Talk to me about Yorkshire Terriers

[NormallyOK]

I've only ever had a cat, never been a dog owner. When I was out at work, a cat was the best choice as they are more independent and can be left alone longer than a dog. I'm due to retire soon and would like a small dog that I can take away with me in my campervan. I've always liked the idea of a Yorkshire Terrier, but actually know nothing about them.

Are they as cuddly as they look? good-tempered? easy to train? Should I buy a puppy or an older dog? Do they have many known health issues? How do I find one from a reputable source? Any advice gratefully received.

If you don’t have kids around please look at getting a rescue dog. There’s loads suitable for people without young kids.

I have yorkie mini schnauzer x. agree with reallyreallyborednow’s evaluation.

Border terriers are quite a lot bigger than Yorkies

Border - up to 16 inches - up to 7 kg

Yorkie - up to 9 inches - up to 3.5 kg

OP is after a dog from the 'toy' category, and a Border is getting on for twice the size she wants.

Yappy and snappy.

Good question about what I'm looking for in a dog, that's probably what I should have made my post about, I centred on Yorkshires because I've always liked the look of them, but I don't know anything about dogs at all really, only cats.

I'm going to be travelling a lot in a small campervan, not a huge motorhome, so it needs to be a small dog, and one that is easy to train. I want something friendly and cuddly, but not a breed that needs a huge amount of exercise (I do know they all need walking, and that is a plus as I need exercise too, but not for hours a day).

I'd be very happy to adopt a crossbreed if I could find one, I'm not determined to have a pedigree, and I have heard that a lot of pedigree dogs have health issues, so that could be a problem in itself that I would like to avoid. The only thing with a rescue is finding one, and being able to be sure of its temperament. I've looked at the dogs trust website and an awful lot of them appear to have pitbull characteristics, and I don't, definitely don't want anything that is crossed with a staffie - please dont tell me how lovely they can be, little as I know about dogs, for personal reasons, I won't be able to entertain the idea of having one.

Also with a rescue they are often older dogs that maybe set in their ways, so not easy to train, and notice long lifespan. It almost crucified me when my cat died recently, so although there are no guarantees on how long an animal will live, adopting an older dog, would obviously reduce the odds of a long life.

I'd be very grateful for any tips on how to assess dogs from rescue centres as being suitable apart from taking their word for things, as I've had experience of having been told untruths with rescue cats in the past.

I'm going to be travelling a lot in a small campervan, not a huge motorhome, so it needs to be a small dog, and one that is easy to train. I want something friendly and cuddly, but not a breed that needs a huge amount of exercise (I do know they all need walking, and that is a plus as I need exercise too, but not for hours a day).

Okay - so you need to look at what you're able to give a dog. How many hours exercise are you able to give them every day? What level of grooming needs - some dogs need nothing, others need daily brushes and trips to the groomer every 4-6 weeks to prevent matts.

Don't go by appearance. Yorkies are feisty little things with big personalities and a bark that goes right through you! They're great with people but they are very loud. They also need regular brushing and grooming due to their coats - so if you can't do it yourself you'll need the funds to pay for a groomer.

I grew up with Yorkies then west highland whites.

They are terriers so have all the normal terrier tendencies: can be yappy, need a good run about, prey driven, like to roll in poo for scent marking.

Our all loved to sit and cuddle up on people's laps when they were having downtime, but they did need plenty of exercise opportunities.

None of ours were excessively yappy or nipped as we trained them, but they do have high pitched barks so in a small space like a motor home you'd definitely notice it and get annoyed by it quickly 😂

They are the only small dog I love. We have always had big dogs. The Yorkies we know are, confident, brave, clever, funny, independent. We know a few and they are great.

@wetotter

Border terriers are quite a lot bigger than Yorkies

Border - up to 16 inches - up to 7 kg

Yorkie - up to 9 inches - up to 3.5 kg

OP is after a dog from the 'toy' category, and a Border is getting on for twice the size she wants.

Yeah, but they are so much nicer 😏

Yes to yorkies!

Ours is genetically healthy and her disposition is sweet natured, loyal and protective. She is well toilet trained and when she does have an accident its generally our fault .
She can do 8-10km just as easily as a lazy day.
She does bark (but a.
that's dogs 🤷‍♀️ and b. We view it as a security feature / early warning door bell )
My DH was amazed how easy she has fitted into our lives. She has a short pup cut so 20 mins wash once every 2-3 weeks and thats it. No shedding and no smells.

She loves a cuddle and equally happy to chill out alone she does like to know we are nearby though

And ours is about 5.5kg so a good size

For you I’d suggest something like a smooth chihuahua, miniature dachshund, toy poodle, cavalier King Charles spaniel or particularly a Shih Tzu, or which there are lots in rescue.
I have always had a Yorkie or two along with my bigger rarer Skye Terriers.
Here’s a photo of one of mine.
I love them but for a first dog I’m not sure. They really are “ look out world here I come” dogs. I know they are in the KC “Toy” group but unlike many in that group the breed was developed to work, killing rats in the woollen mills where cats would have used the bales of cloth as scratching posts. They were bred down from the bigger Scottish working terrier breeds that many of the workers owned. They still are terriers in tiny bodies. Their coat, unless you keep it short in a puppy cut which I think is a real shame as a Yorkie in full coat is a beautiful thing, is time consuming. Daily brushing is essential as is a bath, with conditioner & blow dry while brushing, is needed one a fortnight, weekly for people who show them do you can see how it is. Their teeth need daily cleaning as they’re very prone to decay like some other toy breeds.
I have a motorhome, a big one as we need the room with our gang of mutts who are all very Hairy Marys
Mine aren’t snappy, they are affectionate & very loyal.

I have recently got a Yorkie puppy (my third and last Yorkie puppy over a period of 40 years - they live a long time) to keep my toy poodle company. I have had a long love affair with Yorkies so I am very biased, but, good points - intelligent, good companions, amusing. Happy to walk long or short distances. Bright sparky little dogs. None of mine have been yappy or snappy btw. However, they are terriers in every sense of the word. For years I had a Yorkie and a Jack Russell together and they would stalk and kill everything they could in the garden, a pair of right buggers together. Of three, only one was a lap dog. My current one is four months and also shows signs of not being a cuddle lover - he'd rather be killing a toy. They are generally healthy apart from perhaps luxating patellas and tooth problems, in common with many small dogs. They don't really moult but do need a lot of grooming and trimming. Their coats are not waterproof at all, it is more like long human hair, and they can get soaked to the skin and very cold very quickly.
My toy poodle is the total lap dog, loving, loyal, attentive - and a dream to train, and I can't recommend pure poodles enough. Also won't shed hair over your camper van. I'm not trying to put you off Yorkies because I love them dearly, but I think possibly you should examine all the smaller breeds before you make up your mind, and meet as many as possible. I never ever imagined I would have a poodle for example. Keep an open mind.

Just thought I'd add a pic of my yorkie and toy poodle together.

I have a Border. Barks at anything new (think 3yo saying “Mum, mum, there’s something happening “) but she is very eager to please. Big enough not to fall over normally but small enough to take up little space. I’m very fond of her.

Don’t know where you are but a little beauty just appeared on my Facebook. Friends of Animals Wales, she’s called Holly, only 5 so probably got another 10 years in her. Sorry I cannot get a link to work.
I’m not into woo but I swear my little Yorkie cross is a reincarnation of my last cat!

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/rescue-centre-inundated-yorkshire-terriers-21060640.amp

Ours was arsey and needed a LOT of excercise. Got under people's feet a lot too. He was lovely but wouldn't ever have another.

Thank you all so much, this has been really interesting and informative, I'm very grateful for the help because taking on a new dog needs to be right, for both me and the dog.

@Brownlongearedbat your dogs look adorable, and your information about toy poodles is extremely interesting. How do I actually go about finding one, or come to that how do I safely find any dog that has been properly bred and not risk buying from an unscrupulous puppy farmer? Of course, I'd be more than happy if I could rescue one, but I havent seen any on all the rescue websites I've looked on .

I'd go for a Lhasa Apso. They are lapdogs, love to be around people, and really sweet.

Finding a good breeder, of any pure breed, there is one sure fire way of avoiding puppy farmers, byb not particularly bothered about blood lines, breeding for temperament etc, that I. Any recommend enough.
That is, for any breed you’re considering, contact the secretaries of all the breed club secretaries. All breeds have one, many breeds have more than one. You can find all the contact numbers of the secretaries on the kennel Club website.
They will give you lots of advice about their breed. Will know if any members, & virtually all GOOD breeders are members of at least one club of their breed, often more than one, that have a litter or, more likely expected to have one. Don’t rule out male dog owners, if they have stud dogs they will know about matings they are planning. Ring some of the numbers the secretaries give you to speak to a few breeders. Ask about their waiting lists ( you’ll almost certainly have to wait for a puppy) Even if they aren’t planing litters themselves they usually know of someone who is. Exhibitors know most people who show & breed unless it’s a very numerical breed. The thing is to get on their grapevine to get passed along, breeder to breeder till you find someone who has puppies planned.
I’ve been breeding & showing one of the rare breeds for over fifty years & Ive never yet had to advertised, most don’t have to. Adverts are often puppy farmers

Please forgive spelling/ grammar mistakes. Just learn to read through before posting as MN doesn’t have an edit facility

I had two yorkies (both passed now). They are a bit hit and miss. My boy was very highly strung, difficult to train and full of nervous yappy energy.
My girl was the complete opposite- super confident and very stubborn- reminded me a bit of Margaret Thatcher. She was a lovely girl- not yappy at all- very stoic and independent. But terriers are usually are as stubborn as mules and making them do something they dont want to do turns into a battle of wills to see who can give up last. Luckily- she was very food orientated so that helped with training. She was a bright, loving girl and I miss her dearly.

They are the only small dog I love. We have always had big dogs. The Yorkies we know are, confident, brave, clever, funny, independent. We know a few and they are great
Same here. We took on a Yorkie from SIL who decided it was too much hard work. I don't like small dogs so wasn't keen at all, but felt sorry for the puppy so agreed.

Totally taken by surprise. Such a smart dog, it feels more like interacting with a 2yo than a dog. His understanding is amazing. He is such an affectionate, fun and obedient dog. Not yappy at all, as a matter of fact, he can't stand yappy dogs. I have had many dogs in my life, but never felt that strong connection with them than I have with our new addition.

In regards to being stubborn, I can definitely see that trait in ours, but he is also so keen to please, he will pretend not to listen to us, but ultimately do exactly as we say, and then act in utter happiness when we praise him.

I think early training is absolutely key with this breed. They are so keen to learn. We trained ours to walk in fields as soon as we got him, and he is fantastic. Never runs away, and can even walk near sheep and totally ignore them.