Flickr/Paul J Everett
Personality: Yorkies, as Yorkshire Terriers are commonly known, are generally loyal and affectionate towards their owners, and often hostile towards other dogs. They're intelligent, active, brave, and most often described as being "bold." Yorkies carry themselves with a regal carriage and a sometimes haughty air. Although comparable in size to lapdogs, Yorkies do not share the same low-key temperament.
Grooming: The coat of a Yorkshire Terrier can be striking when well-maintained. Yorkies are known to have either long, straight, shiny "silk" coats, or shorter "soft" coats. With both types, because it is a single coat (without an undercoat) it is not known to shed. In fact, the hairs of a Yorkie are similar to human hairs! They should therefore be treated similarly: daily combing or brushing, with regular baths. Soft coats may need more care, including professional trims.
Common Health Issues: A number of inherited genetic disorders can plague the Yorkshire Terrier. Distichiae is a condition that causes eyelashes to grow from abnormal spots along the eyelid, which can lead to corneal abrasions and ulcers. Legg-Calve-Perthes syndrome causes degeneration in the femur and can present as early as five months of age. It often requires surgery to correct. Portosystemic shunt, a congenital defect involving blood supply to the liver, can also be resolved through surgery. As with toy dogs, a Yorkie may experience a collapsing of the trachea, especially as it gets older. For this reason, it is advised that Yorkies be leashed with harnesses rather than neck collars. Like many breeds, a trick knee (also known as luxating patella) may become a problem later in life.
The Doggie Diaries: At the Dog Park, Part 1 -- The Brawl
