Yorkies are known as an intelligent dog breed. Don’t be deceived by their petite sizes though, they can be quite feisty and territorial too! They are also notorious for their barking, which can be a frustrating experience especially when you are living in an apartment.
So what kind of temperaments does a Yorkie have? A Yorkie’s temperament is a mix of hot and cold. Yorkies are bold, intelligent and feisty, yet affectionate and they can be quite needy for constant attention and care. Taming a Yorkie is an art. We need to know when they need affection and when it is time for discipline.
However, as responsible pet owners, we should also be able to differentiate rebellious behavior from health related ones.
Let’s dive into understanding the temperament of a Yorkshire Terrier.
Are All Yorkies Yappy? Characteristics Of A Yorkshire Terrier
Understanding the temperament and character of Yorkies requires a lot of patience. This is because the pooch’s behavior often depends on the company and the surrounding.
In the presence of strangers, Yorkies tend to be feisty and domineering. They will bark at everyone and anything that comes by. But the moment you’ve bonded with this little canine friend, you can be sure they will welcome you home every day with kisses.
The biggest difference between Yorkies and most dog breeds is the fact that they demand lots of attention.
If for one moment it looks like you are ignoring them for other pets in the house, or even your smaller kids, the pup will get snappy and aggressive in some cases. So, it may be a good idea to keep cats, and other dogs, away from your cute little terrier until you’ve trained that aggressive personality out of them.
The Yorkie’s aggressive personality is largely caused by its small size.
Size matters a lot in the animal kingdom. When your pooch sees animals or people significantly larger than it, it will naturally feel threatened. As a result, Yorkies get into full self-defense mode, which often involves constant barking, general aggression, and hostility. This is known as the “small dog syndrome”.
For their small size, Yorkies are indeed courageous. This is especially the case for Teacup Yorkies. They possess above-average canine intelligence too, making it easier to train them in the long run. Yorkies are also very energetic. They always want to jump up and down and since they are small, they don’t need too much space to play around.
Is A Yorkie A Good Family Dog?
Yes, the Yorkshire terrier is a great family dog. But there is one caveat. It is important to make sure that your little furry friend feels safe. Yorkies always want to belong. They strive to be part of the family. and it is up to the pet owner to make sure they fit in. However, it is important to set up some rules so that the pooch knows exactly where they fall in the pack.
For instance, make sure your four-legged friend wakes up earlier, or at the same time as you. Try and also have a strict feeding schedule and stick to it. That way, the pup knows who is boss. I know, we all want to spoil our canine buddies and give them everything we can think of. But dogs work best with a “chain of command”.
When Yorkies are finally attached to someone, they will go all out to show their affection. Normally, the pooch will show love by excessively licking your face. And let’s face it, there is nothing more heartwarming than coming home after a long day, only for your furry friend to brighten things up with kisses on the door.
Yorkies are notoriously loyal too. Once they get attached to you, they will be affectionate to everyone else in your close circle, especially your family. There is a reason why dogs are “man’s best friend”. But Yorkies take it to another level. These cute terriers are aggressively protective of their beloved owners and will often show courage when they perceive any threats.
Do Yorkies Like To Be Held?
I understand that sometimes your Yorkie is aggressive, feisty, and tenacious. But deep down, they just want to be held and cuddled. Yorkies are literally the opposite of two worlds. On one hand, they are so hostile to strangers and on the other, they are so loving and affectionate to people they love.
So, if your pooch climbs to bed with you for some cuddle time, do not let them down. Yorkies do not like to be alone in fact, never leave your pooch alone in the house for more than 4 or 5 hours. This affectionate personality normally means that they will want to sleep on the same bed with you.
There is nothing wrong with that. As a matter of fact, it helps a lot with bonding if you sleep with your pooch for the first few days. Nonetheless, you still want to encourage the dog to sleep on its own. The great thing is that there is some amazing variety of comfortable high-quality Yorkie beds.
However, the Bedsure Pet Tent Cave Bed looks a cut above the rest and for good reasons. First, the bed is compact and lightweight, making it a great option for people on the go.
It is also fitted with heavy-duty, dense foam padding inside to ensure your furry friend has a comfortable and cozy place to rest. There is also a durable micro-fiber tent cover that should keep the pooch warm and snuggled during cold nights.
What Makes Yorkies Happy? Pampering The Yorkie In The House
Yorkies are high maintenance dogs. Let’s just get that out of the way. There are several reasons why this is the case. Here are some of them:
Grooming
First, these furry four-legged pets require a very extensive grooming routine. On the positive side, Yorkies do not shed that much. So, if you are allergic to fur, or perhaps someone in your family is, the dog won’t be much of a problem.
Attention
Yorkies need a lot of attention. They may start to act distant if you show them a cold shoulder for long. There are a few things you can do though to make sure your terrier feels well at home.
- First, Yorkies love to play and jump around. Make sure you are encouraging them to do so.
- These little bundles of furry joy also love to cuddle. Don’t be afraid to jump in bed with them now and then.
- Try and also pick the pooch up and show love if you can. After all, Yorkies are small and light. It shouldn’t, therefore, be a problem carrying them around regularly.
- You may also want to talk to your cute little ball of furry bliss. As we have already noted above, Yorkies are far more intelligent. They are easily going to catch up on words with very few repetitions.
- Get your little pooch a toy or two as well for them to play with. Every dog, Yorkies included, love to be pampered.
And speaking of toys, well, there is no better option out there than the Jalousie 12 Pack Dog Squeaky Toys. The set comes with up to 12 fun toys that your canine buddy will love. They are highly durable too, and made from premium quality materials for longevity. Besides, the toys should offer important dental hygiene for your pooch every day.
Why Do Yorkies Shake? Health Concerns Of A Yorkie You Should be Aware Of
Yorkies may shake for several reasons. However, we have listed three common causes here below.
Cold
Sensitivity to cold will make your Yorkie shake. No doubt, the terriers tend to have thick fur but unlike other dogs, they do not have an undercoat. This makes them more susceptible to cold than most other breeds.
This is especially true for Teacup Yorkies. They have a much smaller build than a normal Yorkshire Terrier, hence their core of their miniature body is not able to generate as much heat to combat the cold.
Separation Anxiety
In some cases, these furry cute buddies may shake due to anxiety, especially if they are left alone for long. I guess even cute little pets could use a warm hug every now then huh!
Hypoglycemia
On a more serious note, Yorkies may also shake due to hypoglycemia.This is a medical condition characterized by a sudden and sharp drop in blood sugar. While it may affect several dog breeds, Yorkies are more susceptible than others. If not addressed, hypoglycemia can have deadly consequences for your little pooch.
For this reason, you need to have a supply of TOMLYN High Calorie-Nutritional Gel for Puppies stacked somewhere in the house. This highly nutritious oral gel is designed to deliver instant calories and important vitamins to dogs.
It can be a lifesaver in cases where your pooch goes into hyperglycemia. The gel also helps to boost the Yorkie’s appetite. We all know that Yorkies need a burst of energy every day to live happily. This gel will ensure they are ready for mealtimes, at all times.
Related Questions
How Do You Punish A Yorkie? Yorkies do not respond well to punishment. If the little pooch is acting out, it is always a good idea to try positive reinforcement to change their behavior. Giving them attention and training them with treats should work well. Make sure the dog also feels safe and secure all the time.
How Often Should I Walk My Yorkie? Walk your Yorkie two times a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. However, if you can’t manage to keep up with this schedule, once per day is the bare minimum, especially in the evenings.
How Smart Are Yorkies? Yorkies have above-average canine intelligence. They learn fast and are more discerning than other breeds. The pooch will easily memorize words and predict or anticipate stuff with very little training.
