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Written by PetCoach Editorial

About Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkshire terriers are a proud, loyal breed in a small package. These feisty little dogs are full of energy and affectionate companions. Yorkshire Terriers enjoy the outdoors and chasing squirrels. They also make excellent companions for less active owners, as they enjoy lots of lap time and attention.

 

Origin: Yorkshire, England   Other Names: Yorkie

Toy Group

The diminutive size and winsome expressions of Toy dogs illustrate the main function of this Group: to embody sheer delight.

Don't let their tiny stature fool you, since many Toys are tough as nails! If you haven't yet experienced the barking of an angry Chihuahua, for example, well, just wait. Toy dogs will always be popular with city dwellers and people without much living space. They make ideal apartment dogs and terrific lap warmers on nippy nights.

General appearance

According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), the key features of the breed include long hair with a “blue” (shiny gray) and tan coat that is parted on the face. The hair should hang long and evenly around the body. Yorkies carry themselves with pride and confidence. In the show ring any white in the coat other than a small patch on the chest is a disqualification. Color variations include black and gold, black and tan, blue and gold, and blue and tan.

 

The coat is glossy, silky, and finely-textured. You will often see Yorkies with the infamous “top knot”, which secures the longer hanging hairs on the head and keeps them out of the eyes and mouth. Regular grooming and proper nutrition is critical to maintaining a glossy, healthy coat.

Size & Weight

Yorkshire Terriers are quite inconsistent in size. However, most stand around 8-9 inches at the shoulder and weigh 4-6 pounds.

Full Grown
Female 8 in. / 5 lbs.
Male 8 in. / 5 lbs.

Height is measured up to the shoulders.

Female Size Chart
Height Figure
Male Size Chart
6 ft. 4 ft. 2 ft.

Cost of Owning

The average cost of owning a Yorkie is $870 per year
$250
Vet Care
$220
Grooming & Boarding
$100
Others
$300
Food & Treats

Characteristics

Size

Yorkies grow to be 8-9 inches at the shoulder, weighing about 6 pounds, typically. Their size can differ greatly from the average, even within the same litter. You will sometimes advertisement see “tea cup Yorkies” – it’s best to choosing avoid these tiny dogs, since they may have significant genetic issues that are responsible for growth restriction.

Tiny
Jumbo

Living space

Yorkies come in a small package, but they do like some space to run around. Because they’re so small, they do very well in spaces that wouldn’t accommodate a bigger dog. Their compact size makes them easy to travel with.

City apartment
Ranch

Exercise

Yorkies enjoy a good run around the apartment or yard, and they have a high energy level. Daily walking is a must, especially to avoid behavioral problems throughout the day. Since these dogs were bred to be rat-catchers, they love a good chase.

Couch potato
Bring it on!

Personality

Yorkies have lots of bravado; at times they may seem to have no concept of their relative size. They have no qualms facing off with a much bigger dog. The breed is known to be yappy and full of energy, but proper training techniques will minimize these characteristics. While they make excellent watchdogs and possess deep loyalty to their families, Yorkies need a lot of direction from their owners to learn boundaries for their behavior. They enjoy the company of other dogs/pets, but don’t be surprised if you find them away from the dog park group. They like to explore and do their own thing, too.

Antisocial
Outgoing

Behavior with kids

Yorkies are loyal and friendly to people they know, but they have difficulty making new friends at times. Given their fragile body and small frame, very small children might pose an injury risk to this breed during rough play or squeezing. Some breeders refuse to sell to families with children under five for this reason. With good socialization practice early in life, Yorkies integrate into families without issues. Just make sure to watch them around new people and kids.

Always monitor
Babysitter

Protection

Yorkies are fierce guardians of their home and family, despite their diminutive size. They make good watchdogs, since they will quickly bark at strange noises and creatures in their area. With the proper training, this little dog is great home alarm system.

None
Bodyguard

Training

These dogs are notorious for difficulty in housetraining, so it’s important to work hard to enforce this skill when your Yorkie is a puppy. Yorkies can play well with other dogs and cats, but they sometimes display protective behavior towards strangers (dogs and people). Yorkies can be “yappy” and bark at strange noises often. These dogs are highly intelligent and loyal.

Headstrong
Obedient

Barking

These dogs are famous for their proud, sharp barking. Even a well-trained Yorkie will often yip or yap when something hits their radar screen, such as squirrels and mail carriers. Yorkie owners should work on training to maintain good relations with their neighbors.

Mute
Loud

Shedding

One great benefit of owning a Yorkie is the lack of shedding. This breed has hair similar to humans, so it doesn’t make for a big mess. Many people who have allergies do well with Yorkies, since they don’t lose much hair routinely.

Minimal
Abundant

Climate

Yorkies prefer warmer climates. They don’t much like the cold or trudging through the winter snow, but they are hearty and resilient if properly dressed for the elements. Booties and a coat are a must for any northern Yorkie enthusiasts.

Warm
Cold

Temperament & Behavior

Yorkies are brave, proud, and adventurous. Early socialization with other dogs, children, and other pets is crucial to develop good manners in the breed. There’s a reason these dogs are one of the most popular breeds in America – they make great pets and offer a lot of personality in a small package. Yorkies love a good chase around the yard – squirrels beware!

Barking: Understanding your dog

Yorkies have a high, sharp bark, and they’re not afraid to use it when they’re confronted with strangers or unknown noises. They are stalwart guard-dogs with a keen ear for intruders, benign or not. Yorkies need a lot of attention and exercise, and they can be high-strung without the proper care. This sometimes comes out in overly-aggressive barking and enthusiasm when protecting the home.

 

Yorkie companions should make sure to give their pets a lot of love, affection, and exercise to minimize the breed’s affinity for anxiety. Crate training is a good idea early in the dog’s life, since it helps with housetraining as well as with behavioral problems later in life. Yorkies (like most terriers) need a strong pack leader or they will look to fill the role themselves. Yorkie owners often have a hard time when it comes to laying down the law on such a cute, dainty animal, but don’t be fooled. These dogs need structure and discipline from their owners, so make sure you lay down firm boundaries and expectations from the start. Yorkies are intelligent and social animals, and they respond to training and behavioral cues well.

Training

Yorkies are highly intelligent and learn quickly, but they are also very curious and adventurous when it comes to their environment. With lots of training guides and obedience classes available, Yorkie enthusiasts have many chances to get their dog’s behavior in line with expectations. Some Yorkies even excel at the high intensity sport of agility, since they have abundant energy and intelligence when working with their human trainers.

Habits and Exercise

Yorkies need daily exercise, whether it’s running around the house, long walks, or chasing squirrels in the yard. They like a good walk, but make sure to practice proper heeling technique. Yorkies need structure and discipline from their owners.

 

Yorkies need mental stimulation, too. Bred to work in the mills of England chasing down rats, they need games and frequent play to stay happy and healthy.

 

Make sure your Yorkie has lots of indoor stimulation if you plan to keep it cooped up most of the time. These dogs are adventurous and will get into whatever they can find, including garbage, toys, and food. Be sure to puppy-proof your home before bringing a new Yorkie into it. Move electrical cords off the floor, secure small garbage cans (especially bathroom cans) inside cabinets, and provide appropriate chewing toys to ensure that your new Yorkie doesn’t decide to chew the furniture. It’s also good to consider crate training, since crates provide a safe, secure space for them and keep them out of trouble when you’re not around.

Energy Level

Frisky, energetic breed that is always ready for action

Energy Level

Nutrition

Like many small breeds, Yorkies often have a higher-than-average rate of dental disease. Because of this, they often do well on a special dental diet, designed to scrape tartar from the surface of the tooth. Other dietary health considerations include their propensity towards the serious gastrointestinal diseases pancreatitis and lymphangectasia. Both involve a decreased ability to process dietary fats. Even though Yorkies can be picky eaters, it’s important to avoid feeding foods prepared for the human palate, since they are often high in fat. Routine blood work can help to identify potentially serious conditions early, when they are more responsive to dietary changes.

 

Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in the form of a good quality veterinary fish oil product may improve the coat quality, and may also improve the symptoms of skin allergies.

Daily Consumption

Yorkshire Terriers eat ½ to ¾ cup of dry food per day

Daily Consumption

Preventive care

Make sure your Yorkshire Terrier gets routine veterinary care, including yearly wellness exams when its younger than 7 and twice-yearly exams for seniors. Make sure you brush your Yorkie’s teeth at least 3 times per week, since their small mouths seem to make then prone to tartar build up and gingivitis, and failure to perform good preventive dental care will result in tooth root abscesses and loss of teeth.

Inherited health issues

It’s important for any prospective Yorkie owner to understand the diseases and conditions to which the breed is predisposed. For many of these diseases we understand the specific mechanism of inheritance that causes it to be passed from parent to offspring. For others, we simply acknowledge that Yorkies are frequently affected, but we don’t understand why. When searching for a Yorkie puppy or adult, be sure to discuss genetic testing for common Yorkie problems with the breeder you select.

 

Common conditions in Yorkshire Terriers include: patellar luxation, entropion, portosystemic shunts, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease and hydrocephalus.

Life Span

The typical life expectancy of a Yorkie is 12 to 15 years.

Life Span

Did you know?

  • Weavers brought the breed to America – they needed help with the rats! The long, luxurious Yorkie coat probably reminded them of their own products.
  • They were originally known at Scotch Terriers, bred in Scotland. Once breeders perfected the Yorkie in Yorkshire, the name changed in 1870 to reflect the success of the local breeding program.
  • Smoky was a famous Yorkie found in a foxhole by an American soldier in the Pacific Theatre of WWII. After the war, Smoky toured hospitals and even made it to Hollywood!
  • Some Yorkies can grow their hair to over two feet long! Like humans, their hair keeps growing until it falls out or breaks.
  • Yorkies were one of the first breeds registered by the American Kennel Club in 1885! Other “old-timer” breeds formally recognized in the same year were the Basset Hound, Beagle, Pug, and Scottie.

Coat and Grooming

Regular grooming is something that Yorkies need – from the coat to the nails and everything in between. Much like human hair, the Yorkie coat needs regular bathing and brushing with periodic trimming.

 

Keeping the face visible and the hair clean is easier with the iconic “top-knot” tied with a bright ribbon. When brushing your Yorkie, dampening the hair beforehand means less breakage and better results. Yorkie coats need shampooing and conditioning at once per month, and more if the dog is active outside. Trimming is important to do on a monthly basis to keep the coat from dragging the ground and the dog looking great. Pay special attention to the feet and ears – style demands a neat trim here.

 

Nail trimming is similar to other breeds – just make sure to avoid cutting into the quick. On Yorkies, this is a real challenge since their nails are black, and the quick cannot be visualized as it can with white nails. Take your dog to a professional if you’re not comfortable doing it yourself.

Coat length

Long

Coat length

Grooming

Regular

Grooming

Shedding

Yorkies hardly shed at all. Since the breed has hair (not “fur”), these dogs are easier on people with allergies. It should be noted that no dog is 100% hypoallergenic, but a Yorkie is a good fit for a family with dander allergies or air-quality sensitivities.

History

This breed came about in Yorkshire, England, where it was an important weapon against an evil enemy lurking in the darkness – rats. Whether in the coal mines or the mills, rats posed serious health risks to workers and families in the area. Yorkies are the perfect package for hunting rats – quick, smart, small, and fearless. Various other terrier breeds such as Skye, Waterside, Scotch, and Welsh came together to make the Yorkshire Terrier.

 

The breed came to North America in the late 1800s and was registered with the American Kennel Club in 1885. It was a popular breed in the Victorian period in England, and many socialites found the dog to be the perfect addition to their high-minded style.