We all know Yorkshire Terriers are small dogs with big personalities, but they may not get along with every other dog breed. Some dogs could be too playful, dominant, or aggressive for your toy breed, so you’ll want to choose a breed of dog that will be best friends with you and your Yorkie. Below, we share breeds that can bond with your family and get along with Yorkies, to make your family whole.
About Yorkshire Terrier Breeds
Despite their small size, these dogs are feisty, curious, and have high energy; they love their owner more than anything and can become truly attached to all family members. However, when left alone for long periods of time, they can also suffer from separation anxiety. This is why many pet parents think about getting a second dog that can give the company their Yorkie needs.
Origin of the Yorkshire Terrier
Named after the area in northern England where the dogs were originally bred, the Yorkshire Terrier is a breed that stems from many other kinds of Terrier. During the mid-1800s, the country was the leader in the Industrial Revolution; as a result, various mill workers and miners from Scotland made their way to England to make a living. Many of these immigrants brought their small dogs with them, which were known as Broken-Haired Scotch Terriers.
Unfortunately, breeders didn’t keep records during this time, so no one knows for sure about the exact breeds that were that resulted in the popular breed it is today. But based on the appearance of this breed, experts believe that several parent breeds are responsible for their ancestral line:
- Paisley Terriers
- Clydesdale Terriers
- Skye Terriers
Yorkshire Terrier Personality
These tiny dogs are known to be feisty, confident, inquisitive, alert, brave, boisterous, energetic, bossy, and adventurous, but are especially loved because they’re so sweet. They require lots of attention and crave physical contact with their owners, so be sure that you’re ready to give them your time. However, this toy dog won’t do well when left alone for too long and will prefer to follow you around your home and curl up as much as possible on your lap.
Among its other personality traits is a high prey drive, so be sure to provide them with early socialization to keep them from hunting and chasing small animals. As such, take extra care when introducing them to other pets such as birds, rats, and rabbits in case their instincts kick in. These loyal dogs are very protective of their family will be suspicious of strangers and will tend to be aggressive with other dogs.
They will also bark at loud noises and intruders which is why they’re good watch dogs, but they can also be yappy and may cause problems around the neighborhood.
Yorkshire Terrier Training
These intelligent dogs are surprisingly easy to train, which is why they’re among the most popular dog breeds in the United States. They are always eager to please and can learn new commands quite quickly, but can be hard to house-train. Yorkshire Terriers can also be stubborn at times if they’re left to do as they please so it’s important to set clear boundaries and give them consistent training.
Because of their small stature, owners will often let them get away with things they shouldn’t, which gives these dogs the impression that they’re the boss of their home. When this happens, they can become difficult to deal with, so be sure to train them with a firm yet friendly attitude to correct bad habits. It’s important to socialize your Terrier by exposing them to different animals, and new people, sights, experiences, and sounds.
Doing this with your dogs will help them grow into great family pets that are also well-rounded.
Yorkshire Terrier Grooming
There’s good news for allergy sufferers who wish to care for these popular dogs; they shed little to no hair which makes them hypoallergenic. Those that are kept as pets will have long coats that need to be trimmed by groomers once every few months and should be brushed once a week. Show dogs, on the other hand, will come with silky coats that are just like human hair which will need daily brushing and regular professional grooming.
Yorkshire Terries will only need a bath when necessary and should be dried properly once finished. You’ll also need to clean their ears and eyes regularly to prevent an infection from occurring and don’t forget to brush their teeth daily, while their hair and nails should be trimmed routinely. Check for potential signs of infection such as inflammation, tenderness, or redness, and be sure to report anything unusual to your vet, whom you should visit at least once every year.
Yorkshire Terrier Health Issues
Because they’re so tiny, Yorkshire Terriers are prone to a few health conditions such as eye problems, bronchitis, poor digestion, obesity, hip and joint issues, bone fractures, and tooth decay. They can also suffer from paralysis around their hindquarters as a result of herniated disks or other spinal problems. Dams will also encounter problems in delivering puppies, causing the need for a cesarean birth.
Knocks and falls will often lead to fractures on their fragile bones, while abnormal skulls in Yorkies can measure no bigger than 20 cm. These dogs will also tend to keep their puppy teeth, so check their teeth once they reach 5 months old. If you see that their adult teeth are starting to come in but their baby teeth are still in place, take it to your veterinarian.
This dog will tend to gain weight, be picky eaters, and have a delicate digestive system so be sure to give it small meals throughout the day rather than one big meal each day.
Breeds the Get Along with Yorkies
Now that you know everything you need to know about your Yorkie, it’s time to pick out a new dog that will complete your family.
Shih Tzu
If you want another small dog breed to keep your Yorkie company, then a Shih Tzu is a good choice. Because they both come in at a similar size they’re less likely to hurt each other when playing and they also have the same needs, making it easier to provide for these two dogs. This breed is happy and friendly by nature, so they’ll get along well with small children and other dogs, making them great for families.
While Shih Tzus come with similar requirements as Yorkies in terms of exercise, they have a lower energy level. These dogs will be content snoozing on your lap most of the time. If you’re looking for a small puppy to add to the family, the Shih Tzu could be the right choice for your Yorkie.
Golden Retrievers
These playful, energetic, and friendly dogs can bond well with young children and other pets, making them great family dogs. While they are much larger dogs compared to your Yorkie, they’re super gentle and do well around smaller dogs. But there may be times when they become too rambunctious and could accidentally hurt your small pup; as such, it’s better to get an older dog that’s calmer.
Originally bred as working dogs, Golden Retrievers are highly intelligent and will respond very well to training, so you can teach them how they should behave around your small Yorkie. However, unlike your smaller dog, this bigger pooch comes with a double coat that will shed quite a bit; surprisingly, they won’t need as much brushing though.
Great Danes
Taking after their name, these great dogs are gentle giants that are highly affectionate and friendly, which will help them get along with your other pets. Despite being so big, they’re careful around kids and dogs smaller than them, which is so precious! While mixing dogs of different sizes may not seem like a good match, they can actually get along wonderfully and it will also be hilarious to see their antics.
Just keep in mind that because Great Danes are much larger compared to your Yorkie, there will be a risk of accidents happening. Getting a senior dog and training it well should help to reduce the risk. Moreover, caring for a giant breed can be a big responsibility, so make sure that it’s the right choice for you.
Skye Terrier
This breed is known to be wary of strangers but is highly affectionate and loyal to its family. Don’t let its shyness discourage or confuse you; its first impressions are nothing like what it really is once it connects with you on a deeper level. The Skye Terrier is confident in its own abilities and will tend to have a self-centered temperament.
Much like all other terriers, they are independent and stubborn, so they tend to do their own thing. It also has a big personality; while they can get along fine with other pets when given early socialization, they will prefer living in homes where they’re the star. Its stubbornness means that it’s not for everyone, but for the right person and Yorkie, they can be a terrific companion dog.
Jack Russell Terrier
If you like the energy and personality that a Terrier can bring into your home, then consider getting a Jack Russell Terrier. Just like your Yorkie, this breed is energetic and loves to roam around; they’ll thrive with active owners and families that can help them spend their energy. They come in a bit bigger than Yorkies, at around 9 to 15 pounds, while the Yorkie comes in at 7 pounds.
There may be cases when two Terriers may clash due to their similar needs and personalities. But they can also become the best dog companions as long as your Jack Russell is well-trained and properly socialized. Because Terriers can be protective of their territory, be sure to introduce them gradually to each other so they can get to know each other well.
Miniature Schnauzer
While it has a rather serious expression, the Miniature Schnauzer is among the most adorable dog breeds out there and also has a sharp look. They were bred to become farm dogs; under their small stature lies a sturdy, loyal, and friendly dog. These dogs are always happy to please and will excel with proper training.
They’re a little bigger than your Yorkie but not too much, so their small size will make them great companions for your little one. They will both love playtime, exercising, and spending time with their favorite humans. Just remember that these dogs have a high prey drive, so be sure to keep them on a leash when you go out for a short walk.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
If you absolutely love small breeds, you may want to look into the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel as your Yorkie’s potential companion. Both breeds will have similar needs in terms of exercise and grooming, so be sure to take these high-energy dogs out for daily exercise. Because they’re so loving, affectionate, and easily trainable, it can be a great idea to pair them with other dogs.
These small Spaniels are eager to please their owners which makes them highly adaptable to any kind of living and will fit in with most types of people. This small dog is known for its friendliness with older children, animals, and dogs, making it a great partner for your Yorkie.
German Shepherd
If you’re looking for a big, muscular dog that can serve as an all-purpose pup around your home, look no further than the German Shepherd. Highly intelligent, confident, loyal, steady, and courageous, this dog can be a great place to start giving your Yorkie mental stimulation if you don’t have much time. This agile dog will happily learn various commands for any tasks you want to be carried out and is willing to put its life on the line to defend their loved ones.
These big dogs can serve as loyal guardians and gentle family pets, but according to the breed standard, they can also be aloof and won’t easily make friends with strangers.
Yorkie Mixes
If you love small Yorkies but are looking for something different from what you have, then selective breeding will allow you to pick out the perfect Terrier for you. A Yorkie mix could be a great way for you to get the most out of two dog breeds. There are virtually endless hybrids made out of Terriers for you to choose from.
Yorkies are commonly crossed with Poodle, Cocker Spaniel, Papillion, Pug, Chihuahua, Maltese, Bichon Frise, as well as a Golden Retriever. Just keep in mind that you’ll need to know about the exact personality and physical traits you want to get out of the mix. However, there’s no guarantee that you’ll get the dog you want exactly the way you want it.
Conclusion
No matter what kind of dog you choose, the most important thing to do is to do a lot of research before committing to a new dog. Be sure to find out about potential health problems and provide positive reinforcement to help it adjust to a multiple-pet household. Should you choose a Yorkie mix, it’s vital that you look for a responsible breeder who can ensure that their breeding practices are ethical.
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