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Many toy breeds have grown immensely popular in recent years, and the Yorkshire Terrier is no exception. With humble beginnings as a rat catcher, the Yorkie — as the breed is affectionately known — is now recognized as one of the most charming dogs in existence.
Yorkies make lovely companions for many reasons. Their compact size lends itself to being carried around like royalty virtually anywhere! Additionally, people who love fussing over their pup’s appearance gravitate to the Yorkie dog’s gorgeous haircoat, which practically begs to be adorned with bows.
However, there’s more to this feisty breed than meets the eye. Read on to learn whether the Yorkshire Terrier is a good match for you!
Quick Yorkshire Terrier Facts
Name: Yorkshire Terrier, Yorkie (sometimes spelled “Yorky”), Yorkie Terrier
Origin: England
Size: approximately 7 pounds, 7 to 8 inches high at the shoulder
Lifespan: 13-16 years
Appearance: very small with long, blue-gray and tan hair
Temperament: love being around humans but can be independent when necessary
Compatibility: typically do better in homes without children
Intelligence: above-average intelligence
Exercise & Energy: mid-to-high energy levels
Grooming Needs: grown-out hair needs daily brushing, but shorter cuts need less maintenance
Training: known for being difficult to housetrain
Health: prone to neurological and blood vessel issues
Highlights: high maintenance, cuddly, feisty, brave, independent
Who Makes a Great Yorkshire Terrier Owner?
People who love cuddly canines: If you’re looking for a dog who loves to jump into your lap at every opportunity, the Yorkie is for you.
Someone in a small home: Short on space? A Yorkie doesn’t mind at all thanks to their astonishingly small size!
Families without kids: These pups thrive in homes with adults where they’re the only (fur) babies around.
Active people: Despite their tiny legs, Yorkies are known for having substantial energy levels, so be ready to spend lots of time playing with them.
A person in a single-family home: Yorkies tend to bark more than other breeds, so homes away from neighbors are ideal.
What Do Yorkshire Terriers Look Like?
A typical Yorkie has dark, button-like eyes and a black nose. One with show-worthy hair will look like a princess gliding across the showroom floor. Conversely, the average Yorkie that you run into in the neighborhood will likely have a shorter hairstyle that cuts down on grooming time. This breed is frequently bred with other small dogs to result in crossbreeds such as the Yorkiepoo (a Yorkie-Poodle mix) and the Chorkie (a Chihuahua-Yorkie mix). A Yorkie mix will inherit physical traits from both sides.
Just How Tiny Are Yorkshire Terriers?
Fully grown Yorkies rarely weigh more than seven or eight pounds. These pups aren’t built for roughhousing with humans as they can easily get injured. Standing around eight inches tall, they also don’t make appropriate playmates for large dog breeds. Instead, your Yorkie will be much safer running alongside another toy breed at the dog park.
What Kind of Coat Do Yorkshire Terriers Have?
Yorkies have interesting coats that look different depending on their age. Yorkie puppies are born with fluffy coats that stand in sharp contrast to the silky, smooth ones adult Yorkies feature. These puppy coats start off black and tan, gradually incorporating more tan and a bluish-gray color. When fully grown, adult Yorkies have hair that looks remarkably like a human’s, and it needs just as much upkeep!
Do Yorkshire Terriers Have Friendly Temperaments?
Yorkies are known for being quite playful, but they’re not always bouncing around cheerfully. While they’re usually friendly with people their owners welcome into their homes, they also have a protective side and will bark at strangers. Another thing to note is that a recent study ranked Yorkies’ intelligence as the 19th highest out of 90 dog breeds. This means they’re smarter than several dozen other canine breeds, so pet owners should be ready to begin a battle of wits!
What is a Yorkshire Terrier’s Personality Like?
Apartment dwellers, beware! This breed is known for its barking, so make sure to keep their minds occupied with puzzle treat toys and exercise. Dogs may bark excessively if they’re experiencing separation anxiety. Helping your dog develop independence, taking them out for frequent exercise, and talking to their vet about medication can help in these cases. Barking aside, Yorkies often love hanging out at their owner’s side and being part of the family.
Do Yorkshire Terriers Do Well with Kids?
Yorkies typically do better in homes without children. This is for several reasons, including the fact that many children have a hard time understanding that a Yorkie is an animal, not a toy. Their small size makes them a magnet for children who can accidentally step on their tiny paws. Some smaller dogs may feel intimidated by humans, including children, and may nip out of defensiveness.
How are Yorkshire Terriers with Other Pets?
Yorkies like to be the star of the pet show and, unfortunately, that means other pets are usually out of the question. While Yorkies sometimes tolerate felines, they have a habit of trying to instigate trouble with dogs much bigger than themselves. Not surprisingly, this can put the petite Yorkie in a dangerous position, so it’s best to bring them into homes where they can be king (or queen) of the castle.
How Do You Care for a Yorkshire Terrier?
One glance at a dashing Yorkie and you can probably tell these pint-sized pups are high maintenance! With long, silky locks and a primadonna appearance, Yorkies require a little more care than the average canine. Notably, their hair is one of the biggest concerns for pet parents, as that elegant beauty comes at a price.
Do Yorkshire Terriers Need Grooming?
If you decide to keep your Yorkie’s hair show-worthy (i.e., long and flowing), you’ll need to brush it daily and wash (and dry) it weekly. Unsurprisingly, many Yorkie parents opt for a short haircut to minimize grooming time. Shorter haircuts mean you can extend the time between baths and complete brush outs up to two or even three weeks. These dogs shed very minimally, which is good news for people who suffer from allergies!
Are Yorkshire Terriers Easy to Train?
Although their ancestors were previously trained to catch rats, teaching a Yorkie the ways of modern canine life can prove to be a little trickier. The Yorkshire Terrier is notoriously difficult to housetrain. To increase your dog’s chance of training success, start the process early. Even when they’re a puppy, teach them the correct place to do their business. It’s never too early to begin training, but remember that dogs won’t have full control over their bladders until they’re about a year old.
How Much Space Does a Yorkshire Terrier Need?
As you probably expect, Yorkies don’t need the sprawling backyard that Border Collies do. These tiny pups fare well in modestly sized homes, sometimes as small as a studio apartment. Don’t confuse needing less space with needing little exercise, though. These dogs still need to be encouraged to run around and get their exercise. It’s just much easier to do that in a smaller setting!
Do Yorkshire Terriers Need Special Food?
As tempting as it is to spoil an adorable little Yorkie with the tastiest treats you can find, don’t make the common mistake of overfeeding your pup. A toy breed like the Yorkshire Terrier needs minimal food compared to larger dogs. In fact, an adult Yorkie that weighs around 7 pounds only needs approximately two-thirds of a cup of food each day. A senior might need even less, depending on their caloric needs. Divide your Yorkie’s food into three meals a day to prevent hypoglycemia from occurring. This condition can affect small breeds, so it’s important to make sure your dog is eating regularly.
Are Yorkshire Terriers a Healthy Breed?
Hypoglycemia isn’t the only health problem that can affect Yorkies. While many Yorkies have minimal medical issues throughout their lives, it’s not uncommon for some Yorkies to develop a range of issues. It can be heartbreaking to think of your sweet puppy becoming ill, but you can find solace in knowing that when caught early, many conditions can be treated to alleviate symptoms.
What Health Conditions Affect Yorkshire Terriers?
Small dogs such as Yorkies are at a higher risk for periodontal disease. This condition is caused by bacteria that affects the gums and bones near the teeth but can be minimized with routine dental exams and frequent toothbrushing. Other problems Yorkies are susceptible to include:
Portosystemic Shunts
Yorkies are prone to this congenital issue which negatively affects blood vessels. When a dog has a portosystemic shunt, their blood may go around or through the liver without cleaning itself of toxins. Dogs with a shunt may experience seizures and poor weight gain. Vets sometimes recommend surgery, but non-surgical treatment may be an option.
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease (LCD)
This issue is also called “Legg-Perthes disease” or “aseptic necrosis of the femoral head.” Many small dogs are at risk of inheriting this disease which usually presents before they’re a year old. It affects their hips and eventually causes the femur to begin to die, causing pain and limping. To diagnose LCD, vets may order X-rays, but treatment sometimes involves surgery.
Hydrocephalus
A Yorkie may inherit this condition which refers to cerebrospinal fluid inside a dog’s skull. It can also be caused by trauma or infection. A Yorkie with hydrocephalus will begin to develop a larger-than-normal head not long after birth as fluid begins to build in the skull. The dog may then experience blindness or seizures. A dog with mild hydrocephalus symptoms might receive treatment with medication, but severe cases, sadly, require euthanasia.
Should You Get Pet Insurance for Your Yorkshire Terrier?
Investing in dog insurance is never a bad idea. Even a Yorkie puppy with the healthiest parents may develop any number of problems later in life. Yorkshire Terrier insurance can help alleviate financial issues related to vet bills. Embrace offers a range of pet insurance policies designed to protect your Yorkie from a variety of health issues. Their policies cover accidents, illnesses, and hereditary conditions, providing financial support when you need it most. Dog insurance is a convenient way to plan for those unexpected moments in life!
Adding a non-insurance wellness plan to your insurance can help you budget for routine care such as vaccinations, dental cleanings, annual check-ups, and even grooming costs! By combining pet insurance with a wellness plan, you can effectively manage your pet's healthcare costs and ensure that your Yorkie receives the best possible care throughout their life.
What is the History of the Yorkshire Terrier?
This regal-looking breed has an origin that isn’t quite so royal: they were initially bred to catch rats. Their petite frames were the perfect size to chase down rodents across a building’s floors and stairs, but Yorkie owners soon found the breed had a second calling as a companion.
Descended from a mix between the Airedale Terrier and Manchester Terrier, the Yorkshire Terrier wasn’t officially named until 1870, although it was sometimes referred to as a “Scotch Terrier” before then. A few years later, the first Yorkie was born in the United States, and their popularity continued to soar. Today, Yorkies are a favorite in and out of the dog show rings!
Where Can You Get a Yorkshire Terrier?
Yorkie puppies aren’t typically found in animal shelters as they’re sure to catch dog lovers’ eyes immediately, but it’s always worth checking! If you don’t find one in a shelter, check Yorkie rescues in your area for dogs that are being rehomed. You might need to travel to find one, but adoption fees are usually much lower than a breeder’s price tag.
If you have your heart set on a puppy, you’ll most likely need to visit a breeder. These cuties might be tiny in size, but they fetch staggeringly high prices. When you buy a Yorkshire Terrier from a respected breeder, it’s not unusual to pay anywhere from a couple of hundred dollars to a few thousand. Research breeders before supporting them, as puppy mills are a real and prevalent issue. Be wary of a breeder that doesn’t ask you many questions and seems more interested in getting your money than making sure their dog is going to a safe home.
Yorkshire Terrier Frequently Asked Questions
Are Yorkies hypoallergenic?
No dog is actually hypoallergenic, but dogs that shed minimally, as is the case with the Yorkie, tend to trigger allergy symptoms less frequently. Keep in mind that those so-called hypoallergenic coats will need lots of TLC throughout the week.
When do Yorkies stop growing?
Yorkies and other small breeds usually reach their adult height and weight at around six to eight months. If you have concerns about your pup’s size, reach out to their veterinarian to ensure they are getting adequate nutrition.
Are Yorkies good with kids?
Sadly, not usually. It may seem counterintuitive that a tiny Yorkie wouldn’t be best friends with a young child, but this match doesn’t usually bode well. Kids have a dangerous habit of treating small dogs like toys if they’re not being monitored closely. On the other hand, Yorkies like to prove to others that their attitudes are much bigger than their physical size, which can quickly spell disaster.
Do Yorkies bark a lot?
Yes, this breed is known for being excessive barkers on occasion. While many small breeds have a tendency to yap, unusually prolonged barking can be a sign of boredom. Make sure your dog has plenty of toys when you’re out of the house to keep their little minds active!
Are Yorkies easy to train?
These dogs take more time and energy to train than some other breeds, but that doesn’t mean they’re untrainable by any means. Housetraining will likely be your biggest challenge, so make sure you start training them as soon as you bring them home. Enlist the help of a professional trainer if you’re not seeing progress after a period of time.
When do Yorkies change colors?
Yorkie puppies are born with fluffy black and tan coats that change color over time. As your pup grows older, you’ll notice that fluffy coat begins to change into one with more tan in it. This process is usually completed by the time the dog is two or three years old.