The Yorkshire Terrier — universally known as the "Yorkie" — is a tiny dog with an outsized personality.
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The Yorkshire Terrier — universally known as the "Yorkie" — is a tiny dog with an outsized personality. Beneath the long, silky show coat that made the breed a Victorian fashion icon is a working ratter, bred in the mills and mines of 19th-century northern England to keep vermin under control. The Yorkie remains bold, energetic, and a touch arrogant, hiding the heart of a terrier inside a body that often weighs less than a kitten.
The Yorkie was developed in the 1860s in the textile-mill towns of West Yorkshire and Lancashire, England. Scottish weavers who had migrated south for work brought several types of small terriers with them — the Clydesdale, Paisley, Skye, and Waterside terriers. Crossed with local ratters, these dogs produced a small, hardy, long-coated terrier ideal for catching rats in mills, factories, and coal mines.
The early Yorkie was a working dog of 5–7 kg. The most famous foundation dog was Huddersfield Ben, born in 1865, who won countless rat-pit contests. Victorian ladies took notice; within a generation the breed had moved from mines to laps. Selective breeding for smaller size and longer coat produced today's miniature show dog. The Kennel Club recognised the breed in 1886; the AKC followed in 1885.
Tiny, with a glossy floor-length coat in show condition. Adults typically weigh under 3.2 kg (7 lb) and stand 18–23 cm (7–9 in). "Teacup" Yorkies under 2 kg are not a separate breed — they are often runt offspring with serious health problems, despite the marketing.
Key features:
Most pet Yorkies are kept in a short "puppy clip" rather than the long show coat.
Bold, confident, and lively. Yorkies do not know they are small — they will challenge dogs ten times their size, claim the best spot on the sofa, and supervise the household from a vantage point. They are deeply attached to their main person, sometimes to the point of jealousy.
Yorkies are intelligent and trainable but stubborn. They bark readily and persistently — a major complaint of new owners. Carried-everywhere "purse dogs" frequently develop reactivity and fear; treated like real dogs (walking on the ground, meeting other dogs, training), they are excellent companions.
The coat determines the workload.
Long show coat: daily brushing with a pin brush, light oil to prevent breakage, hair "wrapped" between brushings, weekly baths, ear hair trimmed. Hours per week.
Pet "puppy clip": weekly brush, professional grooming every 6–8 weeks (clip, bath, sanitary trim, ear clean, nails). Practical for most homes.
The hair grows continuously like human hair — it does not shed in the normal way. Loose hair instead breaks off and tangles in the coat. Brushing is essential to prevent painful matting.
Hair in the ear canal should be plucked or trimmed periodically. Brush teeth daily — dental disease is the breed's most common health issue.
Modest but real. Adults need 30–45 minutes of daily exercise — walks, indoor play, light training. Yorkies are deceptively athletic; many enjoy agility, scent work, or barn-hunt sports.
Walk Yorkies on a harness, never a collar — the trachea is fragile. Carry them down stairs and off furniture if possible; small joints are vulnerable.
Average lifespan is 13–16 years.
Common concerns:
Adults typically eat 1/4 to 1/2 cup of high-quality small-breed food per day, split into two or three meals. Puppies need 3–4 meals daily to prevent hypoglycaemia.
Yorkies are picky eaters — many refuse to eat the same food twice in a row, or develop preferences that border on tyranny. Establish a calm, predictable feeding routine from the start and resist the temptation to hand-feed. Treats should be tiny and kept to 10% of calories.
Pros
Cons
Not suited for households with toddlers, owners who want a quiet dog, or anyone who can't commit to daily dental care and regular grooming.
Are Yorkies hypoallergenic? They produce less loose dander and hair than most breeds, but no dog is fully hypoallergenic. Many allergy sufferers tolerate Yorkies well — spend time with one before committing.
Do Yorkies bark a lot? Yes. They are vocal alarm dogs. Training and socialisation control unwanted barking but rarely eliminate it.
Are Yorkies good with children? Better with older, gentle children. Small Yorkies are easily injured by toddlers and may snap defensively.
What is a "teacup" Yorkie? Marketing language for dogs under 2 kg. These are typically runts or selectively bred for extreme smallness, with high rates of hypoglycaemia, fragile bones, and shortened lifespans. Reputable breeders do not produce them.
How often should I brush my Yorkie? Short pet clip: 2–3 times weekly. Long show coat: daily. Skipping a few days creates painful mats that require shaving.