Yorkshire Terrier: temperament, price, health, and breeders

The birth of the breed dates back to the beginning of the 19th century, when Scottish workers from the wool industry joined Yorkshire with their small terriers. Crosses with several local terriers, including the Maltese Bichon, gradually produced the Yorkshire Terrier, used for hunting rats in mines and rabbits in burrows. Its small size made it easier to extract from the tunnels, and the official breed standard was established in 1898.

The Yorkshire Terrier is a very small compact dog with a straight back, a firm loin and slightly curved ribs. Its coat is reasonably long on the body, smooth, shiny, fine and silky, with a dark steel blue color from the base of the skull and tan markings on the head and the lower parts of the limbs. The head is rather small and flat with a slightly rounded skull, the eyes are dark and expressive, the ears are small V-shaped carried erect, and the tail, well furnished with hair, is carried higher than the level of the back.

The Yorkshire Terrier is a dog with character, alert, intelligent, affectionate and often exuberant with those close to him. Behind his delicate appearance, he retains a strong terrier temperament, with real boldness, a spirit of adventure and a tendency to raise the alarm. He can show little patience, sometimes stubborn, and is better suited to a calm environment capable of respecting his small size.

The Yorkshire Terrier likes living indoors and adapts very well to the city, but it must not be reduced to the role of a simple lapdog. Lively and bold, it enjoys daily walks, games and exploring the smells and sounds of its environment. It can require a lot of interaction, ask for regular outings and be vocal when it watches what is around it.

The education of the Yorkshire Terrier must be early, rigorous and consistent, with clear limits from the start. Its liveliness and intelligence are real assets, but it may try to gain the upper hand if it senses a hesitant framework. It is also necessary to work early on managing barking and socialization to channel its alert temperament without making it defensive.

The price of a Yorkshire Terrier varies mainly depending on the reputation of the breeder, the quality of the bloodlines, the pedigree and the care given to the puppy’s socialization. A price that is too low should prompt caution.

The Yorkshire Terrier is a small dog fairly sturdy for its size, but it has well-known predispositions that must be monitored seriously. The joints, the cervical vertebrae, the kneecaps and especially the teeth require particular vigilance, because tartar plaque, gingivitis and loosening can appear relatively early. Good prevention, serious breeding and regular veterinary follow-up clearly improve its comfort of life.

The Yorkshire Terrier needs a complete diet, highly digestible and suited to very small dogs. Energy density, protein quality and kibble size matter as much as the amount given.

The Yorkshire Terrier gained particular fame with Smoky, a small female adopted by Corporal William A. Wynne during World War II. Present in the theater of operations, she is said to have warned her owner of imminent danger and helped save his life during a bombing. After the war, Smoky became a famous dog, invited on television and to visit hospitalized veterans.