Yorkshire Terriers are a small but active breed. Most Yorkies need care in moderate amounts, but don't require a great deal of maintenance overall. This page provides plenty of info on how to take care of a Yorkie, including Yorkie puppy care, diet, exercise needs, the ideal living environment, and more. For more details on how to care for a Yorkie, read on!
Since these dogs are naturally active already, Yorkshire Terrier exercise needs aren't too extensive. Owners can begin giving their Yorkies exercise as early as three months of age by taking puppies on short, leashed walks once or twice per day. And adult Yorkies need two different types of physical activity: endurance (usually accomplished by moderate walks of about 30 minutes) and cardio (shorter but more intense exercise periods, such as fetch or tag).
Some things to remember when exercising your Yorkie: first, make sure a puppy doesn't engage in activities that include a lot of jumping and vigorous running, as those strenuous actions can put unwanted stress on the puppy's still-growing bones and joints. And once a Yorkie reaches adulthood, it's a good idea to supervise and/or leash the dog when in public places like a dog park. For one, though these dogs are tiny, they're extremely confident. A five-pound Yorkie might confront a 100-pound Pit Bull without a second thought--and that encounter could have disastrous results. On the flip side, Yorkies are small enough to be considered prey by big, aggressive dogs and other predators. So it's best to be able to "rescue"these little dogs if they get into dangerous situations.
It's important to engage a Yorkie in regular exercise, if for no other reason than reducing its hyperactivity. An under-exercised Yorkie will be basically uncontrollable, and will run, dig, and bark. And bark. Then bark some more. With enough exercise, a dog of this breed will be more balanced and happier--and best of all, it'll sleep well at night. Here are a few Yorkie exercise ideas:
When indoors, having a chew toy or ball is great for a Yorkie to play with to release excess energy (and these dogs are known to be fond of squeak toys!). And as with any breed, having a consistent daily exercise routine is highly recommended (walks after breakfast and dinner, for example, in addition to a more intense cardio session in the afternoon).
Maintenance for dogs of this breed, in terms of drooling and shedding, are very low compared to most other breeds. Drooling is basically a non-issue, and Yorkie shedding is minimal. (Though many people consider these dogs a non-shedding breed, that's not actually the case--though the amount of shed hair is very small.)
The only time a Yorkie might drool is if the dog is very hot and thirsty, and saliva drips from its tongue when it pants. If your Yorkie begins drooling excessively, it's probably the sign of a medical issue; in that case see a veterinarian.
And does a Yorkie's shed habit ever become excessive? For the most part, no. A Yorkie's coat has hair instead of fur, which means that the dead hairs get trapped among the new hairs instead of falling out, as is the case with thicker fur. Like humans, dead hairs are noticeably present when the dog is brushed or bathed; also like humans, this amount of dead hair is higher during stress and pregnancy--it's just that it's not as noticeable because the hair stays in the coat instead of showing up on the furniture. If you notice your Yorkshire Terrier shedding a lot more than usual, this may be due to an issue with the skin, so you should take the dog to the vet.
As with all breeds, a Yorkie's food intake is vital to maintaining its health. These dogs are quite active, but they're also very small--and they can suffer from frequent hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), so they'll need to be fed more often than a lot of other dog breeds. Feed 150-200 calories, or 0.5-0.75 cups, of dry kibble like Royal Canin to a Yorkshire Terrier adult each day, divided into three meals; interestingly, growing Yorkie puppies need quite a bit more food--up to 400 calories (or 1.5 cups) of kibble daily, divided into four or five meals. (Some owners even "free-feed" their puppies, and leave dog food for Yorkie puppies in the bowl all day.)
Also like most dog breeds, Yorkie dog food habits include some restrictions. Among other things, Yorkies have delicate stomachs, and may not digest food as completely as other dogs; this means that Yorkshire Terrier food can be mixed with a little fresh meat and/or vegetables to enable more complete digestion. It's also recommended that a Yorkie not be allowed to exercise for an hour or so after eating, as vigorous physical activity right after a meal can lead to further digestive issues. Additionally, some Yorkie foods to avoid (which cause more digestive problems) include chocolate, grapes and raisins, mushrooms, and raw eggs. For Yorkies' diet guidelines, see this feeding chart:
Fortunately, a fat Yorkie is not a very common sight. While obesity is not impossible for these dogs, it's not a frequent issue. If you're worried that your Yorkie is overweight, a good rule of thumb is that if you can't easily feel its ribs when you run your hand along its side, it's time for a diet for your fat Yorkshire Terrier. Decrease its daily food intake by a fourth, and go for an additional walk each day.
The best dog food for Yorkies (puppies and adults alike) is dry food, as it's more convenient and easier for these small dogs to eat. Some owners add small portions of fresh meat and vegetables to their Yorkies' meals to aid in nutritional balance and digestion.
Yorkies are definitely an "inside" breed, and much prefer being indoors with their human families. Due to its small size, a Yorkshire Terrier in an apartment is a perfect fit--just make sure the apartment (or house) is warm enough! These dogs don't adapt well to cold temperatures, and get chills very easily, so owners will likely need to stock up on Yorkshire Terrier coats for winter.
Read the grooming requirements for Yorkshire Terriers including coat care and other maintenance.
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