Discover Everything About Yorkshire Terrier
Learn about the breed characteristics, health, history, and find trusted breeders
At a glance
Yorkshire Terrier overview
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Health grade
Relative to other breeds
While the Yorkshire Terrier is often long-lived, it struggles with typical toy breed issues such as patellar luxation and tracheal collapse. Since there are no mandatory genetic tests for these conditions or for the dangerous portosystemic shunt, breeding selection is often insufficiently controlled. Buyers should be aware that joints and airways remain vulnerable without strict selection of the parent animals.
Lifespan
13–16 yrs
Height
15–18 cm
Weight
2–3 kg
Practical
- Puppy price: 1,500 – 3,000 €
- Coat: Silky, smooth, long without an undercoat
- Origin: England
Typical coat colors
- Blue
- Tan (dark steel blue with golden brown markings)
Temperament
Daily life
What matters most
Especially with a Yorkshire Terrier, choosing the right breeder is the single most important decision you'll make. Serious breeders consistently test the parents for inherited conditions, prioritize healthy early socialization, and stay accountable long after handover. A cheap puppy without health screening tends to become the most expensive dog later on.
See HonestDog breeder standards →Is the Yorkshire Terrier right for you?
The Yorkshire Terrier is a brave, highly intelligent little Erdhund (earth dog) — originally bred to fearlessly hunt rats in the narrow confines of English textile mills. Beneath that silky coat beats the dauntless heart of a true terrier who firmly believes they are a large guard dog.
Perfect for you if:
- You are looking for a tiny dog who is still a tough character and loves prey-drive or scent games just as much as a big dog.
- You live in the city, want to take your dog everywhere, and appreciate a companion in a practical, compact size.
- You have the time and patience for the demanding grooming that this fine hair, which lacks an undercoat, requires every day.
- You are capable of raising a three-kilo dog with loving consistency instead of letting them get away with being disrespectful just because they are cute.
Less ideal if:
- You are expecting a quiet, decorative lap dog — they were bred as fearless ratters and will emphatically announce every sound.
- You have very small, boisterous children in the household who could accidentally injure the delicate bone structure of this terrier in the heat of play.
- You are looking for an extremely peaceful dog for the dog park — Yorkies often tend to show excessive self-confidence when facing large, strange dogs.
The real vibes check
A Yorkshire Terrier doesn't know they are small — they see a full-grown lion in the mirror. If you treat them like a fragile accessory in a handbag, they will quickly become a frustrated yapper. However, if you take them seriously as a genuine, eager-to-work terrier, you will gain a fearless and highly intelligent companion who will stick with you through thick and thin.
Breed Profile
The Yorkshire Terrier, affectionately often called “Yorkie”. called, is a small breed of dog with an elegant and striking appearance. He belongs to FCI group 3, the terriers, and is a toy terrier. Its long, silky fur that reaches to the ground and its proud posture give it a noble appearance. The lack of undercoat makes its fur particularly fine and silky. His large, dark eyes, which are a warm brown tone and have a clingy charisma, are also striking. The ears are small, V-shaped and stand erect.
| Height | 15 - 18 cm (Female), 15 - 18 cm (Male) |
| Weight | 2 - 3 kg (Female), 2 - 3 kg (Male) |
| Life Expectancy | 13 - 16 years |
| Character | Lively, affectionate, self-confident |
| Coat | Silky, smooth, long without an undercoat |
| Coat Color | Blue and Tan (dark steel blue with golden brown markings) |
| Price | 1500 - 3000 € |
History
The Yorkshire Terrier's roots lie in England, specifically the county of Yorkshire after which it is named. In the 19th century, the Yorkie was developed by Scottish workers who moved to the industrial areas of Yorkshire. Yorkshire Terriers were originally used as rat catchers to keep textile factories and mines free of pests. Over time, their elegant appearance was recognized and they became increasingly popular as lap dogs of polite society. The Yorkshire Terrier was recognized as a separate breed in the 1870s and has since won many hearts around the world.
The Yorkshire Terrier was originally bred to combat rats in textile factories and mines, but later developed into a popular companion dog.
England
1800
Character & Temperament
The Yorkshire Terrier may be small, but his personality is anything but! He is lively, energetic and often has the confidence of a much larger dog. One of the most beautiful characteristics of the Yorkie is his affection. He loves being close to his people and often develops a particularly close bond with one person. The Yorkie has a natural curiosity and reacts quickly to anything that moves. He is intelligent and learns quickly, but sometimes he can be a bit stubborn. Although very affectionate, the Yorkie can learn to stay alone for short periods of time if properly prepared. However, he can be prone to separation anxiety if left alone for too long. As a terrier, the Yorkie tends to exhibit hunting behavior, especially when it sees small animals such as birds or squirrels. He is also territorial and alert and will bark if he hears or sees anything unusual, making him a good watchdog, although his size means he is not intimidating.
| Trainability Willing to learn with clear rules and regular training. | Balanced |
| Watchfulness Reports unusual activity but stays controlled. | Moderate |
| Openness to Strangers Neither pushily friendly nor suspicious. | Neutral |
| Hunting or Herding Drive Powerful instinct that can override recall when triggered. | Strong |
Fun Fact!
Despite its cute appearance, one should not forget that the Yorkshire Terrier is a real terrier, fearless and headstrong.
What Awaits You
Yorkshire Terriers are active dogs that need something to do. It is important to make sure that you choose the largest possible representative of this breed and one with the longest possible nose, as both the small size and the short nose are considered breeding traits that can cause a lot of suffering for the dogs.
Housing & Care
Yorkshire Terriers are very adaptable and make good city dogs. Their small size makes them ideal for apartment living. However, they are also very affectionate and should not be left alone for too long. They generally get along well with older children, but due to their small size, caution should be exercised around very young children. When it comes to other pets, Yorkies can sometimes be territorial, but they can also get along well with cats and other dogs if properly socialized.
| Family Friendly Loves family life and thrives in a group. | Family-oriented |
| Child Friendly Fine with calm, respectful children — not small tornadoes. | Better with older children |
| Dog Friendly Usually gets on fine with other dogs. | Generally tolerant |
| City Friendly Small space, noise, lots of people — no problem at all. | Ideal city dog |
Owning a dog is not only a privilege, but also a responsibility. If you want to bring a dog into your life, you must be aware of the commitment that dog ownership entails!!
Training & Education
The Yorkshire Terrier is an intelligent dog with a lot of energy. He is curious by nature and loves learning new things. However, his strong character can sometimes pose a challenge in parenting. It is important to start training from the beginning and be consistent but loving. Sports like agility can be a great way to develop your urge to move and your intelligence. The passionate hunter can also be kept busy with search and retrieval games. However, it is important to make sure that you do not “over-busy” the dog and that you also allow him periods of rest. Frustration tolerance and impulse control are important, and it may be useful to incorporate this into training, especially if the dog tends to draw attention to itself through unwanted behavior such as constant barking. By setting clear rules and deliberately ignoring undesirable behavior, you can counteract the small dog's high energy and ensure more peace in everyday life. If you treat it like a "real" If the dog is treated and trained and exercised accordingly, it proves to be an active and pleasant companion.
Nutrition & Care
In terms of nutrition, Yorkshire Terriers benefit from a balanced, high-quality diet. They can be prone to low blood sugar, so it is important that they receive regular meals. Small breeds like the Yorkie often benefit from food specifically formulated for small dogs. The Yorkshire Terrier's coat is long, silky hair without an undercoat. This makes them relatively well suited to the climate in Germany, although in cold weather you should make sure to put a small coat on them. Long hair requires regular care to prevent tangles.
| Care Level Daily care is non-negotiable — neglect affects health. | Very high-maintenance |
| Exercise Needs Needs 1–2 hours of real exercise daily. | Active |
| Shedding No or minimal hair loss — suitable for allergy sufferers. | No shedding |
| Trainability Willing to learn with clear rules and regular training. | Balanced |
This information is currently being reviewed by experts. If you discover an error, please send an email to info@honestdog.de!!
Health
Solid, watch carefully
Health grade
While the Yorkshire Terrier is often long-lived, it struggles with typical toy breed issues such as patellar luxation and tracheal collapse. Since there are no mandatory genetic tests for these conditions or for the dangerous portosystemic shunt, breeding selection is often insufficiently controlled. Buyers should be aware that joints and airways remain vulnerable without strict selection of the parent animals.
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-generated by our veterinary-genetics model.
In daily life this can mean
You should focus on maintaining a healthy body weight and regular dental care; in return, many of these dogs can remain active for a long time, though they often require more attention as they age.
The breeder's role
Responsible breeders have the kneecaps checked and use DNA tests for metabolic issues to limit risks within the bloodline as much as possible.
No Health Tests Available
No specific health tests are currently available for this breed.
Community Posts
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Frequently asked questions about the Yorkshire Terrier
Is a Yorkshire Terrier the right dog for me?
The Yorkshire Terrier is an adaptable dog that adjusts well to various lifestyles. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
How long does a Yorkshire Terrier live?
The average life expectancy of a Yorkshire Terrier is 13-16 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
How much grooming does a Yorkshire Terrier need?
Yorkshire Terrier grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
Is a Yorkshire Terrier good for families with children?
The Yorkshire Terrier can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
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