Yorkshire Terrier Breed Characteristics
Height
20 to 22 cm at the shoulder
Weight
4 to 6 pounds
Life Expectancy
12 to 15 years
Coat Colours
Black, gold, tan, blue
Yorkshire Terrier
Amiable, playful and charming
About the Yorkshire Terrier
Feisty, affectionate, glamorous – the Yorkshire Terrier is the diva of the dog world, and they bask in all the attention they receive. Big in personality but small in stature, the Yorkie is the apartment-owner’s dog of choice.
As a companion dog, they’re loving toward their family. They can be a little wary of strangers during the first meeting, but usually warm up quickly to new friends. That’s a good thing, because you’re likely to make lots of acquaintances whenever you’re travelling with a Yorkie – they just seem to draw attention to themselves with their beautiful coats and sweet faces.
They have the signature terrier-breed bravado, causing them to sometimes be protective of their family when new pets are introduced into the household. Despite this, most Yorkies can get along well with other dogs so long as they’re well-socialised and trained.
Yorkshire Terriers are one of the most popular choices for city-dwelling dog owners, and they seem content being at the top of the heap.
Here are some of the qualities you can expect from the Yorkshire Terrier, rated from one to five stars. However, all dogs are individuals, and your dog may not display exactly the same characteristics.
Family Life
4/5
Friendly with Kids
3/5
Friendly with Dogs
3/5
Ease of Grooming
2/5
Exercise Needs
1/5
Prey Drive
2/5
Tendency to Bark or Howl
3/5
Good for Novice Owners
4/5
Apartment Living
5/5
Yorkshire Terrier Breed History
The origins of the Yorkshire Terrier can be traced back to the mid 19th century in Yorkshire, a county in northern England. It’s said that during the Industrial Revolution, Scottish immigrants came to cities in Yorkshire to work in coal mines and factories, and they brought their dogs with them.
The Scottish dogs were mainly used as rat-catchers, but were much larger than the modern Yorkshire Terrier. Over time, the dogs would crossbreed with local terriers, eventually producing the Yorkshire Terrier.
The breed would be dubbed the Yorkshire Terrier in the latter half of the 19th century, as that was the first time a ‘true’ Yorkshire Terrier would popularise the breed. Huddersfield Ben, a Yorkie born in 1865, went on to become a popular show dog and can be credited with being the father of modern Yorkies.
Victorian noblewomen eventually caught on to the many positive qualities of this former rat-catching breed, and ever since then the Yorkshire Terrier has been a staple of high society.
Caring For a Yorkshire Terrier
- Temperament: In general, Yorkshire Terriers are gentle and playful with their family, but adventurous and brave when heading outdoors. They’re small and somewhat fragile, so they may not be the best playmates for young children.
- Grooming: Yorkies have a fine coat of hair, much like that of a human. Any Yorkie owner will have to get familiar with the care routine of a Yorkie’s coat. Frequent brushing and trimming to prevent tangles is mandatory, as well as regular baths and conditioning of the hair.
- Exercise: While Yorkshire Terriers have high energy levels for their size, they’re so small that even just walking around the house counts as exercise. A couple of 10 to 20-minute walks outdoors is usually enough exercise for a Yorkie.
- Nutrition: Adult Yorkshire Terriers will need around ½ to ¾ cup of dry dog food each day, and a Yorkshire puppy will require around half that amount. Consult your veterinarian for more specific advice.
- Training: Yorkshire Terriers are very intelligent and clever, but may also be somewhat stubborn. Training will need to be reward-based to get the Yorkie to do what you want them to do.
How to Choose a Responsible Yorkshire Terrier Breeder
To prevent inherited health problems, it’s best to buy your Yorkshire Terrier puppy from a responsible breeder. These dogs are somewhat fragile, so the health of your Yorkie is of the utmost importance. Ask your breeder if they do health checks for their breeding animals, as well as what are the goals of their breeding program.
When you look for a Yorkshire Terrier for sale, ask whether you can meet the dam and stud. The temperament of the parents will have a large effect on the temperament of your puppy.
Yorkshire Terrier FAQ
Can Yorkshire Terriers be left alone throughout the day?
No. They’re companion dogs through and through, despite being hunting dogs in the past. Thankfully, they’re very portable dogs and you can usually bring them along for any errands.
Do Yorkshire Terriers make good watchdogs?
Yes, Yorkshire Terriers can make good watchdogs as they won’t hesitate to sound the alarm if a stranger enters their territory.
Dog Breeds Similar to the Yorkshire Terrier
The information is for general use only. For any specific advice or queries, please consult with your veterinarian.
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