How to care for the Yorkshire Terrier?

It seems hard to find a sweeter dog than the Yorkshire Terrier. For this they are loved: cute, funny, obedient doggies. But the appearance of York, making it look like a toy, does not negate the fact that it is a dog. And she needs not only care and care, but also appropriate education.

Yorkie puppies are fragile creatures. When a baby grows up, he rarely weighs more than 3 kg. Yorkshire terriers live an average of 13 years. These are friendly dogs that make good friends with both people and animals. That is why even jealous cats often show indulgence to Yorkies. The common expression "puppy friendliness" fits perfectly with Yorks.

Delicate pet care is a must. Due to their size, they are prone to various injuries. In addition, they do not tolerate loneliness, and separation from the owner is painful for them. The bones of mini-Yorks are fragile, as are the joints, so if a dog lives in an apartment with small children, the first thing you should remember is caution. Jumping and falling are dangerous for babies: an open balcony and stairs are a direct threat.

For the puppy you will have to purchase the following items:

• a small aviary - this will be his personal, cozy place in the home;
• a couch;
• carrying bag;
• collar with a leash;
• bowls (2 pcs.);
• heavy, ceramic feeders and drinking bowls;
• latex toys made from cores - balls and various tweeters;
• special cosmetics for bathing;
• terry towel;
• metal combs with a durable handle and quickened rounded teeth, as well as massage brushes;
• elastic papillots;
• scissors for cutting hair on the ears and between the fingers;
• nail file;
• clothes;
• accessories for "hairstyle".

But she can’t live on the street, because the breed is decorative-room: the dog has no undercoat, she can’t physically live outside the house, she just freezes. Moreover, both girls and boys of this breed are “great sissies”. So, they need to be walked in special overalls if the weather is cool.

The pride of York is a long and beautiful coat, which must be carefully looked after. First of all, it needs to be combed with special combs. Almost all the owners make model haircuts for pets and not at home, but in the salon. But the daily care of the Yorkshire Terrier's coat is carried out at home: comb, do not let it get dirty, gather in mats.

The main rules of care are as follows:

• every morning pin hair on the face of the animal to form a bang of top notes; in the evening, gum is removed, and at night they braid the pigtail for the convenience of the baby;
• the groomer makes the first haircut, perhaps then the owner himself will learn to cut the baby, but for the first time bring the dog to a specialist; up to 7–8 months, Yorkies do not need a model haircut, only hygienic, and a model haircut should be updated every 2-3 months, but if the dog is a participant in exhibitions, it can be more often;
• to bathe the baby correctly in the bath and be sure to use a good shampoo and conditioner (to buy - at the pet store); you can sometimes make masks for wool, after which the wool becomes silky and soft;
• the baby has to file the claws once a month, sometimes they are trimmed with special tweezers;
• the ears also need constant care - they should be cleaned weekly;
• the teeth of York are brushed and pasted: these dogs can suffer from tartar, so cleaning is required;
• watch the eyes of yorks - there can be no purulent discharge in them.

The process of york training can be called fascinating and creative. Wrong are those owners who believe that dogs of such decorative breeds do not need to be raised. Every dog ​​should be trained and educated. You should pay attention to the following basic rules of education:

• the dog must trust you - for this, always keep your promises, be consistent, do not change requirements, pay attention to the dog every day;
• classes with the baby should be systematic;
• punish and encourage the baby in a timely manner - any deferred business does not make sense;
• start with simple commands and skills;
• consider the baby’s temperament, do not “break” it.

Physical punishment for and abuse of York is unacceptable. Bans should be strict but calm. He feels the owner’s indignation only by his strict intonation - any hysterical action on the part of the owner only spoils the relationship between him and the dog. Very often the owners make the so-called pedagogical mistakes. They try to contain in one session everything that they want to see from the dog. She simply does not understand what you want from her, she is lost, what only angers the owner. But one lesson is one skill, practice it calmly, without haste.

The basis of education should be gameplay.This is not a service breed, but decorative, so do not require highly intellectual skills from it. At the same time, do not allow permissiveness: any innocent tricks that at first may touch, after that will develop into real disobedience and hooliganism. Do not let even the baby puppy do a pet dirty trick. If a child is accustomed from childhood that the owner does not show persistence, it will be impossible to retrain him in adulthood.

Arriving home, you can see how a puppy tore shoes during your absence. Many owners are surprised, but decide that they will have an "educational conversation" after, and now they need to do household chores. But a delayed conversation is devoid of any educational meaning. You need to immediately make it clear that you are resentful and indicate what causes this anger.

As already mentioned, Yorkies are very clean. They are easy to accustom to the tray, so dogs do not need walking as a means to solve their delicate issues. But walks are required. Babies also need fresh air, like all living things. They need to frolic on the grass, so try every walk at least briefly to lower the baby from his arms. When you have vaccinated a doggie, wait 1.5–2 weeks from the moment of vaccination, and then you can go for a walk.

The first walks for the puppy should not be tiring. They are educational: it is important for the baby to get comfortable in an unfamiliar environment. At first he may be a little scared, but then begins to show curiosity - cheer him up, the approval of the owner is important to him. Exercise at a steady pace, leisurely walks - that's what suits Yorks. Try to walk in quiet places, in not very noisy areas, such a baby is easy to scare. Since the dog has no thick undercoat, he needs special clothes for walking. Shoes can be put on the paws so that the delicate paw pads are not injured.

In severe frost, try not to walk the York: it will freeze. It is recommended to adhere to the regimen - this is important for raising a dog. The kid is convenient in that its size allows you to take a doggie even on long trips. Need a carry bag and a leash with a collar, the rest is all secondary.

If you take care of the health of a York, he will live in your family for 14 years, or even 15-16 years. Even a minor issue should not be ignored. Not only due to illness, but also prophylactically, you need to take the dog to the veterinarian. The most common diseases of York include the following:

• dislocation of the patella;
• liver disease
• inflammatory process in the pancreas;
• low sugar
• problems with gums and teeth;
• high sensitivity to medicines.

High physical exertion is also dangerous for dogs - it will be risky for the cardiovascular system of babies. Bones and joints are a sore spot in Yorks. Very often, their diseases are associated with animal genetic pathologies. When purchasing a dog, you should check with the breeders what the baby’s parents suffered. And if the breeder says that the puppy’s parents were never sick, it’s better to leave right away. This simply cannot be: and if the seller is lying about this, dishonesty may also apply to other characteristics of the puppy.

It is worth considering the diseases of bones and joints that Yorkies are prone to.

• Ataxia. This is a hereditary ailment that leads to muscle weakness. Any muscle group is at risk. To date, there is no effective treatment for this disease.
• Aseptic necrosis. The disease affects the hip joint, more often the disease develops up to a year. When the legs are extended, the baby may begin to limp, it experiences pain. In this case, only the operation will help.
• Osteoarthritis. So called degenerative deformation of cartilage.The joint is worn out faster than it has time to update. Pain, lameness and destruction of joints - this is what it is fraught with.

In addition to diseases and joints, babies can suffer from dental ailments. This can be blamed on the specific composition of dogs' saliva: plaque and tartar are formed very quickly in representatives of this breed. If you do not brush your dog’s teeth, then by the age of 5 it may lose most of its teeth.

Very often, veterinarians call york "patients with stuffy ears." They are really afraid of drafts. The pain will make the dog restless, and you should always pay attention to it. As well as Yorkshire terriers can suffer due to lacrimation, which is due to disruption of the lacrimal glands. Alas, a cataract is also a danger to York, which can lead to blindness, complete or partial.

Yorkies are not uncommonly affected by digestive upsets, namely:

• if the dog has vomiting and diarrhea, call the veterinarian - he will tell you in which case the dog should be taken to the doctor, and when the owner himself is able to help the dog;
• do not confuse vomiting and strong belching - the latter is often characteristic of puppies with excellent appetite, who often eat more than they need;
• short-term vomiting can also indicate overeating, motion sickness, but she sometimes says that the dog swallowed something inedible;
• Almost all digestive disorders in York can be solved in one way - a therapeutic diet.

Follow the health of a York from the first day he is at home. A healthy puppy is strong, well-fed, cheerful, mobile, it has a shiny coat and lively eyes. If he is curious, ready to play pranks, frisky, then everything is in order with him. Yorkshire Terrier will become your faithful friend. You should not expect from him those skills that can demonstrate a larger dog. But the decorative breed does not mean that he is too fragile and inept. Yorkies are adaptive, they socialize very well, and in training they are able to prove themselves as ideal students.

If you are only deciding on the choice of a puppy, give preference to someone who is more active and outwardly healthy. Even with tiny sizes, he must have a strong physique. A baby at 1.5–2 months is active, mobile, wants to play. A healthy puppy should have a shiny coat. Introduce the baby to the family gradually, and teach young children in advance so that they understand the full responsibility for the living creature.

On caring for the yokshire terrier, see below.