In this article, we will answer the following question: are Yorkies high maintenance? We will speak about the pros and cons of having a Yorkshire terrier.
Are Yorkies high maintenance?
We cannot say that Yorkies are necessarily high maintenance dogs comparing it to the Hungarian Puli, the Siberian Husky, Beagle or Bulldog dog breeds, for example. However, you should know that Yorkshire terriers need high maintenance when we speak about their grooming.
The most outstanding characteristic of the Yorkshire terrier is its long, fine and straight hair. The hair colour is steel blue on the body and tail, while the rest is brown. Although the shedding rate of Yorkshire terriers is low, their coat needs regular care to keep it in good condition and looking good.
The good news is that your Yorkie sheds very little to no hair. However, their long, silky coat needs a lot of brushing. To prevent his hair from getting tangled and matted, his coat should be brushed 4 or 5 times a week with a stiff bristle brush and regularly taken to a professional for a haircut. Your Yorkie’s eyes and ears should also be cleaned regularly to avoid infection, and their teeth need to be brushed daily to avoid dental problems.
This breed is also sensitive to cold and has a tendency to catch colds, so it is necessary to protect them from bad weather. If they go outside in freezing temperatures, they can be put on a dog coat.
Yorkies Need Regular Exercise
The idea that miniature breeds do not need vigorous exercise is wrong. The Yorkshire Terrier, in particular, needs physical activity. Walking daily and playing frequently in an open area will keep your Yorkie in good physical shape and with sufficient mental stimulation. Lack of proper exercise can lead to behaviour problems.
This breed can easily gain weight, so be careful not to overindulge your Yorkie.
Yorkies Are Talkative
They are barkers. It is the guard dog that they carry inside. It’s a good idea to train your Yorkie to stop barking when commanded (or to avoid barking when it feels like it) unless you like having a small dog with a largemouth.
Yorkies Can Be Difficult to Train
The myth that Yorkies are impossible to train is certainly just a myth. Your little puppy may not learn it in a week, but with consistency, patience, and lots of positive reinforcement, you will be able to potty train your Yorkie.
Some can be stubborn when it comes to toilet training. They can also be trained to relieve themselves on paper, making them great floor dogs, although they also enjoy walking outside.
Common diseases in Yorkshire terrier dogs
The most common diseases, among all those that usually affect Yorkshire terrier dogs, are the following:
- Canine entropion. It is an eye condition that causes the eyelids to turn inward, causing injuries and vision problems. In most cases, surgery is used to solve this problem and thus prevent this condition from worsening: Detailed information on Entropion.
- Retinal dysplasia. It is another condition that affects the dog’s eyes, caused by abnormal development of the retina. It can cause visual impairment or blindness.
- Tracheal collapse. It occurs when there is a narrowing of the trachea. One of the most obvious symptoms is a dry cough in the dog after eating, drinking or exercising. It can be controlled with medication.
- Portosystemic shunt. It usually appears when the Yorkie is still a puppy and is a circulatory defect that causes the blood not to filter properly, which causes intoxication. The way to correct this defect is through a surgical operation.
- Patellar luxation. It is a displacement of the patella, often due to a malformation. Sometimes it needs to be repositioned by the vet and, in the long run, it can lead to osteoarthritis. If it is a serious case, it may be necessary to resort to surgery.
In addition to these, there are other diseases that Yorkshire terriers also tend to present, although less frequently. Let’s see what they are in the next section.
Other diseases of the Yorkshire terrier
The pathologies that affect Yorkshire terrier dogs, but with a lower incidence than those described above, are:
- Hydrocephalus. This condition causes cerebrospinal fluid to accumulate in the brain, causing the dog to show abnormal behaviour, seizures, vision problems and pain. It can usually be treated with medication, and a drain may need to be done to remove excess fluid.
- Alopecia. Yorkshire terriers can be affected by a specific type of alopecia, which causes uneven hair growth and loss of hair. It can be controlled with drugs.
- Progressive retinal atrophy. It is a deterioration of the retina, which usually affects especially elderly dogs.
- Waterfalls. It is a fairly common disease, causing visual impairment and in some cases blindness. It can be corrected with surgery. It usually appears in older dogs: Cataract symptoms in dogs.
- Keratoconjunctivitis sicca. It occurs when the eye is dry due to low production of tears. This can cause irritation, ulcers, scarring, and other vision problems or blindness. To control this condition, you have to keep your eye moist.
- Congenital hypotrichosis. This skin condition causes hair loss due to a lack of hair follicles. It can also affect teething or sweat glands, which are responsible for controlling sweat production.
- Urolithiasis. They are “stones” or “calculi” that form when urine crystallizes and cause infection. They can be treated with medication, and surgery may sometimes be necessary.
As you can see, there is an extensive list, although some conditions have a lower incidence than others. In addition to these diseases, which can affect both sexes, others are more related to a specific gender.
Food for the Yorkshire breed
These small animals have a good adaptation to small spaces or floors, so it is not inconvenient to live with them.
Below we will develop some of the nutritional guidelines that the owners of these animals must follow so that their pet is always well-nourished.
Puppies can be given millet syrup or corn syrup, as they have a high percentage of developing hypoglycemia. This situation can be seen in a restless, shaky, and nervous walk, which can be corrected with a little honey in a can or the hand. With this action, the puppy will recover quickly and safely.
The food is always better to mix the dry with the wet, since, for this type of breed, it is common to develop dirt and tartar on the teeth, so the good relationship between dry and wet food prevents excess tartar and keeps good dental hygiene.
Nevertheless, they do not usually like dry food too much, so the correct proportions must be found, as well as the animal will be a good indicator to observe what their tastes and preferences are.
This type of breed should be fed twice a day, since although they are smaller, they have enough energy that allows them to be very active during the day, and they have to play a lot, so you will need two minimum meals and some cookies between hours.
As for the cookies, they should always be small in size, and always controlling their quantity, depending on the exercise they do, and the size of the animal.
As for food, this animal can consume various nutrients that will be mixed through two ingredients such as white rice, green beans, carrots, spinach, peas, etc.
They also adopt carbohydrates like pasta, although they must be provided to a lesser extent.
Summary – The pros and cons of having a Yorkie as a pet
One of the best options to have a pet are, without a doubt, dogs. They are companion animals that easily adapt to any environment. They are also faithful, affectionate, loyal, loving, funny and that is why they are considered “man’s best friend.”
Yorkshire terriers are a breed that in recent years have become popular around the world, due to their great personality and their almost compact size that allows them to be anywhere. But despite being adorable and super cute, you shouldn’t even think about owning one of these dogs and these are the reasons.
The pros of having a Yorkie
Due to its tiny size, it is a wonderful companion on trips or walks for its owners. It can be placed in a basket or bag and carried wherever you want.
Yorkshire dogs have a strong, dominant character, characterized by a constant and fierce bark. This can cause problems with neighbours, for example, but is controlled with training from puppyhood. It is then used to guard the home, at least to warn of strange presences, whether of people or animals. It will detect any threat and make it known to its owners.
The care that Yorkshire needs is mainly related to its stomach since it is usually quite delicate. You cannot give them food other than feed, because it will cause vomiting or diarrhoea.
The behaviour and conduct of this dog will depend a lot on the socialization that they have from birth, especially if there are other pets in the home.
Living with this breed is very good, it can play with children without problems or with other dogs. However, it must be borne in mind that they will always demand the attention of their owners.
The cons of having a Yorkie
Yorkshire Terriers and their fur – This type of breed has a great coat, it is not only abundant but it is very long. The fact that this means that they will leave their hair everywhere. Also, they need special care for their coat.
His tenderness is an appearance – Yorkshire Terriers are very friendly, affectionate and calm. But in reality, many classify it as “a beast”. Sometimes her mood and temperament are not pleasant at all, and this intensifies when she has a few hours without eating.
They are not affectionate pets – One of the main reasons why you have a pet is so that he or she is part of each special moment. However, these animals are not usually affectionate, which represents a disadvantage.
They are aggressive when faced with other races – These breeds are very troublesome. You have to watch them constantly, as they tend to be aggressive with other dogs of different breeds. It is without a doubt a point that must be taken into account.
Do you have a Yorkie as a pet? We’d love to know about your experience! And if you have any comments or questions on the content, please let us know.
FAQ on Are Yorkies high maintenance?
Are Yorkies low maintenance?
Yorkies are not low maintenance, on the contrary. This breed is a barker, it can be difficult to train and needs regular exercise. Besides, a Yorkie’s hair needs to be groomed very often, combed every day.
Are Yorkies expensive to take care of?
Yorkies are not more expensive to take care off than most of the dogs. Food for a Yorkie may cost you around $300/year. But you should add to the bill veterinarian care, toys, tickets (if you want to travel with your dog).
Are Yorkies good pets to have?
Yorkies are considered good pets to have and they are very popular dogs. They are great family pets, are hypoallergenic and believed to be very sociable and affectionate.
Why are Yorkies so bad?
Some consider Yorkies bad as pets because, being a small breed, it is prone to develop small size dogs behaviour issues. Owners need to be aware of this and train their dog. They can still bite and do a lot of damage.
References
Yorkieadvice.com
Petsworld.in
Animalwised.com
