Yorkshire Terrier

An adorable member of the toy dog group, the Yorkshire Terrier is a mixture of England’s finest terriers, made up of the Clydesdale terrier, English black and tan terrier, waterside terrier, and the Paisley terrier.

By the late 1800s, Yorkies had made their way to America but because there were so many variety of sizes, the Yorkshire Terrier did not make its exclusive name until the early 1900s.  It was at this point that the majority of dog enthusiasts deemed the smaller sized Yorkshire Terrier was preferable.

The temperament of this dog breed is that of a bold, confident, and courageous animal. And the Yorkshire Terrier seems to be oblivious to its small stature.  Always eager for fun and adventure, this dog can be a bit aggressive towards other small animals and strange canines. It definitely maintains that old rough-edged terrier spirit.

Upkeep And Maintenance

Like other toy dog breeds, the Yorkshire Terrier needs plenty of exercise but can get all of the physical activity it needs by running from room to room inside of the house or small apartment.  Of course this does not mean that the Yorkie should not be outside.  In fact, they love to take a brisk walk with their owner at any chance possible. Just be sure to keep your dog on leash to avoid problems with other small animals.

As far as living arrangements are concerned, the Yorkshire Terrier is not meant to live outdoors.  This dog breed prefers the companionship of its family and human contact.  If you must leave your Yorkie outside for any short period of time, just be sure that there is plenty of shelter and adequate bedding.

Yorkshire Terriers tend to grow very long hair.  Whether or not you decide to keep your dog with this style will determine grooming needs.  Most Yorkie owners keep their pets trimmed so that it only needs a thorough brushing three to four times per week.  Long hair will need to be looked after a little bit more often so that it does not tangle and mat.

Health Information

The Yorkshire Terrier has a lifespan of up to 16 years when raised in a positive environment by a health minded dog owner. Fortunately, the Yorkie has no major health concerns that we know of.  And the only minor health concern to look out for is patellar luxation. Veterinarians do suggest, however, that dog owners have their Yorkies specifically tested for eye problems, knee dysplasia, and have a liver ultrasound.

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                                           Silky Terrier                                         

January 25, 2012 | Author dogbreeds

The Silky Terrier has an interesting point of origin. During the late 1800s, many Yorkshire Terrier dogs from England were brought to Australia. Most of these dogs were colors of tan and steel blue. They were then bred with Australian Terriers whom had tan and native blue colors. These breeding efforts were designed to create a dog with improved coat color while maintaining its robust conformation.

 

Many of the descendents from crossing these breeds started to appear with a slightly different look and were named the “Silky Terrier” because it was thought that an entirely new breed was starting to emerge. They were medium in size and coat length, as compared to its parental stock.

 

Silky Terriers started to interbreed and within a very short time had produced its own strain. There were two breeds standards that were drawn up since the dog had originated from two different areas of Australia. One standard was created in 1906 and the other in 1910.

 

The major disagreement was the difference in weight. Finally in 1926, a standard was revised which encompassed all areas from both sides. Compromises were made and the name “Austrailian Silky Terrier” became official in 1955.

 

During that same year, the Americans had officially named this breed the “Silky Terrier”, dropping the Australian description. And soon after it was recognized by the AKC. Although this dog breed is not rare, its popularity has been slow to grow as common household pets.

 

Personality

 

Although small and considered to be a lapdog, the Silky Terrier is not as mellow and quiet as you might think. It is feisty, playful, and quite bold when it comes to taking action. This dog can be a bit aggressive towards other dogs and house pets. Most Silky Terrier dogs tend to bark a lot and can be a bit stubborn when it comes to training.

 

Taking Care Of Your Silky Terrier

 

Silky Terrier dogs tend to require a bit more exercise than other toy breeds. Like most dogs, they love to take plenty of walks on the leash and prefers to have an area outside in which they can roam free (fenced in of course). This dog breed is not meant to live outdoors.  Grooming requirements should consist of a thorough brushing every other day to keep the long coat from matting.

 

Health Information

 

The average lifespan of the Silky Terrier is approximately 12 to 13 years, with some living as long as 16 years. Considered to be one of the healthiest of dog breeds, there are absolutely no major health concerns to worry about and the only two minor issues include Legg-Perthes and patellar luxation.