The Yorkshire Terrier

The spirited and feisty Yorkshire Terrier – or Yorkie to its fans – is instantly recognizable for its small size and long, flowing coat of brown and blue. They are beloved by their owners for their unique character, comprised of equal parts courage, loyalty, affection, and stubbornness. The Yorkie is one of the most perennially popular breeds in the United States, often placing near the top in American Kennel Club registrations.

Behavior

Despite its size and its reputation for being a lapdog, the Yorkshire Terrier is a bold and courageous animal, often acting as though it is unaware of its small stature. The Yorkie is suspicious of strangers, and when it feels that its family is being threatened by a perceived intruder, it will bark and snap at the stranger’s heels. Though intelligent, the Yorkshire Terrier has a difficult time learning commands, as it is stubborn to the point of single-mindedness. The Yorkie resents being told what to do, although it is also highly loyal and affectionate towards its family.

Additionally, the Yorkshire Terrier is highly active, and enjoys running and jumping around. Because of this, it requires a fair amount of exercise, although its size means that running around the yard can often be exercise enough.

Health

As with many other breeds of dogs, the Yorkie has some health issues particular to the breed. Bronchitis is very common, as is lymphangiectasia, which is an intestinal disorder that involves chronic diarrhea. Cataracts are a common ocular ailment, and can result in blindness over time. Yorkies can be prone to joint problems, although because of their small size, hip dysplasia usually is not an issue. If kept healthy, though, Yorkies have a long life expectancy and tend to live between 12 and 15 years.

Contact Us

For more information on veterinary care and other pet care concerns, contact your Austin Vet Clinic.