Yorkshire Terrier: temperament, grooming, health, and cost

Under the hair bow and the silky coat is a real terrier. The Yorkshire Terrier was bred to catch rats in the mills and mines of northern England, and Yorkies still have all of that courage, curiosity, and talent for sounding the alarm. People expecting a stuffed animal are in for a surprise; people looking for a small dog with a big personality often end up sticking with the breed for life.

Here you’ll find the breed’s key numbers from the AKC and FCI standards, its history, what Yorkies are like at home, the training and exercise they need, the two ways to manage their coat, how to feed them, the most common health problems and the screenings a puppy’s parents should have, what a Yorkie costs, and what to know if you’re thinking about adopting.

Quick facts

Yorkshire Terrier history

In the mid-1800s, many Scottish workers moved to Yorkshire and Lancashire for jobs in textile mills and coal mines. They brought along several small terriers (including the Clydesdale and Paisley Terriers, both now extinct), which were crossed with local dogs. The goal was practical: a small, tenacious dog that could catch rats in mills and mine tunnels.

The dog considered the breed’s foundation sire is Huddersfield Ben, born in 1865, a winner at both dog shows and ratting contests who left a huge number of descendants. The name Yorkshire Terrier took hold around 1870, and within a few decades the breed went from working-class neighborhoods to Victorian parlors, getting smaller along the way. The American Kennel Club recognized it in 1885.

Yorkshire Terrier temperament

A Yorkie is a terrier in a small package, and it shows:

• Bold and confident: they don’t know they’re tiny and will square up to much bigger dogs, so keep an eye on them at the park.
• Alert and vocal: a great doorbell. A trained Yorkie barks and stops; an untrained one may bark at every sound.
• Affectionate and playful: very attached to their family, they love cuddles and stay playful well into their senior years.
• Curious and independent: they love exploring and sniffing and can be stubborn when they don’t see the point of what you’re asking.
• Prey drive: they’ll chase birds, mice, and lizards and may not be trustworthy with pet hamsters or rabbits.

Yorkies and kids

With older, gentle kids, Yorkies are great playmates and love learning tricks with them. With young children, there are two risks: the dog is fragile (a fall from someone’s arms can break a leg), and, like most terriers, Yorkies have little patience for having their hair pulled. Teach kids to pet the dog while sitting on the floor and to let it walk away when it wants to.

With other dogs and pets

Socialized Yorkies generally get along with other dogs, although some are possessive of toys or their favorite person. Cats usually work out if they’re raised together. Caged small pets are another story; don’t count on a Yorkie’s self-control.

Training and socializing a Yorkie

Yorkies are smart and learn quickly with small treats and play, but repetition bores them. Short, varied 3–5 minute sessions work better than one long one.

1. Socialization between about 3 and 12–14 weeks: people, noises, surfaces, and calm dogs. It cuts down on fear and reactive barking.
2. Potty training: one of the breed’s known challenges. Their bladders are tiny and many hate rain. Take your puppy out often, reward every success on the spot, and don’t scold accidents.
3. Managing barking: don’t yell (to your dog, you’re just barking along). Reward quiet, teach a “go to your bed” cue for the doorbell, and meet their needs for sniffing and play.
4. Handling: get your puppy used to the brush, the blow dryer, nail trims, and mouth checks early. For a dog that will see a groomer for life, this is non-negotiable.

How much exercise does a Yorkie need?

Plan on 2–3 walks a day totaling 30–60 minutes, with free time to sniff, plus play indoors. Yorkies love search games: hiding treats in a box of crumpled paper is a great way to channel their terrier instincts.

• Use a harness: the breed is prone to tracheal collapse, and collar pressure on the neck makes it worse.
• Cold and rain: with no undercoat, Yorkies chill quickly. A waterproof coat makes winter walks much more pleasant for them.
• Jumping: discourage jumping off the couch or bed; their knees will thank you.

Grooming a Yorkshire Terrier

A Yorkie’s coat has no undercoat and grows continuously, much like human hair. That’s why Yorkies shed very little and appear on most lists of dog breeds that don’t shed, but the trade-off is that the coat tangles easily. You have two options:

Tips for either style:

• Mist the coat with a detangling spray before brushing; brushing it dry breaks the hair.
• Use a pin brush and a fine-toothed comb to make sure no mats are hiding close to the skin. Our guide on how to brush your dog covers technique.
• Tie the hair on top of the head into a topknot or keep it short so it stays out of the eyes, and wipe away eye discharge daily with damp gauze.
• Trim the hair between the paw pads and around the rear to prevent slipping and messes.

Fun fact: Yorkie puppies are born black and tan, and the steel blue color comes in gradually. It can take two years or more for the adult color to show.

Feeding a Yorkshire Terrier

An adult Yorkie weighing 5.5–6.6 lb (2.5–3 kg) needs roughly 170–240 calories a day, depending on activity level and whether they’re spayed or neutered. With a typical dry food, that’s often around half a cup a day, but check the calories per cup on your bag, because they vary a lot. With portions that small, every extra adds up.

• Puppies: 3–4 meals a day until 4–6 months because of the risk of low blood sugar.
• Small kibble: easier to chew for a mouth with crowded teeth.
• No fatty table scraps: the breed is predisposed to pancreatitis, and bacon, sausage, chicken skin, and holiday leftovers are classic triggers.
• Treats: no more than 10% of daily calories.

Yorkshire Terrier health problems

Yorkies are long-lived, but several conditions are common in the breed. A breed risk doesn’t mean your dog will develop them; responsible breeding and regular checkups make a real difference.

Dental care deserves its own mention: nearly every Yorkie builds tartar early. Around 6–7 months, check that all the baby teeth have fallen out, and get your puppy used to daily brushing; here’s how to brush your dog’s teeth step by step.

Health tests to ask for in the parents: a patella evaluation and an eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist (the screenings the OFA lists for the breed), plus hip X-rays to rule out Legg-Calvé-Perthes. For the puppy itself, many vets recommend a bile acids blood test before spay or neuter surgery to rule out a liver shunt.

Is a Yorkshire Terrier right for you?

A Yorkie is a great choice if:

• You live in an apartment and want a small, lively dog with real personality.
• A low-shedding dog appeals to you, and you’re ready to commit to brushing and grooming.
• You have time to play, train, and take care of their teeth every day.

It’s probably not the best fit if:

• You have very young children or a hectic household.
• Barking bothers you, or you live in a noise-sensitive building and won’t work on it.
• You want a running partner or a dog for long mountain hikes.

If you’re comparing breeds, check out our list of the best small dog breeds for apartments and our guide on how to choose the right dog.

How much does a Yorkshire Terrier cost? Price and adoption

In the U.S., a Yorkie puppy from a breeder who health-tests the parents typically costs roughly $1,000–$3,000, and show-line puppies can run higher. Prices vary by breeder and region. Factor in upkeep, too: with a puppy cut, budget something like $50–$90 per professional groom every 6–8 weeks, though rates vary widely by city.

Always ask to meet the mother, see the health test results, and get a written contract. Puppies shouldn’t go home before 8 weeks, and many toy-breed breeders wait until 10–12 weeks.

Adoption is a great option. Shelters and Yorkie rescues have purebreds and mixes of all ages, including many adults and seniors who already know how to live in a home. Adoption fees typically run about $50–$300 and usually include vaccines, a microchip, and spay or neuter surgery. Our guide to adopting a dog walks you through the steps.

Frequently asked questions

Are Yorkshire Terriers hypoallergenic?

No dog is truly hypoallergenic, because allergens are found in saliva and skin flakes, not just hair. What is true is that Yorkies shed very little and, being so small, produce less allergen overall. Many people with mild dog allergies do fine with them, but spend a few hours around the breed before you commit.

How long do Yorkies live?

Typical life expectancy is 11–15 years, and many live longer in good health. The things that matter most are dental care, keeping them lean, avoiding fatty foods, and yearly vet checkups, which should become twice-yearly once your Yorkie reaches about 8 years old.

Why does my Yorkie bark so much?

Because it’s a terrier bred to alert and react quickly. Yorkies bark out of boredom, in response to noises, or to get your attention. Meet their needs for sniffing and play, reward quiet moments, teach an alternative behavior for the doorbell, and avoid yelling, which usually ramps up the excitement instead of calming it.

How often should a Yorkie go to the groomer?

With a puppy cut, every 6–8 weeks to keep the length manageable and have nails, ears, and the sanitary area checked. A full long coat doesn’t need complete haircuts, but it does need trims on the ends and feet every month or two and much more work at home. Regular brushing between visits prevents the mats that lead to shave-downs.

Why is my Yorkie puppy black?

That’s completely normal. Yorkie puppies are born black and tan, and the black gradually lightens into the breed’s signature steel blue over the first few years; it can take two years or more and varies from dog to dog. The tan on the head and legs usually gets richer with age, too.

Sources

• American Kennel Club (AKC): official Yorkshire Terrier breed standard and breed profile.
• Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI): Yorkshire Terrier breed standard No. 86.
• Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA): recommended breed health screenings.
• Merck Veterinary Manual: portosystemic shunts, tracheal collapse, and pancreatitis in dogs.
• Yorkshire Terrier Club of America: breed health and responsible breeding information.