Yorkshire Terrier

It is believed that Scottish weavers brought a small terrier with them during a period of immigration from Scotland to Yorkshire and Lancashire during the 1850s. These 'Broken-Haired Scotch Terriers,' interbred with local small terriers to provide a working dog who quickly become popular as a very effective factory and mining vermin-killer, and that was of a small enough size that could be carried in their owner’s pocket.

Further breeds were used to perfect this Northern ratter including possibly the Manchester Terrier, the Maltese, the Skye Terrier, the Dandie Dinmont terrier, and the now extinct Paisley and Clydesdale Terriers. Shown as the Scotch Terrier in 1861, the dog later became known as the Yorkshire Terrier and was recognised by the Kennel Club in 1886.

While the breed was a working ratter, the Yorkshire Terrier soon became popular with wealthy ladies as a companion and this popularity lead to selective breeding to make them even smaller. Interestingly while the dog got smaller, their coat length stayed virtually the same - hence the long coats that can still be seen on show dogs.

The Yorkshire Terrier will suit an owner who wants a big personality in a small package, who doesn’t mind a bit of noise and who enjoys grooming. This is another breed who doesn’t like to be left, and so a home-loving owner is needed.

To keep your Yorkie healthy and fit, daily exercise is a must. Yorkshire Terriers love walking and will trot on for miles if allowed. A short walk will please a Yorkie so long as he gets a good sniff around and some mental stimulation. Do remember that Yorkshire Terriers aren't just lap dogs, though, and do like to run, fetch and play like any dog. A minimum of half an hour of exercise is needed by an adult daily.

The Yorkshire Terrier enjoys being a country dog but is equally happy in a flat as long as he has access to the outdoors for exercise and toileting. Close neighbours may not enjoy the sound of his voice, however!

Toy dogs have a fast metabolism, meaning they burn energy at a high rate, although their small stomachs mean that they must eat little and often. Small-breed foods are specifically designed with appropriate levels of key nutrients and smaller kibble sizes to suit smaller mouths. This also encourages chewing and improves digestion.

As a pet, the coat of a Yorkshire Terrier dog needs to be brushed daily, using a brush and comb to ensure all tangles are removed. The topknot should be taken down, brushed out and redone. Leaving an elastic band in for days will destroy the coat. Hair under and around the tail should be checked for faeces. The teeth should also be brushed daily, as the small mouth leads to overcrowding and a tendency to teeth decay. Once mastered, the daily grooming should take no longer than 15 minutes.

Yorkshire Terriers are surprisingly clever and can be taught basic exercises easily - although can often be selectively obedient if he is distracted by something exciting! They should be taught to walk on a collar and lead and early and ongoing socialisation in a class with other small dog puppies is vital to prevent them being nervous around other dogs.

If they are to live with cats, it is best to find a breeder who rears the puppies with cats and that they are introduced early. He may never get on with strange cats, however.

Yorkshire Terriers are not great family dogs as they are too small and delicate for exciting games and some have a traditional terrier short fuse! They can live with older sensible children, however.

While many dogs are traditionally thought of as being good with children, all dogs and children need to be taught to get on with and respect each other, and be safe together. Even so, dogs and young children should never be left alone together and adults should supervise all interactions between them.