Introduction

The Yorkshire Terrier is a breed that has been redeemed. They've been taken out of the dark, dirty coal mines where they were kept as rat-killers. Now they are much-loved pets! From mine to mansion!
God wants to wash the dirt off you and me! He has prepared a mansion for us! A lot of folk will never see their mansion because they'd rather stay down in the coal mine
where it's dark.

To quote from the Bible, "Men love darkness instead of light because their deeds are evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives truthfully comes into the light!"
John chapter 3: 19-21

History and origin of the Yorkshire Terrier

In 1886 this breed was acknowledged by English Kennel Club and was named "Yorkshire Terrier". In 1898 an official standard for the breed was approved and the Yorkshire Terrier Club was created. The first Yorkshire Terrier, registered in the Studbook of Great Britain, was a dog named Albert, which later was purchased by Mrs. Foster, the only female specialist of that time, the owner of one of the first kennels of Yorkshire Bradford. But the actual founder of the breed is considered by plenty of experts a dog named Huddersfield Ben. It had excellent exterior, valuable breeding qualities and left a many champions. It won not only in a lot of exhibitions, but also in the battles against rats.

Initially this breed came from a test made by miners who wanted a small enough dog to hunt rats in the drifts. As a matter of fact, they were listed as one among the Top Dog Breeds in 2005. The Yorkshire Terrier is a small dog that is among the most popular breeds in the world.

The Yorkshire appeared after several crosses between Skye terrier, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Manchester Terrier and Maltese. Originally it was bigger (about 6kg) than the Yorkshire terrier standars of the breed we know them today.

Over the crosses, becoming the yorkshire itself become smaller than the the rat, he could not really do the job he was suppose to do first and was somewhat neglected.

Today the yorkie is a very small dog, but he never forgotten its Terrier roots.

Miniature or standard?

Yorkshire Terriers are great dogs and whether you choose the standard or miniature yorkie, the point is that you are getting a great pet and a great friend.There are actually even different Yorkshire Terrier types that you can choose from, including the miniature Yorkshire Terrier, which is simply a miniaturized version of the Yorkshire Terrier. People love these dogs because they are so small and adorable. The Yorkie already is a very petite and fragile dog, but miniaturized Yorkies are even smaller, if you can believe it.

Miniature

Miniature Yorkshire Terriers are known to be very mischievous, but you should know that you can deal with this by implementing proper obedience training. They are typically fast learners and are very intelligent. This makes it easy to train them, even if you have no previous experience in this area. Just make sure that you have patience and do not allow yourself to get frustrated while you are training them, because this will only discourage them.It is important that you take your time when trying to decide between the Yorkshire Terrier types. After all, although they are obviously very similar, at the same time there are a few major differences that you will want to be aware of.

Standard

Their coats for one are quite different, as the miniature Yorkshire Terrier typically has a coat that is much shorter and lighter colored than the standard Yorkie. Then there is also the fact that the miniature Yorkies tend to be a lot more hyper and energetic, and so you will have to be willing to put up with the spunkiness if you get a miniature Yorkshire Terrier. You can speak to your veterinarian to get more information on this if you like, as you will be able to become more educated this way and therefore be able to make the most informed decision in terms of which type of Yorkshire Terrier you should get.

Yorkie Temperament

Yorkie temperament is something you should consider before choosing to bring this breed into your home. While their adorable faces and small bodies may be appealing, yorkies are not a good fit for every family. Yorkies aren't really well suited for households with children, first off due to their small size and fragility but also because of their temperaments. One aspect of the yorkie temperament which seems true of all toy dogs is that it doesn't realize its own size.

Yorkies will pick fights with much larger dogs and can behave aggressively towards strangers even though the dog stands no chance of victory in either case. The former problem requires that yorkies be kept safely confined or leashed at all times because they can be killed easily by other dogs. The yorkie temperament makes them ideal for single owners. Like most toy breeds, yorkies tend to attach themselves to one person in the home. If that person babies the yorkie too much, the dog can become possessive and snappish even towards other members of the family.

There are many positive aspects to the yorkie temperament as well. They are extremely devoted to their owner and are smart enough to do well in obedience training. Despite the yorkie's small size, basic obedience training is a good idea for the breed. The yorkie temperament is very high energy, so the training provides a constructive outlet for that energy. The dogs may be able to follow their obedience commands but may refuse to do them just because they aren't in the mood. Although many owners have delighted in the cute barking of a yorkie puppy, the yorkie temperament soon causes some owners to dream of earplugs. Yorkies have a tendency to bark excessively which can make them a nuisance in their home and to your neighbors.

Yorkie Nutrition

Yorkies have very beautiful hair, and apart from proper grooming, it requires you feed your dog a balanced diet in order to maintain its luster. As a general rule, do not feed your dog only one kind of dog food. Find a dry food that it likes and has no trouble digesting, and then find a wet food that isn't too rich. The wet food will help maintain the dog's natural oils, keeping the coat soft and shiny. Dogs are also lactose intolerant, so beware of cheese and milk. Treats should only be given as rewards, and not to gain a dog's affection.

Feeding puppies

When you welcome your pet into your life be sure to ask its previous owner or breeder what would be the best dog food. They may have already started it on a particular brand that they prefer to others. If you feel that this brand is affordable then by all means continue using it, but if not then begin using another one for puppies. Slowly remove the old brand from your dogs bowl by first adding only a bit of the new one and then gradually add more and more until there is no more of the old one left. This will help your dog in the 'getting used to' process and will also lessen any chances of stomach upset. At a young age Yorkshire Terrier puppies will be energetic and will burn calories very easily.

At first it is a good idea to feed yorkie puppies about four times a day. By doing this you are allowing them to get all the necessary nutrition they need. If you were to try and feed them all of it at once they may either burn it all before the end of the day and then go to sleep hungry, be sick because of the excess amount or leave part of the food because they can't finish it.

Feeding Young Yorkshire Terriers
Until the teething phase is over, which should occur at about 6 months of age, yorkies need to be fed three meals a day. However, between 6 months and 1 year two feedings should be sufficient. At this stage in a young Yorkshire terriers life it is very important that you feed them a healthy, well-balanced meal in order for good development and growth. As your dog gets older its body will be able to digest far better than when it was a puppy or when it gets very old.

Feeding Adult Yorkshire Terriers
There are some dog foods which have been designed specifically for older dogs and take into account their changing nutritional needs. Senior Yorkshire terriers should have a diet that consists of higher carbohydrates which are easier to digest.

NO GRAPES, RAISINS, TURKEY, NUTS, SUGARLESS CANDY ,CHOCLATE,GARLIC OR ONIONS!!!

Yorkie Health

Yorkies are prone to a number of problems, including: dental problems, hair loss, hypoglycemia, Legg-Perthes disease, patellar luxation, portocaval shunt, and other disorders.Give your dog Dentabone edible chew toys, in order to keep it's teeth clean.If your dog suffers from bad breath, you may give her some parsley, as it will help her digestion and give her fresh breath in the process.
Make sure to keep chicken bones, or other small objects of your dog's reach, since they represent a choking hazard.

A normal adult Yorkshire terrier weighs around 3 kgs but some Yorkshire terrier breeders are producing miniature Yorkshire terriers, teacup Yorkies, and pocket size yorkies, which can be as small as 600 g at one year old. Teacup puppies really do fit in a teacup, but sometimes it's not a mini Yorkie at all, but the runt of a litter who grows to full size and no longer fits in a teacup.
Yorkie health is dependant on many things, however just like us, stress and anxiety plays a huge part on how healthy they are. Even though a dogs life may not seem very stressful it can be. Please take care of your yorkie, both body and mind.

Yorkie Grooming

One of the advantages of the Yorkshire Terrier in regards to grooming, is that you do not necessarily need to bring your dog to a professional groomer. Yorkies are easy to groom.
Since Yorkies have long straight hair, it is preferable to use a comb rather than a brush, which could damage your dog's hair. Comb your dog's hair every day to avoid tangles; doing so will also keep the hair clean until you decide it's time to bath your dog.

Another important hygiene tip is to keep the dog's underside free of urine stains. To remove mucus from the corners of your dog's eyes, simply use a cotton ball soaked in warm water, and make sure you get all of it, as any leftover residue can cause the hair to rot. Use a lightly scented baby shampoo and conditioner to bath your dog. Do not bathe the dog every day, as doing so takes away the skin's natural oils, resulting in more dander, and a dull coat.

Yorkies do not require much trimming, except around the ears and feet. You should start trimming your Yorkie's ears when it is a puppy, so that they will stay erect. If you do not do so, they will bend with the weight of the hair and adopt that shape, making it harder for them to stay straight later on. Pay close attention to your dog's teeth. Check his ears for signs of infection or signs they need cleaned. Removing the hair around the anus helps with hygiene. If you make a mistake and cut too much off remember it's just hair and will grow back! The time spent with your Yorkie grooming is time well spent and can be positive for both.