As with all dog breeds, the Yorkshire Terrier has special characteristics which require some special needs in order to maintain good Yorkshire Terrier health. While the breed generally has an excellent disposition they are very spirited and can sometimes be very noisy so consider your neighbors before choosing to bring this dog breed home.

When it comes to caring for your Yorkshire Terrier you need to spend some time on grooming and bathing. Since Yorkie’s have long coats you will need to bathe them and trim their hair short in order to maintain convenience and hygiene. To keep the long hair free of tangles you want to brush their hair daily and bathe them when they are dirty, which is usually once a week. If you have a male then urine will collect on the side of the body and you will need to wash this area daily with a damp cloth and warm water. Use a small hair dryer and brush the dog dry in front if possible.
Good Yorkshire Terrier health also depends on you washing mucus from the corners of their eyes, even if this has to be done on a daily basis. You should use a cloth or wad of cotton that is soaked in warm water. If you do not remove this mucus it can rot your pet’s hair. After washing you need to dry them off carefully.

Equally important is keeping the hair around the anus clean. This hair will typically become matted with feces if it isn’t cleaned regularly. Regularly trimming the hair on the top third of the earflaps is also important. If the hair grows too long it will weight down the hair before their ears become firmly set which typically occurs around six months of age.

During the cold weather period you should get a little dog coat. There is no undercoat to keep the Yorkshire Terrier warm and using a store-bought coat can help to keep them warm and cozy.
To maintain Yorkshire Terrier health on the inside you should regularly check their ears for excessive wax and mites. Take them to the veterinarian periodically and have the hair plucked from the inside of their ears. You will also need to occasionally trim the hair on their feet.

You will also want to focus on their eyes and teeth. Make sure their long hair is kept out of their eyes. As a toy breed the Yorkie’s are prone to tartar buildup on their teeth so regular brushing is important. Your veterinarian can recommend the best dental products and methods for brushing.

Since Yorkie’s eat very little it is important that you invest in a nutritious food so that they can eat something healthy for them. Keep an eye on your dog when outside or around other visiting animals since they don’t have much tolerance for other dogs. Often the small breed is eager for a spirited argument. By taking good care of your Yorkie you can expect them to live a long healthy fifteen years or more.

Yorkshire Terrier care means you need to focus on the outside as well as the inside of your dog. Finding the best Yorkshire Terrier diet is also very important.

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