When people decide to settle a dog in their apartment, they, as a rule, already roughly imagine its future size, appetite and appearance. Of course, the majority decided on the breed.
However, those who have decided to acquire a not-so-large room dog often have a very difficult question: to get an ordinary animal or its dwarf variety? For example, the Yorkshire Terrier. Small and ordinary representatives of the breed have no special external differences, with the exception of size. But the differences are striking when the dogs are nearby.
What's the Difference?
Although the animals in the photographs look almost the same, there are still differences between them. The main thing that distinguishes ordinary dogs from their miniature counterparts is weight. From 1.8 to 3.2 kilograms, an ordinary Yorkshire terrier weighs. The small four-legged representative of York does not gain more than a couple of kilograms. “Supermini” are not at all heavier than 1.3 kg.
Of course, the growth of the animal does not reach those sizes that are characteristic of ordinary York. Such a Yorkshire Terrier is small in the literal sense of the word. The animal rarely grows to 25 cm. This figure is the limit for mini-Yorks. If a dog outgrows this line, then it is no longer a “mini” one.
When did they appear?
Yorkies were bred in the 18th century in the UK. Animals were not "ladies'" or indoor, decorative. Yorks were bred with rational and specific goals, namely, for hunting rats.
This means that the house is not just a small dog. Yorkshire Terrier - working breed. They are courageous, intelligent, easily trained and endowed with a powerful natural instinct, expressed in catching everything that is smaller than them.
Initially, these terriers were kept exclusively for trapping rodents, and not only in houses and farms, but also in the buildings of enterprises, workshops, warehouses and even on docks. Animals, as a rule, did not live alone. Several dogs were brought up at once, which made it possible to solve the problems with rats as efficiently as possible. In addition, the dimensions and appetites of Yorks were not very significant, in comparison with many other animals, that allowed this to be done.
As pets, decorative indoor dogs, Yorks began to start in the middle of the XIX century. Then they began to divide the animals into ordinary, small and supermini.
How to care for a mini-york?
All small dog breeds need special care. The Yorkshire Terrier is no exception, although it does not differ in particular whimsicality. An animal by nature has excellent health and caring for it comes down to only the following actions:
- proper and regular feeding;
- combing and haircut;
- conducting daily hygiene procedures.
As for such a moment as walking, mini-Yorks do not need it in order to empty the intestines. Animals without any difficulties learn to relieve the need for a place designated for this, and in a way that is convenient for the owners. That is, York quickly accustoms to both the tray and the diaper.
For this reason, many owners believe that it is not necessary to take the pet out onto the street. This is a fundamentally wrong position. Like any dogs, these animals need walks. Even the smallest Yorkshire terrier wants to run, jump, play with a wand, sniff and enjoy the walk in any other way. Exercise is necessary to maintain the physical form of the animal, its muscle tone and psychological health.
How to feed a mini-york?
Small dogs of the Yorkshire Terrier breed should be fed in the same way as other animals, which have more impressive sizes. That is, in feeding it is important to adhere to the following:
- regularity of food;
- balanced and complete diet;
- strict dosage of food;
- keeping dishes clean;
- providing access to fresh drinking water.
All these points are extremely important in the organization of animal nutrition. If you do not follow them, the health of the pet will suffer, as well as its external attractiveness. This will affect the comfort of the owners. For example, a pet that does not eat daily according to the usual schedule at the same hours, and the need to cope will become chaotic. That is, you have to be ready at any time of the day or night to change the contents of the tray or to change the diaper.
Why is it important to follow the feeding schedule?
It is important for York to eat at the same hours. The smaller the animal, the smaller the volume of its stomach. Accordingly, the feeling of hunger arises faster, because the dog eats very little at a time.
If the pet receives food at the same hour, then by the agreed time it only feels an increase in appetite. But in the event that food is given arbitrarily, without a clear schedule, the dog feels hunger. The animal does not know when it can eat the next time, and begins to hysterically absorb food “in reserve”. And this leads to obesity and other diseases. As a rule, the nervous system is primarily affected.
Therefore, if the Yorkshire Terrier lives in the house, small or supermini, it is extremely important to feed him at the same time every day, regardless of whether it is a weekend or a weekday.
What does it mean - a balanced diet?
The phrase "balanced diet" often causes caution in non-experienced, novice dog breeders. In fact, this expression only sounds mysterious, and its essence is no different from the principles of healthy human nutrition.
In the diet of York, all types of nutrients needed by the animal's body should be presented. As a rule, their ratio is as follows:
- animal and vegetable proteins - 60%;
- cereals and dairy products - 20%;
- vegetables - 20%.
As for dairy products, many small dog breeds do not tolerate lactose. Therefore, you should pay attention to how the pet feels after eating a bowl of cottage cheese or another dairy product.
Of course, when preparing cereals for a dog, sugar or salt should not be added to them. These flavors will not bring any benefit to the animal, but oil should not be forgotten.
Those owners who feed animals with ready-made mixes are in a better position on the issue of balance than those who prefer to cook food for the dog. Ready foods contain all the vitamins and minerals your pet needs.
What not to eat mini-york
In the event that the animal eats not with the finished mixture, but with ordinary products, you need to remember that you should not give your pet:
- raw meat, poultry, eggs, seafood or fish;
- leftover dishes from the human table;
- sharp bones, especially avian and fish;
- not particularly fresh food.
Quite often, beginner breeders are puzzled by the ban on raw meat and other products. Indeed, the animal’s stomach is not built in the same way as the human stomach, and the raw food in it is absorbed faster and better. But the risk of infection with intestinal parasites is too great, so it is not recommended to feed mini-york with raw meat products. To poison worms and not cause harm to health due to the small weight of the animal is quite difficult. Of course, if a dog gnaws a raw carrot, it must be washed and cleaned. It is also important to clean the food if the dog has not eaten it. And so that this does not happen, you need to reduce portions or walk with your pet more often.
What hygiene procedures do mini yorks need
Photos of little Yorkshire terriers invariably cause a storm of enthusiasm and admiration, regardless of whether people of dogs looking at them love dogs or not. These emotions are caused by a perky clever look, shining hair and other external advantages of miniature Yorks. However, behind all the attractive features of these mischievous babies is the daily painstaking care of the owners.
Mini Yorks need daily cleaning:
Of course, one should not forget about dog hair. You need to comb your pet every day, but to cut - as necessary.
What makes little Yorkies sick?
Without exception, all terriers have excellent health, of course, mini-york too. But it is these dogs that are frequent visitors to veterinary clinics. Paradoxically, the health problems that require the services of a veterinarian arise in these dogs mainly because of the laziness of their owners.
Yorkies are prone to diseases:
In other words, common health problems among mini-Yorks are caused by pet owners neglecting daily pet grooming procedures.
Whom to have - a boy or a girl?
Perhaps this is the most burning issue for every person who decides to get a pet. It is especially relevant for those who plan to bring a small decorative dog to the house. In the perception of most people, such animals spend time in the master's bed, on sofas, in armchairs.
Of course, in this regard, the issue of maintaining cleanliness in the home becomes relevant. The little girl of the Yorkshire Terrier will not always be a puppy, she will grow up and periodically begin to experience a period of estrus. Accordingly, you need to be prepared for this and to train your darling in advance in advance. Of course, with York York boys, such difficulties do not arise.
However, the Yorkshire Terrier boy is a small, but very agile and loving dog. This means that you should be careful while walking and do not let the animal off the leash where there is a great chance to encounter a flowing dog. Yorkies, despite their small size, run extremely fast, and it is almost impossible to catch a pet who sniffs something specific.
There are differences in character. Girls are calmer, easier to endure loneliness and less boys like to walk. They are more attentive and, according to breeders, easier to learn, that is, they are more intelligible.
Boys are more mobile. They love active games, are happy to keep company with children and are always ready for physical activity. As for nutrition, the boys eat more. But this is not due to gender, but to physical and energy costs.
How to call a girl mini-york
As soon as future owners determine the sex of the dog, the question of the name becomes relevant. Of course, everyone wants a pet to have a sonorous, beautiful and unusual name.
Not the best option is the fashionable nicknames of dogs of girls of small breeds. The Yorkshire Terrier is a dog that you can take with you to cafes or shops, which many do. Accordingly, there is a great chance that in a public place there will be a dog with the same nickname.
Good options for a name are:
- And I;
- Lasya;
- Getty;
- Daphne
- I'm buzzing;
- Eve;
- Nikki
- Paulette;
- Kira.
Of course, the name should suit the animal, reflect its habits, character and well understood by the dog itself.
How to name a boy mini-york
Typical nicknames for dogs of small breeds of dogs are not always suitable for miniature Yorks. The Yorkshire Terrier, although small in size, was nevertheless bred as a working dog. Toddlers of York are fearless and quite capable of standing up for themselves. They also have the inherent instinct of a tireless hunter. This must be considered when considering options for a name.
Miniature Yorks are well suited for such names:
- Ike;
- Woof;
- Wii;
- Reese
- Zeus;
- Sema;
- Poof.
When choosing a name, one should not forget that the pet should like it in the first place.
How small should such a dog be?
Mini-Yorks do not grow more than 25 centimeters at the withers. But supermini already have a different growth standard. 18 cm is the height limit for miniature Yorkies.
Many people believe that the smaller the animal, the more valuable it will be for breeding and will earn the highest marks at exhibitions. This is not true. Moreover, excessively small sizes and weight are an obstacle to breeding, especially for girls. A dog simply cannot bear puppies and give birth. Also, animals that are too small in size die quickly enough.
The smallest Yorkshire Terrier was born in the UK in the middle of the last century. It was a girl, and she was born in 1943. The dog was named Sylvia. Her height was 6 centimeters and 34 mm. This baby weighed only 113.4 grams. The miniature animal lived only a couple of years.