The Yorkshire Terrier

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: England.

SPECIAL SKILLS: Historically a rat-catcher but nowadays usually a family pet.

WEIGHT: The weight is about 2 - 3kg (4 1/2 - 6 1/2 lb).

COAT: This breed has very long, silk-like hair, colored golden-brown with steel grey. As puppies the grey hairs are black.

CARE REQUIRED: The Yorkshire Terrier needs intensive daily grooming with brush and comb. If you do not have the time or the inclination to do this, you should have the coat trimmed by a professional. The hair is normally kept out of the eyes with a rubber band or a ribbon tied in a bow. Show dogs' coats are usually protected to keep their condition by being rolled up on curling papers. Check the ears regularly and remove loose hairs from the ear passages.

CHARACTER: This is a lively, intelligent, sometimes too-brave dog, which is loving, vigilant, and becomes attached to its family. Yorkshire Terriers are very alert and bark whenever they sense danger.

TRAINING: The Yorkshire Terrier is a fairly quick-learning pupil. Provided you are consistent in your approach and ensure the lessons are positive, enjoyable and varied, it will soon learn to obey.

SOCIAL BEHAVIOR: Provided children do not treat them as a toy and do not invade their territory, these dogs will not cause any problems with them. Some of this breed can be rather foolhardy in their courage towards other dogs but usually get along very well with cats and other household animals. Strangers will always be announced by loud barking.

EXERCISE: This breed adapts its exercise needs to the family circumstances and the dog can readily be kept in an apartment.

SPECIAL REMARKS: The beautiful long hair of this breed is much admired at dog shows but to keep such a coat in good condition requires considerable work. Most Yorkshire Terriers which are kept as pets go through life with shorter clipped coats. Although purists may find this upsetting, it is better for the dog than an unkempt coat with tangles which hurt and bother the dog.


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