A little look at life together.
Small still means active
Yorkshire Terriers have terrier roots beneath that silky coat. Short walks, play, and opportunities to learn can give their curiosity somewhere to go. Size alone does not tell you how much attention a dog needs.
Choose a realistic coat routine
A long Yorkie coat requires daily brushing and care around the face. Decide what you can maintain comfortably and talk with a groomer about options before tangles become a recurring problem.
Before you decide
- Can everyone handle a very small dog gently?
- Is there time and budget for regular grooming?
- Which walks and games suit this individual Yorkie?
Meet the dog behind the breed description; confidence and preferences vary.
Yorkshire Terrier questions
Do Yorkshire Terriers shed?
Very little. A correct Yorkie coat is a single layer with no undercoat, much like human hair. The trade is upkeep, because that long, silky hair tangles if it is not brushed.
How big does a full-grown Yorkshire Terrier get?
Adults stand 7 to 8 inches tall and weigh 7 pounds. Weight should not exceed seven pounds, though some pet Yorkies grow larger than that.
Is a teacup Yorkie a real breed or size?
No. There are no teacup or miniature Yorkies, and the breed has no size varieties. The "teacup" label is one of the advertising claims buyers should be wary of. If a seller uses the term, ask what the parents weigh and talk to your veterinarian about any concerns with a very small puppy.
How long do Yorkshire Terriers live?
Most live 11 to 15 years. That is a breed-wide figure, not a prediction for one dog.
Are Yorkshire Terriers hypoallergenic?
Yorkies are often described as hypoallergenic because the coat is closer to human hair than to typical dog fur, and they shed very little. That is not a guarantee for any one person. If allergies are a concern, spend time with a Yorkie before you bring one home.
Do Yorkshire Terriers bark a lot?
They can be vocal. Yorkies bark more than the average breed and have a strong watchdog instinct, which fits a terrier that likes to announce what it notices. Early socialization and reward-based training help, and Yorkies respond to both well.
How often do you need to groom a Yorkshire Terrier?
A long coat needs brushing every day. A bath every week or two is a good rhythm, and the hair on top of the head should be trimmed short or tied up so it stays out of the eyes. Many pet owners choose a shorter trim to make the routine easier.
What were Yorkshire Terriers originally bred for?
Catching rats. The breed was developed in the mid-1800s in the English counties of Yorkshire and Lancashire, where weavers who had moved from Scotland bred small terriers to hunt rodents in textile mills, and many of the dogs were put to work in coal mines too. It became a fashionable lapdog later in the Victorian era. The first Yorkie was registered in the United States in 1885.
