Unless you plan on breeding your Yorkie, or showing him you probably just seek a pet that’s going to be a great companion for years to come, right? You should be aware of the overall appearance of your Yorkshire Terrier regardless, so that you can rest assured you’re getting a quality dog.

Physical characteristics of yorkie dogs are: The average Yorkshire Terrier is sits at about seven inches, and weighs in at around eight to ten pounds. They are obviously a toy breed, and as puppies should be able to sit in the palm of your hand quite comfortable [and adorably at that!...] Size can vary depending on the mother and father, and you can speak with your breeder about that. Your Yorkie will have a long, smooth coat that will require grooming and daily brushing, but because they have no undercoat shedding will be minimal and your only concern should be knots, and matting if you don’t brush them daily.

Yorkies have incredibly soft, shiny coats that make them one of the more aesthetically pleasing toy breeds. Your puppy will be black and tan, and as it ages the body, and tail will become a blue-gray in color. Many breeders dock the tail to absolute half the length, but it’s a cosmetic preference, and you can research whether you’d like your Yorkie to have it’s tail docked or not. The breed standard for the Yorkie is a small, flat head, sparkling eyes, a scissor bite, and an intelligent expression on their face.

The Yorkshire Terrier is prone to several genetic disorders that you should be aware of before purchasing a puppy, or adopting an older dog: because your Yorkie is such a small breed, it can be prone to a tracheal collapse which can be pre determined if you notice the dog has a cough that sounds similar to a squawking goose. A Yorkie who’s excitable and pulls on their leash during walks can also become susceptible to this disorder, so a harness is a good precaution to take. Physical characteristics of yorkie dogs also point to the fact that this breed has a sensitive stomach, and you may have to experiment before you find the right food for your pet, and they are prone to tooth decay. The most common genetic disorder facing this breed to date is Distichiae which causes eye lashes to appear in abnormal spots, the most common being on the edge of the eyelid.

Yorkshire Terriers can have terrible allergies, and may have issues with pollen and grass; some signs to look out for are itchy skin, and biting that will cause patches of missing hair. A tea cup Yorkie [under three pounds] is prone to endless health conditions, allergies, and genetic disorders because of their small size. To prevent many of these issues the Yorkshire Terrier is being used as a breed in many hybrid dogs.

Tags: adoption, dog, dogs, puppies, Puppy, toy, Yorkie, yorkies