Keeping a Yorkshire Terrier dog: proper care and nutrition at home + vaccination schedule

Briefly about Yorkshire Terriers

Yorkshire terriers are unique owners of hair that looks more like fine human hair. Due to the fact that this breed does not have an undercoat, the Yorkie does not shed, which makes it very convenient for keeping in an apartment or house.

However, precisely because of this feature, they need special coat care, which is very difficult and time-consuming.

Due to the lack of undercoat, Yorkies are very sensitive to cold and drafts. You also need to take into account other breed characteristics of these dogs, which complicate their care and make their maintenance more difficult.

The first weeks are the most exciting

Yorkshire Terriers are born blind and deaf. From birth, these puppies have only the sense of smell and taste. The first days of their lives, babies only sleep and suck their mother's milk. A newborn Yorkshire Terrier puppy should be quite active and independently latch on to the nipple. If the mother endured the birth well and accepts the offspring, the breeder only passively observes them during the first days of the puppies’ lives. It is not recommended to even touch children with your hands. All necessary care for the puppies is provided by their mother. She feeds them, licks them, warms them and turns them over.

Normally, puppies should not whine or squeak. If your baby makes restless sounds while with her mother, she most likely does not have enough milk. In this case, puppies need supplemental feeding. You can use a special formula that replaces mother's milk, or prepare it yourself. Add 1 yolk and 1 tablespoon of dry cream to half a liter of cow's milk. Mix the mixture thoroughly until it has a homogeneous consistency. It is recommended to give puppies complementary foods heated to 35 degrees.

How to care for a puppy?

Most Yorkshire terriers arrive at a new home at the age of three months - this is when, according to the requirements of kennel clubs, puppies are allowed to be sold.

By this age, a Yorkie puppy can already be trained in some commands , as well as in a diaper or tray. Many of them are also familiar with bathing and brushing, which makes caring for a new family member much easier.

In the first days, the puppy may whine at night, you need to be prepared for this. If the baby begins to squeak and scratch at the door, you should calm him down and take him to a pre-prepared place.

In the first days, it is very important not to disrupt the puppy’s usual feeding diet - no experiments are allowed in the first two weeks after purchasing it. You need to feed him what he is used to eating from the breeder and only then switch him to a diet that is more convenient for the new owner.

Already at this time, you need to start raising the Yorkshire and teaching him simple commands and accustoming him to the tray.

The ears, eyes and teeth of a puppy, like those of adult dogs, should be examined every day, and cleaned only when necessary. The same goes for trimming nails.

IMPORTANT!

Bathing your baby should be postponed for at least a week after purchasing a pet, since separation from his mother and moving to a new home was already very stressful for him.

A puppy's coat does not yet have the same structure as that of adult dogs, but it also needs regular brushing. In addition, these manipulations will later help the Yorkie quickly get used to more complex care of its coat, including haircuts or curling the hair into curlers.

For the first time, a Yorkie can be cut when its coat has grown sufficiently, as a rule, this happens no earlier than six months. Show Yorkies are not cut at all, but from about the same age their hair begins to be curled into curlers.

History of the breed

The history of the Yorkshire Terrier breed began several centuries ago and has several different versions of its origin. Let us dwell on the most popular and at the same time the name of the breed. It is assumed that our hero descended from an Old English terrier who lived in the 18th century in Yorkshire. These terriers were much larger, weighing from 5 to 7 kg, had an elongated body, and a long muzzle.

At that time in England it was forbidden for commoners to have large dogs. There was even a special measure for measuring the size of an animal - a loop with a diameter of 17 cm, by crawling through which the dog could remain living in a peasant house. These small dogs were bred to rid the home of rodents. And they did it so skillfully and effectively that the peasants began to organize competitions between dogs to catch rats against the clock. The champions of these competitions were very cherished and later they became the progenitors of a new breed - the Waterside Terrier. They were already smaller in size and had softer fur.

One of the first breeders of Yorkshire terriers is the Englishman Spink. He used a male Australian terrier, a multiple winner of exhibitions, as the basis for breeding his line. From crossing this male and female Waterside Terriers, puppies with a fixed smaller size and a bluish shiny coat appeared.

Over time, ordinary people begin to flock to the Yorkshire suburbs, looking for work. They bring their small dogs - Scotch terriers. It is believed that the blood of these babies is also present in our modern Yorkies. Just like the participation of Maltese dogs in breeding is confirmed by entries in old breed books. From them, presumably, Yorkies received soft flowing wool.

Some researchers believe that the main ancestor of the Yorkie was the Skye Terrier. This breed has been known since the 16th century and initially had two varieties based on the type of coat - wire-haired and soft-haired. So, it is assumed that the Skye terrier with silky hair is the progenitor of the Yorkshire terriers.

In any case, no matter what breed was involved in the selection, we can now say that the result was excellent and the Yorkie took all the best from its ancestors. The Yorkshire Terrier became an official breed in 1886, and the breed standard was approved at the same time.

History of the Biewer York breed

The appearance of the Biewer Terrier a la Pom Pon is due to the emergence of a mottled recessive gene. This significant event took place on January 20, 1984 in Germany (Hansruck). On this day, in a family of Yorkshire Terrier Biewer breeders, two standard representatives of the breed, who were carriers of the gene, gave birth to a tricolor girl.

Basic rules for caring for an adult dog

Caring for an adult Yorkie is not so difficult - with the exception of labor-intensive care for their coat, these dogs need all the same hygienic manipulations as dogs of other breeds.

Just like small puppies, they need to clean their eyes and ears, trim their nails, and from time to time remove plaque from their teeth.

Hair care for an adult Yorkie varies depending on whether it is a show dog or not. Haircuts are prohibited for dogs participating in exhibitions. But it’s better to cut your pet’s hair short to make caring for its fur easier.

In order for an adult Yorkie to calmly tolerate hygiene procedures and other manipulations, he needs to be accustomed to them from an early age.

Expert opinion

Kozhevin Semyon Kirillovich

Expert dog handler.

If the Yorkie is not being exhibited or has already finished his career, it is recommended to cut it - this will be more comfortable for both the dog and the owner. You can’t wash your Yorkie too often, but you definitely need to brush it every day. Dogs of this breed require periodic dental care; in some cases, they may even need to be cleaned in a clinic. And the Yorkie is a breed that cannot do without clothes, as it gets cold easily and can catch a cold. These dogs are unpretentious in nutrition, the main thing is not to spoil them from childhood, then they will eat everything that the owner offers them.

Punishment

Yorkies need to be weaned off petty pranks at a young age. Otherwise, chewing furniture or begging from the table will become a habit. In matters of education, it is important to know when to stop. Never lay your hand on a dog. After all, the owner’s hands symbolize trust and care: they give food, stroke, and kindly scratch behind the ear. There are other methods for punishment: splashing with water; shaking by the collar.

What do you need to prepare before buying a pet?

Buying a dog is a responsible matter, and you need to prepare for this event in almost the same way as for the birth of a child.

Here is a list of what you will need to buy and prepare before bringing your Yorkie puppy home:

• bed;
• various toys - rubber, made of veins, in the form of braided braids, etc. You can also purchase a fairly large soft toy, which at first will become a “foster mother” for the puppy, next to which he can bask, and later play with it, carrying it in his teeth;
• ceramic, enamel or metal bowls for food and water. It is not recommended to buy plastic dishes for puppies, as they often cause allergies;
• bath towels;
• a special comb or even several different combs - it is better to check with the breeder which ones you will need for the first time;
• special toothpaste and brush for puppies;
• shampoo suitable for puppies of long-haired breeds;
• food that the puppy is accustomed to in the breeder’s house;
• vitamins for puppies.

NOTE!

Clothes, leashes and collars, as well as a carrier, should be purchased when the puppy has already settled in the house, since these items need to be selected individually.

Colt cutter

Another assistant in care is a tangle cutter. Despite the name, it does not cut, but rather safely untangles felted wool.

They produce several types of tools:

• Vertical - is a comb for combing, in which instead of the usual teeth there are sharpened blades. Their back side is rounded, sometimes they are hook-shaped.
• Striping (horizontal) - resembles a powder brush.
• Drop-shaped - the working part includes only one or several blades. This model is used to remove tangles in the ears, limbs, armpits and other similar areas.

Single Prong Tool

When purchasing, pay attention to the following details:

• handle design - it should be comfortable to grip and work with, preferably coated with anti-slip materials (silicone, rubber);
• the presence of a thumb rest - for a more comfortable hand position;
• material from which the blades are made - preference is given to products made of high-quality steel;
• Blade sharpness and shape - wavy edge increases efficiency.

Horizontal and vertical models

As with combs, the number of teeth matters. Thus, for lush and thick fur, you need a tool with 12 blades up to 10 cm long. A model with teeth 5–6 cm long, which is also convenient to use for cats, is considered universal.

Personal place

The bed should not be located on the aisle or in a draft. It is unacceptable to place it in the bathroom or toilet, and the kitchen is not the best place for a dog, even a small one.

It is best to place the Yorkie's place in one of the rooms, preferably where the whole family tends to gather, since these dogs are very sociable and simply adore the company of people.

In addition to a regular bed, you can also purchase a dog house where your pet can go when he wants to be alone.

How and what to feed?

You can feed dogs only high-quality and fresh food.

If this is a purchased food, then only the best of all possible and no lower than premium, and if it is a natural food, the basis of the diet should be protein products. Moreover, it is better to give puppies more fermented milk products, and adult animals - meat.

Natural feeding should also include cereals, fresh and boiled vegetables, except potatoes. It is useful to give your pet fruits and greens from time to time if he is not allergic to them. At the same time, it is not recommended to treat your Yorkie with exotic fruits and vegetables - they are too allergenic for dogs who are not accustomed to them.

IMPORTANT!

The finished food should be appropriate for the dog’s age, size, activity and health status. Ideally, this should be a food designed specifically for Yorkshire Terriers.

Nutrition

The quality of food is largely determined by the well-being of your pet, so feeding it with the first food you find in the supermarket will be a rash decision. The fragile organisms of Yorkshire dogs require careful attention and the development of the right diet.

Natural or dry food?

The Yorkshire Terrier's diet depends on what type of food you choose for the animal. There are two main types, involving the use of either natural food or ready-made industrial feed. There has been a long debate about which food option is better, so there is no ready answer to this question.

Giving preference to one type of food can only be done through a series of trials and errors.

We would like to note that if you are keeping a dog for the first time, then a safer solution would be to switch to ready-made food in the super-premium segment, such as Royal Canin. Such manufacturers have special lines tailored to specific breeds and collecting the required amount of nutrients. You can read about how to accustom a dog to dry food in a separate article on our portal.

Royal Canin food for Yorkshire dogs

Since no special instructions are required for dry food - it is enough to follow the required dosage and shelf life, then we will dwell in more detail on the natural type of feeding.

Are vaccinations necessary?

The first vaccination is given while the puppy is still with the breeder. This occurs at the age of 2 months, and after two weeks a revaccination is given to strengthen immunity. No later than two weeks before vaccination, but not earlier than a week, the puppy should be given an anthelmintic.

The second vaccination is given after changing teeth, and revaccination is no longer necessary. The third vaccination is given at 12 months and is repeated once a year according to the schedule.

The main requirement before any vaccination is that the dog is completely healthy. If there is any doubt, it is better to postpone vaccination for several days.

NOTE!

After any vaccination, a week-long quarantine will be required - a time when the pet cannot go outside and have contact with other dogs.

Vaccination

When vaccinating an animal, it is very important to choose a licensed clinic. There are general rules for vaccinating a Yorkshire Terrier:

• vaccination is carried out under sterile conditions;
• worms are eliminated within 10 days;
• vaccinations against rabies are done every year, the first one – up to a year;
• after vaccination, antihistamines are given;
• You can wash the animal a week after vaccination;
• It is necessary to monitor your pet’s well-being after vaccination.

When a person gets a dog, he gets not just an animal, but a true, loyal friend. Yorkshire Terriers are excellent companions and friends, active fidgets, intelligent and attentive listeners. They express their love through fidelity, and their owners must express it through careful care and attentive attention to their health.

How to choose clothes?

Clothing for a Yorkshire Terrier can be both necessary, protecting from cold and precipitation, and decorative, whose function is to decorate the dog.

Among the mandatory clothing we can name overalls - both warm, winter ones, and those designed for the spring-autumn seasons.

In summer, you can dress your Yorkie in T-shirts, shorts or thin trousers. Such clothing will protect the coat from contamination and protect the dog from insect bites.

When it's cool inside or outside, you can put a sweater or vest on your pet.

The Yorkshire Terrier will also need shoes that protect its paws from being corroded by the salt or reagent that is sprinkled on the streets, and in warmer seasons, from cuts and other injuries.

Rules for training at home

When raising and training a Yorkshire Terrier, you should adhere to several rules:

1. Yorkie training begins as early as possible.
2. To teach a puppy new things, move from simple to complex.
3. At the initial stage, it is better to train the Yorkshire Terrier at home so that the dog is not distracted by anything during training.
4. During one training period, you need to teach the Erka to carry out a single command.
5. In the process of education they show persistence in order to achieve results.
6. When addressing a yorik, they always call him by his name.
7. The tone of communication should be calm and friendly.
8. For training, choose a moment when both the owner and the Yorkshire Terrier are in a good mood.

Walking rules

You need to start accustoming your puppy to the street gradually - first, carry him in your arms to let him get used to the street noise, and later you can lower him to the ground. At the same time, it is under no circumstances recommended to let the dog off the leash, otherwise it may get lost or get hit by a car, and finally, it may simply be stolen.

When walking with your Yorkie, you need to make sure that he doesn’t pick up dubious “delicacies” from the ground and doesn’t roll around in the dirt or less pleasant substances. If a dog bullies other dogs or barks at passers-by, then you need to either force him to stop the unwanted action, or take him away so that he calms down.

In hot weather, it is necessary to ensure that the dog does not overheat. In summer, it is better to remove it early in the morning and after sunset, when it becomes cooler.

Errors in parenting

Often, inexperienced dog breeders make serious mistakes when raising an Erka:

1. They behave inconsistently and do not show proper persistence.
2. They talk to the pet as if it were a person, instead of giving commands clearly and briefly.
3. Classes are taking longer.
4. They praise or punish not immediately after the act, but after some time.
5. They do not take into account the individual characteristics of the puppy.
6. Stop classes after completing the training course.
7. They punish physically.

How to train to a tray?

This is easy to do if you place a diaper or tray next to the puppy’s bed and put it there every time he wakes up or eats.

Over time, the Yorkie will understand that this is where he needs to go to the toilet and will independently go to the litter box, which from now on must be gradually moved to the place where it is planned to install a permanent dog toilet.

If the dog refuses to go to the rearranged tray, then you need to return it to its place, and then, after waiting a couple of days, start moving it away again, but more slowly.

IMPORTANT!

Every time after moving it, the place where the tray stood before must be thoroughly washed and treated with an odor-eliminating agent.

Causes

Mats appear for a variety of reasons, listed below:

Wet, washed fur clumps into clumps. The rolling process occurs because after washing the shaggy pet, no one thoroughly wiped it or dried it with a hairdryer. In addition to the appearance of mats, there is the problem of wool overheating, which can lead to an unpleasant odor throughout the room;

Soap mats are another common problem in dogs. This problem occurs due to the fault of the owners who, when bathing their pets, soap and rub the fur too hard. To avoid such troubles in the future, shampoo must be applied evenly and smoothly, gently rubbing it into the animal’s skin with your fingers, as if massaging. This way the fur does not get tangled;

When purchasing clothes for your dog, you may encounter a similar problem. This problem occurs in the place where the seams adjoin the animal’s skin. When purchasing clothes for your pet, make sure that the lining of the jacket is smooth;

Burdock and thorny bushes. On a walk, very often your pet climbs into bushes that are full of this vegetation, plus eats the ground. It is extremely difficult to combat such a scourge - when you pull out a burdock, it begins to crumble into factions, which only complicates the process. If it gets on the fur, it is better to pull the burdock out immediately, so as not to suffer later and not to cut off the damaged areas;

Do not use a simple fine-toothed massage comb. Outwardly, the dog will look neat, but over time the undercoat rolls off like felt, which even professionals cannot remove. In this situation, only a haircut will save you;

Often, tangles appear due to the fault of overly loving owners. By stroking and ruffling your pet's skin, you can easily confuse the hair, which leads to the appearance of tangles; Some veterinarians associate the formation of mats with a pet’s illness - if, in addition to mats, dandruff appears on the fur and it has faded, you will have to seek help from specialists and treat the dog.

Now that we know the main reasons for the occurrence of mats, we will directly answer the question - how to comb out mats from a dog and what is required for this.

How and when to cut nails?

Usually, dogs' nails wear down during walks. If this does not happen, then they will have to be trimmed. To do this, you need to arm yourself with a guillotine-type nail clipper designed for small dogs and cut off each claw little by little, one or two millimeters.

You cannot cut off too much, since Yorkies have dark claws and the living part is not visible, which can cause pain to the animal.

You can also try, if the dog is patient, to file down the claw little by little using a regular or electronic file. This procedure is less risky, but also takes more time.

Grooming and grooming

Your Yorkie's coat should be brushed daily using a metal comb with rounded teeth. In this case, you need to move the comb only in the direction of hair growth, without tugging it or tangling the hair.

If by chance a tangle or knot is discovered while combing, you should try to untangle them and, if that doesn’t work, only then cut them off.

The hair of a show dog must be placed in curlers, placing them in a strictly defined order. In order to know exactly how to do this correctly, the owner of a Yorkie must carefully watch how this procedure is carried out by a groomer who tidies up his dog’s coat.

It is best to cut a non-show Yorkie or a Yorkie who has already finished his show career. It is recommended to do this for the first time no earlier than six months, but most young dogs can do just fine without haircuts for up to a year.

If the pet is still being exhibited, you cannot cut it - you must first get the desired title, and then go for a haircut.

Prevention of tangles

In order to eliminate tangles with minimal wool loss, you need to do this immediately after they are discovered. It’s even better if combing is done regularly, which will form the basis of prevention. You need to wash and comb your pet's fur as often as necessary. It is advisable to brush some breeds daily, for example, collie, chow-chow. Almost all long-haired breeds need to be combed every day if they roam freely on the street and get caught in burrs, puddles or sand.

In the process, you need to eliminate tangles, only as a last resort by cutting them off with scissors; as soon as they begin to appear, you can easily untangle them. This will avoid causing pain to the animal. Key attention should be paid to the armpits, ear and belly areas, where hair is most prone to matting. For a high-quality result, you need to choose a good slicker, which will minimize discomfort for the dog.

Anti-tangle shampoo is an effective preventive measure that prevents their formation. The product is ineffective against already formed tangles. In this case, shampoo should be used in parallel with combing. After taking a bath, you need to dry your pet’s fur with a hairdryer, combing out tangles as you go. A dog should not be allowed to run around with wet fur, as it will quickly become tangled.

Yorkie bathing

Yorkies need to be bathed twice a month, while show dogs need to be bathed once a week.

You can bathe your Yorkie in a bathtub or in a basin, with a rubber mat placed at the bottom of the container.

Having wetted all the fur, it is washed with a special shampoo for long-haired dogs diluted with warm water. Then, after washing the fur, the Yorkie is soaped again, the soap is rinsed off again and conditioner is applied, which is kept for a certain amount of time and also washed off with warm water.

It is worth remembering that your Yorkie may be allergic to some products, so you need to choose them responsibly.

After this, the dog is dried with two towels. First, while still in the bathroom, they blot the fur and remove moisture from it, and in the second, a dry towel, wrap the dog, take it into the room and for some time, until the fur dries, keep it on the lap or on the sofa. If your dog is cold and shaking , lightly dry it with a hairdryer.

How to brush your teeth?

As a rule, it is enough to give the dog special toys or cartilage to chew. But in some Yorkies, dental plaque forms so quickly that the dog simply does not have time to remove it this way.

In this case, the owner needs to brush the pet's teeth using special toothpaste and brush intended for pets. This procedure should be done 1-2 times a week.

At first, until the Yorkie gets used to brushing, he needs to brush his teeth without toothpaste.

What to do if there are fleas?

If your dog has fleas or other similar parasites, you must first wash it with a special shampoo, and then, for prevention, put on a flea collar or apply flea drops to the withers.

At the same time, it should be remembered that when applying drops, you must adhere to a strict dosage and act only in accordance with the instructions.

Special cosmetics

To ensure that your dog always looks smooth and well-groomed, pet cosmetics manufacturers have developed a line of anti-matt care products. The essence of the action is that they eliminate static electricity in the pile and make it slippery. Some manufacturers take into account not only the length, but also the color of the pet. For example, BioGroom and Beaphar have such products.

Table 1. Anti-tangling cosmetics.