Last updated: 17 September 2026
Don't let the size fool you: the Yorkshire Terrier is a confident, feisty and endlessly affectionate companion built for laps rather than long hikes. A daily walk and some playtime is enough exercise, but the trade-off is a coat that needs real commitment, regular brushing and professional trims to keep it looking (and feeling) its best.
That silky coat, tiny frame and terrier attitude mean the details matter: a small-breed food sized for a tiny jaw, soft chew-friendly toys, and training treats petite enough for a dog that's rarely bigger than a bag of sugar. Get that right, and you'll have one of the most devoted, larger-than-life little dogs you could ever own.
Is a Yorkshire Terrier Right for You?What owners love about the breed
One look at a Yorkshire Terrier and you'd never guess they were bred to hunt rats in Victorian mills and mines. Underneath that glossy, floor-length coat is a genuine terrier: bold, quick-witted and utterly convinced they're the biggest dog in the room. Originally from Yorkshire, England, they were prized for their courage and tenacity long before they became one of the world's favourite companion breeds.
So what exactly do owners fall in love with once one joins the family?
Big personality
Confident, feisty and always ready for the next adventure, whatever their tiny size might suggest.
Devoted companion
Yorkies bond closely with their owners and are happiest curled up close by, lap space included.
Low-shedding coat
Their fine, human hair-like coat sheds far less than most breeds, a bonus for allergy-sensitive households.
Portable & adaptable
Small enough to take almost anywhere, and just as happy in a flat as a house with a garden.
Yorkie at a Glance
Use this as your quick reference before bringing one home:
| Trait | Details |
|---|---|
| Size | Toy, typically around 3-4kg |
| Exercise | Around 30-60 minutes per day |
| Home size | Any size, including flats |
| Garden | Not essential |
| Coat | Long, silky, low-shedding |
| Grooming | High - frequent brushing & trims |
| Lifespan | 13-16 years |
| Town or country | Either, thrives in town and flat living |
What to Plan for Before Getting a Yorkshire TerrierThe realities of the breed
Yorkies are not a "no-effort" small dog, their size and coat bring their own kind of commitment, even if it looks different to a larger working breed.
Fragile for their size
Their tiny frame means care is needed around young children and larger dogs, injuries can happen easily.
Coat upkeep is real
Regular brushing to prevent matting, plus professional grooming every few weeks if kept long.
Can develop "small dog syndrome"
Without consistent boundaries, that big personality can tip into stubbornness or excessive barking.
Breed-specific health screening
Patellar luxation, tracheal collapse and dental crowding are all worth discussing with your vet and breeder.
A bigger first year
Vaccines, neutering, microchipping, gear and training all land in year one.
Puppy or Adult? What's Right for a New Owner
Is a Yorkie Right for Your Home?
Not every household is the right fit, and that's okay! Here's how it tends to break down:
Homes with very young children
Their small size makes rough play risky, and boisterous toddlers can be too much for a Yorkie to handle safely.
Active singles & couples
A calm home routine, regular short walks and plenty of companionship time suit a Yorkie well.
Retirees & experienced small-dog owners
Owners who want a devoted lap companion and are ready for the grooming commitment get the very best out of this breed.
Bringing Your Yorkie Home
The first few months set the tone for everything that follows. Here's where to start:
Puppy-proof the home
Yorkies are small enough to squeeze into (and get stuck in) gaps most dogs can't. Tip! check skirting boards, gaps under furniture and anything chewable at floor level.
Book the vet check
Cover vaccines, parasite prevention and a general health baseline early. Toy breed puppies can be prone to low blood sugar, so ask your vet about feeding frequency.
Start gentle socialisation
Soft, positive exposure to new people, places and calm dogs once your vet gives the okay.
Introduce routine early
A consistent housetraining routine, their name, and short calm periods of alone time to build independence. Patience pays off, Yorkies often take longer to housetrain than larger breeds.
Feeding Your Yorkie
Yorkshire Terriers thrive on a fresh, high-quality diet sized to match their tiny stomachs and fast metabolism. As a small, energetic breed, they can be prone to dips in blood sugar, so smaller, more frequent meals often suit them better than one or two large ones. Feeding portions based on weight, life stage and activity level helps maintain a healthy weight, small breeds carry excess weight easily. Most adult Yorkies do well with two to three small meals a day.
How Much Should You Feed an Adult Yorkie?
As a starting point, daily food amounts are usually worked out as a percentage of your dog's body weight: puppies up to 8 months old need around 4% of their body weight, while adult dogs up to 15kg, which covers the vast majority of adult Yorkshire Terriers, need approximately 2-3% of their body weight per day. Dogs over 15kg need slightly less proportionally, around 2-2.5%, though this rarely applies to a fully-grown Yorkie.
For example, at an average adult weight of around 3.5kg, a Yorkie fed at 2% of body weight would need roughly 70g of food a day (3.5kg × 2% = 70g). Here's how that looks across the typical Yorkie weight range:
| Adult Yorkie's weight | Daily food at 2% | Daily food at 3% |
|---|---|---|
| 3 kg | 60g | 90g |
| 3.5 kg (average) | 70g | 105g |
| 4 kg | 80g | 120g |
| 5 kg | 100g | 150g |
What Toys are Best for a Yorkie?
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Yorkshire Terrier need daily exercise?+
Does a Yorkshire Terrier require regular grooming?+
Can a Yorkshire Terrier live comfortably with children?+
Do Yorkshire Terriers shed?+
Is a Yorkshire Terrier suitable for apartment living?+
Are Yorkshire Terriers good family dogs?+
Does a Yorkshire Terrier have a long lifespan?+
Does the Yorkshire Terrier have any notable health concerns?+
The Bottom Line
A Yorkshire Terrier rewards patient training, consistent grooming and plenty of affection with one of the most loyal, larger-than-life companions you could own. Get the commitment right, and this breed's big personality truly shines through.
Ready to fuel that energy from the first bowl? Explore recipes built for small, spirited dogs.
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