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Yorkshire Terrier Facts & Worksheets

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

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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 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

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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.

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