Activities For A Yorwich

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Activities For A Yorwich

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Introduction

No, the Yorwich is not a sandwich. It’s a pup that is a cross between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Norwich Terrier. This combination results in a shaggy, feisty ball of fur. The Norwich Terriers have a long and storied history as one of the oldest dog breeds on record. Originally bred as fox hunters, they ran foxes out of their dens for their masters.

Yorkies, on the other paw, had more humble beginnings as rat hunters in mills. Yorkies quickly caught the eye of English royalty, who elevated the small dogs to the noble status that they still enjoy today.

The combination of the two breeds results in a dog that is both affectionate and playful. The typical Yorwich has low energy and only needs about 30 minutes of exercise per day. They like to play in short bursts and then spend the rest of the time curled up snoozing in the closest lap they can find.

Shopping

Popular

0 Votes

Any Day

Moderate

Easy

1 hr

Items needed

Harness

Leash

Activity description

Shopping with your purse-sized pup is a great way to work on Fido’s socialization skills. Your pup should, at the very least, be comfortable around humans and not get snippy. You can shop in any weather and, depending on what you buy, this activity can be cheap or very expensive.

Given that you will be carrying your pup around most of the time, this activity can continue for longer than the 30 minutes of the other activities. But be sure to pay attention to your dog’s stress and hydration levels. Bring bottled water and a collapsible dish. Only take your dog into stores that are pet-friendly, even if you think no one will notice a dog in your purse.

Step

Find pet-friendly stores

If you plan to shop in an indoor shopping mall, find out their pet policy. If it’s an outdoor mall or street storefront, you can ask at each shop if they allow dogs. If they say no, then move on to the next. Don’t try to sneak your dog in. It could be embarrassing if you’re caught, and these types of sneaky actions give pet owners a bad name.

Step

Buy something for Fido

Depending on what type of store you are shopping in with Fido, look around for dog items that your pup might like. Or make a pit stop at the nearest pet store. Why should you have all the fun? You end your shopping spree at your local coffee shop and ask for a "puppucino". Some of the bigger chains have drinks created specifically for dogs.

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Swimming

Popular

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Sunny Day

Cheap

Easy

30 min

Items needed

Life vest

Ball

Towel

Leash

Activity description

You probably won’t find a swimming pool that allows dogs (though some have "dog days" at the end of summer), so you will either need your own pool or a nearby body of water. If your pup has never been swimming before, don’t just throw them into the water and hope for the best. That could traumatize your dog and break their trust in you!

It may help your dog if you get in the water with them. Swimming in your own pool or at a local dog-friendly park keeps this activity cheap and easy. Don’t let Fido swim for more than a half-hour because those little legs will tire easily.

Step

Get a doggy life vest

Before you can even take Fido into the water, you need to get them used to wearing a life vest. Regardless of how good of a swimmer you or your dog are, your pup needs to wear a life vest. Yes, dogs are skilled swimmers with greater endurance for swimming than humans, but they can still panic. In the case of small dogs, cold water can affect them more quickly than large dogs.

Step

Introduce your pup to water

Your dog might swim like a fish or they might hate the water entirely and refuse to go in. So what do you do, throw your dog in? No -- you either accept that your dog doesn’t like water and find another activity or you work with your dog, using toys or treats, to basically bribe them into the water. To make your dog like the water, you have to make swimming a positive experience for them.

Step

Water fetch

If your dog takes to water like a mermaid, you can up the ante by adding in a ball or other toy. Pet stores have toys that are made specifically for the water. If you’re on the lake, you can throw the ball from the dock or the shore and cheer Fido on when they jump in the water and retrieve it -- but be ready to get drenched when your pup shakes it off.

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Morning Walk

Popular

0 Votes

Sunny Day

Free

Easy

30 min

Items needed

Harness

Leash

Treats

Activity description

If you’re looking for a less strenuous exercise for an older Yorwich, a brisk morning walk is a great option. It gives your pup some much-needed fresh air and gives you some bonding time. The best part is walking is free! Morning walks are especially beneficial in hotter seasons or climates. You don’t have to worry as much about Fido getting heat stroke from overexertion.

You need a safe area to walk your pup if you don’t want to go to a park, or if you don’t have any local dog-friendly parks. However, if your dog is a car chaser, walking near roadways is a bad idea.

Step

Plan a route

If you are walking in your neighborhood, be sure to plan a general route. You should know how safe the area is and if there are any unfriendly dogs to avoid. If it’s a park, be sure dogs are allowed, either on or off the leash. Obey the laws for pedestrians and keep an eye on Fido at all times.

Step

Use a harness

Collars are problematic for small dogs. A tug of the leash could cause your dog’s trachea to collapse -- a very expensive and painful medical problem. Harnesses are safer for smaller breeds. Make sure the harness fits properly so that your dog doesn’t escape and isn't in discomfort the entire time.

Step

Let Fido's nose lead the way

The first step was having a plan, but it was meant in a general idea of where you are going. Once you’ve chosen a destination and route, let Fido’s nose guide the way. They will be sniffing every flower and marking every tree. Letting them sniff out a route is their version of sniffing out foxes or rats like their ancestors did. Relax, go with the flow, and take this time to stop and smell the roses (but not literally, like your pup probably will).

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More Fun Ideas...

Puzzle Toys

Puzzle toys are a perfect way to work your Yorwich’s brain. Harking back to their hunting days, the interactive toys will use your pup’s natural instincts to find the treats you’ve hidden in the toy. Be careful not to use this activity every day or your dog will pack on the pounds.

Doggy Spa Day

If your Yorwich’s fur is getting a bit unruly, schedule a beauty day at your local dog salon. After they bathe your pup, they will trim the hair and nails. Your pup may leave the salon with some pretty pink bows or a paisley handkerchief. Either way, they will likely prance around proudly and show off a little afterwards!

Conclusion

Yorwiches are delightful little dogs that will light up any room they prance into. Their minute size means they only need a half-hour of activity per day to keep them at their ideal weight. Swimming, morning walks and shopping are easy ways to keep your pup healthy and happy. The dogs are hypoallergenic but still need to be groomed regularly because their fur grows so quickly.

To keep them mentally occupied, try puzzle games. You’ll be surprised by their intelligence. The puzzle games will also let them use their inherited problem-solving skills that made their ancestors cherished hunters. But the Yorkshire Terrier part of them might turn them into a bit of a diva. That's okay -- they were, after all, the dogs of royalty!