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Get a quick quoteThe Yorkshire Terrier (a.k.a. “Yorkie”) is a small, toy-sized dog known for its long, silky, straight coat and named after its place of origin in Yorkshire, northern England.
The Yorkshire Terrier’s coat is a combination of steel blue (on the body and tail) and tan. Their hair can grow particularly long, especially around the face, and often requires trimming in order to prevent it dipping into the food or water bowl.
It’s true that Yorkshire Terriers do not shed as much as other dogs due to their lack of an undercoat, but they do shed a little. Coats require weekly brushing, and longer hair around the head often needs to be tied back to keep from obstructing the dog’s vision.
The average Yorkshire Terrier weights around 3.2kg and stands between 15 and 17.5 cm tall. Their lifespan is generally between 12 and 15 years.
Yorkshire Terriers may be small, but they are energetic little dogs who require a daily walk and playtime to stimulate them both physically and mentally. If your Yorkie often runs around the house for no reason, this could be a sign that they need more exercise.
Owners who are consistent with rules and are patient with the dog will have no trouble training their Yorkshire Terrier, thanks to their working dog roots, however housebreaking can occasionally be a challenge.
Some believe the Yorkie to be a “yappy” breed, but some owners have found that their dog, when its needs are satisfied, is a quiet and happy dog. Their barking habit makes them great watchdogs.
Yorkshire Terriers are not recommended to households with young children, as they can often mistake the dog for a toy and play too roughly or drop or step on them.
Yorkies are prone to Small Dog Syndrome, which occurs when owners allow their dog to get away with things they would not allow a large dog to, which can lead the dog to believe they are the pack leader.
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The Yorkshire Terrier, named after the region of England from which it originated, arose out of a combination of ratter and working dogs. It came out of intentional crossbreeding of many terriers including the Clysedale Waterside, Paisley, Sky, Dandie Dinmont and Black and Tan English Terriers. The Clyesdale Waterside played an important part in the creation of the Yorkshire Terrier, especially its appearance, which was small, greyish blue, and had long hair. It was brought to Yorkshire by Scottish weavers around the 1850s.
Due to its working dog and ratter roots, English nobility were not fans of the Yorkshire Terrier, believing it to be common, but soon enough it became the toy dog of choice among wealthy Britons due to its elegant looks and small size.
The Yorkshire Terrier was brought to the USA in 1872 and its breed standard was established by 1900. As of 2013, the Yorkie is the 6th most popular purebred dog in the USA.
Yorkshire Terrier Club of NSW: http://www.yorkshireterrierclubnsw.com/default.asp