The Ultimutt Yorkshire Terrier Handbook

Introduction and history Quirks of a Yorkshire Terrier Health Conditions Yorkshire Terrier can be prone to Yorkshire Terrier exercise Yorkshire Terrier grooming Yorkshire Terrier diet Why we Recommend Fresh for a Yorkshire Terrier

Discover the playful and affectionate nature of the Yorkshire Terrier. Learn about their grooming, exercise, and health needs to keep your Yorkie happy.

Introduction and History

The Yorkshire Terrier is a small yet spirited breed. Originating in 19th-century England, Yorkies were developed to hunt rats in textile mills. Their working lineage was shaped by their active hunting instincts and agility in chasing down rodents.

Despite their tiny size, Yorkshire Terriers became known for their strong protective nature, which eventually saw their role shift from working dog to loyal companion.

Today, Yorkies are one of the most popular toy breeds, cherished for their long, silky coats, bold character, and devoted companionship. They make excellent pets for those seeking a brave, pint-sized companion with a personality that feels far larger than their stature.

Quirks of a Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkshire Terriers are distinguished by their bold spirit and unwavering self-confidence. Though small, they carry themselves with the bravado of a much larger dog, which often makes them stand out. One of their most notable traits is their tendency to bark frequently. This vocal nature makes them excellent little watchdogs, though it can also make training more challenging due to their independent streak.

Yorkies are deeply affectionate and thrive on close contact. They form strong attachments to their owners and often follow them around the home, craving attention and affection. While they may appear feisty, beneath their confident exterior lies a devoted and loving nature.

These tiny dogs are known for their big personalities. They seek constant attention and thrive in environments where they are included and engaged. Their enthusiastic, affectionate nature makes them ideal for people looking for a lively and loving companion.

Health Conditions Yorkshire Terrier can be prone to

While generally healthy, Yorkshire Terriers are prone to certain conditions, particularly those associated with their small size:

Dental Problems: Like many small breeds, Yorkies are susceptible to plaque build-up, gum disease, and tooth loss. Daily tooth brushing and dental chews are essential parts of their dental care routine
Patellar Luxation: This occurs when the kneecap slips out of place, leading to discomfort or lameness. Due to their small frame, Yorkies are more vulnerable to this condition.
Hypoglycaemia: Young Yorkies, in particular, can suffer from low blood sugar, which may cause lethargy, tremors, or even seizures. Owners should monitor for signs and consult a vet promptly if symptoms appear.
Tracheal Collapse: Yorkies have a delicate trachea that can weaken and partially collapse, causing coughing or breathing difficulties. Treatment typically involves vet support and lifestyle adjustments to reduce strain on the airway.

Yorkshire Terrier exercise

Despite their size, Yorkshire Terriers need regular physical and mental stimulation to stay healthy and happy. Short, frequent play sessions and daily walks are ideal—lengthy exercise isn't necessary, but consistency is.

They enjoy games that combine activity and mental engagement, such as fetch or hide-and-seek with toys. Agile and lively, they move energetically around the house and adapt well to city living thanks to their compact size and moderate exercise needs.

Yorkies also require mental stimulation to prevent boredom. Without it, they may resort to excessive barking or chewing. Keeping them busy helps maintain their behaviour and overall wellbeing.

Yorkshire Terrier grooming

The Yorkshire Terrier is best known for its beautiful, silky coat. However, this luxurious fur requires regular grooming to stay free from tangles and mats. Daily brushing helps maintain the health and shine of their coat. Many owners opt for either a full-length coat or a more practical "puppy cut" for ease of care.

In addition to coat care, Yorkies need regular nail trimming, ear cleaning, and dental hygiene. Their small ear canals are prone to moisture build-up, which can lead to infections. Maintaining clean ears and skin is essential for their health.

Baths should be scheduled to maintain hygiene but not so frequent that they dry out the skin. Always use a gentle shampoo designed for sensitive canine skin.

Yorkshire Terrier diet

Yorkshire Terriers need a balanced diet with high-quality ingredients to support their active lifestyle. Due to their small stomachs, it’s best to feed them several smaller meals throughout the day rather than one large one. Puppies, in particular, benefit from food formulated specifically for small breeds, rich in protein and essential nutrients.

Yorkies can gain weight easily, so portion control is vital. Meals should be tailored to their size, age, and activity level, and owners should avoid feeding human food to protect their digestion and maintain healthy weight.

Because they are prone to blood sugar drops, feeding should follow a regular schedule, and sweet treats should be used sparingly. Fresh, clean water should always be available to keep them well hydrated.

Why we recommend fresh for a Yorkshire Terrier

Highly processed kibble can really exacerbate the conditions Yorkshire Terriers are more susceptible to. A dog fed on a fresh food diet will live on average 32 months longer than a dog fed a dry diet (read more about this on our blog). That’s why a fresh Tuggs diet, gently cooked to lock in the nutrition, pre-portioned and tailor-made is a no-brainer for your pooch.

Promote better digestion for your Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkshire Terriers are pretty good at digesting a whole load of things (more so than us humans!) but that’s not to say they can digest anything. The human-grade ingredients we include in Tuggs is highly digestible and helps your Yorkshire Terrier thrive in so many ways: providing the protein for growth (particularly muscle growth), a strong heart, and of course, nice and firm poops. With ingredients your Yorkshire Terrier can digest, their poop will be less volumous and less stinky. Makes picking them up slightly less tedious!

Improve dental hygiene for your Yorkshire Terrier

Dried pellets are definitely not the answer to clean teeth (or fresh breath). In fact, due to its ultra-processed nature, kibble is more prone to getting stuck in your pup’s teeth, contributing to decay and plaque build-up. Unsurprisingly, a fresh-food diet contributes far less to this. Moreover, the fresh ingredients contribute to a stronger overall immune system, ready to fight off any bacterial infections in the mouth or beyond.

Maintain healthy joints for your Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkshire Terriers can be prone to issues with their joints. Fortunately, a lean body condition will lessen the chances of issues manifesting - easily achievable on a Tuggs diet. Our salmon oil in each recipe has loads of Omega-3 fatty acids, the first port of call for any doggy looking to improve arthritis and reduce inflammation. Even if kibble did contain some of these healthy fats, the ultra-processed nature of the food makes it harder for your Yorkshire Terrier to absorb the goodness. Furthermore, the fats can go off given kibble has such a long shelf life. Fresh food is, well, fresh. The ingredients land on your doorstep with all their goodness ready to nourish your beloved.

Maintain a healthy weight for your Yorkshire Terrier

Our algorithm will sort a tailor-made diet for your Yorkshire Terrier, with clear portioning, and can be adapted as your pooch grows from a puppy into a lean adult. An overweight Yorkshire Terrier will be at a far increased risk of various conditions including arthritis, diabetes, and even cancer. Fresh food with no dodgy ingredients is a pretty easy way to stay on top of the weight issue!

Discover More About Tuggs

Every dog is unique, and their meals should be too. Our expert-approved, nutrient-rich recipes are customised to fit your dog’s size, breed, and health needs. With Tuggs, feeding your dog healthy, delicious meals has never been easier—just click, create your plan, and we'll handle the rest.

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