Daily life
They usually want to be where you are
A lot of Yorkies feel happiest when they can follow their person from room to room, sit nearby, and stay involved in the daily routine instead of being treated like a background pet.
Height
7-8 inches
Weight
7 pounds
Life Expectancy
11-15 years
Size
Toy
What Yorkshire Terriers are like
Yorkshire Terriers are tiny companion dogs with much bigger personalities than their size suggests. A Yorkie can be sweet, funny, and deeply attached to its people, but the breed also keeps the alert, bossy streak that comes from its terrier roots. They usually fit best with homes that want a close little shadow dog and are honest about grooming, barking, house training, and the extra care that comes with a dog that weighs only about seven pounds.
Is the Yorkshire Terrier right for your home?
Best match for...
A home that wants a very small dog with a lot of personality, likes close day-to-day companionship, and can stay on top of coat care, dental care, and gentle handling.
Apartments
Older kids
Close companions
Daily life
Coat care becomes part of the schedule
Shorter pet trims can make life easier, but even then the coat needs regular brushing and cleanup, and longer coats turn grooming into a real weekly commitment.
Daily life
Short walks still matter
Yorkies do not need big-dog exercise, but they still need daily walks, play, and mental stimulation because boredom can show up as barking, bossiness, or fussy household habits.
Training and handling
Training
House training usually takes patience
Small dogs often get too much freedom too early, and Yorkies can be stubborn about bathroom routines if the plan is inconsistent, so scheduled potty breaks and repetition matter.
Training
Confidence needs direction
The breed's bold attitude is part of the charm, but it can also show up as barking, pushiness, or acting bigger than the body really is, which is why early socialization and calm rules help.
Training
Protect the small body
A Yorkie can be brave enough to leap off furniture or challenge much bigger dogs, so gentle handling, safe landings, and careful supervision matter because toy-breed injuries happen fast.
Health and cost
Plan for it
Grooming and dental care are real upkeep
Low shedding does not mean low maintenance. Regular grooming appointments, quality coat care at home, and consistent dental care can become a meaningful long-term cost for this breed.
Plan for it
Knees, eyes, and airway issues deserve attention
Responsible breeders screen for kneecap and eye issues, and owners should also pay attention to dental trouble plus any coughing or breathing changes that deserve a vet conversation.
Plan for it
A long lifespan means a long commitment
Yorkies often live well into their teens, which is wonderful but also means the budget and care routine need to hold up for a long time, not just through puppyhood.
Did you know?
Yorkies started as working terriers
Before they became famous lapdogs, Yorkshire Terriers were valued for catching rats in mills and workshops, which helps explain why the breed still acts much bolder than the tiny frame suggests.
Yorkie is only the nickname
Yorkshire Terrier is the full breed name, and Yorkie is simply the short everyday version, not a separate breed.
The coat is more like hair than fur
That hair-like coat is one reason many people notice less loose fur around the house, but it is also why brushing, trimming, and keeping the coat clean matter so much.
Tiny dogs can still have huge opinions
A lot of Yorkie owners love the breed because it feels lively, expressive, and confident rather than fragile or timid, especially when the dog also has clear routines and calm boundaries.
Breeds similar to the Yorkshire Terrier
Browse all breeds
Maltese
Toy • Toy • Medium energy
Maltese dogs are tiny companion dogs known for a gentle, affectionate temperament and a long silky white coat that sheds less than many breeds but needs regular upkeep. They often fit people who want a very close house dog that can handle apartment-sized living, but the breed is not effortless: brushing, dental care, house-training patience, and careful handling all matter more than the size suggests.
Shih Tzu
Toy • Small • Medium energy
Shih Tzus are compact companion dogs bred to stay close to their people, not to power through all-day activity. They usually fit homes that want an affectionate, adaptable small dog and are ready for regular grooming, gentle daily exercise, and extra care around eyes, teeth, and hot weather.
Pomeranian
Toy • Toy • Medium energy
People are often drawn to the Pomeranian for its huge coat, fox-like face, and oversized confidence. This breed fits best when a home wants a tiny companion with real opinions, can stay ahead of barking and grooming, and understands that small size does not remove the need for training, supervision, or daily routine.
Breed Traits
Energy Level4/5
Trainability4/5
Health Concerns2/5
Barking Tendency4/5
Good with Kids5/5
Good with Dogs3/5