Mini Yorkies: Everything You Need to Know About These Tiny Terriers

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Looking for a teeny companion?

These lively, confident Yorkies live to love and be loved. Measuring under 7 inches and weighing 3-7 pounds, mini Yorkies fit perfectly on your lap or in a handbag.

Nevertheless, their affectionate yet spunky spirit makes them the life of any party.

Learn all you need about caring for and enjoying a mini Yorkie’s companionship, from nutrition and grooming to training and health.

Key Takeaways

Small in size, weighing around 7 pounds and reaching 7-8 inches tall.
Big personality – lively, energetic, playful, and adventurous.
Require daily brushing and grooming to prevent mats and tangles.
Prone to dental issues and knee problems, so need regular vet care.

Yorkshire Terrier Size and Appearance

Take in the Yorkshire Terrier’s petite dimensions:

Standing at just 7 to 8 inches tall
Weighing around 7 pounds

Note its long, steel blue and tan silk coat that flows evenly from its cute head.

Though small, Yorkies pack lively personalities into their tiny frames, earning them nicknames like tomboy toy.

Their hypoallergenic, human-like hair requires diligent daily brushing to prevent painful mats.

Grooming is key for this breed, whose adorable locks grow long enough to sweep the floor.

Don’t let their size fool you – Yorkies need at least 30 minutes of daily walks and play.

Watch for health issues like luxating patellas, liver problems, and dental disease.

But with proper care and affection, these affectionate lap dogs can live over 15 years.

Yorkshire Terrier Temperament

Yorkshire Terriers pack a lot of spirit and energy into their petite frames.

Despite their small size, Yorkies exhibit big personalities, often described as little dogs in big bodies.

They tend to be extremely alert and attentive, with natural watchfulness that makes them prone to barking at anything unusual.

Yorkies also have an inherent playfulness and lively energy about them.

Their spirited nature gives them confidence and eagerness for adventure.

However, their energetic and tenacious dispositions can pose some training challenges.

You’ll need patience when it comes to housebreaking or curbing behaviors like chasing small animals, which stems from their high prey drive.

Overall, Yorkshire Terriers are loving companions that thrive when given proper outlets for their enthusiasm and liveliness through interactive play, training games, or simply snuggling up with their beloved humans.

Yorkshire Terrier Exercise Needs

Having covered the affectionate yet spirited temperament of the Yorkshire Terrier, it’s time to explore the exercise requirements of these tiny pups.

Though small, Yorkies have energetic personalities packed inside petite frames, so daily activity is a must to maintain their health and prevent behavior problems.

Aim to provide at least 30-45 minutes of brisk walking or free playtime split into a few sessions throughout the day. This gives them opportunities to flex their natural confidence while exploring new sights and smells.

Supplement walks with indoor play and training for mental stimulation. Fetch, hiding treats, learning tricks, and puzzle toys are great ways to exercise their minds.

By meeting a Yorkie’s needs for physical activity and mental enrichment each day, you enable them to happily channel that big dog mentality into their pint-sized bodies.

An exercised Yorkie is a healthy, well-adjusted companion that bonds closely with their special person.

Grooming a Yorkshire Terrier

Since Yorkshire Terriers have long, silky coats that can easily become matted if not properly maintained, you’ll need to commit to a thorough grooming regimen.

This includes daily brushing and regular bathing to keep your Yorkie looking its best.

Brush your Yorkie’s long coat daily using a pin brush and metal comb to prevent painful mats and tangles.
Trim the fur on your Yorkie’s feet and ears every few weeks to prevent excessive growth.
Give mini Yorkies a bath once per month using a mild puppy shampoo to keep their coat clean and shiny.
Schedule professional grooming appointments every 6-8 weeks for specialized haircuts and nail trims.
Brush your Yorkie’s teeth frequently to prevent periodontal disease which small breeds are prone to.

Daily grooming keeps your Yorkie looking fabulous while monitoring for health issues. Their energetic and affectionate personality will have you looking forward to this special bonding time.

Yorkshire Terrier Lifespan

With grooming lessons learned, you’ll want to know how long your tiny Yorkie can stay by your side.

The average Yorkshire terrier lifespan is 12-15 years. However, with attentive care, your mini Yorkie can live even longer.

To help your tiny companion age gracefully:

Maintain regular vet checkups to catch health issues early.
Feed an age-appropriate diet and ensure your senior Yorkie maintains a healthy weight.
Adjust exercise as needed to prevent joint strain.
Keep up with dental care and grooming.

By supporting your mini Yorkie’s changing needs over time and providing plenty of love, you’ll have the privilege of this special breed’s company for years to come.

Ultimately, the actions you take now to nurture your Yorkshire terrier’s long-term wellbeing will allow you both to make the most of your treasured time together.

Common Health Issues in Yorkshire Terriers

As with any breed, Yorkies come with certain health conditions you’ll want to monitor.

Two of the most common involve their teeth and kneecaps:

Periodontal disease
Luxating patella

Stay alert for symptoms like bad breath or difficulty walking, as early detection and treatment is key for their comfort and wellbeing.

Periodontal Disease

One health issue your Yorkshire Terrier may face is periodontal disease.

This common problem arises from their small mouths and overcrowded teeth, which allow plaque and tooth decay to accumulate, potentially spreading throughout their body.

Providing regular dental cleanings and daily tooth brushing can help prevent issues.

Signs of dental problems include:

Bad breath
Loose teeth
Swollen and red gums
Difficulty eating

Addressing oral health is crucial for your mini Yorkie’s wellbeing.

With proper care, you can help those tiny terrier teeth stay healthy and allow your small pup to comfortably and happily chew their kibble.

Luxating Patella

The sliding kneecaps you’ll commonly encounter with your Yorkshire Terrier result from loose ligaments failing to stabilize the patellae.

This condition, known as luxating patella, can have an impact on your dog’s mobility and overall joint health.

To address this issue, there are surgical solutions available to correct the misalignment of the kneecap.

However, preventive measures such as regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight can help reduce the risk of developing luxating patella in mini Yorkies.

Getting a Yorkshire Terrier Puppy

When getting a new furry friend, an important decision is whether to adopt or go through a breeder.

Both options require extensive research to avoid supporting unethical sources, but can lead to finding a healthy, beloved mini Yorkie.

Look into certified breeders and shelters in your area to explore the possibilities of bringing one of these tiny terriers home.

Adopting a Yorkie Puppy

Two good options for bringing one of these charming little dogs home are:

Adopting a Yorkie puppy from a rescue.
Purchasing one from an ethical breeder.

When adopting, the majority of rescue Yorkies come from owner surrenders.

While rescues may not always have young puppies available, they often provide:

Microchipped dogs.
Spayed/neutered dogs.
Dogs that may already be housebroken.

Adopting can also mean finding Yorkshire terrier mixes with desirable traits.

Doing an online search or contacting the Kennel Club can help locate rescues and available Yorkie puppies.

Finding a Yorkshire Terrier Breeder

You’ll need to thoroughly research breeders when getting a Yorkshire Terrier puppy.

Take time considering adoption or going through an ethical breeder offering healthy Yorkshire terrier puppies.

Make sure to ask questions, arrange meetings with parent dogs or the mother, observe their interactions and environment.

Instincts can detect dishonesty, so trust yourself when something seems off.

The Kennel Club provides resources for finding breeders meeting strict participation guidelines and high standards for breeding mini Yorkies with stable feisty terrier personalities and minimal health risks like retinal dysplasia.

Are Yorkshire Terriers Good Pets?

Yorkshire terriers make wonderful pets for many reasons:

They’re loving and affectionate, providing excellent companionship for their human families.

With early socialization and training tips, Yorkies can adapt well to children, other pets, and new environments.

Despite their small stature, Yorkies are spirited and energetic. Daily walks and playtime provide an outlet for their natural liveliness.

While some terriers have high prey drives, proper training and socialization helps curb chasing behaviors.

Like any dog, yearly vet visits for preventive care and health monitoring helps detect problems early. Following basic grooming and dental routines at home keeps Yorkies looking and feeling their best.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are Yorkshire Terriers easy to train?

Yes, Yorkshire Terriers are relatively easy to train with proper techniques.

Their intelligence allows them to learn quickly, but their spirited nature means you’ll need patience and consistency when housebreaking or teaching commands.

Use positive reinforcement, keep sessions brief and engaging, and start training early for the best results with your Yorkshire Terrier.

How much does a Yorkshire Terrier puppy cost?

A new Yorkshire Terrier puppy will cost you anywhere from $600 to $2,

You’ll pay more for puppies with champion bloodlines or rare coloring.

Budget for essential puppy costs like shots, supplies, spay/neuter, and training too.

Adopting an adult Yorkie can save you money while still getting a great pet.

Are Yorkshire Terriers good with children?

Yorkshire Terriers can be great companions for gentle, older children who understand how to properly handle small dogs.

However, their small size makes them fragile, so very young kids may accidentally injure them.

With training and supervision, Yorkies and children can form wonderful bonds.

But adult guardianship is essential to keep both safe.

How often should I feed my Yorkshire Terrier?

Feed your adult Yorkshire Terrier two small meals daily.
Stick to a regular feeding schedule and avoid overfeeding.
Use an appropriate kibble for small breed dogs.
Adjust portions based on your dog’s age, activity level, and metabolism.
Monitor your Yorkie’s weight and body condition.
Consult your vet if you have questions about your dog’s nutrition.

Do Yorkshire Terriers make good therapy dogs?

Yes, Yorkshire Terriers often make ideal therapy dogs.

Their small size allows easy handling, while their spirited, affectionate nature provides comfort.

With proper socialization and training, Yorkies can thrive as therapy dogs, offering companionship in hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and more.

Their adaptability suits them to bond with many different people.

Conclusion

With their small size yet big personalities, some worry mini Yorkies will be too delicate or high-maintenance for a family pet.

Yet their playful spirit thrives when given proper mini Yorkshire Terrier care.

Providing regular grooming, nutrition, training, and an active lifestyle ensures your mini Yorkie lives their healthiest, happiest life.

Ultimately, mini Yorkies make devoted, fun-loving companions when cared for properly.

Their compact size suits any home, making mini Yorkshire Terriers everything you could want in a pet.