Yorkshire Terrier

The Yorkshire Terrier became a popular pet in the late Victorian era In the beginning, the breed belonged to the working class, primarily the weavers. The breed was so closely linked to them that facetious comments were made regarding the fine texture of their long, silky coat.

The Yorkshire Terrier made its first appearance at a bench show in England in 1861 as a "broken-haired Scotch Terrier." It became known as the Yorkshire Terrier in 1870 when a reporter stated that they should no longer be called Scotch Terriers since the breed had been improved in Yorkshire. For several years after that there were classes offered for both Yorkshire Terriers and Broken-haired Scotch Terriers. There were also dogs from the same litter who were shown in separate classes.

A breed common in Yorkshire since early times, the Waterside Terrier was crossed with the old rough-coated black and tan English Terrier with Paisley and Clydesdale Terriers-all these breeds were bred together to make what is now known as the Yorkshire Terrier. The earliest record of a Yorkie born in the United States was in 1872. They were accepted by the American Kennel Club in 1885.

Yorkshire Terriers have a distinct coloring. their metallic colors are dark steel-blue, and on the chest, head, and legs it's a rich golden tan. Puppies that will develop the correct adult coat colors are always born with black and tan markings. Yorkies should not exceed 7 pounds. They are unafraid, independent and love to be with their owners. Grooming a Yorkie can be quite a chore. If their coat is kept long, it needs combed daily to help prevent matting. If you're not able to keep up with the grooming, it's best to have the coat clippered so that the dog isn't uncomfortable.

Tiny Yorkies, weighing less than the standard size of 4-7 pounds as adults are sometimes called "Teacup Yorkies". This term is very misleading. These dogs are not rare or special, they are simply dangerously small and more susceptible to injury and accidents. These dogs are also more prone to health problems as well. These small Yorkies require constant supervision, can become dehydrated very easily and get sick frequently as well. Responsible breeders will not charge more money for smaller Yorkies, which can be born in any litter.

Health concerns include Patellar luxation which is the dislocation (slipping) of the patella (kneecap). In dogs the patella is a small bone that shields the front of the stifle joint. This bone is held in place by ligaments. As the knee joint is moved, the patella slides in a grove in the femur. The kneecap may dislocate toward the inside (medial) or outside (lateral) of the leg. This condition may be the result of injury or congenital deformities (present at birth). Patellar luxation can affect either or both legs.

Portosystemic shunt is a blood vessel that bypasses liver tissue, carrying blood from the intestines, stomach, spleen, and pancreas to the heart before it can be filtered and cleansed of proteins, sugars, bacteria, and toxins. Shunts are present in all fetal mammals and usually close down shortly before or after birth so that the baby's liver takes over the functions of filtration, storage, and production. In some individuals the shunt doesn't close down or develops in an abnormal place, and the animal's liver doesn't get enough blood supply to grow or function properly.

Other concerns include allergies and dental problems.