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Breed profile

Yorkshire Terrier

Tiny terrier with a big-dog attitude and a silky, low-shedding coat.

Yorkshire Terrier with a tan face and upright ears looking up at the camera on a cobbled street
A Yorkie out on a city walk.Photo: Jeronimo Palacios / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Weight
2–3.2 kg4–7 lb
Height
18–23 cm7–9 in
Lifespan
12–15 yrs
Group
Toy
Origin
England
Popularity
#13 US#54 UK · 2025

Known for: Flat-friendlyLow sheddingLap dogs

Energy
Shedding
Trainability
Barking
Good with kids
Flat-friendly

Temperament

Bold, Lively, Affectionate, Feisty.

Health problems to know about

  • Dental disease
  • Luxating patella
  • Tracheal collapse (use a harness)
  • Portosystemic shunt

Ask breeders for the parents' health test results, and check what your national breed club recommends screening for.

Daily care

Daily brushing or a short clip. Dental care from puppyhood. Short walks plus play.

A good fit for

Apartments, older owners, people wanting a portable companion.

Probably not ideal for

Homes with toddlers (fragile), owners wanting a quiet dog.

Sources

  1. Royal Kennel Club: Yorkshire Terrier
  2. Wikipedia: Yorkshire Terrier

Popularity: AKC 2025 registration rankings (US); Royal Kennel Club 2025 registrations (UK, ranked by us). Breed traits are tendencies, not guarantees. Individual dogs vary, and mixed breeds and rescues can be wonderful fits too.

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