Yorkshire Terrier
Overview
What Is a Yorkshire Terrier?
The Yorkshire Terrier was developed in 19th-century Yorkshire, England, as a working ratter in textile mills and mines. The breed was created by crossing several terrier types to produce a small, agile, tenacious dog capable of hunting rats in confined spaces. The transformation from working ratter to fashionable companion happened relatively quickly — by the late 1800s, Yorkies had become status symbols among the wealthy, and the breed standard was refined toward the smaller, silkier dogs seen today.
What did not get refined away was the terrier personality. Yorkies are bold, curious, territorial, and persistent. They have the prey drive and independent thinking of a working terrier. They will chase squirrels, investigate every corner, and hold their ground with much larger dogs. They are not meek, gentle lap dogs — they are terriers who weigh 4–7 lbs.
One critical note before anything else: Yorkies must be walked on a harness, never a collar. Tracheal collapse is a serious risk in this breed, and leash pressure on the neck can cause or accelerate it. This is the first piece of equipment to buy before a Yorkie comes home.
Physical
What Yorkshire Terriers Look Like
Small and compact, weighing up to 7 lbs (typically 4–7 lbs) with a height of 7–8 inches. The defining feature is the coat — a fine, straight, silky texture that more closely resembles human hair than typical dog fur. The adult show coat is steel blue on the body and rich tan on the head, chest, and legs. The texture means Yorkies are low-shedding — making them one of the more allergy-friendly toy breeds — but the coat requires significant maintenance in either of its two common configurations.
Most owners choose either a long show coat (requiring daily brushing) or a shorter puppy cut (requiring professional grooming every 6–8 weeks). The puppy cut is more practical for most households but still requires consistent professional maintenance to prevent matting. There is no low-maintenance Yorkie coat option.
Personality
Temperament
Bold, feisty, and self-confident far beyond what their size implies. Yorkies are terriers in every meaningful sense — curious, persistent, and quick to investigate anything that moves or makes a sound. They are not timid dogs. They will alert to strangers, challenge larger dogs, and pursue anything that triggers their prey drive.
With family, Yorkies are affectionate and devoted. They typically bond closely to one person while being friendly with the rest of the household. They enjoy being involved and present — they are not dogs content to be left to their own devices for long periods. Separation anxiety is a real concern in this breed.
Training is moderate-to-challenging — not because Yorkies lack intelligence (they are quite clever) but because they have terrier independence and stubbornness. Positive reinforcement with high-value treats works well. Harsh corrections produce shutdown or escalation, not compliance. Expect to be patient and consistent. The terrier tenacity that makes them difficult to train also makes them entertaining once they decide to engage.
A Realistic Take
What I'd Tell a Friend Thinking About a Yorkie
If you want a small, low-shedding dog with genuine personality and a long lifespan, a well-bred Yorkie is an excellent choice. If you want a calm, easy-to-manage lap dog, you are looking at the wrong breed. The terrier in a Yorkie is not a surface quality — it is the fundamental nature of the dog.
Dental disease is the health issue I would emphasize most strongly. Yorkies have small jaws with crowded teeth that accumulate tartar rapidly. Without daily tooth brushing and regular professional cleanings, most Yorkies lose multiple teeth in middle age — which is painful, affects eating, and can lead to systemic infection affecting heart and kidneys. Daily brushing is genuinely non-optional for this breed.
Ask your breeder specifically about portosystemic shunts. Liver shunts are present in Yorkie lines and can cause serious problems in puppies — stunted growth, neurological symptoms, and digestive issues. Reputable breeders will have had their breeding dogs' liver values tested. This is not a common condition, but it is breed-relevant and worth asking about directly.
Daily Life
Care Requirements
Exercise
Moderate needs — 30–45 minutes of daily activity. Yorkies are more active than their size suggests and need genuine daily exercise to manage energy and prevent boredom-related behavior. All walks on a harness. Indoor play and puzzle toys supplement well on days when outdoor exercise is limited.
Grooming
One of the highest-maintenance coats in the toy group. Long coat requires daily brushing with a pin brush and fine-tooth comb; missing sessions leads to tangles that become mats quickly. The puppy cut reduces brushing to a few times per week but requires professional grooming every 6–8 weeks. Either way, grooming is a significant time and cost commitment. See the Yorkie grooming guide.
Dental Care
Daily tooth brushing with enzymatic dog toothpaste. Professional dental cleanings every 1–2 years under anesthesia. This is the most important preventive health routine for a Yorkie. Small-breed dental disease is serious, progressive, and preventable with consistent care from puppyhood.
Wellness
Health & Common Conditions
Yorkies are long-lived (13–16 years) with generally good health, but several breed-specific conditions deserve serious attention.
| Condition | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Tracheal Collapse | Weakened tracheal cartilage rings leading to airway collapse under pressure. The classic symptom is a harsh, honking cough. Use a harness — never a collar. Managed medically; surgical options exist for severe cases. |
| Hypoglycemia (puppies) | Blood sugar drops can be life-threatening in very small toy puppies. Feed every 3–4 hours minimum; do not skip meals in the first 3–4 months. Signs: lethargy, weakness, disorientation, seizures. Emergency response: rub Karo syrup on gums, get to vet immediately. |
| Dental Disease | Severe periodontal disease is nearly universal in adult Yorkies without daily dental care. Crowded small teeth accumulate tartar rapidly. Leads to tooth loss, pain, and systemic infection. Prevented by daily brushing from puppyhood and regular professional cleanings. |
| Portosystemic Shunts (Liver Shunts) | Abnormal blood vessel bypasses the liver, allowing toxins to enter the bloodstream. Congenital form affects puppies — signs include poor growth, neurological symptoms, and digestive issues. Surgical correction is possible. Ask breeders for liver panel testing on breeding dogs. |
| Patellar Luxation | Kneecap slipping out of position — common in small breeds. Ranges from occasional gait skipping to chronic lameness. OFA certification available. |
| Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease | Degeneration of the femoral head causing hip pain and lameness, typically in young dogs (6–12 months). Surgical correction (femoral head and neck excision) usually results in good outcomes in small breeds. |
Ask breeders for: OFA patella, liver panel values on breeding dogs, and honest discussion of any shunt history in the lines.
Budget
Cost of Ownership
| Expense | First Year | Annual (ongoing) |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy (reputable breeder) | $1,200–$2,500 | — |
| Food (small breed) | $150–$300 | $150–$300 |
| Vet (routine + puppy series) | $400–$700 | $300–$500 |
| Professional grooming (6–8 wk cycle) | $500–$900 | $500–$900 |
| Pet insurance | $300–$600 | $300–$600 |
| Dental cleanings | $200–$500 | $200–$500 |
| Setup (harness, crate, supplies) | $150–$300 | — |
| Estimated Total | $2,900–$5,800 | $1,450–$2,800 |
Fit Assessment
Is a Yorkshire Terrier Right for You?
| Great fit if you... | Not the best fit if you... |
|---|---|
| Owners who want a small, low-shedding dog with a genuine, bold personality | You can't commit 15-30 minutes daily to brushing or budget $80-150/month for professional grooming — Yorkshire Terrier coats matt fast without consistent care |
| Apartment or city dwellers — adaptable to small spaces with adequate daily exercise | You have close neighbors or thin apartment walls — Yorkshire Terriers are vocal by breed standard and a single barking complaint can violate many city or HOA noise ordinances |
| People who appreciate the terrier personality: curious, feisty, confident | Owners wanting a calm, gentle lap dog (Yorkies are terriers, not lap dogs by temperament) |
| Owners committed to daily dental care and consistent grooming | Households with very young children — the small size makes them injury-prone |
| Households with older children or adults | Anyone not prepared for the grooming and dental care commitment |
Next Steps
Finding Your Yorkshire Terrier
Buying from a Breeder
$1,200–$2,500 from reputable breeders. The Yorkshire Terrier Club of America maintains a breeder referral. Ask specifically about liver shunt testing in breeding lines — this is not a universal screening but responsible breeders in Yorkie lines test for it. Avoid breeders advertising "teacup" Yorkies — dogs below the breed standard weight have more health problems, not fewer.
Rescue
Yorkie rescues are active and well-organized. Many adults are surrendered for grooming-related reasons or by owners who underestimated the terrier personality. Adult rescues are past hypoglycemia risk and have established temperaments.
Before your Yorkie comes home, complete the Yorkshire Terrier puppy checklist — harness, hypoglycemia protocol, and dental care supplies are the non-negotiables for day one.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Yorkshire Terriers hypoallergenic?
More accurately: they are low-shedding. The silky Yorkie coat does not shed the way double-coated breeds do, which reduces the amount of dander-carrying hair distributed through a home. Many people with dog allergies tolerate Yorkies better than heavier-shedding breeds. However, no dog is truly hypoallergenic — all dogs produce dander to some degree. If allergies are a concern, spend time with a Yorkie before committing.
How long do Yorkshire Terriers live?
13–16 years is a realistic lifespan for a well-cared-for Yorkie. They are one of the longer-lived toy breeds. The longevity dividend comes with the requirement of managing the health conditions associated with the breed — particularly dental disease and tracheal health — throughout that long life.
What is the difference between a puppy cut and a show coat for Yorkies?
The show coat is the long, floor-length steel blue and tan coat seen in competition — it requires daily brushing, weekly baths, and meticulous maintenance. The puppy cut (also called a "teddy bear cut") is shorter, easier to maintain at home, and requires professional trimming every 6–8 weeks. Most pet owners choose the puppy cut for practical reasons. Both coats are the same underlying hair type — the maintenance difference is significant.
Can Yorkies be left alone during the day?
For moderate periods, yes — though they are more social than truly independent dogs. Yorkies can develop separation anxiety if left alone for very long periods. Building a gradual alone-time routine, providing puzzle toys, and establishing a consistent schedule helps. Long days of isolation daily is not ideal for this breed.
Explore More
Similar Breeds
- Silky Terrier — Close cousin, slightly larger, similar coat type and terrier personality
- Maltese — Similar size and silky coat, gentler personality, less terrier energy
- Pomeranian — Similar size and long-lived, spitz versus terrier personality
- Biewer Terrier — Bred from Yorkies, tricolor coat, similar personality
