Types of Yorkies and How to Care for Them

Yorkies are a very popular dog among dog lovers, especially those who would love to own a dog that stays small and cuddly forever.

There are a number of different types of Yorkies to choose from once you’ve decided that you’re ready to adopt one.

There are miniature Yorkies, standard ones, and even mix breeds like the Dorkie, and so many more to choose from. There are dozens of reasons why adopting a Yorkie is a good idea, aside from their high intelligence and lovable personalities.

History

Yorkshire Terriers are one of the longest living dog breeds in the world. The legacy of the Yorkie begins in 15th century Scotland, where terriers were kept as working pets. At the time some Scots began to travel to Yorkshire, England to work jobs in local cotton mills and brought their terrier along for the journey. This is when the Scottish Terriers and the terriers local to Yorkshire began breeding, leading to the creation of the Yorkshire Terrier. Over time more variations of the Yorkshire Terrier came around to be. Variations such as Teacup Yorkies and Biewer Terriers.

Yorkshire Terrier

The teddy bear-like Yorkie has been recognized by the English Kennel club since the 18070’s and then later recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885. There is some speculation to which English terrier breed was combined with the Scottish terrier to make this adorable mix breed. Some breeds that are considered to be the missing puzzle piece include the Paisley terrier, now extinct, and the Clydesdale terrier. Even some will say that the Skye terrier would also be an option. A full-grown Yorkie can grow up to 9 inches tall, so they tend to stay rather small for their whole life. 

Teacup Yorkies

These teeny tiny Yorkies are considered to be designer Yorkies, as they were bred to be particularly small and cute. Small enough to fit into an actual teacup when they are young in most cases. Unfortunately, however, due to their designer breeding to keep their size small, they often face a number of health problems. Their problems include brittle bones, liver shunts, and even dental issues. They also even face issues with hypoglycemia at times as well, which can be tricky to manage if you’ve never had a dog who suffers from blood sugar problems. Because of these health problems the teacup Yorkie lifespan is often not very long.

There are other designer Yorkie variations out there that are being bred for preferred adoption. They are bred with particular traits that are desired by the person in the market for adoption. It can take up to 20 years to breed these particular traits into a designer breed that fits the bill. 

Biewer Terriers

The Biewer Terrier is a direct cousin of the Yorkshire Terrier. One distinct difference being their long and flowing fur coat that they sport, proudly. No one is entirely sure of the lineage of this beautiful little dog, but through scientific methods, we were able to determine that this breed is of pure breeding at least. Their grooming may take some effort but at the end of the day this Yorkie makes a wonderful family pet. 

More About Yorkies

There's a lot to be learned about the Yorkie and their personality and health, among many other things to be known about this special breed. Such as how great of a watchdog that they are. The Yorkie has amazing hearing and is incredibly intelligent, so they will know when it's time to act. 

Yorkies are known to have a naturally aggressive personality, which may contribute to their amazing guard dog skills. Their aggression comes from their love for their family and willingness to protect the ones who they love.

Because of their stubborn and independent personalities, Yorkies are oftentimes a difficult breed of dog to potty train and house train. This can be a complication when wanting to bring a Yorkie into the home as a family pet. Potty training a Yorkie is difficult but not entirely impossible. Potty training Yorkies becomes even more difficult if you live in an area where you face cold and wet climates often. Yorkies are rather particular and will refuse to step foot outdoors if there is any chance of their feet becoming damp. 

As sweet and loving as Yorkies can be, they can be quite the handful to care for. Besides being troublesome to potty train they are also very picky eaters. This selective eating is what often leads Yorkies to face problems with their blood sugar, hypoglycemia. Yorkie owners need ot pay special attention to what their Yorkie does or doesn’t like to eat, and how much they eat at each meal.  

Conclusion

Yorkies are wildly popular dogs around the world and have been for centuries now. They have a special little personality that can make them seem troublesome to care for at times. Such as with their potential health problems, and trouble with potty training. But on the positive side, Yorkies will love their families with every ounce of their being and want to guard and protect them at all costs. 

How long do Yorkies live?

The typical lifespan of a Yorkie is 13 to 16 years. This is all dependent upon their breeding, as well as their home environment, and of course, any health issues that they may face in their life.

How much are Yorkies?

Depending on the breeder that you go through, and which particular breed of Yorkie that you are considering adopting, their price range can be anywhere between $1,200 and $1,500.

Are Yorkies smart?

Some dog experts will rank Yorkshire Terriers among the more intelligent dog breeds. However, this is within their own rights. They are intelligent in the fact that they adapt and bond with their new family so easily, as well as being a relatively easy dog to train.

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