The Yorkshire Terrier: thinking of getting a Yorkshire Terrier?

Place of origin: Yorkshire

How big do Yorkshire Terriers get? 17 – 22cm

How heavy are Yorkshire Terriers? 1 – 3kg

Life Expectancy: 13 – 16 years

Colour: Tan, Black, Blue

Please note: A dog’s exercise, training/stimulation and grooming requirements can depend on several factors such as age and health. The same goes for ongoing costs of ownership. For advice on one specific dog, we always advise chatting with a vet.

How much exercise does a Yorkshire Terrier need?

If you live in a heavily populated area without much green space, or simply don’t have much time for dog walking, a Yorkie may be the perfect furry friend for you.

They’ll only need 2 short walks a day and will happily spend the rest of their time indoors. Despite their lively personality, the Yorkie is quite happy pottering about in the house and won’t mind walking through a busy city environment.

Training: how to train a Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkies typically respond well to training and pick up basic commands fairly quickly. 

They're prone to barking, so it’s a good idea to commence training this behaviour out of them from a young age.

Begin training when your Yorkie is young. Always use positive reinforcement and reward-based methods and you should find your Yorkie to be perfectly housetrained in no time.

Grooming: do Yorkshire Terriers shed?

Whether you keep your Yorkie’s fur short or long, it’ll need daily brushing to make sure it doesn’t become too tangled. Yorkshire Terriers shed a small amount, but very little – in fact, they’re considered hypoallergenic! Bathing your Yorkie will also help to keep their fur in tip-top condition.

Complete your Yorkie’s grooming routine with regular tooth brushing, nail clips and ear checks.

Yorkshire Terrier temperament, socialising and ideal home environment

Yorkies are well-suited to owners who live in cities or flats/apartments without access to an outdoor area.

They aren’t the biggest fans of other animals. Although, your Yorkie will grow up to be far more sociable if they’re introduced to other animals at a young age.

Yorkies are fairly small, so perhaps aren’t the best fit for families with very young children. A Yorkshire Terrier should make a great companion for older children (10 and above) who know how to handle them.

Overall, you should find your Yorkie to be a bold, characterful and charming companion indeed. 

Cost of owning a Yorkshire Terrier

When considering the lifetime cost of owning a Yorkshire Terrier, remember to take into account:

• Breed-specific food
• Veterinary care
• Pet insurance
• Kennels or dog sitters
• Grooming costs
• Toys and equipment

Need more info?

For more info on finding the best dog breed for you and your lifestyle, have a chat with your vet.

Find your nearest vet using our Find a Vet page, or speak to a vet online using Online Vets.