| The Yorkshire Terrier is an almost perfect dog | | | | can really help: some owners go with litter training, |
| according to most owners: it's smart, affectionate | | | | some choose indoor puppy pads for life; others have |
| and loyal. But like any breed, there are downsides. | | | | their Yorkies well trained to go outdoors only, and so |
| At a glance, here are some of the more common | | | | on. But whichever method you choose, it takes time |
| concerns with Yorkshire Terriers: | | | | and patience. If your schedule is time-starved, a |
| - hereditary health problems that come with any | | | | Yorkie Terrier just may not be for you. |
| purebred. | | | | 4. Grooming |
| - barking too much - they're Terriers! | | | | Yorkies have silky, continuously growing hair which |
| - harder to housebreak than many small breeds. | | | | should be brushed regularly if kept long. Many Yorkie |
| - lots of grooming needed. | | | | owners choose to keep their dog's hair cut short. |
| - Yorkies can be very needy - they suffer from | | | | Either way, the breed requires a moderate amount |
| separation anxiety more than some other breeds. | | | | of routine grooming. Grooming a Yorkie can be time |
| - They are very fragile - despite their gutsy approach | | | | consuming too, but it must be done or you'll have a |
| to life, Yorkies can be easily injured | | | | very matted, dirty coat quite quickly. One alternative |
| 1.Hereditary Health Problems: | | | | is to keep your Yorkie in a short or "puppy cut." This |
| Responsible breeders work hard to meet the high | | | | cut almost always has to be done by a professional |
| breed standards that national organizations like the | | | | groomer. |
| CKC and AKC set. (Canadian Kennel Club and | | | | The good news is that the Yorkie is just one of |
| American Kennel Club). | | | | many hypoallergenic dog breeds - meaning that hair |
| They also work hard to reduce the risk of hereditary | | | | shedding is minimal. (Please note though, that no |
| health problems. Unfortunately, all purebred dogs | | | | animal is 100% hypoallergenic because of dander: |
| have in-bred health concerns; and the Yorkie is no | | | | material that's shed from the body of various animals |
| exception. That doesn't mean YOUR Yorkie will get | | | | and humans, similar to dandruff. Dander is a big |
| one or all of these diseases; just that they are more | | | | source of irritation for those who are allergic.) |
| common in Yorkshire Terriers. | | | | 5. Separation anxiety |
| Sadly like any breed, there are common health | | | | This is something dog owners are seeing more and |
| concerns for the Yorkshire Terrier; here are some | | | | more these days, naturally as we work harder and |
| you should know about: | | | | longer hours. |
| Patellar Luxation - or "floating" kneecaps. The | | | | Yorkies, who are very affectionate dogs, can really |
| kneecap or patella, actually slips in and out of place. | | | | suffer with separation anxiety if they are left alone |
| Collapsing Trachea - ever heard a really wheezy old | | | | too long. They need almost-constant companionship |
| terrier? Likely his trachea has started to collapse. The | | | | and do not like being alone. Left alone for more than |
| cartilage rings that normally hold the windpipe round, | | | | a few hours, Yorkies will show their unhappiness by |
| begin to deteriorate. | | | | barking, chewing and generally trying to be |
| Portosystemic Shunts (PSS) - also known as a liver | | | | destructive. If you work all day, you'll need to take |
| shunt, can occur while the pup is still in its mother's | | | | this into consideration and find some ways to offset |
| womb. Development is abnormal and the result is, | | | | the problem: perhaps a neighbour or local dogwalker |
| blood from the intestines goes only partly through | | | | could come int, or you may find TWO Yorkies works |
| the liver, and the rest mixes into general circulation. | | | | well. |
| So normal toxins aren't fully cleared by the liver, and | | | | Besides needing to be around people, Yorkies need |
| your dog becomes ill. | | | | good socialization or exposure to other animals, |
| Intervertebral Disc Disease or ruptured discs: most | | | | especially dogs. Otherwise, their terrier instincts take |
| common in Dachshunds, Yorkies can also suffer from | | | | over and they can be suspicious and snappy. |
| this disease which can result in pain, weakness, | | | | 6. Fragile |
| paralysis, loss of sensation, and the inability to control | | | | Despite their boldness, Yorkshire Terriers are one of |
| urination and defecation. | | | | THE most fragile breeds around. Many people buy |
| 2. Barking - Yorkies tend to bark a lot! | | | | this toy breed because of his cuteness of their small |
| This makes them excellent guard dogs because they | | | | size. |
| will sound the alarm when anyone gets near, be it | | | | Your Yorkie Terrier can be seriously injured if |
| day or night. Yorkies tend to be very vocal, | | | | stepped on or if a larger dog in your home knocks it |
| protective and loyal. | | | | over by mistake. If you accidentally sit on the dog on |
| Despite their small size, they make excellent guard | | | | the couch for example, you may well kill him. |
| dogs. If this does not sound like something you want | | | | Everyone in your household needs to commit to |
| to put up with do not buy a Yorkshire Terrier. While | | | | being extra careful with a Yorkie Terrier around; and |
| this barking problem can be somewhat resolved with | | | | the dog is definitely not one for smaller children. Many |
| proper training, the Yorkie IS a terrier, and barking is | | | | breeders in fact, will not sell a Yorkshire Terrier into a |
| bred deep, deep into their characters. | | | | household where there are children under the age of |
| 3. Housebreaking problems | | | | 10. Not the your kids mean to hurt the dog, but the |
| Yorkie Terriers are one of the more difficult breeds | | | | Yorkie is just too fragile. Even other toy dogs like |
| to housebreak. Some owners never manage to get | | | | Maltese, are much more sturdy. |
| their Yorkies fully housebroken. Again, proper training | | | | |