Yorkshire Terriers are tiny, confident and affectionate dogs with a full-sized terrier personality. They were developed in northern England as ratters and became fashionable companions. Yorkies are loving and lively, but their small size means they feel the cold, need careful handling and regular grooming, and can be prone to anxiety and barking.
This guide brings together everything we have written about Yorkies. Start with the overview below, then follow the links to the full articles on the topics that matter to you.
Yorkie at a glance
- Origin: Yorkshire and Lancashire in northern England, in the 1800s, where they were used to catch rats in mills and mines before becoming popular as companions.
- Size: a toy breed. The AKC and Kennel Club standards set an upper weight of about 7 pounds (3.2 kg). “Teacup” and “mini” are not official sizes.
- Coat: long, fine and silky, more like human hair than fur, without a thick undercoat. Adults are steel blue and tan; puppies are born black and tan and change color as they grow.
- Temperament: bold, curious, affectionate and alert. Many are quick to bark at noises and strangers.
- Health watch-outs: like many toy breeds, Yorkies can be prone to dental problems, kneecap problems (patellar luxation) and a weak windpipe (tracheal collapse). Very small puppies can be at risk of low blood sugar. Your vet is the best person to advise on your own dog.
Size, and why some Yorkies are bigger
Yorkie sizes vary a lot, especially in dogs bred as pets rather than for the show ring. A Yorkie above the standard weight can be perfectly healthy and purebred. Be wary of anyone selling “teacup” Yorkies at a premium: extremely small dogs tend to be more fragile.
Behavior and personality
Yorkies tend to bond closely with their people and want to be involved in everything. That shows up as constant following, lots of licking and plenty of opinions. They also sleep a great deal, especially as puppies, so a quiet place to rest matters.
- Why does my Yorkie lick me so much?
- How to stop a dog from excessive licking
- How much do Yorkies sleep?
Anxiety, shaking and time alone
Because they are so attached to their owners, many Yorkies struggle when left alone. Build up time apart in small steps, keep departures and returns low-key, and make sure they have had exercise and something to chew or work on before you go. Shaking is common in small dogs and is often caused by excitement, cold or nerves, but trembling with other signs of illness, or shaking you can’t explain, needs a vet check.
- Guide to Yorkie anxiety symptoms and solutions
- Why does my Yorkie shake?
- Leaving a Yorkie home alone
- The complete guide to leaving a dog home alone
- Anxiety in dogs left alone
Weather and temperature
A small body and a fine coat with no thick undercoat mean Yorkies lose heat quickly. A coat or jumper helps on cold, wet or windy days, and they should be dried off well after rain. They can overheat too, so keep walks short and in the shade in hot weather.
Grooming, smell and teeth
A long Yorkie coat tangles easily and needs daily brushing. Many owners keep their dog in a shorter “puppy cut” to make life easier. If your Yorkie smells, find where the smell is coming from: ears, mouth, skin and anal glands are the usual suspects, and an ongoing smell is worth a vet visit. Small mouths crowd teeth together, so regular tooth brushing is especially worthwhile.
Exercise and play
Under the bows and the silky coat, a Yorkie is still a terrier. They need daily walks plus games that use their nose and chase instinct, such as fetch, a flirt pole or food puzzles. Short, frequent play sessions suit them better than long hikes.