The Dangers of Feeding Bones to a Yorkshire Terrier
If you’ve ever seen the skeleton of a Yorkshire Terrier, you’ve probably wondered if bones are safe for your pet. You may have seen bones on the coffee table or your friend’s dinner plate, or perhaps you’ve heard about someone else’s misguided decision to feed bones to their dog. Here’s a look at what you can expect when feeding a bone to your Yorkshire Terrier.
Trachea
The trachea in Yorkshire Terriers is comprised of rings of cartilage that provide strength and flexibility. When this structure is weak or weakened, the trachea can collapse, causing coughing and difficulty breathing. A collapsed trachea can be treated with medication, but severe cases require surgery. To prevent collapse, be sure to observe your dog regularly for signs of discomfort. If the trachea is narrow, it may be time to seek veterinary attention.
Injuries
Injuries to Yorkies can range from falling and choking on small objects to poisoning and being attacked by larger dogs. This is why ongoing supervision and surveillance are so essential for your dog’s health and safety. Even if you have a perfectly healthy Yorkie, you’ll still need to take extra steps to protect it. Make sure your dog’s yard is secure and that there are no gates or stairs on your property that are not locked.
Coat Colors
Yorkshire terriers can be seen in all different colors. Some have a black saddle and others have a blue saddle. The black saddle is the standard color, while blue and liver Yorkshire Terriers have little blue saddles. That’s because chocolate and liver Yorkies have a color-modifying gene. This makes them look like they’re bred to be different from other breeds. There are also different types of Yorkshire terriers. The standard Yorkshire Terrier is black with tan points.
Smallest Breed
Yorkies are considered to be one of the smallest breeds in the world. They are usually smaller than other breeds, standing just seven inches tall and weighing about two to seven pounds. This makes them excellent for working outside in the cold and even catching mice and rats. They have small, compact bodies with a level back. This is not a breed for very old people. Nonetheless, Yorkshire terriers are quite robust, so if you’re thinking about adopting a Yorkie, you might want to think about the benefits of this breed.
Internal Injury
Sadly, while your Yorkie may seem adorable, it can suffer a lot of damage if the bone comes through the throat. To avoid further suffering, feed them with low-salt broth over a few days. This broth can also be drizzled over bread or rice. You’ll be able to see whether your Yorkie is recovering from its internal injury. If your Yorkie isn’t eating anything, it should be taken to a vet.
The Skull
The skull of a Yorkie is relatively moderate in size and proportionate to the rest of the dog’s body. It is broad and flat across the top, tapering toward the tip. The lower and upper jaws should have good bone substance. The ears are small and V-shaped and should never be overly large. It’s best to keep an eye on the height of the head and chin to determine if the dog is male or female.
Personalities
Yorkies have large personalities. They are best suited for older children and are very sociable with other pets. Because of this, they’re best kept as lapdogs or companion animals. They should weigh about seven pounds. But remember that they’re much bigger than they look today. You’ll never know what kind of Yorkie will turn out to be the next time you visit your local kennel.
The Yorkshire Terrier’s tail is traditionally docked when it’s young. But Hugh Dalziel wrote against tail docking in 1878. The AKC and Canadian Kennel Club still require that Yorkies have their tail docked. But the majority of the world adopted a “no docking/no cropping” rule. Nevertheless, their dewclaws are removed during their first few days of life.
Meet Rose Camilla, an expert in the Terrier dog breed and an active writer and publisher. Camilla has been working with Terriers for over 12 years and her passion for them has only grown stronger with time. She has dedicated her life to understanding, training, and writing about Terriers.
