~ Frequently Asked Questions ~
Q. How will I know that the Yorkshire Terrier is the breed for our family?
A. Yorkies are easily adaptable to all surroundings, travel well and make suitable pets for many homes. Due to their small size, they require limited exercise, but need daily interaction with their people. Their long coat requires regular brushing. After the intial "Oh..she's for me!!" has wore off, common sense starts to kick in. Generally, the yorkie is a very loving, action packed, small breed that requires your attention. Whether it be your child holding/playing with it, or taking it for a walk to burn through some pent-up energy, yorkies need that attention. A very smart breed, indeed, however you must consider your lifestyle, ages of your children, and if a spirited yorkie can fit into your family environment? With that being said, the yorkie can be a great companion-addition to most family situations. Yorkies in a sense, just need like most breeds of dogs require, You! Your love, patience, in charge of the health requirements, consistency and that well deserved bond will be formed.
Q. Is it better to adopt more than 1 at a time –if so why?
A. I say Yes! Depending on your personal situation, adopting more than 1 yorkie would be a great idea. The yorkie Loves companionship~play buddy.
To be able to interact with another yorkie would enhance a well balanced attitude for each pup, and keep them both calmer while mom, dad, kids are @ work, school, or just plain busy with the "have to do" chores in our busy lives.
Q. I hear so much about the terms “Toy” and then see some of theYorkies about 10 lbs or even larger?
A. The terms, "Toy, Teacup, Mini," are not recognized by the AKC as the standard "Yorkshire Terrier". AKC terms the standard yorkie as sizes ranging between 4-7 lbs. These terms have been handed down by folks that have very small yorkies under the "standard qualifications". There is no separate yorkie breed termed toy, teacup, mini on official basis. Sometimes, yorkies will be over the standard, due to genetics being passed down, overfeeding, etc.
Q. People have mentioned that the Yorkshire Terrier is one of the most intelligent breeds of dogs, is this true and why?
A. Yes, it certainly is true! The Yorkshire Terrier is one of the smartest breeds among dogs. Yorkshire Terriers as a breed are above average dogs. According to Dr. Stanley Coren, an expert on animal intelligence, the Yorkshire Terrier is an above average working dog, ranking 27th out of the 132 breeds tested. His research found that an average Yorkshire Terrier could understand a new command after approximately 15 repetitions and would obey a command the first time it was given 70% of the time or better.
Let's put it this way: a yorkie was taught how to play poker!
Q. While thinking about adding a new puppy to my household – I have been doing research and found myself satisfied with what I have learned about the Yorkshire Terrier. When I have noticed some in the park or other friends I notice the colors seem to be the same. Are they all brown and black?
A. All yorkshire Terriers are born with black & tan colors. As they mature, their colors turn to either blue & tan, blue & gold, black & tan, black & gold. There are also some Parti colored yorkies, which are white colored with a mix of blue, black gold, tan. It may take 2 years for their colors to turn completely. They should have a white marking of white no larger than 1inch on the forechest .
Q. Is it a personal preference or a health condition whether or not I want my Yorkie to have long or short hair? The hair seems so soft I am concerned about snarls and lots of maintenance. I don’t have time for that.
A. This would mostly be a personal preference. I say mostly because, hair falling out can signal a health issue. Yorkies have a single coat of hair, like humans. No undercoat. The yorkie coat grows long and silky, of course with the help of grooming, can be a stunning look. However, sometimes, depending on lifestyle, dictates that a trip to the groomer can give a yorkie a "puppy cut". Usually, about an inch of hair length is left on the pup. This will make grooming an easier task & lessen the potential for matting to occur. Setting aside a little time for grooming/combing your yorkie can be beneficial on both sides. Grooming can keep the natural oils on the skin distrubuted , thus, moisturizing skin/coat to maintain that healthy soft glow, and to deepen the bond between you & your yorkie.
Q. How often should I groom my Yorkie’s nails, teeth and hair?
A. The recommendation by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is that a dog's teeth be brushed daily. Understandably, daily brushing may be difficult to achieve. Some form of regular brushing is better than nothing, according to experts, and brushing at least every other day will prevent the buildup of tartar on the teeth. This buildup can cause germs and lead to infection and bad breath. Their are several varities of dog toothpaste on the market today. It is recommended that you stay away from human toothpaste, since it is not formulated for animals. If you can make a small kit for toothpaste & brush & keep it handy in a cabinet, you might see you do have the time to give this very necessary hygeine to your beloved yorkie, more frequently. Canine Oral disease is a common health problem for pets and is present in up to 80 percent of dogs by the age of 3, according to the American Veterinary Dental Society. The risk of oral disease can be significantly reduced for your dog by establishing an oral-care routine early in your pet's life.
Nail trimming~ Your dog's nails should just touch the ground when she walks. If her nails are clicking on the floor or getting snagged in the carpet, it's time for a pedicure. This can be acheived by a variety of ways. Pet nail clippers, the rotary type, that come with "how to " instructions, trips to your Veterinarian or local groomer, Choose your preference.
Hair/Coat~ I personally try to groom the coats of our yorkies every other day. mind you, like most, i can't always get around to do what i should! This keeps down matting, redistributes natural oils throughout the coat, in turn promotes and maintains a glossy coat.
Q. If I purchase a Yorkie puppy from ‘Puppyterriers’ – will you help me with directions for caring for and also registering the necessary paperwork for the AKC?
A. You Betcha!! We actually begin this process well before purchase. We here @ Puppyterriers want you and your prospective new family member to get off to a running start , with a wealth of information about the yorkie breed. In particular, the possible genetic defects of the breed, the breed tendency to get low blood sugar, aka, hypoglycemia. breed temperment, grooming, your family situation, exercise requirements, feeding routine. We also inform you that all of our yorkies here are AKC only, it's just our preference. We have them on a strict routine of health priority which includes, record keeping of all vaccinations & deworming program. We like to ENCOURAGE questions! More questions you ask, equals a better informed relationship, less miscommunications, between us and prospective puppy owners. Then, there's what i call "cosmetic" Q & A. What are you looking for in the breed? Have you had a yorkie previously and/or now? Would you prefer a young puppy or a little older one? Female or male, or two of the same sex? These questions are important to us, it provides us with a better understanding what you're searching for in your future family member and be able to match-up each yorkie with their new owners. Next, all of our yorkies come to their new homes with their individual AKC registration application papers, health/data records, contract, tips for a smooth transition, first aid documents o/l, puppy book, sample of food their eating, We are available anytime for any questions/concerns that may arise, before, during, and long after the purchase. The love for our yorkies doesn't stop @ the transfer. It's never ending! We're here to help! We enjoy building new relationships and continuing throughout the growing process.
Q. What type of health conditions should I be on the watch for in the Yorkshire breed?
A. The Yorkshire terrier has it's own breed specific health issues, like every other breed out there. Yorkies issues are either inherited, congenital, or aquired. a tendency to have low blood sugar aka Hypoglycemia, Liver issues (portosystemic shunts), occurs in large breed dogs also. Patella (knee) issues.
Q. I want to breed my male Yorkie with a full blooded Yorkie – at what age can this happen and at what age or condition should I stop?
A. It is recommended that a female is bred after her 2nd heat . The male should be smaller than the female. Some females have their 1st heat around 7 months of age, others around 1 year old. Consider their weight factor also. A very small yorkie, under 4 lbs. will more than likely be needing a cesarian section, instead of natural birthing.
A female should be retired from breeding at the age of 7 years maximum. A female Yorkie may need to be retired much younger and this will depend on the recommendation of an experienced and trusted veterinarian who makes a determination after evaluating the ndividual dog's health and history.
Q. My friends bought their Yorkies as a pair. They were litter mates together. They get along great. However I remember when they were super young – they were very hard to potty train. My friends were nearly exasperated at the time it was taking. They seem to be stubborn – is this typical of the breed?
A. Yes... and no. Confused? Sorry, but this action takes consistency. The yorkie, like most dogs, be it small or big, need to be SHOWN where to eliminate. They WANT to please us. Once shown the designated area to potty, you have to be routinely consistent, and pour on the praise everytime potty has been acheived. The Yorkie has a record concensus for being stubborn in the potty training process. Not necessarily true. I remember, and oops! it continues to happen to me today. I would return to a designated area for one of our yorkies to go potty. Patiently waiting...trying to determine what those clouds look like..waiting...did i pay that bill?....watching...Hmm, this grass needs mowing! Oh, and i'd finally look down to a look on my yorkie's face like "WHAT? Why are we just standing here??" Well, that's what the face tells me... I finally decided to make a mental note when she last went potty, then i would take her out after naps, after food, before retiring for the night. I also added the phrase "Potty".These babies remember that command, and most times, they squat on command & get it over with, especially when the routine is in place to strengthen the desire to releive. Potty training takes willingness, consistency, patience, establishing a routine, and most importantly, patience. (i think i said that already!) Well, it still stands! After all that, accidents will happen to the best of them!
How may we help you?
AKC, tough, sturdy, Yorkshire Terriers, Available, Amazing spirits, smart, fearless, bold, adventurous, Championship Bloodlines, Nervy, Clever, Heroic, Confident, a cherished family member for you. www.puppyterriers.com
Have a yorkie question that needs an answer ?
Information given here is meant to be helpful and/or educational. It is, in no way, intended to supersede, challenge the diagnosis, treatment or advice of a licensed veterinarian.
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A sample photo of things new yorkie owners might require for their new furbaby!
A new list of necessary items has been added To assist our new families & their yorkie baby! Compliments of one of our new friends~Chelsea B. ! Thanks for your input!!
- Crate – Should be enough room for a bed, puppy pad, and a small bowl for food and water.
- Puppy Pads – You may also wish to purchase a puppy pad holder to keep the puppy from biting the edges or eating/choking on any of the fibers from the pad.
- Baby Blankets – Fleece ones from Wal-Mart or dollar stores work well. You do not want too much “fluffiness” from the material or the puppy will bite and eat the material, causing choking and constipation, which are no fun at all. You will probably want 3 to 4 of these, as they will need washing regularly.
- Food – Your puppy should already be eating a dry puppy formula, make sure to begin feeding the same thing as your breeder and gradually change over a 3-5 day period, should you choose to.
- Bed (In crate and play area) – Often with Yorkies, the smaller the bed the better. It should be big enough for them to be comfortable and have room to move, but Yorkies like to snuggle and like the safety of the smaller beds. Some even enjoy the hooded beds that allow them to burrow.
- Puppy Play Pen – (Often called an Xpen) These can be purchased at pet stores or a regular child’s play pen can be used. This allows a safe place for the puppy to play and nap and still be able to see out. This is also a great place to keep puppy when you are away that allows for more room to play, room for a puppy pad and food and water.
- Tear Free Shampoo – Puppy eyes are sensitive and using tear free shampoo ensures no irritation.
- Conditioner – Yorkie coats are prone to matting and tangles, and their skin has a tendency to dry out with too much washing. Conditioner helps prevent both of these.
- Baby wipes – Wet paper towels will also work for the puppy hiney that may need a little wipe from time to time. Baby wipes and wet paper towels are also good for wiping little mouths after wet food or any discharge from the eyes.
- Harness – Yorkies have a tendency to lead whomever is walking them by pulling at their leash. This is extremely dangerous for these little necks and tracheas. A harness is the best option when using a leash to prevent any harm to puppy.
- Leash – Yorkies are fast, very fast! A leash is a must have until puppy is trained to stay close to you or when in a public park/area.
- Food Bowls (In play area and kitchen) – Be sure that these are not too deep so that the puppy can get all the way to the bottom to get food and water out. Ones with rubber on the bottom to prevent sliding are also good to have.
- Honey Nut Cheerios (For a treat, also helps with Hypoglycemia) – From past experience, these are a well-loved treat, easy to chew, cheap, and also help to keep sugar levels up.
- Toys (Kong for teething, small squeaky toys) – Make sure that the toys are easy to play with, not so big that puppy cannot pick them up. You also do not want toys with any material that puppy may could chew off and eat or choke on.
- Hydrogen Peroxide – Yorkies are curious little creatures that will eat anything they can get into their mouths. Peroxide can be administered orally to cause them to vomit, releasing whatever they may have swallowed. This is best done while puppy is inside a bath tub to make cleaning up much easier and allows you to make sure that what was swallowed has been released.
- Nutri-Cal – A dietary supplement that can be found at pet stores in a squeezable tube. This can be used when a puppy’s blood sugar drops and in cases of hypoglycemia.
- Clear Karo Syrup – If Nutri-Cal is not available, this can be rubbed onto the puppy’s gums to elevate blood sugar. This syrup can also be added to the drinking water if there are problems with blood sugar over an extended period of time. As always, consult your veterinarian at any sign of hypoglycemia and follow his directions, these are only suggestions.
- Brush – Or comb to maintain a silky, tangle free coat. Yorkies should ideally be brushed once daily. This not only helps with their coat, it also increases their trust in you and their tolerance for bathing and bushing.
- Toothbrush & Toothpaste – Yorkies are known for their not so pleasant breath and require frequent brushings to prevent tooth decay and tartar build up. Be sure to use only dog toothpaste and not human toothpaste.
- Ear Wash – Helps prevent ear mites and dirt and wax build up.
- Nature’s Miracle Cleaner – An enzyme cleaner that can be used on carpet and upholstery in case of any puppy accidents.
Thanks Lakeshia L. for the wonderful pictures!!
"How to" Tape fur babies ears to assist in standing up! Please consult your veterinarian!
