Yorkshire Terriers are some of the most adorable dogs you will have the opportunity to own. Known for their small size, these dogs make excellent companions, especially if you can handle their hyperactive and upbeat nature. Once you have your new companion, you’ll want to be sure you’re keeping him as healthy as possible.
Known simply as the Yorkie, this breed has a wonderful spirit though they have a reputation for being somewhat yappy, which is something to consider if you live in an apartment. However, if you want energy and excitement in a pet, you will love these animals. Many people compare them to children, which is a good comparison.
If you are not sure why Yorkies are a lot like children, it will make a lot more sense to you once you read the health and care instructions that are listed below.
- Basic Grooming Issues. You can expect to spend a lot of time grooming your Yorkshire Terrier. These small dogs have lovely, long coats of hair which require constant grooming both at the pet and dog grooming salon and at home.
You will need to brush your dog on a daily basis to make sure that the fur does not mat. Baths should happen about once a week. If you have a male dog, you might want to wipe him down daily in the area around his leg where you will notice slight urine stains from the way that the boy dogs relieve themselves.
You will have to get haircuts for a Yorkshire Terrier. You need to ensure that the hair around their earflaps is trimmed properly, as well. Otherwise, this hair will weigh down the animal’s ears before they are set as an adult Yorkie’s ears should be. Their ears will not be set until the puppies are six months old so you will want to pay special attention to this while your dog is young.
Eyes and Ears. The eyes and ears are areas you will want to watch carefully. Let’s start with the eyes.
First, you will want to make sure that their hair is not so long that it covers their eyes. Mucus is a big problem for many dogs. You will notice that it collects in the corner of the dog’s eyes. If you leave mucus there, it can harm your pet. To remove the mucus, all you need is to take a cloth that has been warmed with water and wash it from their eyes. Your Yorkie’s ears should be checked on a regular basis for excessive wax buildup or mites. You should pluck the hair from inside of your dog’s ears, also. If you are not comfortable with this process just ask your vet and they will do it for you.- Teeth. The Yorkshire Terrier is a toy breed. Most toy breeds have issues concerning tartar buildup on their teeth. The Yorkie is no different then other toy breeds where this is concerned. If you have never brushed a dog’s teeth, you will want to contact your vet and see what they recommend you use and a method that will work well for you and your toy pup.
- Climate Issues. If you are interested in having a dog that you can dress up, the Yorkie is perfect for you. These dogs get extremely cold in the winter months because they have no undercoat to keep them warm like many other dogs do.
It is almost necessary that you buy your dog a little coat to keep them warm when they go out in the cold weather. If you do not get them a coat, they will get terribly cold when they go outside for anything, and this can lead to multiple problems including illnesses.
- Dietary Needs. Most Yorkshire Terriers do not eat a great deal of food. They are very small dogs so they need little amounts of food to sustain their small bodies. However, this means that you need to make sure they are receiving a healthy diet. Due to the fact that they eat a lot less, it is necessary to make every bite count!
Hopefully this information has helped you gather the facts you need to know about specific and general dog health to care for your Yorkie.