Yorkie Puppies

Yorkies, a well known name used to call lovely, beautiful and cute puppies from the Yorkshire Terriers breed. These “Yorkies” are small yet they have distinctive and strong personalities. According to AKC Registration Statistics, this breed is the most sought after breed from all over the world. Though very small, they offer dog lovers big enjoyment and happiness because they are very adorable and even called as toys because of their size. They are very observable dogs, love to play around much and are very brave and persistent.

History of the Yorkies

These breed from the Yorkshire Terriers were named after an English city and traced to the Waterside Terrier breed. This Waterside Terrier was a cross-bred of the Black and Tan English Terrier and Paisley and Clydesdale Terriers. They are brought to Yorkshire by weavers from Scotland to England in the mid-19th century. These kinds of breed were used before to keep clothing mills free from mice. They started out as workers and people even made funny remarks about the nice and fine hair of the dogs as effects of their being workers. They then became popular because they were used as trendy pets with high class people during the Victorian period. They had made their grand entrance during a bench show in England in 1861 as “broken-haired Scotch Terrier”. In 1870, they were no longer called as such because of Angus Sutherland’s report in The Field magazine that they should be called Yorkshire Terriers.

It was in 1872 when the first Yorkshire Terrier was born in the United States. Since then, the breeding started and their classes were shown in 1878. The classes were divided into two; the five pounders down and the five pounders up but in later years, the size of the Yorkies went down from 3-7 pounds average thus, shows only offer one class since then.

These Yorkies became the most well known breed that are pampered and treated as toys. They have adorable façade with long coats from some terrier breeds and have merry and active personality which they got from the larger breeds of terriers.

Yorkies Distinct Facade

The blue and tan long coat of this terrier breed and size are its promising qualities. The hair equally splits from both sides of the body which make them look like brooms. The stance gives off the look of authority. The head is always held high like having an air of aristocracy. This breed have very well designed body yet very small and trim.

The Head

Small and flat topped head with the skull that is not so round and the nose that is not so long and black. The ears were V-shaped and erected not too distant with each other. Its eyes were not that pronounced but are very dark and are glaring with sharp and bright expression with dark rims.

The Small Body

The body is very well designed and solid with its shoulder and the rear or buttock part are with the same height. The back portion of the body is very short.

The Active Feet and Legs

It has straight hind legs when observed from behind and a little curved when observed from the sides. Elbows should not be in or out and forelegs should be straight. Dewclaws from the hind legs should be removed but the dewclaws on the forelegs may be removed or not. It has black toenails.

The Wagging Short Tail

The tail was curtailed and is short enough that it is carried higher than the level of the back.

Beautifully Arranged Coat

What makes this breed so popular is its coat. So, it is of importance for this breed to have shiny, fine and silky hair. The coat can be cut back to floor length in order to give the dog effortless and fluid movements and for it to look neat. The hair is not wavy but straight. There are two hair types of this dog breed. Those with shiny coat which are for show dogs while the soft coat are short and needs no brushing frequently. The hair on the face is long enough to be tied with a ribbon or bow at the center or split into half and tied with two bows. This should be done or if not cut so as not to prick its eyes. The muzzle or nose coat can be cut back to create a clean look. Yorkies have very soft coats.

Amazing Colors

The Yorkie puppies naturally have darker shade of black and tan when newly born. When they grow into adults, the color of the body, head and legs become vivid tan. The blue color extends from the back of the neck to the end of the Yorkie’s tail, the color is of pure blue with no other colors like silver or bronze and black hair is mixed. The tail has darker shade of blue in it. The roots of the coat are darker tan and went lighter to the tips. No spots or mix of black should be present on the tan. The deep and golden tan is located on both sides of the head, on the roots of the ear and on the nose. The vivid tan is seen on the chest and legs but will not extend above the joints on the hind legs and above the elbow on the forelegs. When there are colors other than blue and tan on the Yorkies aside from a little stain of white not more than an inch on the chest part, it is no longer a good breed of Yorkie pups.

The Required Weight

All Yorkie pups should not exceed the average weight of seven pounds. That is why they are treated as toys because of their size and weight. Pet lovers can easily carry with them their pups wherever they go.

Common Heath Problems with Yorkies

Owners should learn to take good care of their Yorkies because some of the health problems such as bronchitis, slipped stifle, distichiasis, hydrocephalus, hypoplasia of dens, tracheal collapse, bladder stones, eye infections which are commonly cause by the pricking of the hair into the eyes, early tooth decay and having a delicate stomach are common to some of the Yorkie pups. They are also allergic to injections because they can have hair loss or allergy on the area after injection. These Yorkies should have constant Vet checkup especially with their teeth. Bones and dry foods can be fed to the Yorkies to keep their teeth strong, healthy and reduce the risk of infections and falling teeth. They are prone to accidents like a simple fall or knock which can cause them bone fractures. The female Yorkies even need to go through a cesarean section to deliver their pups. They are only expected to live for 12-15 years.

The Grooming Sessions

With these kinds of breed that have very long coats, you need to groom them very often. They require clipping their coats everyday and just a weekly brushing and combing. Long and full coats can take long hours of grooming especially when used for shows. Their coats should be well maintained and covered in tissue paper or rice paper after putting coat oil to prevent it from breakage. Some owners just cut their coats to make a shaggy look and spend less time grooming. They only shed a little hair or nothing at all when they are bathed or brushed. The most important part of the dog to be cleaned is their teeth. Proper care and maintenance should be strictly followed.

How do you know that this breed fits your lifestyle?

These wee size dogs, even as Yorkie puppies, only require less exercise. And if you are a sporty type then this one is not an ideal dog for you because you can’t bring them to join you for a jog but they are very active and energetic and can be taken for a walk. This type of breed can very well adapt to its surrounding easily. Attention is what these breed love most. They are loyal to their masters if they feel loved but when the owner is not so affectionate, there is a tendency for this dog to be aggressive and apprehensive. They always want to play with everybody and their long coat will require the owner to spend more time brushing. This can be a good bonding moment for the both of you.

If you want to have one of these beautiful and lovely pups, be sure to have a heater in your house if not live in a tropical place. These Yorkies prefer to live in a warm surrounding than in a cold climate. You can have one even if you live in an apartment because this kind of dog does not need to have a big space.

Yorkie puppies are highly recommended for old people, caring and attentive children because their being small sometimes would lead these people to pamper them and tolerate untoward behaviors of the dogs. They sometimes become more aggressive and start to take authority even with their small size. They can be easily trained but when the owners start to let them take over the house, they can not be trusted anymore especially with kids because they snap easily. Owners should give them a gentle and good leadership skill to tame them and not develop in them the air of authority. If you are one of the gentle people with leadership skills, this dog breed is for you but if not, then beware!