Meet the Yorkshire Terrier: Genuine Tips from Real Owners

Discover the Yorkshire Terrier, a breed celebrated for its playful, friendly, and intelligent nature. Recognized as a small dog, Yorkshire Terriers have their origins in England, where they were initially bred for hunting vermin in textile mills and mines starting in the mid-19th century.

In this post, we share insights from nearly 10,000 Sniffspot users, offering practical advice for new and prospective Yorkshire Terrier owners. Whether you’re considering adopting or rescuing a Yorkshire Terrier or already have one, you'll find valuable tips on how to care for and enjoy life with a playful Yorkshire Terrier.

As Sniffspot user Makenzie says, "I love his loyalty!"

Source: Sniffspot Community Breed Survey 2024

Yorkshire Terrier Quick Characteristics

• Breed Type: Toy
• Size: Small
• Life Expectancy: 11 to 15
• Healthy Weight Range: 4 to 7
• Height Range: 7 to 8
• Temperament: Playful, Friendly, Intelligent
• Coat Type: Long, silky, single coat
• Color: Blue and tan, black and tan, black and gold, blue and gold

About the Yorkshire Terrier

According to nearly 10,000 Sniffspot community users who shared real-world data about their Yorkshire Terrier, we learned that these dogs are playful and friendly. The Yorkshire Terrier is also known to be very friendly and social with children and neutral, neither particularly friendly nor unfriendly towards other pets.

When living with a Yorkie, 59% of our owners indicated that a large house with a fenced yard is ideal. Additionally, 49% of owners found that an apartment or condominium with regular walks is also acceptable. This dog is moderately trainable, often benefiting from a professional trainer and owners say that the Yorkshire Terrier learns best with positive reinforcement, consistent routines, and socialization.

In terms of exercise, 45% of Sniffspot owners say their Yorkshire Terrier benefits from moderate exercise every day, including between 1-2 hours of activity each day, including walks and active play sessions. The Sniffspot Yorkie community would recommend this dog for first-time owners.

History and Origin of Yorkshire Terrier

The Yorkshire Terrier, affectionately known as the Yorkie, has its roots in the mid-19th century in England. It was developed in Yorkshire, a northern county known for its textile mills and coal mines. The breed was originally created by Scottish workers who migrated to England in search of jobs. They brought along small terrier dogs, which were crossbred with local breeds to produce the Yorkie. These dogs were highly valued for their ability to hunt rats and other vermin in textile mills and homes, making them an essential companion for working-class families.

As the breed evolved, the Yorkshire Terrier’s appearance and size became more refined. By the late 1800s, they had transitioned from being working-class rodent hunters to fashionable companions for the upper class. Their small size, elegant demeanor, and silky coats made them a favorite among Victorian society, who prized them for their beauty and grace. The breed was first recognized by the British Kennel Club in 1874, further cementing their place in dog history.

Over time, the Yorkie’s popularity spread far beyond England, eventually becoming a beloved pet in the United States and around the world. Today, they are known more for their lively personalities and charming companionship than their rat-hunting skills. Despite their size, Yorkies have a big-dog attitude, making them bold, confident, and fiercely loyal to their owners. While their working days are behind them, they remain one of the most popular toy breeds, adored for their affectionate nature and striking appearance.

Yorkshire Terrier Traits and Characteristics

• Temperament: Playful, Friendly, Intelligent
• Energy Level: Moderate
• Trainability: Moderately trainable - Learns commands with consistent training and practice.
• Grooming needs: Moderate maintenance - Needs regular brushing and periodic baths.
• Good with Kids: Very friendly and social with children
• Good with Other Pets: Neutral, neither particularly friendly nor unfriendly

What to Expect as a Yorkshire Terrier Dog Owner

As a Yorkshire Terrier owner, it's important to know the best dog breed tips and what to expect from current Yorkshire Terrier owners.

Source: Sniffspot Community Breed Research 2024

Grooming Needs

Yorkshire Terrier dogs require moderate maintenance grooming. This means Yorkshire Terrier owners should expect regular brushing and periodic baths. Yorkshire Terrier dogs have a long, silky, single-coat coat, which is ideal for protection and insulation. Their long, silky, single-coat coat is considered low shed.

To keep your Yorkshire Terrier's coat healthy and up to breed standards, include brushing in your daily routine to avoid matting and trim regularly to keep a healthy coat. Of the coat types for common breeds in the toy group, the grooming needs for Yorkshire Terriers are moderate maintenance.

Exercise Needs

Yorkshire Terriers require moderate activity each day. One of the most popular toy dog breeds, Yorkies are considered a very athletic, high-energy breed despite their small size. Yorkies make great pets and thrive with between 1-2 hours of activity each day, including walks and active play sessions. Owners of Yorkies report their dogs especially love playing with squeaky toys, tug-of-war, and puzzle toys.

When small breeds like Yorkies don't get sufficient exercise, they're more likely to act out with undesirable behaviors like excessive barking and separation anxiety. They need consistent training, mental activity, and regular moderate exercise to avoid running into these challenges.

Diet and Nutrition

What should you feed your Yorkshire Terrier to keep them healthy? As a moderate energy breed, what you feed them is important. A reported 47% of our community feeds their Yorkie commercial dry kibble.

With moderate exercise, Yorkies should eat 0.5 to 0.75 cups of vet-recommended food to maintain a healthy weight of around 4 to 7 lbs. However, your Yorkshire Terrier's ideal weight and food depend on your pet's sex, activity level, and age.

Yorkshire Terrier Health Concerns

The Yorkshire Terrier breed is most prone to dental problems (e.g., periodontal disease, tooth decay) and joint problems (e.g., hip dysplasia, arthritis). A reported 35% of our Yorkshire Terrier owners reported dental problems like periodontal disease, dental calculous, tooth loss, bad breath, or an oral infection. Yorkie's risk for these challenges increases as they age.

Similarly, 24% reported joint problems like arthritis, elbow dysplasia, degenerative issues, and osteosarcoma. Lastly, 24% of Yorkshire Terrier owners claim their dog struggles with joint problems like arthritis, elbow dysplasia, degenerative issues, and osteosarcoma — a common Yorkie health concern. If you're worried about any of these health issues above, talk to your Yorkie's vet.

How Friendly Are Yorkshire Terriers?

Another important thing to consider when adopting a Yorkie is whether or not this breed fits with your current family. How friendly are Yorkshire Terriers compared to other small-sized breeds?

Source: Sniffspot Community Breed Survey 2024

With moderate training, you can hone your Yorkie's toy instinct into a playful and friendly family dog. Introducing your pet to positive reinforcement (treats, praise, rewards) and consistent daily training routines early helps them avoid undesirable behaviors like excessive barking and separation anxiety. Our community Yorkshire Terrier owners comment on their pet's friendliness:

• The Yorkshire Terrier is the first dog I have owned by myself. They are nothing but loyal, loving and are adaptable to your lifestyle. I would own this breed forever. (KS)
• Always happy. Agreeable to grooming. Agreeable but doesn't run up to every stranger. (Arlene)
• Cute as pups and adults. Small, great hair, easier to clean up after, alert, smart, cuddly (BN)

How to Train Your Yorkshire Terrier

Whether you're adopting a Yorkie puppy or an adult Yorkshire Terrier, training is a significant part of owning a small-sized breed. Without proper training, your Yorkie is more likely to display undesirable behaviors such as excessive barking and separation anxiety. Providing stimulating activities is a great first step, but this needs to be paired with the right training for your Yorkie.

As a toy breed, Yorkshire Terriers benefit from praise and positive reinforcement. Here's what our Yorkie community recommended based on their experience with their own dogs:

• Positive Reinforcement (80%): This includes treats, praise, rewards, and so on for positive behavior
• Consistent Routines (33%): A consistent training routine allows your pet to get comfortable with expectations
• Socialization (27%): Socializing your dog with other pets, dogs, and people prepares them to interact with the world

As dogs bred for hunting vermin in textile mills and mines, Yorkies are considered moderately trainable, often benefiting from a professional trainer.

Matt Arnold on Unsplash

What Do Owners Love About Yorkshire Terriers?

We asked Sniffspot Yorkie owners what they love the most about their Yorkshire Terrier pups, and here's what they had to say:

• Sweet disposition & fast learner. Extremely adaptable! (Elaine)
• Relatively healthy except for dental, hardly any shedding, small breeds are easy to bring places. (Michelle)
• Cute as pups and adults. Small, great hair, easier to clean up after, alert, smart, cuddly. (BN)

What Are the Biggest Challenges for Yorkshire Terrier Owners?

Similarly, Yorkie owners shared some of the biggest challenges of living with their Yorkshire Terrier:

• People think they are just little purses or lapdogs, but they need to be mentally stimulated all the time. (Jennifer)
• Very barky. She talks.....A LOT. She also thinks she's in charge of EVERYTHING - unlike the poodle who is afraid he might be god, she's quite convinced that she IS god. (Anon)
• Can be picky with food and also a bit stubborn, need to take extra care in brushing teeth regularly and annual dental cleanings. (Michelle)

Is a Yorkshire Terrier Right for a First-Time Dog Owner?

Source: Sniffspot 2024 Community Dog Breed Survey

According to 88% of our Sniffspot community, Yorkshire Terriers are a great first-time dog. This comes from their playful nature and moderate exercise needs. Yorkshire Terrier owners say it best:

• Cute as pups and adults. Small, great hair, easier to clean up after, alert, smart, cuddly (BN)
• Super calm, sleeps a lot but also will enjoy and be ready for a walk. So good off-switch. (Anon)
• The Yorkshire Terrier is my first dog I have owned by myself. They are nothing but loyal, loving and are adaptable to your lifestyle. I would own this breed forever. (KS)

Advice for Yorkshire Terrier Owners

Luckily, our Sniffspot community is full of experienced, trustworthy Yorkie owners. These Yorkshire Terrier breed owners share the most essential dog breed tips and advice for prospective or new dog owners:

Make sure you have a plan to manage their high energy levels.

• Be patient and make sure to keep them very occupied! (Sw)
• Be prepared to for high-maintenance grooming. (Heather)

Be prepared to for high-maintenance grooming.

• Make sure that you are able to care for this breed in all aspects. Grooming needs to be done regularly as they have human like hair it is prone to getting tangled easier. (KS)
• Have patience for training and willingness to brush their hair and teeth regularly. (KC)

Recognize that this dog likes to bark!

• Do consider this breed if you want a small, trainable, alert dog. Do not expect silence or to not be alerted when something is a miss. (Anon)
• Be patient and make sure to keep them very occupied! (Heather)

Keep in mind many Yorkie's don't know their own size!

• Plan to do some training. They are not great with small children and not always great with all dogs. You have to be careful because if they get into it with another dog, they are going to lose. In their mind, they think they are going to win (Jennifer)
• Be prepared to put in the work. It's definitely worth it. Best protection dog. (Anon)

Frequently Asked Questions about the Yorkshire Terrier

What is the average lifespan of a Yorkshire Terrier?

The average lifespan of a Yorkshire Terrier is typically between 11 to 15 years.

What is the size of a Yorkshire Terrier?

An adult Yorkshire Terrier weighs between 4 to 7 pounds and stands between 7 to 8 inches tall.

How much grooming does a Yorkshire Terrier need?

Yorkshire Terrier dogs require moderate maintenance grooming. Regular grooming helps to keep their coat healthy and manageable. Yorkshire Terrier dogs have a long, silky, single coat coat, which is well-suited for protection and insulation. They are considered low shedders.

To maintain your Yorkshire Terrier's coat, it's important to brush daily to avoid matting and trim regularly to keep a healthy coat. Among toy breeds, Yorkshire Terrier grooming is categorized as expected.

How much exercise do Yorkshire Terriers need?

Yorkshire Terriers require moderate activity each day. Though one of the most popular dog breeds, Yorkies are classified as a moderately athletic, somewhat high-energy breed.

Yorkies are excellent companions and thrive with between 1-2 hours of activity each day, including walks and active play sessions. Owners of Yorkies note that their dogs particularly enjoy playing with squeaky toys, tug-of-war, and puzzle toys.

If small breeds like Yorkies don't receive enough exercise, they may develop unwanted behaviors. These dogs need ongoing training, mental stimulation, and consistent exercise to channel their energy effectively.

How friendly are Yorkshire Terriers with children?

According to our data, Yorkshire Terriers are very friendly and social with children with children.

How well do Yorkshire Terriers get along with other pets?

Our research indicates that Yorkshire Terriers are neutral, neither particularly friendly nor unfriendly with other pets.

What should you feed your Yorkshire Terrier to keep him healthy?

As a moderate energy breed, the diet of your Yorkie is crucial. A significant 47% of our community feed their Yorkie commercial dry kibble.

For optimal health, Yorkies should consume 0.5 to 0.75 cups of vet-recommended food to maintain a healthy weight around 4 to 7 pounds. The exact amount and type of food will depend on your Yorkshire Terrier's sex, activity level, and age.

What health concerns are common for Yorkshire Terriers?

The Yorkshire Terrier breed is particularly prone to dental problems like periodontal disease, dental calculous, tooth loss, bad breath, or an oral infection and joint problems like arthritis, elbow dysplasia, degenerative issues, and osteosarcoma. Our data shows that 35% of Yorkshire Terrier owners reported dental problems like periodontal disease, dental calculous, tooth loss, bad breath, or an oral infection. Yorkie's risk for these health issues increases as they age.

Additionally, 24% reported joint problems like arthritis, elbow dysplasia, degenerative issues, and osteosarcoma. Finally, 24% of Yorkshire Terrier owners indicated their dog struggles with joint problems like arthritis, elbow dysplasia, degenerative issues, and osteosarcoma, which are common Yorkie health concerns. If you have concerns about any of these health issues, consult your Yorkie's veterinarian.

Resources for Yorkshire Terrier Owners

Whether you're a current Yorkshire Terrier dog owner or you're considering adopting a Yorkie, Sniffspot is here to lend a helping hand. Here are some of the most relevant resources for Yorkshire Terrier owners.

• Most Popular Yorkshire Terrier Names
• Top Yorkie Rescues and Shelters
• The Yorkshire Terrier Club of America

Sources:

• Yorkshire Terrier (Yorkie) Dog Breed Information. (American Kennel Club)
• Yorkshire Terrier. (PetMD)