fbpx

KidsKonnect

Yorkshire Terrier Facts & Worksheets

A Yorkshire Terrier is a toy-sized breed of terrier dogs that originated in England.

Worksheets /Science /Animals /Yorkshire Terrier Facts & Worksheets

Last updated on

Premium
Yorkshire Terrier Worksheets
Not ready to purchase a subscription? Click to download the free sample version  Download sample

A Yorkshire Terrier is a toy-sized breed of terrier dogs that originated in England. Also known as a Yorkie, it is often considered one of the most popular dog breeds in America because it is hypoallergenic and house-trained. Despite having a compact body, Yorkies are intelligent, aggressive, alert, and independent.

See the fact file below for more information on the Yorkshire Terrier or alternatively, you can download our 24-page Yorkshire Terrier worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

Origins

  • Yorkies are named after the county in northern England where it came from.
  • During the Industrial Revolution in the mid-1800’s, migrants coming from Scotland travelled with small terrier dogs, known as Broken Haired Scotch Terriers, while searching for work in England.
  • Scottish workers in the coal mines, textile mills, and factories used Yorkshire Terriers as Ratters, dogs that catch rats, to minimize the amount of rats in their workplace.
  • They are also used in hunting small to mid-sized wild animals such as foxes and badgers.
  • Yorkshire Terrier is a breed of several types of terrier dogs.
  • These small dogs also became popular among royals and upper class societies because of its unique appearance.

Physical Features

  • Yorkshire Terriers standard weight is no more than seven pounds.
  • It stands about 8 inches tall at the shoulder.
  • Miniature yorkies weigh under 3 pounds.
  • Its coat is high maintenance as it should always be silky, straight, and smooth. Show dogs have a floor-length coat that is parted in the middle of the back.
  • Yorkies are born black with tan and blueish saddles. Their fur then changes gradually after they turn a year old.
  • Yorkies’ coat become lighter with age.
  • The coat of female yorkies gets lighter in the heat because of hormonal changes.
  • Hair shedding is very minimal to unlikely because it does not have an undercoat like most other dogs.
  • The hair of Yorkies is very similar to humans, making it a hypoallergenic dog.

Personality

  • This breed of terrier is intelligent and can be trained easily making it an ideal companion dog.
  • Yorkshire Terriers are also excellent watchdogs because of excessive barking.
  • Yorkies are naturally confident, adventurous, energetic, and cuddly.
  • They are unassertive around other dogs and prefer to be with humans as they need affection and comfort.
  • Yorkies love to dig because they used to dig burrows to chase rats. But with proper training, it can be prevented.

Health

  • Yorkshire Terriers are extremely sensitive to cold temperatures.
  • They are also prone to respiratory infections.
  • They have a fragile digestive system that can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
  • It is important to keep them well exercised because they are naturally active.
  • Undersized yorkies are sensitive to anesthesia.
  • Yorkies usually live for 13 to 20 years.
  • Undersized yorkies are more prone to injuries thus, have a shorter life span.

Pharyngeal Gag Reflex

  • Pharyngeal gag reflex, also known as reverse sneezing, is commonly associated with Yorkshire Terriers.
  • It is a condition where instead of sneezing, Yorkies make a snorting sound.
  • It happens when air is inhaled through their noses like a reverse sneeze.
  • It is harmless and will usually last for a couple of seconds.

Yorkie Tail Docking

  • Yorkie tail docking started during the Roman Empire. Docking or removal of a part of puppies’ tail is done in order to prevent injuries among working dogs.
  • Yorkshire Terriers, in the 19th century, were considered a working dog because it was used for hunting rats and other wild animals in burrows and woodlands.
  • Shorter tails are desirable so that dogs can easily be pulled out of the burrow.
  • As per American Kennel Club or AKC standard, Yorkies should have medium-length tail in order to be declared show dogs.
  • Although widely accepted in America and other countries, many consider tail docking of a Yorkshire as illegal and have complete banned the practice.

Huddersfield Ben

  • Huddersfield Ben is referred to as the ‘father of the breed’ and the ‘father of modern yorkies’.
  • He became famous as a popular stud dog because he won a total number of 74 prizes in dog shows.
  • He was a champion stud dog because of his obedience and remarkable poise.
  • He won numerous rat-baiting competitions.
  • He was run over by a carriage and died in 1871.
  • His body was preserved and displayed in England.
  • It is believed that every Yorkshire terrier to date descends from him and his ten sons and one daughter.

Smoky

  • Smoky is a Yorkshire Terrier who was the most famous and legendary female war dog who served in World War II.
  • The heroic toy dog only weighed 4 pounds and stood 7 inches tall.
  • She was a lost, abandoned dog and was eventually bought by Bill Wynne from a US army soldier for $6.
  • She was the world’s first therapy dog that comforted wounded soldiers during the war.
  • Smoky was sent into a very narrow pipe to establish telephone wires beneath an airstrip heavily targeted by the Japanese.
  • Smoky’s story has been told in more than 50 books and TV shows.
  • The “dog of all wars” has 6 memorials in the US and 3 in Australia.
yorkshire-terrier-facts
Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkshire Terrier Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about Yorkshire Terrier across 24 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Yorkshire Terrier worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about a Yorkshire Terrier which is a toy-sized breed of terrier dogs that originated in England. Also known as a Yorkie, it is often considered one of the most popular dog breeds in America because it is hypoallergenic and house-trained. Despite having a compact body, Yorkies are intelligent, aggressive, alert, and independent.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • Yorkshire Terrier Facts
  • Color The Yorkie
  • Physique or Personality
  • Yorkie Or Not
  • Dog of All Trades
  • A Yorkie’s Prescription
  • Identify It!
  • Assessing Knowledge
  • Smoky the Yorkie
  • Describe Me!
  • Yorkie Acrostics

Link/cite this page

If you reference any of the content on this page on your own website, please use the code below to cite this page as the original source.

Link will appear as Yorkshire Terrier Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, March 4, 2019

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

Related Resources