About The Yorkie Breed

Yorkshire terriers can be traced back to the migration of weavers from Scotland to Yorkshire, England, in the mid-19th century. These people brought a variety of terriers with them, which they used to control rodents in textile mills. They preferred a small terrier that could squeeze into tight spaces after the rodents. And several breeds, including the Sky terrier and Dandie Dinmont, went into creating the little Yorkie. 

In 1886, the Kennel Club of England recognized the breed. And this changed the dog's reputation from primarily being a working-class exterminator to a fashionable companion. Breeders also further decreased the Yorkie's size so they could better serve as lapdogs. 

Yorkies made their way to the United States in the late 1800s. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1885, and this has been quite a popular dog throughout U.S. history. President Richard Nixon’s family even had a Yorkie who resided in the White House.

 Like other Terriers, Yorkies are instinctively intelligent and eager to please, and tend to learn tricks quickly.

 Yorkies are bright little dogs who can take to training fairly well, though they can be bossy at times. Still, they tend to respond very well to positive reinforcement. 

Aim to start training when your Yorkie is still a puppy to prevent bad habits from forming and to socialize them with various people, other animals, and situations. Attending a puppy obedience class as soon as your dog meets the age requirement is a good option for both training and socialization. 

The breed is known to be difficult to housebreak, in part because Yorkies can be stubborn and often don’t like to go outside in inclement weather. Be patient and consistent during this process to reinforce good housebreaking habits.

Furthermore, many Yorkies don’t do well when they’re left alone for most of the day. They prefer lots of attention and companionship, and might develop separation anxiety and bad habits if their social needs aren’t met. However, they don’t always make good companions for young children, who might be too rough with the little dog and provoke them to nip.

Yorkies are no couch potato. They are active little dogs who need regular exercise and mental stimulation to stay happy and healthy. Aim to provide two 15- to 30-minute walks per day. Going at a moderate pace should be sufficient for a Yorkie to burn off energy.

Yorkies also should be able to run and play off leash. They can have loads of fun and be mentally stimulated with activities like fetch.

Just bear in mind that these small dogs can be targets for predators like coyotes, so always supervise your Yorkshire terrier while they’re spending time outside.

Yorkies are not well-suited to extreme temperatures, hot or cold, so plan outdoor exercise accordingly. Try to go out during the coolest part of the day in hot weather, and provide a sweater or coat in cold weather. Indoor play is also a good option, as Yorkies don't need much room to work out their little bodies.