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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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