Dog Breed

Yorkshire Terrier

Fits in your backpackHypoallergenicMischievous
Primary image of Yorkshire Terrier dog breed
Full Name
Yorkshire Terrier
Alternate Names
Yorkie
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Life Span
13 - 15 years
Weight
4 - 7 pounds
Description

The Yorkshire Terrier is a long-lived, bold and intelligent dog, who is perfect for any kind of environment as they are very adaptive. Their beautiful coat is actually very similar to human hair as it is hypoallergenic, does not shed, and keeps growing. This makes them perfect for people that have trouble with animal fur allergies but does require some extra work with the grooming aspect. Despite their small size, Yorkies are brave, independent, confident and can sometimes be bossy in true terrier fashion! These dogs will make the perfect companion and provide many years of love, happiness, and laughter.

Origin
England
Bred For
Ratting (keeping rats out of the homes of royalty)
Attachments
    Family Considerations
    Child Friendly

    Is the Yorkshire Terrier good with children?

    Yes, the Yorkshire Terrier is very friendly with children. We still recommend introductions to children while they are young so they get used to them, but the Yorkshire Terrier naturally loves children.
    Stranger Friendly

    Is the Yorkshire Terrier friendly with strangers?

    The Yorkshire Terrier is about average in how friendly they are with strangers. They can be timid or protective, but with proper training and socialization can be fine for any household.
    Dog Friendly

    Is the Yorkshire Terrier friendly with other dogs?

    The Yorkshire Terrier is not naturally friendly with other dogs, but with a good amount of early socialization as a puppy they can learn to get along with most breeds of dog. Proper training is required before letting the Yorkshire Terrier go off-leash or to dog parks.
    Likes to Cuddle

    Does the Yorkshire Terrier like to cuddle?

    The Yorkshire Terrier loves physical affection and cuddles. If you're looking for a cuddle partner you may have found the one!
    Playfulness

    Does the Yorkshire Terrier like to play?

    The Yorkshire Terrier is playful both as a puppy and as an adult dog. As they get older they may appreciate their alone time, and may not be in the mood for constant play, but certainly will have plenty of time for play as well.
    Service Dog Ability

    Does the Yorkshire Terrier make a good service dog?

    The Yorkshire Terrier would not be a great fit as a service dog for several reasons.
    Overall Ease of Breed
    Ease for Novice

    Is the Yorkshire Terrier good for first-time owners?

    The Yorkshire Terrier is a good breed for first-time owners. A good fit for first-time owners are friendly breeds that are motivated to please their owner. This means they can be trained, and are rarely aggressive and overpowering.
    Training Potential

    How well can the Yorkshire Terrier be trained?

    The Yorkshire Terrier can be trained very well. With discipline and a routine training program the Yorkshire Terrier can be incredibly well-trained.
    Amount of Shedding

    Does the Yorkshire Terrier shed a lot?

    No! The Yorkshire Terrier does not shed very much, and can be an excellent fit for someone who suffers from dog allergies.
    Ease of Grooming

    Is the Yorkshire Terrier easy to groom?

    The Yorkshire Terrier requires a good amount of grooming work. It is possible to do it yourself, but you need to plan on dedicating weekly grooming sessions at the minimum.
    Exercise Need

    Does the Yorkshire Terrier need a lot of exercise?

    The Yorkshire Terrier requires some daily exercise, but daily walks should be enough. The Yorkshire Terrier appreciates going outside and on daily walks, but they will be ok without anything overly athletic.
    Personality
    Intelligence

    How smart is the Yorkshire Terrier?

    The Yorkshire Terrier is very smart. Above-average intelligence means they can pick up on cues and signals quickly when it comes to training. But it also means that they need to be challenged mentally, in addition to their standard exercise needs.
    Amount of Barking

    How much does the Yorkshire Terrier bark? Does the Yorkshire Terrier bark too much?

    The Yorkshire Terrier occasionally barks, but only for specific reasons such as when they need something, for protection, etc.
    Guard Dog Ability

    Is the Yorkshire Terrier a good guard dog?

    The Yorkshire Terrier would not make a good guard dog. They can be alert, but typically do not have the desire or instinct to take on "guarding" as their job.
    Tolerates Being Alone

    Is the Yorkshire Terrier good at staying alone? Is the Yorkshire Terrier independent?

    The Yorkshire Terrier does not enjoy being left alone for extended periods. They can do well for a couple of hours alone, but may have anxiety for time beyond that.
    Home and Environment Considerations
    Good for Apartment Living

    Is the Yorkshire Terrier a good apartment dog?

    The Yorkshire Terrier is an excellent dog breed for an apartment. Some daily exercise is still important, but if they get that then the apartment will be more than enough for them to call home.
    Size

    How big is the Yorkshire Terrier?

    The Yorkshire Terrier is one of the smallest dog breeds- suited well for apartment living and very convenient for travel.
    Tolerates Heat

    How much does the Yorkshire Terrier tolerate hot weather? When is it too hot for a Yorkshire Terrier?

    The Yorkshire Terrier can do very well in hot weather. Owners should still be aware of over-heating as this is one of the most common reasons for dogs going into the emergency room, but overall the Yorkshire Terrier can do well in hot climates.
    Tolerates Cold

    How much does the Yorkshire Terrier tolerate cold weather? When is it too cold for a Yorkshire Terrier?

    The Yorkshire Terrier does not tolerate cold weather very well, and we would not recommend having a Yorkshire Terrier if you live in a very cold weather climate. Even if your home is warm, it can be inconvenient to go on walks, and you may need to have a sweater for your Yorkshire Terrier.
    Potential to Run Away

    Does the Yorkshire Terrier try to run away?

    The Yorkshire Terrier is very unlikely to run away. Of course, precautions should always be taken, and every dog is unique, but with a Yorkshire Terrier it is very likely they will naturally follow you, even when they are off-leash.
    Physical Characteristics
    General Health

    Is the Yorkshire Terrier a healthy dog? The health of a Yorkshire Terrier should be measured not just by how many years they live, but also by how many health issues they've had. It is important to know which health conditions your breed is prone to- hip problems, eye problems, bloating, and arthritis are all common dog health problems.

    The Yorkshire Terrier is healthy, but has an average number of health risks that should be taken into consideration.
    Energy Level

    How energetic is the Yorkshire Terrier?

    The Yorkshire Terrier has a lot of energy and this needs to be considered before bringing the Yorkshire Terrier into your home. Can you give your Yorkshire Terrier enough exercise? They will need several small daily walks, or a large dog park trip to get all of the energy out.
    Amount of Drooling

    How much does the Yorkshire Terrier drool?

    The Yorkshire Terrier does not drool at all.
    Prey Drive

    Does the Yorkshire Terrier have a large prey drive? Does the Yorkshire Terrier like to chase birds, cats, and other small animals?

    The Yorkshire Terrier does not have a large prey drive towards birds or even cats, and can typically do very well living in the same home as them.
    Athleticism

    Is the Yorkshire Terrier atheltic?

    The Yorkshire Terrier is athletic and has average levels of endurance. They need a lot of exercise, and can be an exercise partner as long as it's nothing too extreme.
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Breed Variations

  • Image for the Teacup variation for dog breed

    Teacup

  1. Terrier
  2. Toy Terrier
  3. Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkshire Terrier is a purebred dog that belongs to the Toy Terrier sub group, which falls under the larger Terrier dog breed group.
Terrier group: Anyone who has had a terrier knows that they come with a big personality. Across the Terrier dog group there is much variation, but they are all feisty, proud, and extremely loyal to their family. With this strong personality comes stubbornness, so they are not the easiest dog, especially for a first time dog owner. However, with training and a strong owner, they can be some of the most rewarding dogs- their strong personality is fun, active, and will always bring something new. Terriers were originally bred for hunting, exterminating small vermin, and home protection. Terriers are a healthy and athletic breed. Because of this they require a good amount of exercise.
Toy Terrier sub-group: Expect craziness and cuteness all in one. The toy terrier is a toy dog that is very small, perfect for your lap, and will provide endless amounts of love. But at the same time, at their core they are a terrier- with a big personality and plenty of confidence that exceeds their size a hundred times over. They are very alert, so can even serve as a bit of a watchdog- certainly compared to other toy dogs. They were bred to hunt vermin, so they like when they have a job, and they have more energy than the average toy dog. Because of their proud personality, they may not be immediately friendly with strangers or other dogs.

Yorkshire Terriers for adoption

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