Yorkshire Terriers are best known for their long hair, small size, and big enthusiasm. The Yorkie breed is becoming more and more popular, especially with families. According to the 2008 American Kennel Club registration statistics, Yorkshire Terriers, or “Yorkies” for short, are the second most popular dog in the U.S. behind Labrador Retrievers. Despite their popularity, there are several facts that many people, including many Yorkie owners, don’t know:
- Yorkie puppies sell for an average of $700 each, and a reputable Yorkie breeder with quality dogs can command prices much higher than that, even into the thousands of dollars. The reason? A quality female with a well-documented purebred line can more than pay for itself through breeding.
- While many popular larger dogs live only around 12 years, the average lifespan of a Yorkie can be up to 15 years. If you own a Yorkie you'll likely have the company of the smallest member of your family for a very long time.
- Yorkies make excellent therapy dogs. The people-friendly nature of Yorkies makes them well-suited for lifting patients' spirits in hospitals and institutions. During World War II there was a Yorkie named Smokey who was found abandoned on a battlefield. After she helped nurse her owner back to health in a military hospital, she found a new career doing the same for others, and continued to work as a therapy dog for 12 more years.
- Yorkies are said to make good pets for people with allergies. This is attributed to the type of hair Yorkies have; it sheds less, making them less likely to irritate allergies.
- Yorkies travel very well. This may seem obvious due to their small size, but in addition Yorkies are very loyal and enjoy being close to their owners. And, of course, their small size does allow them to be carried in small carriers that are easily held on your lap.
The endearing qualities of Yorkies bring their owners great joy, and will continue make them extremely popular dogs well into the future.
