The Yorkshire Terrier

The spunky lapdog with a lion's heart...

TEXT: RHIANNON CECIL

This month we look at the spunkiest lap dog of all time— The Yorkshire Terrier, better known by enthusiasts as 'The Yorkie'. When it comes to this lively toy breed, looks are most certainly deceiving. Beneath a glossy floor-length coat with puppy dog eyes beats the heart of a tenacious and comical beast. He really is the perfect companion dog.

YORKSHIRE TERRIER HISTORY

The Yorkie comes from humble beginnings. The breed started out as rat exterminators during the Industrial Revolution in the coal mines, textile mills and factories of Yorkshire. It is said that the Scottish weavers brought their Scottish Terriers (Terriers from Scotland - most of which are now extinct) to the northern parts of England and bred them with local English terriers such as the Skye and Dandie Dinmont Terriers, to create the Yorkie.

With these origins, the Yorkie was considered a workingclass dog up until the English Kennel Club recognised the breed in 1886. This recognition was a turning point - they received fantastic publicity, and it wasn't long before they were considered fashionable ladies companions throughout the United Kingdom.

As their popularity continued to increase, Yorkies were bred to smaller dogs, to better suit their new roles in society - charming and witty pets accustomed to the lap of luxury. Yet, despite his diminutive size, today's Yorkie holds true to his terrier nature; he is bold, brave AND affectionate - in short, he's pretty perfect.

YORKSHIRE TERRIER OVERVIEW

Yorkies are small and compact - standing approximately 18-20 centimetres at the shoulder and weighing a mere three or four kilograms. Possibly the Yorkie's most remarkable feature is his long, straight, silky coat. Without regular trimming, it grows all the way to the floor.

The breed comes in various colours, the most typical being dark blue-grey with tan on their heads and chests. Their coats are parted from nose to tail, and they could make excellent sweeping brushes just by moving around your home!

Yorkshire Terriers have small heads and erect, pointed ears. The hair on their heads is long too, and many Yorkie enthusiasts tie it up with a ribbon, which just adds to their overall cuteness factor.

The Yorkshire Terrier is an energetic, playful, but stubborn breed that may need some convincing to partake in activities like obedience training. They love to play, but it's often on their terms. They might enjoy chasing balls, for example, but won't necessarily return them, which makes for a short-lived game. They are also extremely alert and make excellent watch dogs; however, due to their size, they aren't great protection dogs. They best a Yorkie could manage is to melt a would-be burglar's heart with those doe eyes peering out from underneath his fringe.

LIVING WITH A YORKSHIRE TERRIER

Yorkies can manage apartment living but also do very well with a big garden and space to run and play. Despite their diminutive size, they have high energy levels and need to be walked daily, especially if you live in an apartment setup. Providing a positive outlet for his pentup energy will also yield better results in obedience and keeping destructive behaviours at bay.

Yorkies can be very bossy and like to get their way. Once you learn to negotiate the give-and-take aspects of the relationship, you will find an extremely affectionate and playful dog underneath all that hair, but beware – you may no longer be in charge of what happens in the house.

And to be clear – their protests, if you break their rules, will not be silent. Yorkies are exceptionally vocal. They have a shrill bark, and boy, do they know how to use it. Your Yorkie will bark when he wants attention; he will bark when he plays; he will bark when he suspects danger; and he will even bark just because he feels like it. If you live in an apartment, it's a good idea to teach him the 'quiet' command, or you might find yourself with some very disgruntled neighbours. You can curb the barking through regular exercise and obedience training.

Make sure to socialise your Yorkie as early as possible and get him used to things like walking on a harness, wearing jerseys, and extensive grooming sessions. You'll need a certain level of patience to train your Yorkie, but once you've got the basics in place, you'll have a loyal, cuddly little lapdog on your hands, and he'll love you unconditionally.

Yorkies' coats have a similar texture to human hair. They are low shedding but do need regular bathing and grooming. Ideally, you should brush your Yorkie at least once a week to remove debris from his coat and prevent it from becoming tangled and matted. With a coat that grows down to the floor, the most common cut is a simple trim, so their coats are short enough to handle daily. Groomers will leave their faces and heads long, with a neat little trim around the chin and ears. A correctly groomed Yorkie is a sight to behold. They are beautiful dogs, and they know it.

The breed is better suited to warmer weather and must be protected in winter. We recommend a dog coat or jersey when they're outside, especially on long walks. Many Yorkies adore playing dress up and could melt the coldest of hearts in a fancy little outfit. They thrive on the attention, and you can buy a whole range of clothes to keep them up to date with fashion trends.

There are few breeds as sociable as the Yorkie. They are excellent with children and make fantastic companions for adults of all ages. Smaller children should be supervised around your Yorkie — as they are small in stature and could get hurt during rough play. When socialised properly, they get along with other dogs and will even befriend the neighbourhood cat. They are ratters by nature, though, so beware of leaving your Yorkie unattended with domestic rodents.

YORKSHIRE TERRIER HEALTH

Yorkies are generally robust little dogs with a considerable lifespan — up to 14 years of age. Yet like all breeds, they are prone to some health challenges. It's always a good idea to invest in pet insurance when bringing a new dog into your home. Some common health risks to bear in mind include the following:

• Patellar luxation: Small breeds are at risk of the femur, patella and tibia not lining up correctly. The condition can cause lameness or an abnormal gait. Patellar luxation is usually present at birth. It varies in severity, but surgery may be necessary to repair the problem. The friction caused by patellar luxation can also cause arthritis. The effects of the disease are not prominent at first but will gradually worsen as the dog ages.

• Collapsed trachea: In most small breeds, the trachea is prone to collapsing. To prevent this from happening, walk your Yorkie on a harness rather than a collar. The collar puts extra pressure on the delicate trachea, which can cause collapse. Look out for a harsh cough and get to your vet immediately if you notice one.

• Hyperglycaemia: Like many small breeds, low blood sugar can be present in Yorkies. Their blood sugar can drop dramatically, especially when they're stressed. Feed your Yorkie high-quality food, two or three times a day.

• Progressive Retinal Atrophy: PRA is a degenerative eye disorder that causes blindness over time. Most reputable breeders have their dogs' eyes checked once a year. PRA is detectable years in advance, so your vet should be able to pick it up before it becomes a problem.

• Eye infections, teeth and gum problems: Keep his eyes clean and brush his teeth on a weekly basis. You may want to start when he is a puppy, so he gets used to the process.

IS A YORKSHIRE TERRIER THE RIGHT DOG FOR YOU?

A Yorkshire Terrier might be the right dog for you if:

• You live in an apartment, and you have the time to walk him at least once a day.

• You live alone and want an energetic and entertaining housemate you can dote over.

• You have kids or other pets — they get along with just about everyone.

• You enjoy trips to the doggy parlour and regular grooming and bathing.

• You're patient and committed to proper training.

• You don't have the time for long walks or runs.

• You have neighbours that don't mind a bit of extra noise.

A Yorkshire Terrier might not be the right dog for you if:

• You don't have the time for a high-maintenance pet (grooming, bathing, teeth brushing, eyes, and nails).

• You can't handle a bossy know-it-all around the house who may throw a noisy tantrum if he doesn't get his way.

• You have small children, as they can accidentally drop or sit on him.

• You live in a space that does not tolerate excessive noise.

• You don't have the extra cash for specialised food or expensive health complications.

• You spend a lot of time away from home.

FINAL THOUGHTS

From humble beginnings to the lap of luxury, Yorkies are a wonderful companion breed and will give you oodles of fun with their charm and comical antics. These high-energy dogs are a handsome addition to your family and will breathe life into your home. They just love to be loved — and heard.

If you think you can stand up to the challenge of a dynamic little pocket rocket, you can look forward to plenty of laughs, a good snuggle in the evenings and a loyal, jocular best friend. Their sharp, intelligent eyes, luscious coats and brave personalities have enchanted many and will continue to do so for years to come.