Yorkshire Terrier — breed guide

At a glance

Group

toy

Size

Toy

Weight

2–3.2 kg (4–7 lb)

Life span

11–15 years

Coat

Long, silky, low-shedding hair

Living with a Yorkshire Terrier

• Moderate energy — a proper walk every day.
• Heavy grooming — frequent brushing and regular trims.
• Barely sheds.
• Trainable with consistency.
• Very vocal.
• Can do well with children, with care — easier with older kids than toddlers.
• Gets along with other dogs.
• Can live with a cat, with a slow introduction and an escape route for the cat.
• Suits apartment living, given its daily walks.
• A reasonable choice for a first-time owner.
• Average heat tolerance.
• Feels the cold.

Temperament

Feisty · Affectionate · Brave · Spirited

Health to watch

• Luxating patella
• Tracheal collapse
• Dental disease
• Portosystemic shunt

Owner-logged information shared via Leash Life is not veterinary advice; ask your vet about screening for these.

Did you know

Smoky, a four-pound WWII Yorkie, dragged a telegraph wire through a 70-foot pipe and became a decorated war hero.

Questions people ask

Is a Yorkshire Terrier good with kids?

With care. Yorkshire Terriers generally do well with older children who already know how to behave around a dog; with toddlers, supervise every interaction and give the animal somewhere it can retreat to.

Is a Yorkshire Terrier good with cats?

It can work, with management. Introduce them gradually, feed them apart, and make sure the cat has vertical space the dog cannot reach. Plan to manage it rather than assume it.

How much exercise does a Yorkshire Terrier need?

A real walk every day, around 30–60 minutes.

Can a Yorkshire Terrier handle hot weather?

About average — use normal hot-day sense.