Facts On Yorkies
Originating from Yorkshire, Great Britain the Yorkshire Terrier is a popular dog in the ‘toy dog’ class. Standing only six to seven inches high, the terrier weighs somewhere around 7 pounds and has a life-span of between twelve and fifteen years.
The Yorkshire Terrier is believed to have ascended from Scotland and is genetically linked to other breeds such as the Skye Terrier, Manchester Terrier and Scottish Terrier although not the dogs that we see today. It was created by the working man in the nineteenth century to catch rodents including mice and rats. Over the years the breed has been miniaturized and is a now a popular choice for a ladies companion as they fit nicely into a bag.
Born with black and tan coats which changes as they age to steal blue and tan, in some countries, where it’s allowed, their tails are docked to medium length. The Yorkshire Terriers coat is reasonably long glossy, fine and silky in texture and many owners part the hair on their head so they can see and eat properly.
When buying a Yorkshire Terrier, purchasers should be aware that they are susceptible to several disorders. These include Hypolglycemia, Patellar Luxation, Tracheal Collapse, Porto-Systemic Shunt and Retinal Dysphasia.
Hypoglycaemia is typical amongst small breed puppies and is often misdiagnosed and although it is easily treated if not dealt with it can be fatal.
Patellar Luxation is a condition brought on by the knee cap slipping out of its groove and although not deadly could potentially cause mild pain if left untreated.
An inherited condition is Tracheal Collapse which is the narrowing of the inner diameter of the trachea. Being overweight and age may also bring on this problem.
Porto-Systemic Shunt is an abnormal blood flow to the liver and is probably the most feared disorders by all Yorkie owners.
Retinal Dysphasia is generally present at birth and is an irregular development in the retina. Although commonly inherited, it can also be acquired from the result of an infection.
Overall although Yorkies may suffer from several disorders they can lead healthy and long lives and can be fantastic pets and companions for their owners.
To find out more on yorkshire terriers and silky terrier puppies for sale then see our main site and you could soon be the owner of a lovable yorkie.
