Yorkshire Terrier: The Long Hair, Don’t Care Yorkie

With their gorgeous, flowing manes and unshakeable confidence, Yorkshire Terriers (affectionately called “Yorkies”) are the definition of rags to riches. These dogs, with their lustrous hair, were once sequestered in the mines, where they hunted vermin and critters. But, in a Cinderella-like turn of events, the Yorkshire Terrier saw their fortunes magically change, trading in their blue-collar life for a velvet pillow and daily brushes. Now, Yorkies walk the red carpet, shop on Rodeo, and flaunt around mansions. They also make the perfect family dog, for the right fashionistas. 

At Happy Paws, we’re dedicated to helping all dogs, from purebreds to certified mutts, live their happiest, healthiest lives. We’ve designed our dog supplements to target a range of trouble spots in your dog’s health—many of which include common issues for Yorkshire Terriers. 

In this article, we’ll explore the history of this long-haired prince or princess, provide some information and advice on how to care for them, and help you decide which supplements are best for your feisty fashionable friend, the Yorkshire Terrier. 

Quick Facts

Origin: England

Size: Extra small

Breed Group: Toy 

Lifespan: 11-15 years

Coat: Long hair—special grooming recommended

Temperament: Smart, confident & sassy

Exercise Needs: All dogs need some form of daily exercise, even the pretty ones. The Yorkshire Terrier loves being active. They enjoy short or long walks, playtime, and running around a fenced-in yard. Their exercise needs aren’t as extensive as larger, more active breeds, but one or two daily walks will help your Yorkie stay trim.

Training: The Yorkshire Terrier is an intelligent breed that gravitates toward positive reinforcements. It’s best to start training your Yorkie when they’re young because Yorkie puppies tend to have a rebellious streak—an angsty teen era. Behavioral training will help keep your Yorkie on the positive track and learn proper canine etiquette. 

Dog Health: Like other dogs in the toy breed group, the Yorkshire Terrier has a couple unique health issues that affect their teeth, coat, skin, joints, and digestive health. Below, we’ll discuss how you can address each with healthy dog supplements. 

Happy Paws for a Yorkie

Enrich your Yorkie’s health with high-quality, tasty supplements like these!

In-Depth Look at Our Popular Supplements

Maintaining your Yorkie’s magnificent glow starts with looking after their daily health. Our high-quality, tail-waggin’ dog supplements use an array of all-natural, organic ingredients to enrich your dog’s physical and mental health, while satisfying their taste buds. Here are a few dog supplements to help you care for your little tiny princess (or prince).

Skin & Coat Dog Chews: Our Skin & Coat Dog Chews help sustain your Yorkie’s sheen. These vegan, chicken-flavored soft chews use a blend of skin-supporting ingredients, like biotin and coconut oil, to restore dermal health and replenish your dog’s coat.

Dental Dog Chews: Yorkshire Terriers may look incapable of such things, but they are prone to smelly, unpleasant dog breath. Our Dental Dog Chews combine the refreshing aroma of spearmint with an enzyme blend to neutralize dental bacteria and curb stinky breath. 

10-in-1 Multivitamin Dog Chews: Our 10-in-1 Multivitamin Dog Chews use multiple essential nutrients to strengthen your dog’s daily health and give them a well-rounded supplement. One vegan, lamb-flavored dog treat introduces ten critical nutrients to keep your dog healthy, happy, and active. 

Hip & Joint Dog Chews: Soothe the symptoms of joint dysplasia and patella luxation with our Hip & Joint Dog Chews! Packed with a blend of joint-friendly ingredients, this dog supplement helps reduce inflammation and support joint health, thanks to compounds like glucosamine, chondroitin, and hyaluronic acid.

Immunity Booster Dog Chews: Allergies are common for most dogs, and our Immunity Booster Dog Chews are here to help! These pumpkin-flavored soft chews use a range of adaptogenic mushrooms, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to enrich your dog’s immune system and build back stronger immunity.

Probiotic Dog Chews: Made with powerful antioxidants, probiotics, and superfoods, our Probiotic Dog Chews help strengthen your dog’s digestive system, while supporting their gut and bowel health. 

Common Health Concerns for Yorkshire Terriers

Compared to other toy-sized dog breeds, the Yorkshire Terrier is susceptible to unique health conditions like these:

Patellar Luxation: Patellar luxation occurs when a dog’s kneecap slips out of the joint. This can happen when a dog is consistently overweight, a problem that impacts smaller dogs, like Yorkies. Keeping your dog at a healthy weight can help manage the condition, while joint-friendly supplements can also help. If you believe your dog has patellar luxation, it’s best to speak with your veterinarian about first steps.

Digestive Issues: Digestive problems can develop in any dog at any age. Symptoms can include diarrhea, bloating, gas, low appetite, lethargy, and more. The issue can stem from the dog’s diet, lifestyle, or genetics. 

Skin Infections: Underneath their iconic, floor-length coat, a Yorkshire Terrier’s skin can get really oily, leading to seborrhea and dermatitis. While a snout-to-tail bath can help keep these problems at bay, skin-supporting supplements can also help maintain proper dermal health.

Allergies: Allergies are a sign of an overactive immune system. This problem can snowball into several types of dermal dilemmas. Signs that your dog has allergies include frequent skin infections, fur loss, constant licking, itching, scratching, or red, inflamed skin.

Dental Dilemmas: All dogs are prone to stinky breath—even the pretty ones. Without the proper dental care, the Yorkshire Terrier can experience plaque build-up and odorous breath, which can lead to several issues down the road. 

About Yorkshire Terrier

First bred by blue-collar families in Yorkshire, England, the Yorkshire Terrier was a ferocious hunter, scurrying through mines to weasel out mice. With a diminutive stature and relentless drive, the Yorkshire Terrier could maneuver tight terrain to chase away invading vermin. This breed was seriously good at this job. 

But then, with their soot-covered snouts, these working-class dogs caught the eye of Victorian countesses. This breed quickly traded their life in the mines for a more fashionable facade, becoming the personal lapdogs to many high-society Victorian ladies.

Today, Yorkies are beloved for their adorable features and bright personalities. Their handbag size means you can take them along for most adventures, and their little spunky attitudes bring all the entertainment you need. Their curious eyes constantly paw for attention, while their cute manes always ask for pets. But watch out; once you pet a Yorkie, it’s very difficult to stop. 

Yorkshire Terrier Temperament

Just by looking at these dogs, it’s nearly impossible not to buy into their charm. But don’t let that charm fool you; they’re terriers, after all, and they retain all the quirks and Napoleonic attitudes a small but mighty terrier brings. 

Because they are small yet lively, Yorkies are popular for families and single pet-parent households. They do well in homes and apartment living. They have a generally easy temperament that pairs perfectly with most lifestyles. They are fairly relaxed and even-tempered, making them the perfect lapdog. But once their blue-collar prey drive is activated, they frolic into action, their luscious mane blowing back in the breeze. 

The Yorkshire Terrier is loyal and often needy, constantly vying to be the center of attention. Their slightly rambunctious nature may be too much for babies and young children, while their headstrong attitudes may deter other dogs. So, it’s important to socialize your Yorkie when they’re young. That way, they know how to distinguish friend from foe and become a civilized canine. 

How to Care for Yorkies

Here are a few tips to help keep your Yorkshire Terrier happy, healthy, and lively, from their puppy years and well into their golden years.

Special Grooming

A Yorkshire Terrier’s hair resembles human hair—a characteristic unique to this dog breed. It grows fast, and it can grow long (a popular style for Yorkies is floor-length hair). So, special grooming is key to keeping your Yorkshire Terrier looking and feeling their best. Many owners brush their Yorkie’s hair daily, with grooming sessions scheduled monthly. Most local groomers are comfortable (if not excited!) to trim a Yorkie’s overgrown coat. Many owners get creative with their dog’s look, going with fun, adorable hairstyles. 

Low to Moderate Exercise

All dogs need exercise to stay healthy and mentally sharp, and Yorkies are no different. They just need a little less than larger breeds. Long walks and high-energy playtime may just be enough to wear them out for the day. Strolls in nature and hikes may also energize your Yorkie, but they might also ruin their shiny haircut. 

Behavioral Training

Like other toy terriers, the Yorkshire Terrier gravitates toward training. They are more intelligent than they let on, and training helps them flaunt that little mind. Obedience training can help keep your dog sharp and engaged throughout the day. Plus, a little dolled-up Yorkie doing a couple tricks may be the cutest thing in the world. 

Happy Paws: High-Quality Dog Supplements

Keeping your dog happy, healthy, and active shouldn’t feel like a full-time job. At Happy Paws, we’ve designed our dog treats with the best ingredients and flavors possible (our dogs definitely approve!). We’ve made sure these treats are certified organic, non-GMO, and third-party tested for purity, letting you spoil your dog easily with healthy, tasty dog treats. 

FAQ

Is a Yorkshire Terrier a good house dog?

Yorkshire Terriers can make excellent house dogs, with the proper training. They are calm enough to settle in on the couch, while their rambunctious high energy spills out in bursts, making playtime very entertaining. But make sure to train and socialize these dogs as puppies. This early start will help your dog understand how to behave appropriately around children and elderly family members or friends.

Are Yorkies high maintenance?

Yorkies’ most high-maintenance trait is, without a doubt, their luscious hair, which requires special care to maintain its sheen. 

Do Yorkshire Terriers bark a lot?

At their core, Yorkies are terriers in a shiny coat. They possess the tenacity exclusive to terriers, so they can bark at strangers, dogs, pets, and whatever else catches their eye. Socialization and early training can help mitigate this behavior, but sometimes, a Yorkie just likes to talk. 

Do Yorkshire Terriers shed a lot?

Despite their long coat, Yorkies don’t shed much. 

How do you give a Yorkie health supplements?

You can give your dog a Happy Paws health supplement in several ways. First, we’ve designed these supplements as dog treats, so you can give them to your pupper as a reward for good behavior. Or, you can add it to your dog’s kibble; they make a pretty tasty topper, too.