Originally bred to catch rats in mills, Yorkshire Terriers have a hunting instinct and are bold, fearless characters. They make great companions for those living alone and good pets for families with older children, as long as kids are taught how to interact with them correctly. They are energetic and enjoy time spent off the lead and playing games.
Facts & advice
Yorkshire Terrier
A little, lively, self-assured breed who’s bundles of fun
Vital stats
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| Size: | Small |
| Coat: | Long-haired, low shedding, requires daily grooming |
| Exercise | 30 minutes a day |
| Life span: | 12+ years. Yorkshire Terriers are one of the longer-living breeds and can live into their late teens. |
| Breed group: | Terrier |
| Temperament: | Intelligent, independent, confident |
Yorkshire Terrier temperament & personality
Over the years, this breed was gradually miniaturised, first for their work as ratters and later to create a fashionable pet, however they still love to be part of the action.
- They’re more assertive and playful than their ‘companion’ status would suggest, but they still love to be around people.
- True to their terrier nature, Yorkies are fun, feisty, and love to chase!
- Better suited to families with older children, as young ones may accidentally to upset these small dogs.
- They are happy to live with other dogs and cats if introduced correctly from a young age, but should be watched around small pets as they are hardwired to chase.
Yorkshire Terrier training & exercise
Originally bred as working dogs, Yorkshire Terriers would much rather be busy than sat on a lap for long periods.
Training tips
- Yorkies are naturally eager to please and will therefore learn quickly, although, like other toy breeds, they can be slow to housetrain.
- Good socialisation from early on will help to ensure they are used to unexpected events, such as busy environments and attention from young children.
Exercise
- It’s recommended for adult Yorkshire Terriers to exercise for 30 minutes a day. Adequate exercise will help to burn off energy in the right way, leaving them less prone to territorial behaviour and excessive barking, which are common dog behaviour problems in Yorkies.
Keeping them happy
- While they do have a dominant side to their personalities, good training will bring out their more sociable, affectionate traits.
- They thrive with physical and mental stimulation, enjoying indoor and outdoor games alongside their daily walks.
Common Yorkshire Terrier health conditions
There are certain health conditions that affect Yorkshire Terriers more frequently than other dog breeds. We’ve outlined some of our recent claims data to help you understand some of the health issues we see more in Yorkshire Terriers than in other dog breeds. If you’re buying a puppy, you can increase your chances of having a happy and healthy dog by choosing a reputable Yorkshire Terrier breeder.
Yorkshire terriers, like other smaller breeds, are prone to developing dental and mouth issues, particularly gum disease. Because of their smaller mouths they are more likely to have overcrowding, and food, bacteria and minerals can accumulate on the gum line. This causes a build up of 'tartar' which eventually affects the gum causing 'gingivitis', this means small spaces between the gum and teeth are formed where bacteria grow and results in periodontal disease. This can be serious as the bacteria from infected gums can spread around the body and damage the liver and kidneys. This condition can be prevented with regular dental descales and at home tooth brushing.
The pancreas is a fragile organ that lies between the liver and the small intestine. Yorkshire Terriers can be prone to a condition called pancreatitis, which means ‘inflammation of the pancreas’. It occurs when the digestive enzymes within the pancreas start attacking it. There are mild and severe forms of the condition. Treatment for the mild form revolves around supportive care and avoiding highly fatty foods in the longer term. The severe form can require more intensive treatment, such as IV drips and various medicines, to restore good health.
Cushing's disease occurs when an excessive amount of cortisol (or 'steroid') builds up in a dog's body. This can happen naturally or as a side-effect of the long-term use of corticosteroid medication. Either way, the ongoing increase of this hormone leads to a significant disruption in normal metabolism. Cushing's can be managed and controlled using medication, allowing the dog to continue to live a normal life.
Yorkshire Terriers are more prone to developing diabetes than other dogs, but can also develop it as a result of other conditions such as being overweight, inflammation of the pancreas or taking other drugs that interfere with insulin production. Diabetes occurs when the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin which is required to regulate body sugar and fat metabolism. Without the regulation of sugars much like humans this can cause various issues such as cataracts and other organ damage. Signs of diabetes in dogs are also similar to humans; excessive thirst, increased urination and weight loss are all potential signs so speak to your vet if you're concerned. Diabetes can be successfully managed but is a long term condition requiring an injection of insulin once or twice a day, along with regulated feeding routines.
The kneecap (or ‘patella’) sits in a groove at the end of the femur (thigh bone). A dislocating (or ‘luxating’) kneecap is one that pops out of its groove. A relatively common condition in Yorkshire Terriers and other small breeds, dislocation happens because the alignment of the bones from the hip through the knee to the ankle is not straight, which pulls the kneecap to one side. Treatment depends on the severity of the condition, but surgery may be required to reduce the likelihood of arthritis and enable them to live a normal life.
Yorkshire Terrier grooming
Yorkshire Terriers have a long, silky coat that continues to grow, much like human hair. This means that while Yorkies don’t shed as much as other breeds, they do require a high level of grooming. Take a look at our advice page for tips on grooming your dog.
- Daily brushing can help to prevent matting of their long fur
- They will benefit from regular haircuts from a professional groomer who will be able to help you choose from a number of cuts and styles.
- Typically, long-haired Yorkies will sport a top knot to keep fur out of their eyes, while owners who prefer shorter hair go for a trimmed-all-over ‘puppy cut’.
Yorkshire Terrier nutrition
With the correct care and nutrition, Yorkies have a long life span. To keep your Yorkshire Terrier in good condition, vets recommend that you feed them a breed-appropriate, high-quality pet food two to three times a day.
- Stick to the portion sizes on the back of their pet food packaging, keeping their age and exercise levels in mind
- Including a dry food can also help fend off gum disease
Yorkshire Terriers frequently asked questions
As a low shedding breed, Yorkshire Terriers are generally thought to be suitable for those with allergies. It’s important to remember than no dog is totally hypoallergenic, but there are some breeds that are better for allergy-sufferers than others.
Yorkshire Terriers’ long silky coats require plenty of upkeep to prevent matting and tangling. Gently brush your Yorkie’s fur daily to remove any knots and use this time to clean around their eyes and check their ears. If you do bathe your Yorkie, make sure to use a special dog shampoo to protect their skin and then gently dry them with a towel. Yorkshire Terrier owners should also be prepared for regular visits to a professional groomer; you can even ask to sit in on grooming sessions to find out how to care for your dog’s coat at home.
Whilst Yorkshire Terriers are playful and affectionate, they can also be sensitive and are not best suited to homes with younger children. However, they make great family pets for households with older children and will love to play in the heart of the family. As with all dog breeds, Yorkshire Terriers should always be supervised around children.
Like other Terriers, Yorkies are instinctively intelligent and eager to please, and tend to learn tricks quickly. However, like other toy breeds, they can be stubborn when it comes to housetraining. For this reason, crate training is a great method to use with your Yorkie puppy to set them some boundaries and prevent accidents.
Whether you’re looking to adopt a Yorkshire Terrier or buy a puppy, it’s important to make sure you’re getting your pet from a reputable organisation or breeder. If you’re looking to adopt, you can use Petplan’s rehoming directory to find an organisation. If you want to buy a puppy, make sure you find a reputable breeder.
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Yorkshire Terrier insurance considerations
Choosing the right insurance for your Yorkshire Terrier can help keep them happy and healthy whatever happens. Some conditions that we see they are prone to are not always covered by other providers’ policies. For example, they may not cover your pet for dental illness or injury, or for congenital and hereditary conditions. With Petplan’s Covered for Life® dog insurance we have no additional limits for specific conditions or diagnostic tools, and we know how important teeth are to a dog’s health so we include cover for dental illness and injury as standard.
We always offer these things as standard:
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy & pet therapies
Along with physiotherapy, which is covered within the Vet Bills benefit, we also cover Pet Therapies like herbal medicine, homeopathy and acupuncture. You can also claim for hydrotherapy, up to £500 per illness/injury in dogs and cats (no additional limit for rabbits).
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