Is the Yorkshire Terrier Right for You? Find Out Now

Yorkshire Terriers are small toy dogs known for their silky blue-and-tan coats, confident personalities, and affectionate nature. Often called Yorkies, these lively companions can be a good fit for apartment living and families that enjoy spending time with their dogs. However, their small size does not mean they require little care.

Before bringing a Yorkshire Terrier home, it’s important to understand their temperament, grooming needs, barking behavior, nutrition, training, and common health concerns. This guide covers what to expect from the breed, how to care for a Yorkie at different life stages, and what to consider when deciding whether a Yorkshire Terrier is right for your family.

Meet the Yorkshire Terrier

The Yorkshire Terrier is a toy-sized terrier breed known for its silky coat, lively personality, and strong bond with its owners. Although many Yorkies enjoy sitting on laps, they are active, alert dogs with the confidence and curiosity associated with terriers.

Yorkshire Terriers were originally developed in England and were used for catching rats in mills and other working environments. Today, they are primarily companion dogs, but their terrier instincts can still influence their behavior, including their interest in small moving animals and their tendency to be alert to unfamiliar sounds.

A Yorkie may be small enough to carry, but it still needs daily exercise, mental stimulation, consistent training, and social interaction. Understanding its size and working background can help owners provide care that suits its physical and behavioral needs.

How Big Do Yorkshire Terriers Get?

These dogs are really small. They stand 7–8 inches tall and weigh up to 7 pounds. You can see their size on a Yorkshire Terrier weight chart:

• Baby puppies (8-12 weeks): 1-2 pounds
• Young puppies (3-4 months): 2-3 pounds
• Older puppies (6 months): 3-4 pounds
• Full grown adults: 4-7 pounds

What Do Yorkshire Terriers Look Like?

Yorkies have beautiful long, straight blue and tan hair. Their coats are silky and shiny. Many owners keep it long-haired, while others choose a trimmed short haircut that’s easier to care for.

Yorkshire Terrier Personality and Temperament

Their personality traits include being brave, smart, and loving. These dogs are affectionate with family and strangers. They love attention and want to be with their people all the time.

The Yorkshire Terrier temperament can be tricky. They are curious and confident but also have a willful personality. This means they can be stubborn sometimes.

Do Yorkshire Terriers Bark a Lot?

Yes, Yorkies are known as excessive barkers. They bark at strangers, other dogs, and even small sounds. You’ll need ways to manage this behavior.

How Long Do Yorkshire Terriers Live?

Yorkshire Terrier Lifespan

Their lifespan is pretty good. Most Yorkies live 11–15 years. This makes them a healthy breed overall. But they do have some health problems to watch for.

Common Yorkshire Terrier Health Problems

Their health problems include:

Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) – This happens when their blood sugar gets too low. It’s scary but can be fixed with the right food and care.

Dental disease – Their tiny mouths get crowded teeth. This leads to tooth problems if you don’t brush their teeth.

Patellar luxation (kneecap issues) – Their kneecaps can slip out of place. This makes them limp or walk funny.

Tracheal collapse – Their windpipe can get weak. This causes a dry cough that sounds like a goose honking.

Liver shunt (portosystemic shunt) – Blood doesn’t flow right through their liver. Vets use abdominal ultrasounds, CT/MRI scans to find this problem.

Osteoarthritis – Their joints can get stiff and sore as they get older.

How to Care for a Yorkshire Terrier

Daily Care Needs

How to care for a Yorkshire Terrier takes work every day. These dogs need lots of attention and care.

They are great for apartment living. They don’t need a big yard. But they do need to be mentally stimulated with games and toys.

Use toys: nose work, puzzles, agility, fetch to keep them busy. Bored Yorkies get into trouble!

Keeping Yorkshire Terriers Warm

Yorkies get cold really easy. You need dog coats / stylish sweaters when it’s chilly outside. Protecting from cold weather keeps them healthy and happy.

Yorkshire Terrier Grooming Tips

Daily Grooming Needs

Their grooming tips start with daily brushing. Their long hair gets tangled if you skip even one day. Use a good brush and be gentle.

Professional grooming every 6–8 weeks keeps them looking great. A groomer can cut their hair and clean their ears safely.

Special Grooming Care

Watch for tear stains, eye cleaning around their eyes. Clean them every day with special wipes.

Check for ear infections, ear cleaning once a week. Their ears can get dirty and infected.

Some Yorkies get dry/flaky skin or blocked pores. Use moisturizing shampoo for dry skin or benzoyl peroxide shampoo for skin problems.

Dental care: daily toothbrushing, dental chews, dental water additives keeps their teeth clean. Start when they’re puppies so they get used to it.

Best Food for Yorkshire Terrier

The best food for these dogs is commercial kibble or wet dog food that says AAFCO-approved diet on the bag. This means it has all the good stuff they need.

Get a small-mouth kibble that fits in their tiny mouths. Big kibble is too hard for them to chew.

Use frequent feeding (2–4 meals/day) instead of one big meal. This helps prevent low blood sugar problems.

Special Food Needs

Watch their caloric intake carefully. Fat Yorkies have more health problems. Don’t give too many dog treats – only a few small ones each day.

Omega‑3 fatty acids (DHA/EPA) help their brain and coat. You can give supplements, fish oil, Purina Pro Plan Bright Mind if your vet says it’s okay.

Try a dental-focused diet to help keep their teeth clean.

Yorkshire Terrier Training Tips

Training works best with positive reinforcement. Give treats and praise when they do good things. Never yell or hit them.

Start socialization from puppy age. Let them meet new people and dogs safely. This helps them be friendly and not scared.

These smart dogs learn fast, but they can be stubborn. Be patient and keep trying.

House Training and Behavior

House training takes time with small dogs. Their tiny bladders fill up fast. Take them outside often.

Use crate training to help them learn where to go potty. Make sure the crate isn’t too big.

Special Types of Yorkshire Terriers

Teacup Yorkshire Terrier Facts

Teacup Yorkshire Terrier facts might surprise you. These extra-small dogs have more health problems than regular Yorkies. Good breeders don’t try to make dogs this tiny on purpose.

Regular-sized Yorkies are healthier and live longer. Bigger is better when it comes to Yorkie health.

Yorkshire Terrier vs Silky Terrier

Silky Terriers are a bit bigger and have different colored coats. Both make good pets but need similar care.

Are Yorkshire Terriers Right for Your Family?

Good Things About Yorkshire Terriers

Are they hypoallergenic? They don’t shed much, so they might be okay for people with allergies. No dog is 100% allergy-free, but Yorkies are better than most.

They love their families and want to be with them all the time. They’re loyal and sweet.

Do Yorkshire Terrier dogs shed?

Yes, but very little. Unlike most dogs, Yorkies have human-like hair instead of fur. This means they don’t shed much, but their hair keeps growing, so daily brushing is a must.

Things to Think About

The Yorkshire Terrier cost per year can be high. You’ll spend money on:

• Good food
• Grooming every 6-8 weeks
• Vet visits
• Warm clothes
• Toys and treats

Plan to spend $1,500-$3,000 each year.

Are They Right for You?

They are great for people who:

• Live in apartments or small homes
• Want a small, loving dog
• Can brush their dog every day
• Don’t mind some barking
• Have time for training

They might not be good for families with very small kids. Yorkies are tiny and can get hurt if handled roughly.

Getting Your Yorkshire Terrier

Before you get a Yorkshire Terrier, make sure you’re ready. These dogs need lots of care, love, and attention every single day.

But if you can give them what they need, Yorkies make amazing pets. They’ll love you with their whole heart and make you laugh every day.

Always choose a good breeder who health-tests their dogs. Healthy parents usually mean healthy puppies.

Remember – getting a dog is a big choice that lasts 10-15 years. Make sure you’re ready for that long commitment.

They can be the perfect pet for the right family. Are you ready to welcome one into a loving, forever home?