Yorkshire Terrier Dog Breed Information, Characteristics & Fun Facts

Coat & Grooming: Regular grooming is something that Yorkies need – from the coat to the nails and everything in between. Much like human hair, the Yorkie coat needs regular bathing and brushing with periodic trimming.

Keeping the face visible and the hair clean is easier with the iconic “top-knot” tied with a bright ribbon. When brushing your Yorkie, dampening the hair beforehand means less breakage and better results. Yorkie coats need shampooing and conditioning at once per month, and more if the dog is active outside. Trimming is important to do on a monthly basis to keep the coat from dragging the ground and the dog looking great. Pay special attention to the feet and ears – style demands a neat trim here.

Nail trimming is similar to other breeds – just make sure to avoid cutting into the quick. On Yorkies, this is a real challenge since their nails are black, and the quick cannot be visualized as it can with white nails. Take your dog to a professional if you’re not comfortable doing it yourself.

Shedding: Yorkies hardly shed at all. Since the breed has hair (not “fur”), these dogs are easier on people with allergies. It should be noted that no dog is 100% hypoallergenic, but a Yorkie is a good fit for a family with dander allergies or air-quality sensitivities.

Training: These dogs are notorious for difficulty in housetraining, so it’s important to work hard to enforce this skill when your Yorkie is a puppy. Yorkies can play well with other dogs and cats, but they sometimes display protective behavior towards strangers (dogs and people). Yorkies can be “yappy” and bark at strange noises often. These dogs are highly intelligent and loyal.

Barking: Yorkies have a high, sharp bark, and they’re not afraid to use it when they’re confronted with strangers or unknown noises. They are stalwart guard-dogs with a keen ear for intruders, benign or not. Yorkies need a lot of attention and exercise, and they can be high-strung without the proper care. This sometimes comes out in overly-aggressive barking and enthusiasm when protecting the home.

Personality: Yorkies have lots of bravado; at times they may seem to have no concept of their relative size. They have no qualms facing off with a much bigger dog. The breed is known to be yappy and full of energy, but proper training techniques will minimize these characteristics. While they make excellent watchdogs and possess deep loyalty to their families, Yorkies need a lot of direction from their owners to learn boundaries for their behavior. They enjoy the company of other dogs/pets, but don’t be surprised if you find them away from the dog park group. They like to explore and do their own thing, too.

Temperament & Behavior: Yorkies are brave, proud, and adventurous. Early socialization with other dogs, children, and other pets is crucial to develop good manners in the breed. There’s a reason these dogs are one of the most popular breeds in America – they make great pets and offer a lot of personality in a small package. Yorkies love a good chase around the yard – squirrels beware!

Behavior with Kids: Yorkies are loyal and friendly to people they know, but they have difficulty making new friends at times. Given their fragile body and small frame, very small children might pose an injury risk to this breed during rough play or squeezing. Some breeders refuse to sell to families with children under five for this reason. With good socialization practice early in life, Yorkies integrate into families without issues. Just make sure to watch them around new people and kids.

Protection: Yorkies are fierce guardians of their home and family, despite their diminutive size. They make good watchdogs, since they will quickly bark at strange noises and creatures in their area. With the proper training, this little dog is great home alarm system.

Life span: The typical life expectancy of a Yorkie is 12 to 15 years.

Inherited Health Issues: It’s important for any prospective Yorkie owner to understand the diseases and conditions to which the breed is predisposed. For many of these diseases we understand the specific mechanism of inheritance that causes it to be passed from parent to offspring. For others, we simply acknowledge that Yorkies are frequently affected, but we don’t understand why. When searching for a Yorkie puppy or adult, be sure to discuss genetic testing for common Yorkie problems with the breeder you select.

Common conditions in Yorkshire Terriers include: patellar luxation, entropion, portosystemic shunts, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease and hydrocephalus.

Preventive Care: Make sure your Yorkshire Terrier gets routine veterinary care, including yearly wellness exams when its younger than 7 and twice-yearly exams for seniors. Make sure you brush your Yorkie’s teeth at least 3 times per week, since their small mouths seem to make then prone to tartar build up and gingivitis, and failure to perform good preventive dental care will result in tooth root abscesses and loss of teeth.

Like many small breeds, Yorkies often have a higher-than-average rate of dental disease. Because of this, they often do well on a special dental diet, designed to scrape tartar from the surface of the tooth. Other dietary health considerations include their propensity towards the serious gastrointestinal diseases pancreatitis and lymphangectasia. Both involve a decreased ability to process dietary fats. Even though Yorkies can be picky eaters, it’s important to avoid feeding foods prepared for the human palate, since they are often high in fat. Routine blood work can help to identify potentially serious conditions early, when they are more responsive to dietary changes.

Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in the form of a good quality veterinary fish oil product may improve the coat quality, and may also improve the symptoms of skin allergies.

Daily Consumption: Yorkshire Terriers eat ½ to ¾ cup of dry food per day.

Energy Level: Frisky, energetic breed that is always ready for action

Exercise: Yorkies need daily exercise, whether it’s running around the house, long walks, or chasing squirrels in the yard. They like a good walk, but make sure to practice proper heeling technique. Yorkies need structure and discipline from their owners.

Yorkies need mental stimulation, too. Bred to work in the mills of England chasing down rats, they need games and frequent play to stay happy and healthy.

Make sure your Yorkie has lots of indoor stimulation if you plan to keep it cooped up most of the time. These dogs are adventurous and will get into whatever they can find, including garbage, toys, and food. Be sure to puppy-proof your home before bringing a new Yorkie into it. Move electrical cords off the floor, secure small garbage cans (especially bathroom cans) inside cabinets, and provide appropriate chewing toys to ensure that your new Yorkie doesn’t decide to chew the furniture. It’s also good to consider crate training, since crates provide a safe, secure space for them and keep them out of trouble when you’re not around.

Climate: Yorkies prefer warmer climates. They don’t much like the cold or trudging through the winter snow, but they are hearty and resilient if properly dressed for the elements. Booties and a coat are a must for any northern Yorkie enthusiasts.