Toy group · Small · from England
Yorkshire Terrier
Also called: Yorkie
The Yorkshire Terrier is a genuine ratting terrier compressed into a 6-pound silk-coated package — feisty, devoted, and convinced it's in charge. The honest headline from owners: the glamour photos hide a proper terrier temperament, a serious grooming commitment, and a bark that runs the building's security desk.
Height
7-8 in
Weight
4-7 lbs
Lifespan
11-15 years
Coat
Long, silky, fine single coat
Exercise
30+ min/day
Puppy price
$1,500-$3,500
AKC popularity
#13
Best for
Adults who want a tiny, low-shedding, big-attitude companion for apartment life and understand they're getting a terrier that happens to fit in a handbag.
Trait scores
Scored 1–5 from breed-club and kennel-club standards. Individual dogs vary; a lazy Malinois exists somewhere.
Living with a Yorkshire Terrier
Summarized from public owner discussions — breed subreddits, owner forums, and long-term owner write-ups.
What owners like
- +Fine, hair-like single coat sheds barely at all — a top choice for allergy-conscious owners
- +Perfect apartment size with real personality; a Yorkie is never boring
- +Long-lived — 13-15 years is routine with good dental and weight care
- +Genuine terrier confidence and playfulness; they'll hike, do agility, and boss dogs ten times their size
Common complaints
- −Elite-tier alert barking — the ratter's watchfulness plus a piercing voice makes untrained Yorkies famous with neighbors
- −The silky coat mats relentlessly: daily brushing in long coat, or professional grooming every 4-6 weeks in a puppy cut
- −Dental disease is nearly universal without daily brushing — tiny jaws, crowded teeth, expensive cleanings
- −Fragile enough that toddlers, big dogs, and couch leaps are all genuine hazards
- −Collapsed trachea risk means harnesses only — never walk a Yorkie on a neck collar
Conditions the breed is prone to
Not a diagnosis list — these are the problems that show up often enough that responsible breeders screen for them. Ask to see the test results.
The Yorkshire Terrier against its usual rivals
What people ask about the Yorkshire Terrier
Are Yorkies hypoallergenic?+
They're one of the better breeds for allergy sufferers — the single, hair-like coat sheds minimally and spreads less dander than double-coated dogs. No dog is truly hypoallergenic though, so spend time with Yorkies before committing if allergies are severe. Keeping the coat clipped and bathed helps further.
Are Yorkshire Terriers good with kids?+
Not the ideal young-family dog. At 4-7 pounds they're easily injured by normal toddler chaos, and their terrier temperament means they'll defend themselves rather than tolerate rough handling. With gentle older kids they can be great fun — but breeders and rescues often set a minimum child age for good reason.
How much grooming does a Yorkie really need?+
In the flowing show coat, daily brushing and regular baths — it's essentially human hair and tangles the same way. Almost all pet owners choose a short 'puppy cut' refreshed by a groomer every 4-6 weeks, which drops home care to a couple of quick brushes a week. Either way, add daily tooth brushing; dental disease is the breed's most common health problem.
Do Yorkies bark a lot?+
Yes — they were bred to alert and to fearlessly hunt rats in Yorkshire mills, and that vigilance came along to the condo. They can absolutely learn a quiet cue and settle with training and enough stimulation, but an ignored, bored Yorkie will narrate every footstep in the hallway. Go in expecting to train it, not hoping you got a quiet one.