Meet the Yorkie: The World’s Smallest Comedian

The Yorkshire Terrier, or Yorkie, is an affectionate and playful little dog. Their silly nature has made the Yorkie a favorite among royalty and fashionable city dwellers alike. Here we will be explaining everything that you will need to know before welcoming a Yorkshire Terrier into your family. 

What is a Yorkie 

The Yorkshire Terrier is a part of the American Kennel Club’s toy breed group. This group is reserved for little companion dogs that are below 18 pounds. 

Where did the Yorkie Originate From? 

The Yorkshire Terrier originates from Scotland and Northern England. This is where they get their name: Yorkshire Terrier. 

What was the Yorkie Bred For? 

The Yorkie was originally bred to eliminate vermin in small spaces like mines and mills. However, most Yorkshire Terriers are no longer getting rid of vermin like rats and mice today. 

What Does a Yorkie Look Like? 

The Yorkshire Terrier is an adorable little dog with a stunning appearance. Here we will be explaining what a purebred Yorkie should look like according to their official breed standard. 

The Yorkie’s Coat 

The Yorkie’s coat is long and silky. In fact, many people describe the Yorkie’s hair as feeling very similar to human hair. The Yorkshire Terrier’s show cut is very long, but many Yorkie owners choose to cut their dog’s hair a bit shorter than this. 

All Yorkies will have a coat color that is a variation of black and tan. This can include blue and tan, blue and gold, and black and gold. This coat should not shed very much. 

Are Yorkies Hypoallergenic? 

The Yorkshire Terrier is regarded by many to be a hypoallergenic dog. This is thanks to their low amount of shedding and silky hair texture. If you have a dog allergy and are interested in getting a Yorkie then it is a good idea to spend some time around one first. This way you can find out if the Yorkie triggers your allergies before bringing one into your home. 

Other Unique Characteristics 

There are some other unique characteristics that a Yorkie should have according to their breed standard. For instance, a Yorkie’s eyes should be brown and medium in proportion to their face. Their ears should also be small and v-shaped. Meanwhile, their tail should be docked and their snout should be in proportion to their head. 

How Big Does a Full-Grown Yorkie Get? 

Yorkie Height 

The Yorkie is a tiny dog that should only be 7 to 8 inches tall at the shoulder. Male and female Yorkies should be the same size. 

Yorkie Weight 

According to the Yorkshire Terrier’s breed standard, these tiny dogs should always be around 7 pounds. No Yorkie should exceed this 7-pound weight limit. Male and female Yorkies will be the same size. 

How to Take Care of a Yorkie 

Besides daily grooming, the Yorkshire Terrier is actually relatively low maintenance when it comes to daily care. Here we will be breaking down how to properly take care of a Yorkie. 

Yorkie Exercise Needs 

Like many other types of small dogs, Yorkies do not need that much exercise. A short walk and some play time each day are usually enough to keep a Yorkie healthy and happy. It is recommended that you provide your Yorkie with about 30 minutes of exercise each day. 

Yorkie Grooming Requirements 

The most high-maintenance element of caring for a Yorkshire Terrier is their grooming. The Yorkie has a long and fine coat that needs to be brushed every day to prevent matting and tangles. It is also recommended that you bathe your Yorkie around once a month unless they get dirty. Spacing out bath times will keep your Yorkie’s skin and coat healthy. 

It is also crucial that you brush your Yorkie’s teeth regularly. This is because the Yorkie is prone to developing dental disease, and brushing their teeth daily or as often as possible can help prevent this problem. Your Yorkie’s nails should also be clipped often. 

Yorkie Dietary Needs 

Yorkies only need to eat about one cup of food per day. It is recommended that this portion is split into two half-cup meals.

The most common allergies in Yorkies are those to wheat, soy, and corn products. Additionally, Yorkies can be allergic to eggs, milk, and nuts. Occasionally Yorkies will be allergic to meat-based protein as well. This can include fish and seafood, beef, chicken, and other types of meat. 

Are Yorkies Easy to Train? 

Yorkies are known to be very intelligent dogs that are also fairly easy to train. Teaching a Yorkie basic obedience commands can make life with them easier. Similarly, teaching your Yorkie new tricks will be fun for them and provide your dog with mental stimulation. 

Are Yorkies Easy to Potty Train? 

Unfortunately, Yorkies also tend to be somewhat difficult to potty train. This is mainly due to the Yorkshire Terrier having a small bladder due to their overall tiny size. Therefore, you will need to take your Yorkie out to use the bathroom more often than you would for a larger dog. 

What is the Yorkie’s Temperament? 

The Yorkshire Terrier is known to be a brave little dog that is affectionate with their owners and loves to play. They also tend to do fairly well around children and other pets. Here we will be answering some commonly asked questions about the Yorkie’s temperament. 

Does the Yorkie do Well With Childen? 

The Yorkshire Terrier is a very affectionate and playful dog, and these traits make the Yorkie a great companion for older children. However, you must instruct any children that will be around a Yorkie on how to treat them properly. This is because Yorkies can easily be injured due to their small stature. Unfortunately, this also means that the Yorkie may not be the best fit for families with young children. 

Does the Yorkie do Well With Other Pets? 

Yorkies tend to do fairly well around cats and other dogs, especially when properly socialized with them. However, you will need to be careful about letting a Yorkie interact with larger dogs. This is because dogs larger than the Yorkie can easily hurt them, even when they are playing. 

Are Yorkies Aggressive? 

Aggression is out of character for a Yorkie. However, their tenacious nature may lead them to bark at strangers. Additionally, a Yorkie may lash out if they feel threatened or endangered. 

It is also important to remember that any dog could become aggressive if they have been mistreated in the past. As a result, Yorkies can also become aggressive if they have been neglected or abused in the past. Improper socialization and poor breeding can potentially cause aggression issues in dogs as well. 

What Environment is Ideal for a Yorkie? 

The Yorkshire Terrier is an excellent choice for those living in cities. This is because they are small and do not need a lot of living space. Similarly, Yorkies do not need much exercise, so city landscapes will be just fine for them. 

It is important to mention though that the Yorkie is somewhat delicate due to its small size. As a result, a Yorkie should not be left in very hot or cold weather for long amounts of time. 

What is the Average Lifespan of a Yorkie? 

The average lifespan of a Yorkshire Terrier is around 11 to 15 years. 

Yorkie’s Common Health Issues

The main health concerns for the Yorkshire Terrier include dental disease and liver problems. In addition to this, Legg-Calve Perthes Disease can affect Yorkies. This will cause the dog to limp. On occasion, eye problems can develop in the Yorkshire Terrier breed as well. 

How Much Does a Yorkie Cost? 

Most of the time a Yorkshire Terrier puppy from a good breeder will cost you somewhere between $1,000 and $3,000 within the United States. The region you are getting the puppy from can affect the price of a Yorkie puppy along with some other factors such as pedigree. 

If you are looking to get a Yorkie that is less expensive than the price listed above, then you will likely have some better luck getting a Yorkie from a breed rescue. The cost to adopt a Yorkie from a shelter or rescue is usually much less than $1,000.

Other Similar Dog Breeds 

Are you interested in the Yorkshire Terrier but are also looking to look into some other similar dog breeds?

Luckily, many dog breeds are similar to the Yorkie in temperament, size, and daily care needs. Here we will be explaining a little bit about the Shih Tzu, the Maltese, and the Biewer Terrier. 

If you are looking for a smaller version of the yorkie, read about the teacup yorkie.

The Shih Tzu 

The Shih Tzu is a small, longhaired dog breed that is known for its affectionate and playful nature. Although Shih Tzus are a bit larger than Yorkies, they need the same amount of daily exercise, and they are also a great option for city dwellers. Like the Yorkie, Shih Tzus will also need daily grooming due to their long hair. 

Shih Tzus are about as common as Yorkshire Terriers are, so you should not have a hard time finding a good Shih Tzu breeder. Also like the Yorkie, Shih Tzus tend to do very well around children and other pets. However, you will need to be careful that the tiny Shih Tzu does not become harmed by children and other dogs. 

The Maltese 

The Maltese is a dog breed that is of extremely similar size to the Yorkshire Terrier. The hair of these two dogs is also extremely similar in that they both have long, silky hair. The main difference between these two dog breeds appearance-wise is that the Maltese will always have white hair, while the Yorkie will always be black and tan. 

The Maltese will need to be groomed daily, but their daily exercise needs are very low. Similarly, the Maltese also tends to do pretty well around children and other pets. However, you will need to be careful about a Maltese interacting with young children and larger dogs. 

The Biewer Terrier 

A lesser-known dog breed, the Biewer Terrier is a dog that is similar to the Yorkie in size, temperament, and appearance. Like the Yorkie, the Biewer Terrier has long silky hair that requires regular maintenance. This coat on the Biewer Terrier comes in variations of a black, white, and tan tricolor. 

 This little dog handles apartment living extraordinarily well, and they are also known to do well around other pets. The Biewer Terrier is also known to do fairly well around other children. However, you will need to watch interactions between children and Biewer Terriers closely to ensure that the dog is not accidentally hurt. 

Finding the Right Breeder 

Many people will get a Yorkie puppy from a breeder. While this can be a great option, there are some things that you should be aware of before going on your breeder search. Here we will be explaining things that every good Yorkie breeder will do and some signs that you should avoid a particular Yorkie breeder. 

Things every good Yorkie breeder will do

There are things that every ethical dog breeder will do in their practices. Similarly, there are also some things that every reputable Yorkie breeder will do specifically. Here are some green flags to look for in a Yorkshire Terrier breeder. 

• All dogs are kept in safe and humane living conditions. 
• All of their dogs are well groomed. 
• All puppies and adult dogs are kept up to date on vaccinations and preventative care. 
• All puppies and adult dogs are routinely seen by a vet. 
• The breeder health tests their dogs for at least patella and eye abnormalities. (Extra health or genetic testing is always a welcome sight as well.)
• The breeder has proof of their dogs’ pedigrees. 
• Puppies are getting proper socialization. 
• The breeder provides new owners with information on the Yorkshire Terrier breed and how to properly care for Yorkie puppies. 
• The breeder only breeds dogs that are healthy and have good temperaments. 
• The breeder is a member of the American Kennel Club and the Yorkshire Terrier Club of America. 

Signs you should avoid a Yorkie breeder 

There are also some red flags that you should be aware of when looking for a Yorkshire Terrier breeder. Here are some signs that you should avoid a particular Yorkie breeder. 

• Their dogs are not kept in good health and are not groomed. 
• You are not allowed to see where the breeder’s dogs are housed. 
• You are not allowed to see your puppy’s parents. 
• Puppies are not socialized. 
• Puppies are given to their new owners before eight weeks old. 
• The breeder will not show you official proof of pedigree or health testing upon request. 
• Their Yorkies do not receive health testing for patellas or eyes. (All Yorkies should have good reports on these two health tests before being bred.)
• Your puppy is not up to date on their vaccinations or deworming upon taking them home. 

Conclusion (Is the Yorkie Right for You?) 

The Yorkshire Terrier is a great choice of dog for those living in urban environments and apartments. This is because they do not need too much space or exercise. Similarly, Yorkies tend to do very well around children and other pets. You will need to be careful to ensure that your Yorkie does not get harmed by these individuals, though.