Yorkshire Terrier overview
Yorkshire Terriers, also lovingly known as Yorkies, are a small but spirited breed. Yorkies make friendly companions since they are affectionate with playful energy. Given their size, they are well-suited for living in both apartments and larger homes, and great for first-time owners as well as families with children and other pets, as long as they’ve been properly socialised.
Yorkies have unique appearances with their luxurious coats, but they will need grooming everyday. They also need physical exercise with short walks rather than strenuous ones. Playing with your Yorkshire Terrier will help nurture your bond. Their intelligence will need nurturing, too, so make sure to provide plenty of mental stimulation. There are some health considerations you’ll need to know across your Yorkshire Terrier’s life span, which is on average 13.5 years, and we discuss this later.
What makes Yorkshire Terriers unique?
A Yorkshire Terrier’s grooming and hygiene needs
A Yorkshire Terrier’s behaviour and training needs
A Yorkshire Terrier’s mental and physical stimulation
Do Yorkshire Terriers bark a lot?
A Yorkshire Terrier’s nutritional requirements
Do Yorkshire Terriers make good family pets?
Yorkshire Terrier breeding and finding a responsible breeder
Thinking about adopting a Yorkshire Terrier? Check your local shelter first
Bringing a dog home can be an exciting time for the family. While you may be looking for a specific breed, it can be deeply rewarding to adopt a dog from a local shelter instead, as there are many in desperate need of a loving home. You could still find a Yorkshire Terrier too!
Not only can you change their life, but you can also relieve shelters so they can take in other animals in need. Dog shelters can provide health screenings and behavioural assessments for their dogs, as well as making sure they are vaccinated and healthy.
There are also many advantages to adopting dogs of mixed breeds, and there may be some with traits similar to the Yorkshire Terrier’s temperament. Since mixed breeds have a diverse range of genes, they often have fewer hereditary issues that can arise in pedigree dogs. You’ll also find that their personalities are unique.
If you’re looking for a canine companion, visit our adoption page and learn how you can rescue a dog.
Yorkshire Terrier characteristics: What makes them unique?
Yorkshire Terriers have many unique characteristics and traits that set this breed apart from others. They’re a small but hearty breed, since their big personality and confident attitude bring a contagious and joyous energy to others around them. Yorkies form strong bonds with their owners since they are highly affectionate, which also means they are loyal and protective in nature.
Originating from Yorkshire, England, in the 19th century, hence the name, Yorkshire Terriers were initially bred to catch rodents in clothing and textile mills. Now, however, they are popular lap dogs, although they still maintain their intelligence. While they can be a bit stubborn, they’re very responsive to proper training and can quickly learn desired behaviours.
Yorkshire Terriers also have a distinctive coat, and while the standard is fine and silky, there are some variations. Some Yorkies may have a thick, woolly coat while others may have a coarse, wiry coat, depending on their specific genetics. Puppies will have soft, fluffy coats to begin with, which will then change around 6-12 months of age.
Yorkies can vary in size, as you can see below:
- Standard Yorkies are between 2-3.2 kg (4-7 lbs).
- Larger Yorkies may be a bit larger than 3.2kg (7 lbs).
- Teacup Yorkies can be between 1.4-1.8kg (3-4 lbs), since they are bred to be smaller. But this type is not a recognised or recommended breed due to unethical breeding practices and increased health risks.
There are also some similar breeds or that Yorkshire Terriers are sometimes mixed with, such as:
- Chihuahuas - often mixed with Yorkies, creating ‘Chorkie’.
- Pomeranian - similar to the Yorkshire Terrier in temperament.
- Shih Tzu - often mixed with Yorkies for another friendly breed.
- Maltese - similar to the Yorkshire Terrier in personality.
A Yorkshire Terrier’s grooming and hygiene needs
A standard Yorkshire Terrier will have a long and silky coat, similar to human hair. Since Yorkies don’t have an undercoat, shedding will be minimal, but their fine hair can get matted and tangled easily if not looked after. That’s why it’s important to brush your Yorkie’s coat daily if it’s long. Some owners may have their Yorkie’s coat trimmed so that it’s shorter and easier to maintain. In that case, you should only need to brush it once a week. It’s helpful to take your Yorkshire Terrier to a professional groomer every 6-8 weeks for a ‘puppy cut’ - just check out dog grooming costs.
In terms of bathing, every 2-4 weeks should be sufficient for this dog breed, depending on their coat length and activities. Be sure to use a gentle shampoo that protects their coat. If you choose not to trim your Yorkshire Terrier’s coat, it may help to use a detangling spray as well as a good conditioner so it’s easier to brush out any knots. It’s important to dry them thoroughly after a bath to avoid drying out their sensitive skin.
Besides bathing and grooming, you should also maintain your Yorkshire Terrier’s hygiene. Trim their nails regularly to avoid injuries and clean their ears. Yorskhire Terriers can also be prone to dental issues, so you’ll need to brush their teeth daily to protect their oral health, as well as offering dental chews.
A Yorkshire Terrier’s behaviour and training needs
While Yorkshire Terriers are small in size, they are not to be underestimated in their confidence. Their bold personality and friendly nature can make them easily excitable. Combine these traits with their high intelligence, you may find that a Yorkshire Terrier’s temperament can sometimes be stubborn or wilful.
However, their natural curiosity means they can be receptive to dog training, as long as it is consistent. It’s also important to manage their high energy with plenty of mental stimulation to prevent boredom or disruptive behaviours. Early socialisation and house training are crucial for Yorkies, especially if you have children or other pets at home.
In terms of training methods, positive reinforcement works well. By using treats and praise as rewards, you can reinforce positive behaviours. Keep their training sessions regular but short and fun so you can keep your pet engaged, and offer plenty of affection to strengthen the bond between you. Check out our adult dog treats as an incentive.
It’s also important to know some common problems with the Yorkshire Terrier’s temperament, including excessive barking, as well as separation anxiety. Try to find the cause of your dog’s barking, if this is an issue, like if they’re reacting to a stimulus or seeking attention. By providing physical exercise and mental stimulation, you can support your Yorkie with their hyperactivity as well as anxiety.
A Yorkshire Terrier’s mental and physical stimulation
As mentioned, it's important to keep your Yorkshire Terrier mentally and physically stimulated, given their high energy and intelligence. You won’t need to take your Yorkie for long or strenuous walks; since they’re a smaller breed, a short daily walk will be sufficient. Make sure to have play sessions in your dog’s daily routine, including interactive and puzzle toys to keep them active. Yorkshire Terriers and their owners will also benefit from regular training sessions, whether for behaviours or tricks.
Without sufficient mental and physical stimulation for your dog, you may notice problems with your Yorkshire Terrier’s temperament. If your Yorkie is bored, it can lead to excessive barking, as well as chewing or digging in inappropriate places. Since they enjoy companionship, leaving them alone for too long can also cause separation anxiety. This may show up as them withdrawing from you or being extra needy for attention. It’s important to meet your Yorkie’s needs, not only to strengthen your bond but also to support their overall well-being.
Does a Yorkshire Terrier bark a lot?
Yes, Yorkshire Terriers are known to bark a lot. Since they are a protective breed, they tend to bark at changes in their environment, as well as unfamiliar sounds and strangers. This can be helpful if you’re in need of a watchdog, however, excessive barking can be problematic.
If you find your dog is barking a lot, it could be that they’re bored or anxious, perhaps from being under-stimulated or unsocialised. Make sure your Yorkie is getting enough exercise, mental engagement and consistent training to manage this behaviour. You can learn more about how to stop excessive barking in dogs.
A Yorkshire Terrier’s nutritional requirements
We know that Yorkshire Terriers are a small but energetic breed, so how can you meet their specific nutritional requirements? Yorkies thrive best on small but regular meals throughout the day, as this can help to maintain their energy levels. They also have a delicate digestive system, so it’s important to feed them well-balanced dog food, including high-quality protein to build and maintain muscle mass as well as growth, and easily-digestible carbohydrates for their energy and digestion. It’s best to avoid human foods, like milk, which can cause gastrointestinal upset.
Yorkshire Terriers also benefit from fats, specifically omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, to support their coat and skin health, as well as brain function. Pedigree® Multivitamins offer support for different concerns, including digestion, joint care, and immunity. Of course, depending on their age and health, you’ll need to provide the appropriate food across your Yorkshire Terrier’s life span and according to their life stage. You can also consult your veterinarian for your dog’s specific nutritional needs.
Are Yorkshire Terriers a good family dog?
As a breed, Yorkies make great family pets, especially since the Yorkshire Terrier life span is quite long. They’re wonderful companions since they are affectionate and loyal in nature, forming strong bonds with the family. It’s important to properly socialise your Yorkie to be around children, since they can be playful, and similarly, supervise your children to handle your small dog gently.
Yorkies are highly adaptable to different living environments, and their size means they are well-suited for apartment living as long as they have plenty of stimulation. Their high-energy means they can also enjoy larger family homes with secure gardens. It’s crucial that they have enough attention and care to support their well-being.
To help socialise your Yorkshire Terrier to children, pets, and different family members, introduce them gradually. Be patient with your pet and give them the space and confidence to become familiar with their environment. If you want to consider other breeds, check out our list of best family dogs.
Yorkshire Terrier breeding and finding a responsible breeder
When looking to bring a dog home, it’s important to find an ethical breeder with responsible breeding practices to help ensure your dog is healthy and well. A responsible breeder will have a clean living environment for their dogs and will have had health screenings for specific genetic conditions in that dog breed. They also focus on breeding Yorkshire Terriers for temperament, rather than appearance.
You can find responsible breeders that are registered, local, and have been recommended or reviewed positively. Breeders should be open about their practices, share health records, and answer your questions with transparency. It’s always best to visit the breeder in person so you can see the living conditions as well.
For Yorkshire Terriers, you should review their behaviour and personality, as well as general health. You should see that the puppy is active and social, rather than anxious and distressed. Finding a good dog breeder can help ensure you’re choosing the right dog for your home and supporting ethical breeding.
Overall, Yorkshire Terriers can make a great addition to your family. They’re loyal and loving, playful and smart. Your Yorkshire Terrier’s life span, on average, means you can enjoy their company for a long time. However, if you consider adopting a dog, it can be a rewarding experience that enriches both your life and your new dog’s life. You can use our breed finder to find the right breed for you and your family.
