Yorkshire terrier breed guide

Despite their small size, Yorkshire terriers are sassy, self-assured, and pack a lot of personality into a tiny frame!

Read our guide to find out more about the faithful Yorkshire terrier breed…

Please note: We’ll refer to dogs of the Yorkshire terrier breed as ‘Yorkie’ or ‘Yorkies’ throughout this breed guide.

Yorkshire terrier breed history

While there’s some mystery surrounding the origins of the Yorkshire terrier, it’s thought they were first seen in the UK during the 1850s…

Throughout the 19^th century, Scottish workers who travelled to mines and mills in Yorkshire and Lancashire for work took their beloved ‘broken-haired Scotch terriers’ with them. When these terriers were bred with local working dogs, owners discovered how skilled their dogs were at vermin control, and that they were small enough to carry around. 

Known as the ‘Northern ratter’, these little dogs became so popular that owners started to cross them with other small breeds, including the Manchester terrier, Maltese, and Skye terrier (among others!).

As of 1861, this tiny dog breed was named the ‘Scotch terrier’. Around this time, the Scotch terrier gained the attention of wealthy ladies, who appreciated the small size and affectionate disposition of these dogs, which made them lovely companions.

In 1886, the Kennel Club recognised this popular, little dog breed as the ‘Yorkshire terrier’. This is when selective breeding started taking place, to develop an even smaller dog.

Today, the Yorkie is a much-loved canine companion to pet parents around the world – making up for their lack of size with their huge presence and loyal nature!  

Common characteristics of the Yorkshire terrier breed

Please remember that the following characteristics are considered ‘average’ for Yorkshire terriers, and since each dog is a unique individual, your Yorkie’s characteristics may differ. 

Average height for a Yorkshire terrier

Yorkies typically reach a height of 18-20cm (at the shoulder).

Average weight for a Yorkshire terrier

The majority of Yorkies weigh about 1-3kg.

Average lifespan for a Yorkshire terrier

In general, Yorkies tend to live for around 12-16 years.

Typical Yorkshire terrier appearance

Part of the ‘toy’ group, the Yorkshire terrier is a very small dog with short legs, a petite body, and feathery tail that’s sometimes carried upwards.

The Yorkie’s characterful expression is made even more adorable thanks to their fluffy, teddy-like face, bright, round eyes, and triangular, pointy ears! 

In terms of coat type, Yorkies have long hair covering their entire body. Lots of Yorkies need the hair around their face trimmed or tied up, to prevent it from irritating their eyes. Also, a Yorkie’s coat can become tangled or matted easily, so they’ll require daily grooming to keep their coat silky and skin healthy.

Although Yorkies tend to have a paler face, chest, undercarriage, and legs with darker hair along their back and hindquarters, there is some variation in coat colour, which can include:

• Black and tan (pale brown).
• Black blue (a black-grey hair mix) and tan.
• Blue (pale grey) and tan.
• Steel blue (dark grey) and tan.
• Steel blue, black, and tan.
• Steel grey (dark grey-white hair mix) and tan.

Typical Yorkshire terrier temperament

Yorkies are fiercely loyal, which can lead to the formation of a strong bond with their pet parent! Though the love they have for their pet parent can cause some Yorkies to suffer from separation anxiety when left alone.

Socialising your Yorkie is important, since they usually adore being centre of attention and won’t want to share your affection – which can mean some Yorkies end up disliking other pets. So, it’s vital that any other dogs or cats are introduced safely to your Yorkie when they’re young, to make sure they get along with each other.

While they may be in the ‘toy’ group, Yorkies are terriers at heart – making them clever yet inquisitive. For lots of Yorkies, their natural curiosity can get the better of them while out and about on adventures, which leads to them becoming distracted. To lessen the chances of having your Yorkshire terrier ignore you during walkies, you’ll need to find the right reward and work on developing a strong recall during training!

Having such little legs doesn’t impact a Yorkie’s ability to enjoy walks – in fact, they need at least 30 minutes of exercise every day to stay happy and healthy. And don’t be surprised if your Yorkie wants to join you on all your adventures, like exploring new places or pet-friendly picnics.

Due to their intelligence, Yorkies benefit from being offered plenty of mental stimulation to keep their minds active, too.

Another trait your Yorkie might share with fellow terriers is their desire to voice their opinion – about everything. Whether someone walked past the window, or a delivery person approaches your street, you’ll know before they’ve even reached the front door if you have a Yorkie! If your Yorkie’s barking becomes a challenge, check out our article on how to manage barking.

Yorkshire terrier health conditions

It’s not unusual for pedigree breeds to be prone to certain health concerns, and, unfortunately, Yorkies are no exception. Here are a few health conditions commonly seen in the Yorkshire terrier:

• Dental problems.
• Bladder stones.
• Diabetes.

Remember: Keep an eye out for any health issues your Yorkie may develop, and get your canine companion checked by a vet if you have any concerns. If you are considering pet insurance, be sure to read our guide about insuring your Yorkshire terrier.

Fun facts about Yorkshire terriers

Fact 1 – The Yorkshire terrier is the only breed to be placed on a decorative box while competing in dog shows!

Fact 2 – Despite the number of different dog breeds included in their heritage, the Yorkshire terrier has maintained the same coat colour as their first terrier ancestors.

Fact 3 – A brave Yorkshire terrier, Smoky, was a mascot on combat missions with the American Air Force, before becoming the first recorded therapy dog when she visited wounded soldiers in hospital.

Fact 4 – While the Chihuahua is world’s smallest dog breed, at one point, the record for the world’s smallest dog was held by a Yorkie who measured in at just 6cm tall!

Fact 5 – Thanks to their small stature, loyal temperament, and adaptability, Yorkies can thrive in either an urban or a rural setting (providing they’re with their pet parent most of the time).