10 Fun Yorkshire Terrier Facts You Probably Didn't Know

Yorkshire Terrier Facts     by Dawn Greer    |Published 06-19-2020

Yorkshire Terriers are mostly called Yorkies these days, and they are an adorable dog that tends to live for a long time. They often outlive their own teeth and become old and deaf before they pass away. This is a little dog that can be feisty when young and always by your side as he ages. They are very loving and loyal little dogs.

Not known for being overly barky or needy, the Yorkie can be an independent little dog that will always find his way back to your lap when he wants to cuddle.

You’ll hardly notice him crawl into your lap as he weighs such a small amount, typically falling in the neighborhood of three pounds. TinDog loves Yorkies, and they love all little dogs. Here is more information on why you should love Yorkies too.

Fun Yorkshire Terrier Facts

Did you know?  Fanciers of the breed likely know all about these facts but the average dog owner may be surprised.  Check your knowledge and see how many of these tidbits of knowledge you already knew.

1. Tiny But Incredibly Bold

They might be little, but they are not easily scared. This little dog is known for being an excellent watchdog. He’ll alert you to any trouble that might be brewing, and if something is in your yard or on the porch, the Yorkie will surely let you know!

2. Rat Catcher Extraordinaire

They were not bred as lapdogs. In fact, this is originally a working-class little fella who has earned his way up to lapdog. The Yorkshire Terrier was originally bred to be a rat-catcher in the clothing mills of England. Old English lore jokes that the Yorkie has his elegant silken coat due to the years in which he spent working with the fine linens.

So, is that tiny dog who shares your pillow at night actually there to protect you should a menacing vermin enter your bedroom?

3. Tiny Body, Huge Personality

They are one of the smaller dog breeds, weighing between 3 and 7 pounds and standing 6 inches tall at their shoulders. They are certainly not small in personality, however.

4. The Very First Therapy Dog in History

A Yorkie was credited during World War II for saving the lives of soldiers that took her in when they found her in the jungle of New Guinea. She wasn’t an official armed forces animal and was not given rations. Therefore the soldier who kept her safe shared his food with her. She would bark to alert the men of sneak attacks. 

She was also taken to military hospitals where she may have been the very first therapy dog, visiting the soldiers who had been wounded in battle. Her name was Smoky, and there are many statues built in her honor to this day.  Her final resting place is in the Cleveland Metropark at Lakewood, Ohio.

5. Lovely Hair Color Changes:  No Bottle Needed

Yorkie puppies are black and tan when born and stay that way until they begin to become an adult. At that point, the black gives way to a faded, silvery blue color that is very unique. Their fur grows long and silky as well. Most people take their Yorkie to be groomed and trimmed every 6 to 8 weeks.

6. Celebrities First Choice in Pups

Audrey Hepburn kept Yorkies and made them quite popular during her years of stardom. Her dog often appeared in magazines and on covers with her.

7. Not Staffordshire,  Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, but Yorkshire:  Surprise!

They were developed in Yorkshire, England, and that is where their name comes from. They were first named officially in 1870 but were not adopted into the AKC as an official breed until 1885. This makes them a very old breed in the registry, however.

They’ve been around long enough to win a few hearts and change career paths from rat chasers to lap warmers.

8. Dentures Anyone?

The Yorkie is prone to losing their teeth as they age. It’s common, and when you see an older Yorkie with his tongue hanging sideways from his mouth, this is likely due to not having any teeth to hold his tongue in his mouth.

Keep this in mind and do your best to keep your pup’s teeth healthy, but when the time comes, watch for symptoms of painful teeth. If he is rubbing his face constantly, not eating, grumpy, or has very bad breathe, it is time to get him to the veterinarian to have his teeth inspected.

If he needs teeth pulled, this can be done under sedation, and he can go back to eating and being happy again - with soft food.

The best preventative?  Brush your Yorkie's teeth regularly.

9. Fearless Pups That Need that Extra bit of Protection

Yorkies are fearless little guys that can get themselves into a world of harm if you don’t keep an eye on them in the yard. They’ll take on big dogs, snakes, and anything they see as a threat to their territory.

They have no idea they are so small, so do be sure to supervise your Yorkie. They are small enough for an owl or bird of prey to fly off with.  They need your protection to protect them from themselves.

10. Lovely Hair Requires Effort

Brush him regularly because his coat is very fine and silky. It tangles easily and gets knots. When their fur becomes matted it will turn into a matted mess that hurts them and has to be cut out unless a groomer can painstakingly pull the knots apart. This takes time and care. Daily brushing and keeping them clipped short is often the best strategy.

Yorkshire Terrier Facts Takeaways

These are amazing little dogs that bring joy into your hearts.  Don't let that tiny size or big attitude deter you.  These dogs make great pets for singles, couples and even families who have older children who respect the needs of small dogs.  

As with other small dogs, Yorkies are easy to transport, eat less food, require smaller beds and toys, and adapt to small homes.  The complete Yorkshire Terrier Dog Breed Profile will answer other questions you might have about this little dog.

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