Yorkie Frequently Asked Questions

Barking?

Yorkies can be noisy, expressing their opinion on many topics, if not trained as puppies to be quiet. No matter what age, when they first go to a new home, they will usually be quiet for quite some time, but when they find a good reason to speak up, they may continue to be barkers unless taught to be selective about what should warrant barking.

Watch Dog?

Yorkies are good alarm dogs. Generally their barks are not very deep so they tend not to be very scary. But they will let you know if something isn't just right. There have been Yorkies who have saved their families from house fire, and those who have alerted their families to strangers approaching the house.

Good Companion?

Yorkies are fun, entertaining, and excellent companions. Individuals vary on how much "lap time" they want, all Yorkies like to be with their people as much as possible. They are sociable with people and other animals with proper exposure as they are growing up. Sometimes a Yorkie that is over-proteceted as a youngster, kept away from new people and new places, can become overprotective with their owner. Early exposures to new things and socialization as they are developing helps build confidence and character and makes them more resilient to change.

Too delicate for country life?

Size does make a difference. If you want a dog that will go with you to do barn chores, you will probably want to seek out a larger individual. However, small specimens are not necessarily delicate. In general Yorkies think they are a lot bigger than they actually are and sometimes will get themselves into trouble because of it. Jumping on and off furniture is probably the most common way Yorkies may become injured.

Good with children?

Yorkies can be very good with calm, experienced children--those children who have been around dogs before. Typically, Yorkies will bond to adult family members more than the children.

Good with cats and other dogs?

Depends on the cat. Some are Yorkies and cats are very close buddies; others set up a continual game of chase. With dogs it is a matter of personality. It has very little to do with size. Supervise closely until the relationship is established.

Difficult to potty train?

Yorkies have a reputation for being stubborn and therefore difficult to train. Plant to put in extra time in the beginning and stick with your trianing plan, whether it is house-breaking or piddle pad training. Then be careful about letting things slide: it's too cold/wet/hot/early/etc. are not good excuses for not taking your puppy-in-training outside or to the pad when it is time to do so.

Difficult to train otherwise?

It is fun to train a Yorkie because you can watch them think about the task you are working on. When all is said and done, they then decide if they will comply with your request. Start young (the dog, not necessarily you). Be patient. Be consistent. The more they learn, the more you can teach them. There are many Yorkies that successfully compete in obedience trials. There are many more who master good manners and exhibit well-adjusted behavior.

How much grooming is really involved?

Regular grooming is essential. Whether you keep the coat long or trim it short, a topknot and cursory brushing are needed everyday. How often a complete brushing needs to be done depends on the individual coat. A silky or coarse coat might be a once a week thorough grooming, with daily touch-ups. A soft coat may need to be done thoroughly once a day. How often the dog is bathed depends on where he sleeps: on your bed or in a crate; how he plays: with a sqeaky toy on the kitchen floor or digging holes in the yard; and how dirt sensitive you are. Bathing every 2-4 weeks is certainly not unreasonable. Trimming the coat is a matter of taste: you decide how short to go and how much growth you can tolerate. A modified Schnauzer clip might last as long as three months on some dogs or as short as one month for a dog that grows hair quickly and an owner who prefers a very trim look.