Yorkshire Terrier Breed Guide
Feisty | Loving | Playful. These pint-sized pooches might be a toy breed, but what they lack in size, they more than make up for with their extroverted personalities. Today we're delving into all things Yorkshire Terrier, or Yorkie, as they're nicknamed by those in the know. We'll explore everything from their origins to their distinctive personalities, so strap in—this is going to be a tail-wagging adventure!
Yorkshire Basics
First things first, let's nail down the basics. The Yorkshire Terrier, affectionately known as the Yorkie, is a pint-sized pup that packs a punch! These tiny wonders usually stand at about 7 to 8 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh in between 4 to 7 pounds. Don't let their small stature fool you—Yorkies are brimming with personality and charm
Average Lifespan: 11-15 years
Average Weight: 2.5 -5 kgs
Average Height: 18-20 cms
Colouring: A variation of Black, Tan , Blue and Gold
Trainability: Relatively easy very responsive to treats
Exercise Needs: 30 minutes to 1 hour
Shedding: Little to no shedding
Origins of Yorkshire Terrier
It's thought that Yorkshire Terriers are the creation of weavers in Scotland, who migrated South (to Yorkshire) and took their terriers with them. Once there, their pooches interbred with other local pooches, meaning they have a rather expansive genetic mix including both extinct and surviving breeds like Dandie Dinmonts.
From their devilishly good looks, you'd think these pooches were primarily lap dogs, but you'd be wrong! Their primary role was supporting the weavers in textile mils and coal mines as rodent exterminators.
In 1873, they were officially granted recognition by the UK Kennel Club, and with this formality, their popularity surged. Especially amongst leisurely ladies who found them to be the perfect companions, and their new job title was formed: luxury lap dog. We're sure they're very content with this promotion!
What do Yorkshire Terriers Look Like?
Stacking up to a whopping 8 to 9 inches, these diddly pooches could easily be overlooked. However, with their silky, long coats, and perky ears, there's no missing them. Their coats are so remarkable, that when the weavers first moved down with them, people would ask if they'd created them as one of their textile projects!
As puppies, their coat is typically Black and Tan, but once developed at 2 years this can develop into patterns such as Black and Gold, Blue and Tan, Blue and Gold or Parti, which is Black, White and Tan. Interestingly, as they age, their coat also typically lightens - making them true golden oldies.
One thing to watch out former "teacup" Yorkshire Terriers, bred to be as the name suggests, "teacup size". Whilst cute, they're much more prone to genetic and other health disorders, so best avoided to ensure a happy and healthy pup.
Yorkshire Terrier Personality
Yorkshire Terriers might be small in size, but their personalities are larger than life! They're known for their feisty and confident nature, so if it's a quiet pooch you're after, they might not be for you, as they do have a fair bit to say. Despite this, Yorkies do have a softer side, and often crave cuddles, companionship and attention.
Their fiercely loyal and affectionate nature makes them perfect for families. Just don't forget to always supervise if kids are near, after all who likes their hair getting yanked?
Do Yorkshire Terriers Bark a Lot?
Ah, the infamous question about Yorkies—do they bark a lot? Well, let's put it this way: they're not exactly the quietest members of the doggo community! Yorkies have a propensity for being vocal, expressing themselves through barking. They're alert and protective, so they might let you know if there's something amiss or if they're feeling a bit neglected. After all, this is one of the key traits they were bred for.
Yorkshire Terrier Feeding Requirements
Like any pooch, Yorkshire Terriers require a nutritious and well-balanced diet to thrive. Due to their diddly size, they do have some unique considerations to bear in mind, such as opting for an easy-to-eat kibble size, and ensuring they have two meals per day as adults. Relative to their body mass, small dogs have a higher metabolic rate than large pooches, so a nutrient dense food is really important to fuel all those zoomies, and keeping their Goldie locks, well ... goldie. Yorkies can also be picky eaters, so you better make sure it gets their royal lick of approval!
When choosing the best dog food for you both, the number one thing to do is pick up that bag or tray, and give it a turn to see the ingredients. However bold the marketing claims, ultimately its prowess comes down to the ingredients, which can't lie. Here's a few things to to look out for when reading that label:
- Clearly named ingredients: Ideally you should recognise what they all are, and they shouldn't be grouped together under umbrella terms like "animal derivatives"
- Meat as the first ingredient: Ingredients are listed in order of their quantity in the recipe, so ideally you'd see fish or meat listed first, rather than grains or cereals. Some brands also split up ingredients to sneakily get around this, e.g breaking up Cereal into vegetable proteins,
- No added sugar or salt: Typically added to foods to improve taste, where meat content is low, these addictive ingredients should be avoided due to the havoc they play on teethies and tums.
-> Learn more about choosing the best dog food here.
Scrumbles, the Pawfect Food for Yorkshire Terrier
Luckily for you, we've got just the thing for Yorkshire Terriers... Scrumbles! Our carefully tailored recipes are made with all-natural ingredients and no nasties to support optimal health. As part of our mission to say buh-bye to bad poops we also focus on the gut with all our recipes, adding pre or probiotics and sticking to easily digestible proteins like chicken and fish.
Here's why we think your Yorkie will love Scrumbles:
- Up to 70% meat or fish for a protein level you can feel proud of
- Added pre or probiotics for pretty poops and healthy digestion
- Hypoallergenic, so free from gluten, soy, dairy, egg and red meat
- Grain free and limited ingredient options for Retrievers with extra sensitive tummies
- Plenty of choice, with complete dry food, wet food and treats on offer, in lots of different flavours like duck, chicken, turkey and salmon
- Loved by fussy dogs, with over 5k five star reviews
So, what are you waiting for? Give us a try today, we can't wait to see what you both think
To conclude,
Yorkshire Terriers are like a small package with a big heart. Their spunky personalities, combined with their lovable traits, make them an irresistible breed cherished by many. Whether they're flaunting their silky coats or prancing around with their lively spirit, Yorkshire Terriers are undeniably paw-some companions. And remember, when it comes to nourishing your Yorkshire Terrier, Scrumbles is here to ensure they thrive and wag their tails in happiness.
