Yorkshire Terrier

About the Yorkshire Terrier

The Yorkshire Terrier is a toy-sized breed. Males typically weigh between 2.7 and 3.2 kg when fully grown, while females weigh 2.3 to 2.7 kg. With an average lifespan of 13 to 16 years, the Yorkshire Terrier is a long-lived breed.

Temperament

Yorkshire Terriers are feisty, confident, and affectionate dogs with a big personality in a tiny package. Despite their toy size, they retain strong terrier traits — they are bold, energetic, and can be surprisingly territorial. Yorkies are devoted to their owners and make excellent companions. They can be yappy if not trained, and some can be snappy with young children who handle them roughly.

Exercise Needs

Yorkies need about 30 minutes of daily exercise through short walks and indoor play. They are active indoors and adapt well to apartment living. Despite their small size, they enjoy exploring and playing. Be careful in cold weather as their small bodies lose heat quickly. They should always be walked on a lead as they may challenge much larger dogs.

Common Health Issues

Common health concerns include dental disease (very common due to small mouths), tracheal collapse, patellar luxation, liver shunts (portosystemic shunts), Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, and hypoglycaemia in puppies. Regular dental care is essential — many Yorkies need professional dental cleanings. They are also prone to eye issues.

Grooming

Yorkies have a long, silky coat that grows continuously like human hair. Daily brushing is essential to prevent matting. Many owners keep them in a shorter "puppy cut" for easier maintenance. Professional grooming every 4-6 weeks is recommended. They are often considered hypoallergenic as they shed very little, though no dog is truly hypoallergenic.

Famous Yorkshire Terrier Owners

Audrey Hepburn's Yorkshire Terrier Mr Famous became one of Hollywood's most photographed dogs in the late 1950s, accompanying Hepburn to film sets, photo shoots, and public appearances. He appeared alongside her in the 1957 musical Funny Face, his tiny frame a charming contrast to her timeless elegance, and was her constant companion during the most celebrated period of her career. Miley Cyrus, Frank Sinatra, and Sylvia Plath all kept Yorkshire Terriers. The breed's spirited personality packed into a pocket-sized frame has made it a consistent favourite with entertainers who appreciate a dog as bold as its owner.

Weight & Growth

A fully grown male Yorkshire Terrier weighs approximately 3 kg on average. Use Dogpanion's free size predictor to estimate your Yorkshire Terrier puppy's adult weight based on their current age and weight.

Yorkshire Terrier Care Tools

Dogpanion offers free tools to help you care for your Yorkshire Terrier:

• Age Calculator : Convert your Yorkshire Terrier's age to human years using breed-specific formulas
• Size Predictor : Estimate your puppy's adult weight
• Food Safety Checker : Check which foods are safe or toxic for dogs
• Health Tracker : Log vaccinations, vet visits, and medications