The Yorkshire Terrier is a small breed with a long, beautiful, silky coat. They do require regular grooming but make excellent companions and watchdogs.

Physical Characteristics

• Coat: Long, silky hair
• Medium sized, dark eyes
• Color is blue and tan
• Height: 7-9 inches
• Weight: 5-7 pounds
• Average lifespan: 12-15 years

Temperament

• Energetic, adventurous, brave, loyal, clever, affectionate
• Interaction with people: Good with mature children; wary of strangers
• Interaction with animals: May be aggressive toward other animals
• Level of attention needed: Requires lots of attention and love
• Training: Easily trained
• Bark: Can be highly vocal
• Protection: Good watchdog

At Home

• OK for apartments
• Needs daily walks

Grooming

• Light shedder
• Needs frequent bathing; daily brushing is needed to keep mats and tangles from forming
• Never brush a dry coat
• Usually has a topknot (long fall of hair collected into a ribbon or bow to keep hair out of the dog's eyes)
• Clean teeth regularly
• Can clip hair short for ease in coat care

Brief History

• Initially bred to hunt rats in cotton mills and mines in Yorkshire, England
• Original breed was much larger
• This breed became a fashion accessory during the Victorian era
• First brought to the U.S. in the 1870s

Fido's Facts

• Originally the dog of the working class
• Nicknamed the "Yorkie"
• During the Victorian era, women carried them in their bags and under their arms