PRONOUNCED: YORK-shur TAIR-ee-uhr
COMMON NAME:  Yorkie
PRONOUNCED: YOR-kee
FAMILY: Companion
BREED GROUP: Terrier, Toy
AREA OF ORIGIN: Northern England
DATE OF ORIGIN: Officially became its own distinct breed in 1870.
HEIGHT: 6-9 inches (15.24 – 22.86 cm) This is in general, There is not an AKC specific height guideline
WEIGHT: 4- 7 lbs. (1.81 - 3.17 kg) 
NOTE: In the past, there was not a minimum weight set by the AKC, this has changed to a minimum weight of 4 lbs ( 1.81 kg). 
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 12-15 years
RECOGNIZED BY: CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, CKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, APRI, ACR







Yummy Healthy Home Cooking for the Yorkie

Learn about the differences between manufactured dog food and home cooked food, so that you can make a choice that best fits your and your little bundle of joy.
 
Recommended By Vets?  - Did you know that any manufactured dog food can legally have the label of "Recommended by Veterinarians" if only 1 vet recommends it?   That is 1 vet out of millions.
 
Fillers - The main difference between high quality and low quality manufactured dog food is the amount of fillers.  Fillers are empty, useless ingredients which "pump" up the dog food to make it appear as if there is "more to it" and cause your Yorkie to feel full...when in fact they are ingesting worthless elements which contain zero nutrients.  It is akin to us eating cardboard
 
These quickly  pass right through your Yorkies' body and come out via the other end.
 
Behavioral Issues - The behavioral issues of a Yorkie eating grass and/or eating feces can be directly connected to the dog's diet.  As the Yorkie is ingesting those fillers found in manufactured food,  your dog will feel full, but his or her body will be craving nutrients that the fillers did not contain.
 
Allergies - Allergies to dog food is one of the most common allergies that affect small breed dogs as the Yorkie.  This can cause upset stomachs, vomiting, diarrhea, and external symptoms such as dry skin and a dull coat. Many cases can be severe and following the correct home cooking methods I have for you will show you how to make sure your Yorkie is receiving the nutrients they need, while at the same time finding out what he or she is allergic to.
Wheat - For those who already know that a Yorkie is allergic to wheat (one of the most common food elements), you can make delicious wheat-free home cooked meals for your Yorkie.

Teething - Why watch your Yorkie suffer through the teething phase, when you can make tasty homemade treats that will greatly help with discomfort.

  • 8 Biscuits - Perfect as a side dish, a reward treat or an any time snack.
  • 8 Healthy Snacks, great any time, but perfect for those occasions when you have company over...why not allow your Yorkie to enjoy a special food too?
  • 5 Teething snacks to ease their discomfort while enjoying something yummy
  • 2 Vegetarian meals - To mix things up a bit and offer some diversity to your dog's dinners
  • 4 Hamburger based meals - Perfect in today's economy and so easy to make while you prepare your own dinner
  • 3 Chicken/ Turkey based meals - For excellent health and easy cooking, as most of you already will be cooking chicken for yourselves
  • 4 Fish meals - A great way to provide choices for your Yorkie and especially great for the "finicky eater"
  • 4 Lamb based meals - Wonderful recipes your dog will thank you for
  • 2 Liver based recipes - for the flavor dogs can't resist
  • 3 Italian meals - Should humans be the only ones to enjoy a little taste of Italy? Your Yorkie deserves it too.
  • A perfect Raw Food recipe for the Yorkie
  •  # 1 Recommend Meal for Optimal Health
  • 5 Peanut Butter based meals for the Yorkie - These are perfect for those who are teething or have chewing issues. Why? Because that peanut butter is healthy and keeps their mouths busy...and they won't be chewing on your shoes!
  • 8 desserts - For holidays, special occasions or just to show your Yorkie that you care enough to provide dessert
  • A wonderful Yorkie birthday cake recipe, to celebrate their special day
  • 2 Breakfast recipes - Dogs love to eat a different food for breakfast, just as humans do.
  • 3 Wheat-Free treats and meals - For those dogs who are allergic to the #1 most common ingredient: wheat
  • 2 recipes for "Upset Tummy" for those times that your Yorkie needs your help keeping down food or recovering from an illness
  • The Ultimate Hypo-Allergenic Meal - To immediately give relief to a dog who has food allergies...and then perfectly identify the culprit ingredient.
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  • Dental Care

    Taking care of your Yorkie’s teeth is very important.  Dogs do not develop cavities as often as humans do, however it is the plague and tarter buildup that can attack the teeth and lead to severe infections.  Without treatment, teeth begin to crumble, bone is destroyed and ultimately the teeth will fall out or need to be extracted.

    The Yorkshire Terrier is a breed that is very susceptible to dental issues. You can train your dog from the day that you bring him or her home.  This is done in steps, to allow the dog to become used to the feeling of cleanings, the taste and sitting still while you do this.

    You should begin with you finger, move up to a dog finger brush and then finally a high quality dog toothbrush.

    Paying attention to this very important grooming aspect will be a big help towards keeping your Yorkie healthy. 
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    Grooming:

    Overview
    Grooming the Yorkshire Terrier is rather easy in comparison to some dog breeds. The Yorkie only has 1 coat (Many dog breeds also have an undercoat). 
    Proper Grooming to keep your Yorkie looking nice and remain healthy will inclu

    Bath Time

    How often should a Yorkie get a bath?  It is recommended to bathe your Yorkie 1 time per week.  There are several elements to keep in mind to keep the coat looking beautiful:
    • Do not use human shampoo.  Human shampoo will dry the skin and coat of this dog breed., as it is not formulated  with the correct ph balance.  Gentle and hypoallergenic dog shampoo and conditioner should be used.
    • Be sure to rinse out all shampoo and conditioner.  Any remaining dog shampoo will affect your ability to properly brush the coat. Use luke warm water for bathing
    • Use a soft wash cloth when you give your Yorkie a bath   
      • Male Yorkies should be wiped with a wet, soft wash cloth each day, to wipe off urine that usually collects onto the coat when they eliminate.  Doing so right before bedtime and after their last "bathroom" trip of the day generally works best.  In this way, your Yorkie will be able to retreat to his sleeping area perfectly clean and fresh.
      • Each day, use a warm, soft cloth to wipe around your dog's eyes. Once the eye area is cleaned, use a 2nd dry cloth to pat this area dry.  You will not want to allow the fur around the eyes to remain wet, as a yeast infection can quickly grow here. (this is one reason why some dogs have "red fur" in their eye area)

      Brushing & Combing

      • Trying to remove matted hair can take hours and can be very stressful for both owner and Yorkie.  Therefore, it is highly recommended to brush and comb your Yorkie 1 time per day if the dog has a long "show coat" and every 2 days if the dog has a shorter "puppy dog cut".
      • Brushing dry hair will cause breakage.   You should always spritz your dog's hair with a combination of 1/2 water to 1/2 conditioner to dampen the dog's coat before brushing .
      • Complete brushing and combing should also be done after each bath (1 time per week)
      • Tangles should be worked out with your fingers.  First, wet the tangle with water and conditioner.
      • You will want to use a pin brush with a rubber backing.  This type of dog brush will be able to reach through the coat of the Yorkie.  Avoid dog brushes with balls on the ends of the pin, these often break the hair.
        • The comb that you use should be made of metal and have long teeth to it. 
        • When you are done brushing your Yorkie, this should be finished off by running the comb through the dog's coat.   Go slowly.  It is common to find tangles when combing that were missed while brushing.
        • A flea comb should be used to carefully comb under the dog's eyes (a very sensitive area).
      Trimming

      • There are a few areas that will need special attention in regard to trimming.  There should be no hair that is growing out of the dog's paw and touching the floor.  This should be trimmed to the level of the Yorkshire Terrier's paw.
      • the top 1/3 of the ears should be trimmed.  This also helps to keep the ears standing erect.
    • The area around the dog's rectum should be trimmed short for hygiene purposes.
    • Many owners choose to keep their Yorkie with the "puppy dog cut" as opposed to maintaining the long "show dog cut".  If your Yorkie is a pet, it is very popular and acceptable to have the dog trimmed down to the "puppy dog cut".  The "Schnauzer cut" is also becoming very popular.
      • Maintaining a "show dog cut" requires quite a bit of work.  This looks is one where the Yorkie's hair is one length and flows all the way to the floor.  Constant grooming must be done to avoid tangles or matts which could destroy the entire look.  
      • Just as many owners choose to trim the Yorkie themselves as those who opt to have a professional dog groomer do the job.  If you do choose to do this yourself,  it is highly recommended to invest in quality clipping tools, as this will make grooming and trims on the Yorkie much easier.
        Remember that if you make a grooming , the hair of the Yorkie will grow back; and it does so rather quickly.
        • Never shave a Yorkie so low that skin shows.  This can cause many skin irritation issues. 
        • Nails
          Nail trimming should be done every 2  or 3 months.  If not, nails can quickly become ingrown. An owner may do this themselves or opt  for a dog groomer to do this.  If doing this at home, it is important to use quality pet nail trimming tools.  The cut should be fast and easy., as most dogs  do not stray very still while having this done.
    • If you begin this grooming at home when your Yorkie is a puppy, in time your dog will learn what they are expected to do at "nail trimming time". 

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      • One of the biggest worries of those who try to trim their Yorkie's nails at home is the element of cutting to low and cutting the "quick" of the nail.  The quick is a vein that runs down the center of each nail.  If cut, there will be quite a bit of bleeding.  There are solutions, such as a styptic pencil or silver nitrate  that you can obtain, so that if a mistake is made, it will help to stop the dog's nail from bleeding.  This is, however, very painfful for a dog when the quick is acciendently cut.
      • Trimming is easier if done right after bath time, when the dog's nails are wet.
      • To avoid cutting the "quick", cut very small pieces at a time. Each time you trim a piece, stop to take a look at your Yorkie's nail.  As you slowly cut away small pieces, you will eventually see a gray or pinkish color oval of color in the nail.  This is your sign to stop  cutting

        Top Knots

        Yorkies with long coats who do nto have their coat shaved will need to have the hair on the top of their heads put into a Top Knot.  This keeps the hair out of the dog's eyes, allowing them to see of course, but also keeps strays from scratching against the surface of the dog's eyes.                                        Ears
        Grooming the ears is important.  Regularly check the ears, look for any redness, discharge or odor.  If you do see these signs, a vet check for infections should be done.   If there is hair in the channel, remove it by pulling it out with your fingers. Whether the hair is oily or not, using a plucking powder lightly will make it much easier to do
    Grooming a Yorkie
    Overview

    Grooming the Yorkshire Terrier is rather easy in comparison to some dog breeds. The Yorkie only has 1 coat (Many dog breeds also have an undercoat). 

    Proper Grooming to keep your Yorkie looking nice and remain healthy will include:
    • Baths
    • Brushing and combing
    • Nail Care (and possible dewclaw removal)
    • Trimming
    • Creating Top Knots (if the coat is kept long)  
    Bath Time

    How often should a Yorkie get a bath?  It is recommended to bathe your Yorkie 1 time per week.  There are several elements to keep in mind to keep the coat looking beautiful:
    • Do not use human shampoo.  Human shampoo will dry the skin and coat of this dog breed., as it is not formulated  with the correct ph balance.  Gentle and hypoallergenic dog shampoo and conditioner should be used.
    • Be sure to rinse out all shampoo and conditioner.  Any remaining dog shampoo will affect your ability to properly brush the coat. Use luke warm water for bathing
    • Use a soft wash cloth when you give your Yorkie a bath
    • Male Yorkies should be wiped with a wet, soft wash cloth each day, to wipe off urine that usually collects onto the coat when they eliminate.  Doing so right before bedtime and after their last "bathroom" trip of the day generally works best.  In this way, your Yorkie will be able to retreat to his sleeping area perfectly clean and fresh.
    • Each day, use a warm, soft cloth to wipe around your dog's eyes. Once the eye area is cleaned, use a 2nd dry cloth to pat this area dry.  You will not want to allow the fur around the eyes to remain wet, as a yeast infection can quickly grow here. (this is one reason why some dogs have "red fur" in their eye area)
    Brushing & Combing
    • Trying to remove matted hair can take hours and can be very stressful for both owner and Yorkie.  Therefore, it is highly recommended to brush and comb your Yorkie 1 time per day if the dog has a long "show coat" and every 2 days if the dog has a shorter "puppy dog cut".
    • Brushing dry hair will cause breakage.   You should always spritz your dog's hair with a combination of 1/2 water to 1/2 conditioner to dampen the dog's coat before brushing .
    • Complete brushing and combing should also be done after each bath (1 time per week)
    • Tangles should be worked out with your fingers.  First, wet the tangle with water and conditioner.
    • You will want to use a pin brush with a rubber backing.  This type of dog brush will be able to reach through the coat of the Yorkie.  Avoid dog brushes with balls on the ends of the pin, these often break the hair.
    • The comb that you use should be made of metal and have long teeth to it. 
    • When you are done brushing your Yorkie, this should be finished off by running the comb through the dog's coat.   Go slowly.  It is common to find tangles when combing that were missed while brushing.
    • A flea comb should be used to carefully comb under the dog's eyes (a very sensitive area).
    Trimming
    • There are a few areas that will need special attention in regard to trimming.  There should be no hair that is growing out of the dog's paw and touching the floor.  This should be trimmed to the level of the Yorkshire Terrier's paw.
    • the top 1/3 of the ears should be trimmed.  This also helps to keep the ears standing erect.
    • The area around the dog's rectum should be trimmed short for hygiene purposes.
    • Many owners choose to keep their Yorkie with the "puppy dog cut" as opposed to maintaining the long "show dog cut".  If your Yorkie is a pet, it is very popular and acceptable to have the dog trimmed down to the "puppy dog cut".  The "Schnauzer cut" is also becoming very popular.
    • Maintaining a "show dog cut" requires quite a bit of work.  This looks is one where the Yorkie's hair is one length and flows all the way to the floor.  Constant grooming must be done to avoid tangles or matts which could destroy the entire look.  
    • Just as many owners choose to trim the Yorkie themselves as those who opt to have a professional dog groomer do the job.  If you do choose to do this yourself,  it is highly recommended to invest in quality clipping tools, as this will make grooming and trims on the Yorkie much easier.
    • Remember that if you make a grooming mistake, the hair of the Yorkie will grow back; and it does so rather quickly.
    • Never shave a Yorkie so low that skin shows.  This can cause many skin irritation issues.

      Nails
      Nail trimming should be done every 2  or 3 months.  If not, nails can quickly become ingrown. An owner may do this themselves or opt  for a dog groomer to do this.  If doing this at home, it is important to use quality pet nail trimming tools.  The cut should be fast and easy., as most dogs  do not stray very still while having this done.
    • If you begin this grooming at home when your Yorkie is a puppy, in time your dog will learn what they are expected to do at "nail trimming time".
    • One of the biggest worries of those who try to trim their Yorkie's nails at home is the element of cutting to low and cutting the "quick" of the nail.  The quick is a vein that runs down the center of each nail.  If cut, there will be quite a bit of bleeding.  There are solutions, such as a styptic pencil or silver nitrate  that you can obtain, so that if a mistake is made, it will help to stop the dog's nail from bleeding.  This is, however, very painfful for a dog when the quick is acciendently cut.
    • Trimming is easier if done right after bath time, when the dog's nails are wet.
    • To avoid cutting the "quick", cut very small pieces at a time. Each time you trim a piece, stop to take a look at your Yorkie's nail.  As you slowly cut away small pieces, you will eventually see a gray or pinkish color oval of color in the nail.  This is your sign to stop  cutting. 
    Top Knots

    Yorkies with long coats who do nto have their coat shaved will need to have the hair on the top of their heads put into a Top Knot.  This keeps the hair out of the dog's eyes, allowing them to see of course, but also keeps strays from scratching against the surface of the dog's eyes.

    Ears
    Grooming the ears is important.  Regularly check the ears, look for any redness, discharge or odor.  If you do see these signs, a vet check for infections should be done.   If there is hair in the channel, remove it by pulling it out with your fingers. Whether the hair is oily or not, using a plucking powder lightly will make it much easier t

    Dewclaws

    What is dewclaw?  It is an extra claw very high on the paw of a dog.  It is so high, that some describe it as being on the dog's leg as opposed to the paw.

    A Yorkie may be born with dewclaws on the hind paws, front paws or both.  Many Yorkie breeders will have the dewclaws removed before selling the puppy.  Why are dewclaws removed on a Yorkie?  Because they can easily catch on things, causing pain to the dog  or grow out of place.

    It is best to have the dewclaws removed when a Yorkie is very young.  At a young age, the dewclaws are akin to fingernails and removal is easy.    However, as the dog matures, they grow into something more akin to an extra toe and removal is much more complicated as the dog must have an entire "appendage" removed.