![Yorkshire Terrier Dog Breed](/sites/default/files/styles/square_medium_440x440/public/2022-08/Yorkshire-Terrier.jpg?itok=S1X2TjPa)
Family-friendly: | 4/5 |
Exercise needs: | 4/5 |
Easy to train: | 3/5 |
Tolerates being alone: | 2/5 |
Likes other pets: | 3/5 |
Energy level: | 5/5 |
Grooming needs: | 2/5 |
Shedding: | 2/5 |
Yorkshire Terriers can be prone to:
- Patellar luxation
- Tracheal collapse
- Legg-Perthes disease
- Total retinal dysplasia which is a condition where the back of the eye does not develop properly, which can lead to complete blindness.
- Hereditary cataracts (late onset) which is a condition where the lens in the eye becomes cloudy and this can result in blindness.
- Progressive retinal atrophy which is an inherited disorder where part of the eye degenerates and wastes away which can result in blindness.
- Diabetes mellitus² which is a condition where dogs develop very high sugar levels because they do not produce a normal amount of insulin.
- Chiari malformation syringomyelia³ which is a condition where fluid-filled areas develop around the spinal cord causing pain.
- Urolithiasis which is when stones form in the urinary tract and can cause pain.
Priority Kennel Club health schemes and testing:
None but there are several recommended schemes that the Kennel Club recommends which can be found here.
¹M. Mattin et al, An epidemiological study of diabetes mellitus in dogs attending first opinion practice in the UK', 2014, The Veterinary Record
²K. M. Tobias, 'Association of breed with the diagnosis SMALL ANIMALS of congenital portosystemic shunts in dogs: 2,400 cases (1980–2002)', Dec 2003, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
³M. B. Carnes, 'Chiari-like Malformation: An Overview' Today's Veterinary Practice
The Yorkshire Terrier is a small dog with a big attitude. This is a dog that will one minute happily snuggle on grandma's knee and enjoy a good cuddle, and the next minute leap through the air and tear after the neighbour's dog promising to show it who is boss. Yorkies are terriers after all, and will protect their territory valiantly.
This is a huge dog in a small body! He is lively and curious and into everything – and owners will have to get used to being tailed everywhere by their inquisitive (and often noisy) shadow. This is a dog who needs lots of exercise and stimulation – he loves long walks but also needs games in the house to keep his busy mind occupied.