The Yorkshire Terrier.
In another of our Holidays4Dogs articles on dog breeds, we focus this time on the much loved Yorkshire Terrier – affectionately known as, ‘yorkies’ amongst their dedicated owners.
The Yorkshire Terrier, despite his delicate looks, like many other terriers is a strong and determined little character with ancestry harking back to tough Scottish ratting dogs.
History.
During the Industrial Revolution, the dogs were taken into cities by people from Scotland who were looking for work.
The were crossed with other northern terrier types to create the Yorkshire terrier we know and love today. Because they were most popular in the county of Yorkshire, this is how their name came about.
When the UK kennel club registered Yorkshire terriers in 1874, their popularity became more widespread.
After official standardisation, one of the most successful show dogs named ‘Huddersfield Ben’, rose to Yorkshire terrier fame. Ben is considered to be the main fore-father of the modern day Yorkshire terrier.
Character.
Despite his stature, the Yorkshire terrier is a lively and courageous little dog, full of vitality and intelligence. They do possess a distinct kind of charm. Although they can be somewhat independent, typical of the terrier nature, they are also sweet little dogs, suited to all types of families young and old.
With the correct upbringing, terriers can develop into relatively easy and non-demanding pets. They are moderately easy to train, although as we have already noted, they can be stubborn at times. Socialisation is very important with Yorkshire terriers.
Terriers, in general, do bond very well their owners and, as such, can sometimes be susceptible to separation anxiety.
Care.
The Yorkshire terrier is an active little dog and will need walking daily. However, they are happy with moderate length walks. Ideally, this should include free running in open spaces, to burn off some of that energy. They can have a propensity to dig too, so dog loving gardeners might need to bear this in mind.
The Yorkshire terrier has long, glossy hair. Unless this is tended to daily, it will easily become tangled and matted. It can quickly pick up burrs and debris, (especially around the ‘bottom’ area), so many people choose to clip the hair shorter. It is possible to buy clippers and do this yourself, otherwise regular trips to the groomer will be a must.
Health.
Although there are currently no health screening tests for Yorkshire terriers, there are some diseases that yorkie are prone to. These include;-
- Eye diseases.
- Slipped stifles.
- Bronchitis.
- Digestive problems.
- Tooth decay.
Conclusion.
All in all, the Yorkshire terrier is a good candidate as a family pet. Although he is less demanding than larger breeds, he is nevertheless a little dog with a big character who enjoys joining in with various family activities. With an adventurous personality, many people of all ages find Yorkshire terriers to be entertaining and loyal family pets.