Quick answer
Don't let the size fool you. The Yorkshire Terrier is a confident, feisty and very affectionate dog, built more for laps than long hikes. A daily walk and some playtime is enough exercise, but the coat needs real commitment, with regular brushing and professional trims.
Plan for a small-breed diet sized for a tiny mouth, soft toys that are kind on small teeth, and patient training for a dog with a big terrier attitude. Get those right and you'll have one of the most devoted small dogs around.
Why Owners Love the Yorkshire Terrier
A short history and what makes the breed stand out
The Yorkshire Terrier, or Yorkie, was bred to catch rats in the mills and mines of Victorian Yorkshire. Under that glossy coat it's still a true terrier: bold, quick-witted and convinced it's the biggest dog in the room. Yorkies were valued for their courage and determination long before they became one of the world's favourite companion dogs.
Once a Yorkie joins the family, a few things stand out:
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Big personality
Confident, feisty and always ready for the next adventure, whatever their size suggests.
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Devoted companions
Yorkies bond closely with their owners and are happiest curled up nearby, ideally on a lap.
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Low-shedding coat
Their fine, hair-like coat sheds far less than most breeds, so there's less hair around the home.
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Small and adaptable
Easy to take almost anywhere, and just as happy in a flat as in a house with a garden.
Bottom line: with consistent training and plenty of attention, a Yorkshire Terrier becomes a fearless, affectionate companion that thinks it's twice its size.
Yorkshire Terrier at a Glance
A quick reference before you bring a Yorkie home:
| Trait | Details |
|---|---|
| Size | Toy breed, usually around 3–4kg |
| Exercise | Around 30–60 minutes a day |
| Home size | Any size, including flats |
| Garden | Not essential |
| Coat | Long, silky and low-shedding |
| Grooming | High: frequent brushing and regular trims |
| Lifespan | 13–16 years |
| Town or country | Either; well suited to town and flat living |
What to Plan for Before Getting a Yorkshire Terrier
The realities of owning the breed
Yorkies aren't a "no-effort" small dog. Their size and coat bring their own commitments, even if they look different from those of a larger working breed.
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Delicate for their size
Their tiny frame is easy to injure, so take care around young children and larger dogs, and discourage jumping from furniture.
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The coat takes real work
Expect regular brushing to prevent matting, plus professional grooming every few weeks if the coat is kept long.
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Watch for "small dog syndrome"
Without consistent boundaries, that big personality can turn into stubbornness or excessive barking.
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Health screening matters
Talk to your breeder and vet about patellar luxation (slipping kneecaps), tracheal collapse and dental crowding.
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A busy first year
Vaccinations, microchip registration, neutering (if planned), equipment and training classes all tend to come in the first year.
Common misconception: people often assume a Yorkshire Terrier is a low-maintenance "handbag dog". In reality, their coat, training needs and terrier instincts need just as much commitment as many larger breeds.
Puppy or Adult: Which Is Right for a New Owner?
Either can work well. A puppy needs careful handling, early socialisation and patient house-training, as Yorkies are known for being slow to pick it up. An adult lets you see its temperament and coat care needs from day one. Either way, consistent routines from the start make the biggest difference.
Is a Yorkie Right for Your Home?
Not every household is the right fit, and that's fine. Use this as a rough guide, since every home is different:
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Not ideal
Homes with very young children
Rough play is risky for such a small dog, and lively toddlers can be too much for a Yorkie to cope with safely.
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Can work well
Active singles and couples
A calm home, regular short walks and plenty of time together suit a Yorkie well.
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Best fit
Retirees and experienced small-dog owners
Owners who want a devoted lap dog and are ready for the grooming get the best from this breed.
Bringing Your Yorkie Home
The first few months set the tone for the years ahead. Start with these four steps:
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Puppy-proof your home
Yorkies can squeeze into (and get stuck in) gaps most dogs can't. Check behind and under furniture, and clear anything chewable from floor level before they arrive.
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Book a vet check
Cover vaccinations, flea and worm treatment and a general health check. Toy breed puppies can be prone to low blood sugar, so ask your vet how often to feed.
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Start gentle socialisation
Once your vet gives the go-ahead, introduce your Yorkie to new people, places and calm dogs, keeping each experience positive.
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Set a routine
Work on house-training, teach their name and practise short, calm spells of time alone. Be patient: Yorkies often take longer to house-train than larger breeds. Bite-sized rewards such as our Mini Chicken Training Bones keep short sessions positive without overfeeding.
When to think twice: if your home is very lively, you have very young children, or regular grooming and trims aren't realistic for you, a Yorkie's needs will be hard to meet. It's worth weighing this up before you commit.
Feeding Your Yorkie
Yorkshire Terriers do best on a fresh, high-quality diet suited to their tiny stomachs and fast metabolism. Small, energetic breeds can be prone to dips in blood sugar, so smaller, more frequent meals often suit them better than one or two large ones. Small dogs also put on weight easily, so feed by weight, life stage and activity. Most adult Yorkies do well on two or three small meals a day.
For dogs with sensitive tummies, our hypoallergenic Fresh Menu recipes are a good place to start.
How Much Should You Feed an Adult Yorkie?
As a starting point, daily food is worked out as a percentage of body weight:
- Puppies up to 8 months: around 4% of body weight
- Adults (all adult Yorkies fall in the up-to-15kg group): around 2–3% of body weight
For example, a 3.5kg Yorkie fed at 2% needs about 70g of food a day (3.5kg × 2% = 70g). Here's how that works across the typical weight range:
| Adult weight | Daily food at 2% | Daily food at 3% |
|---|---|---|
| 3kg | 60g | 90g |
| 3.5kg (average) | 70g | 105g |
| 4kg | 80g | 120g |
| 5kg | 100g | 150g |
Please note: these are guidelines for healthy, active, non-neutered dogs. Needs can vary by up to 50% depending on age and activity. Use your dog's body condition as the real guide and adjust portions up or down to keep a healthy weight.
What Toys Are Best for a Yorkie?
The best toys for a Yorkshire Terrier are sized for a small mouth: soft plush toys for comfort, light squeaky toys for that terrier prey drive, gentle dental chews to help with tartar, and snuffle mats or mini puzzle feeders to keep their clever mind busy.
Good to know: Yorkies have delicate jaws and teeth, so avoid anything too hard or heavy. Toys made for toy and small breeds last better and are kinder on their teeth than chew toys built for bigger dogs.
Yorkshire Terrier FAQs
How much exercise does a Yorkshire Terrier need?
A Yorkshire Terrier needs around 30 to 60 minutes of exercise a day in total, made up of a walk and some playtime. Their needs are modest, but they still enjoy getting out to explore.
Are Yorkshire Terriers good family dogs?
Yorkshire Terriers can be affectionate, devoted family dogs in the right home. Because of their small size and confident streak, they do best with older children, consistent training and early socialisation.
Are Yorkshire Terriers good with children?
Yorkshire Terriers are best suited to homes with older, gentle children. Their small size makes them easy to injure during rough play or if they're dropped.
Can a Yorkshire Terrier live in a flat?
Yes. Their small size and modest exercise needs make Yorkshire Terriers one of the best breeds for flat living.
Do Yorkshire Terriers shed?
Yorkshire Terriers shed very little. Their coat is closer to human hair than fur, so you'll find less hair around the home, but it still needs regular grooming to stay healthy and tangle-free.
Are Yorkshire Terriers hypoallergenic?
No dog is completely hypoallergenic, but Yorkshire Terriers shed very little, so some people with mild dog allergies find them easier to live with. If you have allergies, spend time with a Yorkie before you commit.
How much grooming does a Yorkshire Terrier need?
A Yorkshire Terrier's long, silky coat needs brushing most days and regular trims to stop it matting. Many owners choose a shorter "puppy cut", which is much easier to look after.
Are Yorkshire Terriers easy to train?
Yorkshire Terriers are clever and learn quickly, but they can be stubborn. They are known for being slow to house-train, so patience, a consistent routine and plenty of rewards make a big difference.
Do Yorkshire Terriers bark a lot?
Many Yorkshire Terriers are keen barkers, as they are alert terriers that like to announce visitors and noises. Early training and clear, consistent boundaries help keep barking under control.
Should a Yorkshire Terrier wear a collar or a harness?
A harness is usually the better choice for a Yorkshire Terrier. The breed is prone to tracheal collapse, and a harness avoids putting pressure on the windpipe when they pull on the lead.
Why do Yorkshire Terrier puppies change colour?
Yorkshire Terrier puppies are born black and tan. As they grow, the black usually fades to the breed's well-known steel blue, a change that can take a year or more to finish.
How long do Yorkshire Terriers live?
Most Yorkshire Terriers live 13 to 16 years with good care, which makes them one of the longer-lived breeds.
What health problems do Yorkshire Terriers have?
Common health problems in Yorkshire Terriers include patellar luxation (slipping kneecaps), tracheal collapse, dental crowding and, in puppies, low blood sugar. Regular vet checks and daily tooth brushing help.
Final Thoughts
Give a Yorkshire Terrier patient training, regular grooming and plenty of affection, and you'll have one of the most loyal and characterful companions you could ask for.
A healthy routine starts with what goes in the bowl. Explore fresh recipes made for small, spirited dogs.
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