Vital Stats
| Size: | On average, adult dogs weigh around 3kg and grow to 20-23cm in height. |
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| Coat: | Yorkshire Terriers are a longhaired, non-shedding breed. They need grooming every day, even if their coat is cut short. |
| Exercise: | About 30 minutes a day for adult dogs. |
| Life span: | 12+ years. Yorkshire Terriers are one of the longer-living breeds and can live into their late teens. |
| Breed group: | The word terrier comes from ‘terra’, meaning ‘earth’, as these dogs were bred to control rats, pursuing them below ground. They tend to be fun but feisty, and love to chase! |
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23cm Coat long
coat Exercise up to
30mins Life span 12+years
Behaviour & Personality
Yorkshire Terriers are little, lively and self-assured.
Always keen to be part of the action, Yorkies are actually much more assertive and playful than their ‘companion’ status would suggest.
They are best suited to families with older children, as young ones may be inclined to upset these small dogs. Yorkshire Terriers should be watched around small pets but are happy to live with cats if introduced correctly from a young age.
Health & Nutrition
How big do Yorkshire Terriers get? Over the years, this breed was gradually miniaturised, first for their work as ratters and later to create a fashionable pet. Today, Yorkshire Terriers are usually 20-23cm tall and about 3kg in weight.
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. Try to stick to the portion sizes on the back of their pet food packaging, keeping their exercise levels in mind. Including a dry food can also help fend off gum disease.
Exercise & Training
Originally bred as working dogs, Yorkshire Terriers would much rather be busy than sat on a lap for long periods. They thrive with mental and physical stimulation, enjoying indoor and outdoor games alongside their daily walks. 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.
Yorkies are naturally eager to please and will therefore learn quickly, although, like other toy breeds, they can be slow to housetrain. While they do have a dominant side to their personalities, good training will bring out their more sociable, affectionate traits.
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. Including daily brushing into your routine can help to prevent matting of their long fur, and regular haircuts from a professional groomer are necessary.
Your groomer will be able to help you choose from a number of Yorkshire Terrier 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’. Find out more dog health tips to help your pet stay in the best condition.
Get a Yorkshire Terrier Insurance Quote
Ensure your Yorkshire Terrier gets the protection they need, including cover for hereditary and congenital conditions with Petplan dog insurance.
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