Dog Breed Guide: Yorkshire Terrier

Reviewed by Dr. Fiona Lee

You might look at a Yorkshire Terrier and think “purse dog," but this breed is just too feisty to fit into a handbag. Yorkies are equal parts adorable and full of attitude and their personalities are best described as tenacious, brave and bossy.¹

It's their combination of small stature and outsized courage that earned Yorkshire Terriers the nickname “Tomboy Toy."² While the pooches could fit into a purse, these active, outgoing dogs would rather be participating in dog sports or engaging with admirers while working as therapy dogs.²

Yorkies are high-energy and need regular exercise, and while they are affectionate with their families, the breed also has a protective streak and needs training to manage behaviors like barking.¹ Although Yorkies are known for being good with children, gentle handling is a must because of their small size.³

Breed Overview

It's no surprise that Yorkies are one of the most popular dog breeds in the nation.¹ Yorkies are adorable, outgoing and affectionate with just the right amount of spunkiness to keep their families entertained.¹

Yorkies are diminutive dogs that stand a mere seven to eight inches tall and weigh just seven pounds;¹ it's the perfect size for curling up in a warm lap.¹ But the breed doesn't want to spend all of their time snuggling. Yorkies are active and outgoing and need regular exercise, so be prepared to grab the leash, play a game of fetch or sign up for dog sports like obedience and agility.¹ These spirited little companions have lifespans of 11 to 15 years.¹

History of the Yorkshire Terrier Breed

The breed got its start in Yorkshire, England, and is believed to be a result of crossing several terrier breeds, including the Waterside Terrier, Old English Black and Tan Terrier and rough-coated English Terrier.⁴

Despite descending from a long line of small and adorable dogs, Yorkies didn't start as lap dogs for doting kings and queens. The dogs were used to control rat populations in coal mines and cotton mills in Yorkshire, England—a job well-suited to the breed thanks to their small size and tenacious personalities.⁴

Their blue-collar backgrounds made Yorkies ideal for other work. During World War II, a Yorkie named Smoky dragged communications cables through drainage culverts and visited wounded soldiers in military hospitals.² Several other Yorkies have also made history.

A Yorkie named Sylvia was named the world's smallest dog. Sylvia stood just 2.5 inches tall and weighed just 4 ounces.⁵

Toto in the Wizard of Oz was believed to be based on a Yorkshire Terrier.²

Audrey Hepburn had a Yorkie named Mr. Famous who accompanied her to parties and media events and even made an appearance in her 1957 movie Funny Face.⁵

Appearance

Yorkshire Terriers stand a mere seven to eight inches tall and weigh up to seven pounds. Their bi-colored coats can be blue and gold, blue and tan, black and tan and black and gold.¹

Yorkies were meant to look like they just left appointments at an expensive salon. Their coats are long and fine and similar in texture to human hair.² Their straight, silken locks are often worn long and parted down the middle and it's not uncommon to see the hair on their heads parted in the middle and tied back with bows.⁶

Yorkies move confidently, with their heads held high and their docked-to-medium-length tails wagging.¹

Care Requirements

The amount of grooming that Yorkies need depends on their haircut. Yorkies with long hair must be brushed daily with a wide tooth metal comb that removes tangles and a brush to keep their coats smooth and tangle-free.⁷ For a more “wash and go" cut, make an appointment with a groomer for a clipped coat.⁷ The hair around their ears and toes should also be trimmed.⁷

Yorkies are a hypoallergenic breed¹ that benefits from weekly baths with a gentle scrub with shampoo and conditioner (and a detangler for those with long coats).⁷ Regular nail trims and dental care are also important.⁷

Just because Yorkies look like stuffed animals and are small enough to be carried around doesn't mean that the dogs want to be treated like toys. The breed is known for having outgoing, energetic personalities and they require regular exercise, mental stimulation and socialization to be happy, healthy dogs.¹

Yorkies have been hailed as “favorites of urbanites" because their small size makes them ideal for apartment living.¹ They adapt easily to a range of living environments as long as their minds and bodies are well exercised—but we warned: the breed is known for being vocal and training is key to keeping their barking in check.¹

Training should be a snap because Yorkies are smart and eager to please.¹ They will thrive with consistent training and positive reinforcement.¹ To help your Yorkie master potty training, stick to a consistent schedule, choose a designated potty spot and offer lots of praise when your Yorkie does their business outside.⁸

Health Problems

Yorkshire Terriers can be diagnosed with some common health issues.

Hypoglycemia

Like other toy breeds, Yorkies are at risk of hypoglycemia or low blood sugar, especially as puppies.⁹ It can be caused by too much time between meals or be related to health conditions like liver disease and tumors in the pancreas.⁹

Hypoglycemia causes symptoms like loss of appetite, lethargy, trembling, muscle twitching, loss of coordination, weakness and seizures.⁹ Your vet can do a glucose test to diagnose hypoglycemia; sugar water or oral glucose will help raise blood sugar.⁹

Patellar luxation

The condition, also known as slipped kneecaps, occurs when slight abnormalities cause the kneecap to slide in and out of place when it bends, causing pain and occasional lameness.¹⁰ Most dogs don't need treatment but surgery may be necessary in severe cases.¹⁰

Tracheal collapse

The trachea is the tube that connects the throat to the lungs.¹¹ Small rings of cartilage encircle most of the circumference of the trachea and those rings can become weak over time, causing the trachea to collapse.¹¹

A collapsed trachea is common in small breed dogs and makes it hard for Yorkies to get air into their lungs.¹¹ Yorkies with a tracheal collapse might have a dry cough that sounds like goose-honking that worsens at night or when they're excited.¹¹ There are medical and surgical treatments to repair a collapsed trachea.¹¹

Dental problems

Small breed dogs, including Yorkshire Terriers, are more prone to dental issues because their small jaws lead to crowded teeth.¹² Although dental disease is common, it can be painful and cause symptoms like head shaking, trouble swallowing, excessive drool and bad breath.¹²

You can prevent periodontal disease (the inflammation and infection of the gums around the tooth) with regular tooth brushing using a dog-specific toothpaste, dental chews or treats and routine dental cleanings as recommended by your veterinarian.¹²

Preventive dental care and regular vet visits are essential for maintaining your Yorkie's health. Your vet can detect age-related changes, uncover early signs of disease and provide vaccines and preventives to reduce the risk of common puppy diseases and keep your dog healthy and promote longevity.¹³

Diet and Nutrition

Portion control is essential to prevent Yorkies from becoming overweight. Your vet can recommend the best food for their size, life stage and the appropriate number of calories for their weight.¹ It's important to feed a complete and balanced diet¹ and avoid foods that are toxic to dogs.¹⁴

Pets Best is Here to Help

Before bringing home a Yorkshire Terrier, make sure it's the best breed for your lifestyle. Yorkies need regular vet care, an appropriate diet, exercise, training and mental stimulation.¹ The spirited little dogs will offer affection and companionship in return.

Pets Best offers dog insurance plans that can help pet parents cover the cost of unexpected health issues that arise with their Yorkies. Policyholders have access to veterinarians through the Pets Best 24/7 Pet Helpline, so they can get answers to questions and ensure their Yorkshire Terrier receives the best care.

Sources/citations

1. American Kennel Club. “Yorkshire Terrier." https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/yorkshire-terrier/. Accessed June 24, 2024.
2. American Kennel Club. “6 Things We Bet You Didn't Know About Yorkshire Terriers." https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/6-things-about-yorkshire-terriers/. Updated September 23, 2021.
3. Adopt a Pet. “Are Yorkies Good with Kids?" https://www.adoptapet.com/answers/are-yorkies-good-with-kids.Accessed June 24, 2024.
4. United Kennel Club. “Yorkshire Terrier." https://www.ukcdogs.com/yorkshire-terrier. Revised December 1, 2014.
5. Dogster. “14 Fascinating Yorkshire Terrier Facts for All Dog Lovers." https://www.dogster.com/dog-breeds/yorkshire-terrier-facts. Updated April 13, 2024.
6. American Kennel Club. “Official Standard of the Yorkshire Terrier." https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/YorkshireTerrier.pdf. Approved July 10, 2007.
7. The Yorkshire Terrier Club of America. “Grooming the Yorkshire Terrier." http://www.theyorkshireterrierclubofamerica.org/aboutYorkies-grooming. Accessed June 24, 2024.
8. I Heart Dogs “8 Secrets to Quickly Potty Training a Yorkie." https://iheartdogs.com/7-secrets-to-quickly-potty-training-a-yorkie/. Published May 10, 2024.
9. Purina Pro Club. “Hypoglycemia Requires Quick Intervention in Toy Breeds." https://www.purinaproclub.com/purinaproclub.com/resources/dog-articles/health/hypoglycemia-requires-quick-intervention-in-toy-breeds. Accessed June 24, 2024.
10. VCA Animal Hospitals. “Luxating Patella in Dogs." https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/luxating-patella-in-dogs. Accessed June 24, 2024.
11. VCA Animal Hospitals. “Tracheal Collapse in Dogs." https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/tracheal-collapse-in-dogs. Accessed June 24, 2024.
12. VCA Animal Hospitals. “Dental Disease in Dogs." https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/dental-disease-in-dogs. Accessed June 24, 2024.
13. AAHA. “Why Are Regular Veterinary Visits Important?" https://www.aaha.org/resources/why-are-regular-veterinary-visits-important/. Published April 9, 2020.
14. ASPCA. “People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets." https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/people-foods-avoid-feeding-your-pets. Accessed June 24, 2024.