The Yorkshire Terrier, which is commonly known as Yorkie, is a member of the adorable toy group of dogs.
It is a combination of England's best terrier breeds-English black and tan terrier, Paisley terrier and the Clydesdale terrier.
And compared to other terriers, they have a distinct tan and blue colored hair.
This dog breed originated in Yorkshire, England sometime in the 1800s and made its way to America only during the late 1800s since there were so many variety and sizes to this breed.
Yorkies did not make an exclusive name however, until the early 1900s.
It was also during this period when dog enthusiasts preferred Yorkshire Terriers than other breeds due to their small size.
Despite their size, the character of dogs belonging to this breed tends to be bold, courageous and confident.
They almost seem oblivious to their size and height.
They are however at all times eager for adventure and fun.
When it comes to relating with other dogs, Yorkies can be a bit aggressive; hostile and can bark at other dogs especially smaller ones.
Yorkies definitely maintains the old rough-edged temperament that terriers are known for.
Upkeep and Maintenance Similar to other toy breeds, the Yorkie requires plenty of exercise.
Since this breed is rather small in size, it can get its required exercise from running around the house from room to room.
This however, should not be used as a reason for owners not to walk their Yorkies outside.
Dogs belonging to this breed would in fact love brisk walks outside with their owners.
You should however, do well to keep Yorkies on a leash to avoid problems with smaller dogs or other animals When it comes to living arrangements, Yorkies are not suitable for outdoor living.
They would prefer companionship with its breed or family and or with their owners.
If you would need to leave your dog outdoors, you should ensure that there is plenty of shelter and bedding space/equipment.
Yorkshire Terrier dogs are likely to grow very lengthy hair.
If you decide to keep your dogs hair in its natural length, it would need the necessary grooming.
Most pet owners however, prefer to have their Yorkie's hair regularly trimmed so they don't need too much brushing: just three to four times in a week.
Long haired Yorkies need more brushing than this since long hair will tend to tangle or mat.
Health Care Information for Yorkies The Yorkie has generally no major health concerns however; owners should look out for patellar luxation.
This condition is characterized by kneecap dislocation and is common in miniature and toy breeds; sometimes congenital in nature.
Veterinarians may also suggest that Yorkie owners have their dogs under go specific testing like eye exams, liver ultrasound and knee dyplasia exams.
A healthy Yorkshire Terrier can live up to 16 years; or live the average lifespan which is from 10-15 years.
Generally, smaller dog breeds have longer lifespan than larger dogs since they have lesser risk of cardiovascular and skeletal diseases.