Yorkshire Terrier Dog Breed Information

Group

Toy

Weight

1.81-3.17 kg

Height

15.24-22.86 cm

Lifespan

12-15 years

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About the Yorkshire Terrier

Reviewed by:

Dr. Cristina Alice Vulpe

Veterinarian

The Yorkshire Terrier is a cute little dog, but you should not let this fool you! These feisty little dogs have a very assertive nature and will not be afraid to show this side of them when necessary.

There are many things to take into consideration when adopting this dog breed, so be sure to get to know their needs and wants before bringing one into your home.

What is the history & origin of the Yorkshire Terrier?

The Yorkshire Terrier has an interesting origin story. The breed had two previous names before the one it has now. It was first known as the Broken Haired Scotch Terrier in 1861, the Toy Terrier and was finally named the Yorkshire Terrier in 1874.

During the Victorian Era, the Yorkie transitioned from being a hunting dog to a companion dog for the aristocratic class of England. In 1872 the Yorkie started to become popular in America and was officially registered by the American Kennel Club in 1878.

This toy dog breed is known to be quite popular in places such as the UK, America, Italy, Australia, and parts of South Africa.

The first national breed club, the Yorkshire Terrier Breed Club, was formed over 120 years ago – these little guys have been popular for a long time!

What is a Yorkshire Terrier breed?

With its origins in Scotland before being brought into England, there is no definitive as to how the Yorkshire Terrier came to be. It is said that there were 3 other terrier dog breeds brought into England from Scotland, namely; Clydesdale Terrier, Paisley Terrier and Skye Terrier. Mixed into the English Terrier is the Waterside Terrier.

Who is a Yorkshire Terrier best for?

They are best suited for families with older children. Due to their small size, most breeders would not allow them to be adopted by families who have children under the age of 5 as they might be too rough with them.

They are fun and energetic and love to be at the heart of any family. Whether you live in an apartment or a house with a big backyard, the Yorkie will fit right in!

Yorkshire terriers are friendly dogs and get along well with other pets, even cats, as long as they are introduced to them at an early age.

Yorkshire Terrier Grooming & Shedding

Yorkshire Terriers shed less than other dogs, yet their long and silky coat still require grooming. They may be small, but their coats require just as much grooming as other dog coats.

Yorkie puppies are born black, but as they get older, they develop a tan coat with a blue saddle. Some puppies may turn lighter, which means they will turn grey instead of blue when they get older.

When grooming them, you will want to brush them gently every day to avoid the hair from matting and tangling. A Yorkshire terrier’s coat should not be brushed if it is dry or dirty.

Bathe your little Yorkie regularly. It may not be every dog’s favourite thing, but it will keep their coat looking good and shiny!

Clip their nails after every bath to avoid scratches and tears. While grooming, remember to look for any sores, rashes or tenderness. Especially in places like the nose, mouth and skin.

Small breeds are known to have teeth problems, so brushing these little ones’ teeth regularly will be beneficial. You should take them to the vet to get their teeth cleaned professionally once a year.

Do Yorkshire Terriers bark a lot?

The Yorkshire Terrier may be a small dog, but they can be quite vocal. They are known to bark at everything and anything. Training them in specific techniques can help with excessive barking.

You should understand that not all barking is bad as they have personalities contrary to their size; you should expect a good amount of noise now and then.

What is the average weight & height of a Yorkshire Terrier dog?

Small breed dogs or toy breeds are known to be great for apartments.

The Yorkie weight is expected to be a minimum of 1.81 kg and a maximum of 3.17kg.
The Yorkie height is expected to be between 15.24cm to 22.86cm.

Are Yorkshire Terriers easy to train?

The Yorkshire terrier dog is an intelligent dog breed and, when trained correctly, can be an excellent companion. Keep in mind that having realistic expectations is key. Do not put too much pressure on you or your dog when training.

Here are ways in which you can train your dog:

Supervision Method – Keep a close eye on your dog when they are outside as this will help them to learn what is good and bad behaviour in public and around other dogs. It will also guide them in knowing what the right places are to pee and poop.
Be strict with house rules – When implementing house rules, you should make sure to stick to them. This will create a healthy learning environment for you and your dog.
Offer praise – Praising your dog is just important as implementing rules. When your dog follows the rules correctly or exhibits good behaviour, always follow up with positive reinforcement. This will help them to understand that there are not only negative reactions to bad behaviour but that there are positive reactions too.

How do Yorkshire Terriers behave? A look at their temperament and personality

This is what you can expect from your Yorkshire Terrier:

Playful and requires a lot of time for interaction.
Assertive, although they may be small, they are not afraid to assert dominance.
Friendly towards strangers, kids and other dogs.
Intelligent and requires a lot of mental stimulation.
High energy levels, so physical stimulation is important.
Possessive and their terrier spirit may lead them to challenge anything and anyone that poses a threat.

Does the Yorkshire Terrier have any common health issues?

Certain health issues are prone to Yorkies more than other breeds.

Here are the most common health issues to look out for:

Periodontal Disease – This is a dental disease prone to Yorkies. Due to them having small mouths, they are most likely to have overcrowding as well as a build-up of food and bacteria. Tartar forms around the teeth leading to gingivitis, which then leads to periodontal disease. This infection can make its way to the liver and kidneys which can lead to other serious illnesses.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) – This is a degenerative eye disorder that can eventually lead to blindness. When adopting, you should make sure that the breeder has had the puppy’s parents certified by the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) to show that they are free from any kind of eye disease.
Hypoglycemia – This is caused by low blood sugar, and symptoms may be confusion, weakness and seizures.
Von Willebrand’s disease – This is a blood clotting disorder.
Patellar Luxation – This is when the knee cap, the thigh bone and the calf are not lined up properly. It may cause lameness or an abnormal gait.

What is the lifespan of a Yorkshire Terrier?

Yorkies have a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years.

How much does a Yorkshire Terrier need to be fed?

New and up to 3-month-old Yorkshire Terrier puppies should be free-fed. This means that fresh food should be left out for them and should be made easily accessible.

Once they get to 3 months, you should feed them up to 3 to 4 times a day.

From 1 year to adulthood, their recommended portion size is 1/2 to a 3/4 cup of high-quality dry food twice a day.

The quantity of food fed to your Yorkie is very much dependent on their size and should be monitored accordingly.

How much can you expect to pay for a Yorkshire Terrier in Australia?

Prices range from $300 to $900 to adopt a Yorkshire Terrier. It is important to remember to research who you are getting them from, as this will eliminate any unwanted potential problems in the long run.

Yorkshire Terrier FAQs

Will a Yorkshire Terrier require professional grooming?

As the dog owner, you are completely able to groom your dog yourself. They are easy to maintain and as long as you know how and what products to use, you can do it yourself.

Is a Yorkshire Terrier ideal for a first-time dog owner?

Yorkies are ideal for first-time dog owners as they are small, friendly and easy to train.

Do Yorkshire Terriers suffer from separation anxiety?

Yorkies are prone to separation anxiety and can be worked on to reduce this kind of stress. Symptoms of this may include excessive barking, destructive chewing and scratching and a weakened control of their bladder.

Taking them out for walks, playing with them and simply just giving them cuddles will take away this kind of stress!