How to care for a Yorkshire terrier?

It seems hard to find a dog cuter than the Yorkshire Terrier. For this they are loved: cute, funny, obedient dogs. But the appearance of the Yorkie, which makes him look like a toy, does not negate the fact that he is a dog. And she needs not only care and attention, but also an appropriate upbringing.

Yorkie puppies are fragile creatures. When a baby is growing up, it rarely weighs more than 3 kg. Yorkshire Terriers live an average of 13 years. They are friendly dogs that make good friends with both people and animals. This is why even jealous cats often show leniency towards Yorkies. The popular expression "puppy friendliness" is perfect for Yorkies.

Delicate pet care is a must. Due to their size, they are susceptible to various injuries. In addition, they do not tolerate loneliness, and separation from the owner is painful for them. Bones in mini-yorks are fragile, like joints, so if the dog lives in an apartment with small children, the first thing to remember is to be careful. Jumping and falling are dangerous for toddlers: open balconies and stairs are a direct threat.

For the puppy, you will have to purchase the following items:

• a small aviary - this will be his personal, cozy place in the dwelling;
• bed;
• carrying bag;
• collar with a leash;
• bowls (2 pcs.);
• heavy, ceramic feeders and drinkers;
• latex toys made from veins - balls and various buzzers;
• special cosmetics for bathing;
• terry towel;
• combs - metal with a durable handle and rapid rounded teeth, as well as massage brushes;
• papillotes with rubber bands;
• scissors for trimming hair on the ears and between the toes;
• file for sharpening nails;
• clothes;
• accessories for "hairstyles".

But she cannot live on the street, since the breed is decorative-room: the dog does not have an undercoat, it will not be able to live outside the house physically, it will simply freeze. Moreover, both girls and boys of this breed are “great sissies”. So, they need to be walked in special overalls if the weather is cool.

The pride of Yorkies is their long and beautiful coat, which must be carefully looked after. First of all, it needs to be combed with special combs. Almost all owners make model haircuts for pets and not at home, but in the salon. But the daily care of the Yorkshire Terrier's coat is carried out at home: comb, do not let it get dirty, gather in tangles.

The basic rules of care are as follows:

• pin the fur on the animal's face every morning to form top-note bangs; in the evening, the rubber band is removed, and a pigtail is braided at night for the convenience of the baby;
• the first haircut is done by the groomer, perhaps then the owner himself will learn to cut the baby, but for the first time take the dog to a specialist; up to 7-8 months, Yorkies do not need a model haircut, only a hygienic one, and a model haircut should be updated every 2-3 months, but if the dog is a participant in exhibitions, this may be more often;
• to bathe the baby correctly in the bath and be sure to use a good shampoo and conditioner (buy at a pet store); you can sometimes make masks for wool, after which the wool becomes silky and soft;
• the baby has to file the claws once a month, sometimes they are cut with special tweezers;
• the ears also need constant care - they should be cleaned weekly;
• Yorkies' teeth are cleaned with a brush and paste: these dogs can suffer from tartar, so cleaning is mandatory;
• watch the eyes of Yorkies - there can be no purulent discharge in them.

The process of training a Yorkie can be called fun and creative. Those owners are wrong when they think that there is no need to educate dogs of such decorative breeds. Every dog ​​should be trained and educated. You should pay attention to the following basic rules of education:

• the dog must trust you - for this, always keep your promises, be consistent, do not change the requirements, pay attention to the dog every day;
• classes with the baby should be systematic;
• punish and encourage the baby in a timely manner - any postponed case does not make sense;
• start with simple commands and skills;
• take into account the temperament of the baby, do not "break" him.

Physical punishment for a Yorkie and rough treatment of him is unacceptable. Prohibitions should be strict but calm. He feels the owner's indignation only by his strict intonation - any hysterical action on the part of the owner only spoils the relationship between him and the dog. Very often the owners make so-called pedagogical mistakes. They try to fit in one lesson everything they want to see from the dog. She simply does not understand what you want from her, she is lost, which only makes the owner angry. But one lesson is one skill, practice it calmly, without haste.

Upbringing should be based on the gameplay.This is not a service breed, but a decorative one, so do not demand highly intellectual skills from it. At the same time, do not allow permissiveness: any innocent tricks, which at first may be touching, will then grow into real disobedience and hooliganism. Don't even let your little puppy make a little dirty trick. If the baby is accustomed from childhood that the owner does not show persistence, it will be impossible to retrain him in adulthood.

When you come home, you can see how the puppy tore his shoes to pieces in your absence. Many owners are surprised, but decide that they will hold an "educational conversation" after, and now they need to do household chores. But the postponed conversation is devoid of any educational meaning. You need to immediately make it clear that you are indignant and indicate what reason this anger is caused by.

As already mentioned, Yorkies are very clean. It is easy to train them to use the litter box, therefore, dogs do not need to walk as a means to solve their delicate issues. But walks are a must. Babies also need fresh air, like all living things. They need to frolic on the grass, so try to get the baby off your hands at least for a while every walk. When you vaccinated the dog, wait 1.5-2 weeks from the moment of vaccination, and then you can go for a walk.

Your puppy's first walks don't have to be tiresome. They are introductory: it is important for a baby to get comfortable in an unfamiliar environment. At first, he may be a little scared, but then he begins to show curiosity - cheer him up, the approval of the owner is important to him. Physical activity at a calm pace, leisurely walks - that's what suits Yorkies. Try to walk in quiet places, in not very noisy areas, it is easy to scare such a baby. Since the dog does not have a thick undercoat, he needs special clothes for walking. You can put shoes on the feet so that the delicate pads of the feet are not injured.

In severe frost, try not to walk the Yorkie: he will freeze. It is recommended to adhere to the regimen - this is important for the education of the dog. The kid is convenient because its size allows you to take a doggie even on long trips. You need a carrying bag and a leash with a collar, the rest is secondary.

If you take care of the health of a Yorkie, he will live in your family for 14 years, or even 15-16 years. Even the smallest problem should not be ignored. Not only due to illness, but also prophylactically, you need to take the dog to the veterinarian. The most common diseases of Yorkies include the following:

• dislocation of the knee caps;
• liver disease;
• inflammatory process in the pancreas;
• low sugar;
• problems with gums and teeth;
• high sensitivity to medicines.

High physical activity is also dangerous for dogs - it will be risky for the cardiovascular system of babies. Bones and joints are a sore spot for Yorkies. Very often their diseases are associated with genetic pathologies of animals. When purchasing a dog, you should check with the breeders what the parents of the baby suffered. And if the breeder says that the puppy's parents have never been sick, you better leave right away. This simply cannot be: and if the seller is lying about this, the dishonesty may apply to other characteristics of the puppy.

It is worth considering the bone and joint diseases that Yorkies are prone to.

• Ataxia. It is a hereditary ailment that leads to muscle weakness. Any muscle group is at risk. To date, there is no effective treatment for this disease.
• Aseptic necrosis. The disease affects the hip joint, more often the disease develops up to a year. When extending the paws, the baby may begin to limp, he experiences pain. In this case, only surgery will help.
• Osteoarthritis. This is the name of degenerative deformations of cartilage tissue.The joint wears out faster than it can renew itself. Pain, lameness and joint destruction are what it entails.

In addition to diseases and joints, babies can suffer from dental ailments. This can be blamed on the specific composition of dogs' saliva: plaque and tartar form very quickly in representatives of this breed. If you do not brush your dog's teeth, then by the age of 5 it can lose most of its teeth.

Very often, veterinarians refer to Yorkies as "patients with congested ears." They are really afraid of drafts. The pain will make the dog restless and you should always pay attention to this. Also, Yorkshire Terriers can suffer from lacrimation, which is explained by the disruption of the lacrimal glands. Alas, cataracts are also dangerous for the Yorkie, which can lead to blindness, complete or partial.

It is not uncommon for Yorkies to suffer from digestive upset, namely:

• if the dog has vomiting and diarrhea, call the veterinarian - he will tell you when the dog needs to be taken to the doctor, and when the owner himself is able to help the dog;
• do not confuse vomiting and strong belching - the latter is often characteristic of puppies with excellent appetite, who often eat more than they need;
• short-term vomiting can also indicate overeating, motion sickness, but she sometimes says that the dog has swallowed something inedible;
• almost all digestive disorders in Yorkies can be solved in one way - a therapeutic diet.

Monitor your Yorkie's health from day one at home. A healthy puppy is strong, well-fed, cheerful, mobile, has a shiny coat and lively eyes. If he is curious, ready to play pranks, playful, then everything is in order with him. The Yorkshire Terrier will become your faithful friend. Do not expect from him those skills that can be demonstrated by a larger dog. But the decorative breed does not mean that he is too fragile and inept. Yorkies are adaptive, they socialize very well, and in training they are able to prove themselves as ideal students.

If you are only deciding on the choice of a puppy, give preference to the one who is more active and outwardly healthy. Even with a tiny size, he must have a strong physique. A baby of 1.5-2 months is active, mobile, wants to play. A healthy puppy should have a shiny coat. Introduce the baby to the household gradually, and teach young children in advance to understand the full responsibility for a living being.

See below for yokshire terrier care.