yorkshire terrier was a dog about 6 to 7 kilos (13lb to 15lb approx.) In weight, and was used to hunt rats and other rodents. Its decrease in size and weight is due to artificial selection, although today there are still Yorkshire Terriers with the original weight of the species.

Breeding and crossing

It is recommended for breeding that males and females are similar in phenotype, since they are looking for outstanding specimens for their typicality (which will be the closest to the racial standard), free of defects or diseases and without the deviations specified in the breed standard, in order to obtain dogs as homogeneous as possible. Both broodstock must be suitable for breeding, with the male having the capacity to perform the mounts on her own and the female having the ability to gestate and nurse the litter without endangering their lives.

The belief that the male must be somewhat smaller than the female to facilitate pregnancy or childbirth is false, since fetuses will develop in the mother's womb, depending on the capacity and size of the female herself.

It is important to carry out a veterinary follow-up on the female during her pregnancy, as well as feeding her with an adequate diet, to reduce, as far as possible, the risks. Because there can sometimes be difficulty during labor, a cesarean section can be planned in advance.

The female must be of adequate size to be able to remove a litter, disregarding females with a reduced size or weight, it is necessary to avoid using for the breeding animals of less than 2 kg, since the puppies in a few days will reach a considerable size within the maternal womb, which can cause serious problems for the mother.30 As in any other breed, breeding must be carried out responsibly and with the sole purpose of maintaining and improving the breed.

Yorkshire terrier: small breed dog

Characteristics and care of this small breed

Of English origin and small dimensions, the Yorkshire terrier is characterized by being an intelligent breed with a strong personality. Its weight does not usually exceed 3.2 kg and, despite entering the category of companion dog, it enjoys a restless and very active temperament.

He moves away from what could be considered a “lap” dog, even going so far as to develop territorial behaviors and a certain courage when he comes across larger dogs.

Yorkshire Terrier puppies have rich, fine, and silky fur, whose combination of black, tan, and dark steel blue makes them adorable furry. During the first year of life they need to channel their energy through play and daily walks.

Since their metabolism is fast, it is advisable to give them a small amount of food more frequently and, above all, to provide them with a type of dog food that suits their nutritional needs and the reduced size of their mouth.

The process of learning and socializing this breed does not require excessive effort, although if you decide to live with a Yorkshire terrier dog, you should be aware that they require a series of care and hygiene routines to which they should be accustomed from an early age. Among them, we highlight below the main care.

Brushed:

Ideally, you should style your hair on a daily basis to avoid tangling. In specialized pet stores, you can find multiple options to carry out the grooming task of your Yorkshire terrier.

Bath:

This routine is essential to keep your Yorkshire dog free of the dirt that may accumulate during its walks. The most recommended is to do it twice a month and take the opportunity to deepen brushing. It is possible that, at first, your dog will be worried about the novelty of this routine (excess water, soap, noise produced by the dryer, etc.), but in a short time you will see how it gets used and appreciates its results. Remember that for the bath you must use shampoos for specific use for dogs.

Nail:

Small breed dogs tend to have long nails because there is no wear and tear that occurs through play in other larger dog breeds. This causes you to also spend time on the task of nail cutting, since the contact of your nails with your body can hurt you. It is recommended that you go to your vet to teach you how to cut your Yorkshire terrier’s nails. Once learned, you can carry it out yourself with the help of special scissors that you will find in specialized establishments.

Barber Shop:

Yorkshire Terriers, like other long-haired breeds, are prone to fringe hair growing to the point of causing eye discomfort or impairing vision. At this point, you can choose to remove the hair with the help of an accessory (clip or hair band), or periodically go to a dog groomer to control this aspect.

Teeth cleaning:

Small breed dogs are the most exposed to the presence of bacteria in the gums due to plaque accumulation, because they have the same definitive dental structure as other dogs (42 teeth), but their jaw is very small. As a result, teeth spend much of their time embedded in a herringbone pattern that makes bacteria more likely to accumulate and lead to dental disease.

To prevent it, it is advisable that, from the 7th month of life, you carry out a daily tooth cleaning of your Yorkshire terrier dog with the help of a brush and toothpaste for dogs, which you can buy in specialized pet stores.

From the year on, you can combine this routine with the supply of a daily dental snack that promotes chewing and encourages physical “brushing” of the surface of your teeth. In this way, in addition to preventing, you will make your dog feel rewarded and enjoy it in a big way. We recommend that you buy a snack made with natural ingredients that allows you to clean even the teeth in the back of your mouth, which is an area with difficult access, where the teeth are more vulnerable to the accumulation of plaque and tartar.

Finally, keep in mind that the Yorkshire Terrier is an ideal roommate, which will adapt easily to your surroundings and your lifestyle, with which it will not cost you to travel anywhere.

Yorkshire terrier photo :