Windcrest Yorkshire Terriers

Origin and History of the Yorkshire Terrier

The Yorkshire terrier, well known for long flowing tresses, is a tiny but tough breed. Originally used to hunt rats, the Yorkie is a popular active pet.

The Yorkshire terrier was one of the top 10 breeds for the year 2001.

History and Origins
As Scottish weavers migrated from Scotland to England in the mid 19th century, they brought along various terriers used to hunt rats. Over time, these terriers were bred together until the Yorkshire terrier was developed.

Originally, the breed was called the “broken-haired scotch terrier.” In 1870, a reporter at a dog show stated that the breed should be renamed the Yorkshire terrier since most of the breed development occurred in the town of Yorkshire.

The breed was originally used as a working dog but became a fashionable pet in England in the late Victorian era. In 1872, the Yorkie made his entrance into the United States and has since been a favorite.

Appearance
The Yorkshire terrier is a member of the toy breed group. The ears are erect and the tail is docked. The best-known feature of the breed is the long flowing hair coat, which requires constant care. The long hair on the head is usually tied on top with a bow to prevent the hair from getting in the face and eyes. The hair coat is typically dark steel blue complimented with shades of tan.

Size
The Yorkshire terrier stands eight inches at the shoulder and weighs three to seven pounds.

Personality
Yorkshire terriers are excellent watchdogs, readily alerting their family when strangers approach. In comparison, females tend to be better watchdogs than males. Male Yorkies tend to let the females do all the work.

Yorkies willingly share their homes and families with other breeds. They are primarily indoor dogs but, since they are terriers at heart, they can live a rugged outdoor terrier life. With proper care and attention, they can live anywhere.

Home and Family Relations
The Yorkie is generally not very tolerant of children but can do well if raised with them. They are affectionate and loyal to the family but can be aggressive towards strangers if not properly socialized.

Training
The Yorkshire terrier is intelligent and easily trained in basic obedience.

Special Concerns
Even though the Yorkshire terrier is generally thought of as a pet, they are still terriers at heart and readily chase and kill rodents. Yorkies should not be allowed unsupervised time with small pets such as hamsters, rabbits and guinea pigs.

The long hair coat requires daily care to prevent tangles and mats.

Health Concerns
Patellar luxation is a condition in which the patella (knee-cap) no longer glides within its natural groove (sulcus) in the femur.

Alopecia is a disorder resulting in a loss of hair.

Urolithiasis is a condition affecting the urinary tract resulting in the formation of bladder stones.

Cataracts cause a loss of the normal transparency of the lens of the eye. The problem can occur in one or both eyes and can lead to blindness.

Cryptorchidism is a condition in which one or both testicles do not descend into the scrotum.

Entropion is a problem with the eyelid that causes inward rolling. Lashes on the edge of the eyelid irritate the surface of the eyeball and may lead to more serious problems.

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca is a disorder of the eye that results when tear production is decreased.

Portosystemic shunt is a malformation of the blood flow associated with the liver. The blood is shunted away from the liver, resulting in accumulation of blood toxins and subsequent profound illness.

In addition, the Yorkshire terrier is prone to dwarfism, difficulty delivering puppies, hydrocephalus and low blood sugar.

The lifespan of the Yorkshire terrier is 14 to 16 years.

We realize that each dog is unique and may display other characteristics. This profile provides generally accepted breed information only.