Knowing The Yorkie

September 30, 2009 by
Filed under Dog Breeds

Is A Yorkie Right For You

A breed of dog that has enduring popularity is the Yorkshire Terrier. Originating from northern England, Yorkies (as they are known) are pleasant, full of life and quite smart. They are considered a toy breed, due to the fact that at maturity they typically weigh between four and seven pounds. It is widely thought there to be some variations of Yorkshire terriers, known as teacup or miniature, they are smaller, growing to about 3 pounds at maturity. But this is NOT true, there is no such thing. Smaller Yorkies as these, are merely the smaller puppies of a litter. Any yorkies puppies regardless of their size is to be admired.

But with their hunting background and severe loyalty to their masters, there is nothing diminutive about them. Yorkies were originally bred to hunt vermin in the clothing mills of northern England. They were owned by the personnel at the mill, who found their faithfulness and steadfastness made for a wonderful companion. In the beginning considered a variety for every day workers, their magnificence and personality soon made them fashionable with the upper crust in England. The breed is still known for its devotion, and a Yorkie can be known to be sternly protective of its owner. The Yorkshire Terrier bonds quickly, and loves nothing else than to end the day in the lap of its master.

Yorkshire terriers are known for their long, sumptuous coat. As a puppy, the yorkies puppies coat is brown and black, but as the dog grows, the coat becomes brown and a beautiful bluish grey. The coat is like human hair, and will keep growing unless trimmed. Their hair can obscure their eyes, and it’s common to see a yorkie with a bow on top of its head to keep the hair out of the way. Because of the silky hair on a Yorkie, regular brushing is an absolute necessity. But with appropriate care, the Yorkshire terrier’s coat can be the most striking feature of the dog.

Teaching of the Yorkshire terrier can be simple, due to the breed’s intelligence. The Yorkie craves attention from the master because of its loyalty, so training must involve lots of praise and positive reinforcement. A good time for Yorkies to be trained is at younger ages, to give the puppy an outlet for its creative energy.

Because of the Yorkshire terrier’s intellect, they also make incredible show dogs. Their long, silky coat is a show stopper in the ring, and their intellect and desire to please makes for a owner’s dream. Yorkies also do well in obedience and agility. There is a community of breeders of show dogs in the United States. These types of breeders are truly the best resource for purchasing a pet Yorkie puppy, as show breeders devote vast amounts of time and effort on researching and striving for those perfect Yorkies, that not only look great but that are healthy and will live long lives. One such outfit is Artistry Yorkshire Terriers (www.artistryyorkies.com).

These breeders have grown to love raising Yorkshire terrier puppies, as the Yorkie’s devotion to their family becomes a breeder’s dream.