Fast Facts
written by Loreta Serafini
edited 09/19 by Web Chair C. Christensen
- Yorkies are a relatively young breed, about 140 years old with origins in Yorkshire, England.
- Yorkies were originally bred to be approximately 10 lbs in weight and were ratters (rat killers).
- Yorkies are distinct because of their unique blue and gold (adult) colour and because their coat is a lustrous silk.
- Yorkies of today weigh under 7 pounds and generally over 3 pounds.
- They are a long lived and hearty breed but are prone to a few serious disorders.
- A Yorkie’s coat does not shed; it continues to grow and is trimmed much like human hair.
- Many allergy sufferers claim that the Yorkie is hypo-allergenic.
- Yorkies frequently live to 15 years.
- Yorkies are one of the top toy breeds for popularity.