Intro
If you’re not a current owner of a Yorkie or considering bringing one into your family, it is important to learn about the breed, especially if you have other dog breeds at home already! Dogs, just like humans, have personalities and characteristics that make them unique.
For example, a dog who likes to be in control, such as a herding dog, may not take well to another breed that doesn’t take direction well. Part of being a responsible pet parent is ensuring your dogs are in a safe and happy home environment, which includes getting along with their housemates.
Yorkies, or Yorkshire Terriers, is a small dog breed that originated in Yorkshire, England in the mid-19th century and was bred to catch rats. Today, they are known for having a big personality even though they come in a small package. In some cases, this small breed can be feisty and bossy, these are qualities that do not always mesh well with other personalities, so it is important to be aware of this before bringing home a new dog. Some of the best breeds to pair with a Yorkie are large, domicile dog breeds such as a Labrador Retriever or Beagle.
Let’s Begin
In this article, we’ll discuss the background of a Yorkshire Terrier breed, their personalities, and how best to care for a Yorkie. We will also cover some of the best and worst breeds to pair with a Yorkie based on typical personalities. Keep reading for everything you need to know about the Yorkshire Terrier!
What is a Yorkie?
The Yorkshire Terrier, nicknamed the Yorkie, is a small dog breed with dark eyes, a small head, and erect V-shaped ears. They are known for their glossy silver and blue coat. Because of their small size, you’ll often find a Yorkie decked out in accessories such as sweaters, bows, and fancy collars while being toted around in style by their owners.
History of the Yorkshire Terrier
According to the American Kennel Club, the heritage of the Yorkshire Terrier dates back to the mid-19th century in Northern England, where these dogs were bred to kill rats and hunt other animals such as foxes, badgers, and squirrels. Several parent breeds, including the Skye Terrier and Dandie Dinmont Terrier, were combined to create these small dogs.
Later in history, it became fashionable for proper English ladies in Victorian times to have a nicely bred lap dog, this is where the Yorkie has shined for hundreds of years. These adorable and tiny dogs became one of the most popular breeds for those who wanted a companion dog.
The Yorkshire Terrier, or Yorkie, gained breed recognition from the England Kennel Club in the late 1800s, which skyrocketed the popularity of the breed. Over time, the Yorkie was bred smaller to be the perfect lap dog. They made their way to the United States in the 1870s. Fun Fact: President Richard Nixon’s family even had a Yorkie that resided in the White House!
The personality of a Yorkie
Due to the Yorkie’s vicious history of hunting and killing, they still carry some ferociousness with them today. A Yorkie’s personality traits can be feisty, confident, alert, and active. Yorkie owners will tell you that the breed can also be very sweet, affectionate, and good companions.
Just like many other terrier breeds, the Yorkie believes they are a much larger dog in a small dog’s body. A Yorkie’s prey drive can be very high, which causes them to jump or bark at anything that scurries by. For this reason, they do not do well with other small animals in the home such as rabbits, hamsters, or birds.
They are great at protecting their owners and family members, even when there are no threats to be found. Yorkies are often wary of strangers or other dogs and feel the need to guard their owners. Because of this, a common complaint about Yorkies is their “yappy” tendencies and excessive barking.
Although tough, the Yorkie also needs lots of attention and love. They do not do well with being left alone for long periods as they are prone to separation anxiety. Additionally, it is best not to mix Yorkies with small children, as they get scared when it comes to stomping, trampling, poking, and prodding which comes with the curiosity of toddlers.
Yorkies can live and adapt to any environment, which makes them great apartment and city dogs. They also enjoy the wide open space that comes with suburban living too!
Training a Yorkie
Training is an essential part of being a Yorkie owner. A spoiled Yorkie can bring out the worst qualities of the breed, including its bossy attitude. It is important to teach Yorkie boundaries with other animals, when and when not to bark, and house training.
Yorkies can be receptive to training if proper training methods such as positive reinforcement are used. They are great at performing cute tricks or competition of agility or obedience trials in dog sports.
As mentioned earlier, Yorkies can be guarded against strangers and other dogs. Their ferocious background and big dog attitude can lead them to some tricky situations. These can be avoided with proper socialization from a young age. Getting a Yorkie accustomed to other dogs, animals, and people is a great way to ensure they feel comfortable in unfamiliar situations.
Taking Care of a Yorkie
In addition to training, a Yorkie will need to be regularly groomed and taken to routine vet appointments, just like any other breed. Yorkies are generally low maintenance as far as dogs go, but they do require a bit of upkeep.
Grooming
This toy breed is beloved for its long blue-gray coat that has the texture of human hair rather than dog fur. As with any dog breed with long hair, some grooming comes into play. To avoid tangles and mats, a Yorkie’s silky coat should be brushed daily. If you want a little less responsibility, it’s also a good idea to cut a Yorkie’s hair short. This will of course require more frequent grooming appointments for trims. Yorkies also need regular baths, nail trimming, teeth brushing, and ear cleaning to avoid any health issues.
Exercise
This breed of dog has a high energy level, especially a Yorkie puppy! One of the most important things a Yorkie owner can do is make sure their pup is getting regular exercise and mental stimulation. Be prepared to take your Yorkie on a few short walks per day, along with a few games of fetch or other mentally stimulating games that keep their brains active.
Yorkies are not well-suited to extreme temperatures, hot or cold, so plan outdoor exercise accordingly. Luckily, the Yorkie does not need much room to run around due to their small stature, so indoor exercise is very easy! Many Yorkie owners will have plenty of sweaters for their sensitive furry friends.
Health
The good thing about Yorkies is that they are relatively healthy dogs, but they can be prone to some health problems that many small dog breeds suffer from. Making sure you are aware of the possible conditions is a good choice for keeping your new best friend as healthy and happy as possible. You will find that a responsible breeder will perform screenings and provide a certificate of health that states they have not used unhealthy dogs in their breeding process.
Here is a list of common health conditions that Yorkies suffer from:
- Patellar Luxation
- Collapsing Trachea
- Low Blood Sugar
- Eye Problems
- Portosystemic Shunt
- Gum Disease
- Heart Disease
- Intervertebral Disc Disease
Dog Breeds That Get Along with a Yorkie
Now that we have covered the basics that all Yorkie owners should know, let’s get into the breeds that make a good match with the personality of a Yorkie. Because a Yorkshire Terrier can have big personalities, it is best to pair them with a more docile personality. Here’s our list of the best dog breeds that get along with Yorkies!
- Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are easily one of North America’s most popular dog breeds. This is in part because they are obedient, trustworthy, and loyal dogs. Just like Yorkies, Goldens can make great companions. These easy-going dogs can get along with just about anyone. It’s important to note that a Golden Retriever puppy may not be a good option to mix with a Yorkie, as their clunky and tenacious personalities and strong paws during their puppy years could end up hurting a Yorkie during playtime. A full-grown Golden Retriever is a great housemate for a Yorkshire Terrier!
- Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers, although big dogs are some of the kindest and most gentle creatures around. These gentle giants are famously friendly and known to get along with other pets, neighbors, young kids, and anyone else willing to come within a few yards of them. With this in mind, the Yorkie and the Lab can be best friends until the end. Both dogs are high energy, so they will have great fun running around in a backyard or going on walks together.
- Beagle
Beagles have a history of being enthusiastic rabbit hunters. While it’s no doubt that their little noses are great at tracking down the catch of a hunter, they are also great at tracking down kisses from their owners. These lovable, caring, and sweet dogs are known to be easy-going and friendly to all. Additionally, They were bred to hunt in packs, so they usually enjoy the company of another pup.
Beagles are not aggressive dogs, and will usually only show signs of aggression when they are in fear. This makes them the perfect pal for the Yorkie.
- Shih Tzu
This is the only toy dog on our list, The Shih Tzu! Bred solely to be companions, Shih Tzus are affectionate, happy, and outgoing! These pups love to make friends with anyone. They also have the same trainability level as a Yorkie, who excels in obedience games and dog sports. A Shih Tzu also looks similar to a Yorkie, with their long cascading coat.
Additionally, the Shih Tzu is a great match for a Yorkie due to their similar sizes. You won’t have to worry about your Yorkie getting accidentally hurt during playtime because neither of them is big enough to hurt one other!
- Bernese Mountain Dog
These strong dogs originally came from Switzerland, where they worked on farms driving cattle, pulling carts, and guarding fields. Today, you can probably find them lackadaisically roaming around a backyard or laying on the couch with their owner. These exceptionally sweet and domicile dogs are patient, calm, and affectionate. These traits make them great family pets who can get along with any other dog, cat, or animal in the home.
A Bernese Mountain Dog’s intelligence and eagerness to please make them easy to train. They are also the most likely to take it easy on the Yorkie during playtime, mostly because they are known to be lazy, low-energy dogs. Just like the Yorkie, they may bark at “intruders,” but their bark is much worse than their bite!
Summary
It is already stressful enough bringing a single dog into your home. But, when you decide to bring a second furry friend into the mix, things can get a little tricky making sure you pick the right dog. Whether you are a current Yorkie owner looking for a companion for your pup, or already have a dog and are considering getting a Yorkie, this is a big decision that should be researched – which means you’ve come to the right place!
As we know, each breed of dog has its personality. The Yorkshire Terrier originated in England and was bred to kill rats with ferocity. This killer attitude still comes out in their personality today. Yorkies can be domineering and feisty, but also affectionate. Because of their picky personalities, there are a limited amount of breeds that will be a good match for them as housemates. Additionally, Yorkies are not great with young children or other small animals in the home such as birds, squirrels, or rabbits.
The optimal pairing for another breed with a Yorkie is easy-going, domicile, sweet, and kind. This personality will balance out the Yorkie’s fieriness and create a perfect friendship. In our list of the best breeds that get along with Yorkies, we have included the Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Beagle, Shih Tzu, and Bernese Mountain Dog. Each of these breeds is relatively easy to get along with and has its specific reasons for pairing well with a Yorkshire Terrier. For example, you will find that Beagles enjoy company in the home because they were bred to be in packs!
We hope you enjoyed this guide to everything you need to know about Yorkies and which breeds get along with them!
Sources:
https://www.thesprucepets.com/yorkshire-terrier-dog-preed-profile-1118010
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