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Yorkshire Terriers - In Depth

Yorkshire Terriers, also called the “Yorkie,” are the most popular breed in the toy dogs today. They are highly sought after by breeders all over the world and pet owners alike. Yorkies are extremely high priced little dogs and most are pampered companions. Lots of people believe that if you are seen with a Yorkie by your side then that means that you have money. Yorkies can cost anywhere from $300.00 on up to $3,000.00 or more depending on whether you want a champion show quality dog or not.

First Born Yorkies

The female Yorkie usually costs more than the male because she can have puppies. A female Yorkie can have between one and five puppies. This makes her very valuable. When a Yorkie puppy is born it weighs from two to six ounces. The first week of its’ life is a very critical time. It has to be monitored constantly. At this age it has to eat every two to three hours and if the mother doesn’t have enough milk or won’t feed it then the breeder has to feed it by hand with a milk substitute. This is not good because the milk substitute doesn’t have the immunity in it that the young pup needs to fight off sickness. Sometimes breeders can do everything exactly right and the pup still dies because of the lack of immunity in the milk replacement. It is true that you can’t replace a mother’s breast milk. It is the best thing for them. It ensures their survival. Sure there have been puppies that have made it without one drop of their mother’s milk. They were just very strong and very lucky, that’s all.

Also, if a mother is not able to take care of her puppies the breeder will have to make the puppies relieve themselves. The mother usually does this by licking their privates with her tongue. She then disposes of their waste by eating it herself. This is done because she doesn’t want any other animals to be able to smell her puppies and find them. This is an instinct from the wild. It also ensures their survival if they had to live in the wild. If a breeder has to do this for her, he or she has to take a warm wet paper towel and gently rub over the genital areas. After they are done the paper towel can be thrown away. This has to be done every two or three hours also until the pups start to go on their own.

Yorkie Style

Yorkshire Terriers weigh between three and seven pounds full grown. They stand around nine inches tall. Their hair is long and soft like people’s hair. It is free flowing and parts down the middle of the back perfectly. The Yorkie’s colors range from black and gold, blue and gold, black and tan, blue and tan, silver and gold, silver and tan to a dark steel blue and tan. The dark steel blue and tan is the most sought after color of the breed. This is considered to be a show quality color.

Yorkies often wear their hair up in a bow called a topknot. This is what makes them look so fancy and high classed. Their hair has to have a lot of attention. It needs to brushed and washed regularly. Some show dogs even wear their hair up in wraps to keep it in tip top shape when they are not in the show ring. A Yorkie’s hair drags the ground and this makes them look like a little walking dust mop. You can’t even see their feet. A Yorkshire Terrier with a full groomed show coat is the most beautiful toy breed there is.

A Personality Handful

Yorkies tend to be a very playful but noisy breed. They like to bark for no reason at all. They are very hyper and love to run all about the house, jumping on and off the furniture. They will even take away other pets’ toys and run with them. They know they are the kings and queens of their castles.

Yorkies are beautiful and they know it. They think they are too good to listen. They tend to be very stubborn when it comes to housetraining. They do really good for days at a time then just when you think you have taught them who's boss, they let you know they are. Housetraining is very hard work with the Yorkie. Their hair gets in a real mess when it’s raining or snowing outside. The male tends to urinate all over his beautiful long hair when he goes and he has to be cleaned up afterward. Yorkies are for those people who need something to take care of. The ones who have a lot of time on their hands, because it takes a lot of it to keep a Yorkie in tip top shape.

Care and Breeding Decisions

Yorkies need shots and worming just like any other breed of dog. Their shots should be started at six weeks of age and given every two to four weeks until the dogs reaches 16 weeks old, then once a year after that for the rest of their life. The rabies shot should be given at 16 weeks by your local vet. Rules on this vaccine vary by state. Check with your vet about it. Worming should be started at two weeks of age and continued every two weeks until ten weeks old, then repeated every month for the rest of the dog’s life. Heartworm preventative should be started before six months old and this if prescribed by a vet. Some heartworm preventatives have wormer included also and it is not necessary to worm them in addition to it. Interceptor is one of those. Flea preventatives should be started as soon as possible. Check labels to make sure it is safe for your dog’s age and weight.

Yorkies don’t eat a whole lot, so it is safe to go all out and buy them the best food you can afford to feed them. Bil Jac is one of the best top quality foods on the market today. Always make sure your Yorkie has plenty of fresh food and clean water. Their hair causes them to be very hot and drink more than other breeds.

If you are privileged enough to own a female Yorkshire Terrier, then you should know that it’s only a matter of time before you have to make that decision of whether to get her fixed or let her breed. If you decided to get her fixed then you don’t have anything else to worry or think about but loving her. If you decide that you do want her to have puppies one day then you have to deal with her heat cycles coming every six months until that day comes. Her heat cycle can start as early as six months old. She should not be bred at this time, seeing how she is still a puppy herself. She will swell, bleed and put off an odor that only male dogs can smell. Males will come from miles away to court your princess so be careful about watching her every move. It only takes once. Her heat cycle will last for three weeks.

Once she has had two heats and is well over a year old and you plan to breed her, she will need to be bred that second week or beginning on the eighth day after her bleeding and swelling began. She will continue to breed until about the eighteenth day. You will know that she is bred by seeing the tie between her and her mate. After the tie you can expect the puppies to arrive between 56 and 65 days later. The puppies should arrive within one hour of each other; if not then seek a vet’s advice. A female Yorkie can have trouble having her puppies even if she has had previous litters with no trouble at all. Keep a close eye on her during the birthing process and if she looks to be in trouble don’t hesitate to take her to your vet. You wouldn’t dare want to lose such a valuable dog or all her puppies.

Males can breed at six months old. They should be checked to make sure they have both testicles before doing so. This is a genetic defect and can be passed down to all male puppies within a breeding line. If you are planning on getting your male fixed, then good for you. He won’t be marking the entire world.

Yorkshire Terriers are very beautiful lap dogs. They are loved by everyone who lays eyes on them. If you are lucky enough to own one yourself then don’t hesitate to hold your head high, because I’m sure your Yorkie does. They know all eyes are on them and they show off because of it. Love your Yorkie and your Yorkie will love you back, just because they know if it weren’t for you taking care of them, they wouldn’t be as beautiful as they are.