Yorkshire Terrier
About the Yorkshire Terrier
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Toy (under 10 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 7-8" |
| Weight | 4-7 lbs |
| Coat Type | Long |
| Coat Length | Long |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | Yes |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
Low (under 30 min/day)
20 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
High - Daily
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Moderate mental stimulation needed
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $1,000-$3,000 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,100/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Yorkshire Terriers may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Apartment Living
- First-Time Owners
- Active Owners
- Allergy Sufferers
May Not Be Ideal For
- Long Work Hours Away
- Sedentary Lifestyles
- Low-Maintenance Seekers
Guides for your Yorkshire Terrier
The story behind the Yorkshire Terrier
The breed developed in the north of England during the nineteenth century, in the industrial counties of Yorkshire and Lancashire, where workers migrating from Scotland brought small terriers with them. Those Scottish terriers, together with local types, produced small blue and tan dogs kept in mills and mines to kill rats, and the breed's early foundation is traditionally traced through a dog named Huddersfield Ben, widely credited as the influential sire of the type. As the dogs became fashionable in Victorian society, breeding shifted toward reduced size and a long, fine, silky coat, and the Yorkshire Terrier name was adopted in the 1870s. Recognition by the Kennel Club, and then by its American counterpart, came in the later nineteenth century. The breed became one of the most widely kept companion dogs internationally during the twentieth century and remains popular, now almost exclusively as a household pet.
Originally bred for: Rat catcher, mill and mine vermin dog, companion terrier. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Yorkshire Terrier
Spread the day's food across three small feeds, since a stomach this size copes badly with long gaps, puppies especially. Pick tiny pieces for a crowded mouth, weigh rather than estimate, and keep any extras genuinely minute.
Watch for: No allergy characterises the breed. Tooth trouble is widespread in tiny dogs and frequently underlies a sudden lack of interest in dinner, so check the mouth first. Lingering itch or upset gut belongs with a vet.
Start with the Yorkshire Terrier feeding guide, then compare our picks for the best dog food for small breeds.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Yorkshire Terrier
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse our favorite dog toys and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a comfortable no-pull harness.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.