Yorkshire Terrier
Also known as Yorkshire, Yorkie
- Height at the withers
- 18 to 20 cm
- Weight
- 1.8 to 3.2 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12 to 16 years
- Daily activity
- 30 minutes
- Origin
- Yorkshire, England
- FCI group
- 3 · Terriers
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- apartment living, with regular outings
- a first dog
- people bothered by dog hair (no breed is guaranteed allergy-free)
Less suited to
- noise-sensitive neighbors: it likes to bark
Overview
A small toy terrier with a long, silky steel-blue and golden-tan coat and a confident, spirited personality. Despite their small size, these fearless dogs have the bold temperament of a terrier in a compact package.
History and origins
Developed during the Industrial Revolution in Yorkshire and Lancashire by Scottish weavers and workers. Bred to catch rats in mills and mines by combining various terrier breeds, including the Clydesdale Terrier and the Skye Terrier.
Health
Life expectancy is 12 to 16 years, and its hardiness is average. The most common health problems in the breed:
- Patellar luxation
- Tracheal collapse
- Portosystemic shunt
- Dental problems (tartar, retained baby teeth)
- Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease
Choose a breeder who has the parents health-screened for this breed, and ask to see the results.
Coat and care
Long, silky coat. Almost no shedding, very high coat care.
All ratings
Rated from 1 to 5, comparable across breeds. Green marks a strength for most households, orange something to plan for.
Lifestyle
- Energy
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
- Apartment
- Perfect, 5 out of 5
- Home alone
- A few hours, 3 out of 5
Family and sociability
- With children
- Fair, 3 out of 5
- With other dogs
- Fair, 3 out of 5
- With cats
- Fair, 3 out of 5
- With strangers
- Polite, 3 out of 5
Training and temperament
- Ease of training
- Average, 3 out of 5
- For a first-time owner
- Good fit, 4 out of 5
- Guarding instinct
- Low, 2 out of 5
- Prey drive
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
- Tendency to roam
- Low, 2 out of 5
Care and neighbors
- Coat care
- Very high, 5 out of 5
- Shedding
- Almost none, 1 out of 5
- Drooling
- Never, 1 out of 5
- Barking
- Frequent, 4 out of 5
Climate and health
- Heat tolerance
- Average, 3 out of 5
- Cold tolerance
- Very low, 1 out of 5
- Hardiness
- Average, 3 out of 5
In our lists
Yorkshire Terrier FAQ
How big does the Yorkshire Terrier get?
The Yorkshire Terrier stands 18 to 20 cm at the withers and weighs 1.8 to 3.2 kg. It is a very small dog.
Does the Yorkshire Terrier shed a lot?
It sheds almost nothing and its coat needs a great deal of care. It is one of the breeds that shed very little and are often better tolerated by people with allergies, with no guarantee: spend time with the breed before you decide. Its coat needs regular grooming, sometimes by a professional.
Can the Yorkshire Terrier live in an apartment?
Yes, very well: calm indoors, it adapts perfectly to an apartment. Mind the neighbors: it barks readily.
How much exercise does the Yorkshire Terrier need each day?
Allow about 30 minutes of activity a day: its energy is moderate.
Is the Yorkshire Terrier good with children?
Fairly well, preferably with children old enough to respect its limits. Never leave a young child alone with a dog, whatever the breed.
How long does the Yorkshire Terrier live?
Life expectancy is 12 to 16 years, and its hardiness is average. The main health problems to watch for are patellar luxation and tracheal collapse.
