Dog breed · Toy
Yorkshire Terrier
A tiny terrier with a full-size personality, originally bred to kill rats in Yorkshire mills.
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Breed characteristics
- Group
- Toy
- Origin
- England
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 2–3.5 kg (4–8 lb)
- Height
- 18–23 cm
- Lifespan
- 13–16 years
- Coat
- Fine, silky, continuously growing
- Temperament
- FeistyDevotedAlertSpirited
History
Created in nineteenth-century northern England from Scottish terrier types brought by migrant workers.
Appearance
Long steel-blue and tan coat, small head and an upright, confident carriage.
Exercise and activity
Two short walks plus indoor play; mental games matter as much as distance.
Care and grooming
Daily brushing for a long coat or a short pet clip every six weeks; brush teeth daily.
Health considerations
- Dental disease
- Patellar luxation
- Tracheal collapse
- Portosystemic shunt
- Hypoglycaemia in puppies
Honest challenges
Before choosing a Yorkshire Terrier
- Treat the breed profile as a starting point, not a guarantee of temperament. Meet the individual and discuss its history, needs and behaviour with the rescue or responsible breeder.
- Check your routine can support the activity described here: Two short walks plus indoor play; mental games matter as much as distance. Allow for age, weather, health and recovery rather than imposing a fixed target.
- Ask the breeder or rescue and your vet about problems reported in this breed (such as Dental disease, Patellar luxation, Tracheal collapse, Portosystemic shunt, Hypoglycaemia in puppies), which of them have recognised screening tests, and the parents' results where relevant. Screening reduces some uncertainty but cannot promise a healthy lifetime.
- Plan grooming, veterinary costs and care during holidays. Children and other pets still need careful introductions and supervision whatever a breed's typical rating.
Educational reference, not an individual diagnosis or a verified professional review. Read our editorial policy.
Guidance libraries and further reading
These organisations publish relevant guidance. Their links are further reading, not evidence that they have reviewed this page.
- RSPCA — animal care and welfare advice across species
- PDSA — veterinary charity pet health advice
- Dogs Trust — dog care, behaviour and welfare advice