Yorkshire Terrier Dog Breed and Characteristics

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Yorkshire Terrier

Close-up head photo of a Yorkshire Terrier

Studio photo of a Yorkshire Terrier, on black background

Yorkshire Terrier jumping over an obstacle in Agility dog sport

Yorkshire Terrier Club of America, Inc.

07/04/2025

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About the Yorkshire Terrier
History of the Yorkshire Terrier
General Appearance
The Yorkshire Terrier – What to Consider?
Yorkshire Terrier Puppies
Yorkshire Terrier Activities & Dog Sports
Group Classification & Standards
Yorkshire Terrier Clubs
Yorkshire Terrier Rescue Groups
Yorkshire Terrier Facts
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Latest Articles

About the Yorkshire Terrier

The Yorkshire Terrier is named after County of Yorkshire in Northern England.

Huddersfield Ben (b.1865) is recognized as the “Father of the Breed.”

AKC Group

Toy

Height

7 – 8 inches

Weight

7 pounds or less

Lifespan

12 – 15 years

Highlights

Country of Origin	County of Yorkshire, England (1865)
Bred For	Originally Bred for Hunting Vermin
Known For	Diminutive Size, Terrier Temperament
Popularity	High
Temperament	Yorkies are fiercely loyal and very smart. They have an excellent memory and think of themselves as a large dog in a small package. They can also be quite stubborn and require constant repetition in training.
Activities	Conformation Shows, Companion and Performance Events

History of the Yorkshire Terrier

Go to: www.YTCA.org. Check out “History of the Yorkshire Terrier” by Joan Gordon.

General Appearance

Height & Weight

7-8” at shoulders; No more than 7 pounds

Proportion & Substance

The body is neat, compact and well proportioned. The dog’s high head carriage and confident manner should give the appearance of vigor and self importance.

Coat Texture, Color & Markings

Texture: A long-haired toy terrier whose blue and tan coat is parted on the face and from the base of the skull to the end of the tail, and hangs evenly and quite straight down each side of body. Hair is glossy, fine, and silky in texture.

Yorkshire Terrier Colors:

Blue & Tan

Yorkshire Terrier Markings:

Disqualifications: Any solid color or combination of colors other than blue and tan as described above. Any white markings other than a small white spot on the forechest that does not exceed one inch at its longest dimension.

A Note About Color: Puppies are born black and tan and are normally darker in body color, showing an intermingling of black hair in the tan until they are matured. Color of hair on the body and richness of tan and legs are of prime importance in adult dogs, to which the following color requirements apply:

BLUE: Is a dark steel blue, not a silver blue and not mingled with fawn, bronzy, or black hairs.
TAN: All tan hair is darker at the roots than in the middle, shading to still lighter tan at the tips. There should be no sooty or black hair intermingled with any of the tan.

Head

Skull: Small and rather flat on top. The skull is not too prominent or round.
Expression: Should be sharp and intelligent.
Eyes: Are medium in size and not too prominent; dark in color. Eye rims are dark.
Ears: Are small, V-shaped, carried erect, and set not too far apart.
Muzzle: The muzzle is not too long.
Bite: The bite is neither undershot nor overshot and teeth sound. Either scissors bite or level bite is acceptable.

Tail

The tail is docked to a medium length and carried slightly higher than the level of the back.

The Yorkshire Terrier – What to Consider?

Interaction With Family

The level of affection a breed typically shows towards family members and familiar individuals will vary. While some breeds may only show genuine warmth towards their owner, remaining standoffish with strangers, other breeds will treat everyone they meet as if they are their closest friend.

Independent Affectionate

Good With Other Dogs

The innate friendliness of a dog towards other dogs can depend on its breed. Although supervision is always recommended during introductions, certain breeds tend to be inherently more or less sociable with other dogs, whether in a home setting or in public spaces.

Not Recommended Reliable With Other Dogs

Good With Young Children

The degree to which a breed will typically be patient with young children, and its overall suitability as a family member, will vary. It is important to always supervise interactions between dogs and the kids in the house, as well as with children who are not accustomed to being around dogs.

Not Recommended Dependable With Children

Amount Of Shedding

The amount of hair that a dog sheds will typically depend on its breed. Heavy-shedding breeds require more frequent brushing, have a higher chance of activating specific allergies, and often necessitate more frequent use of the vacuum cleaner and lint rollers.

Low High

Frequency Of Grooming

The regularity with which a breed needs bathing, brushing, trimming, or other forms of coat care is an all-important consideration. When evaluating the grooming effort required, consider your available time, patience, and budget. It is important to note that all breeds need routine ear, teeth, and nail care.

Monthly Daily

Amount Of Drooling

The tendency of a breed to drool significantly varies from breed to breed. For those who prefer cleanliness or are particular about keeping things tidy, breeds that are likely to leave trails of drool on your arm or large slobbery marks on your clothing and furniture might not be the best fit.

Low High

Coat Type

smooth

wiry

hairless

rough

corded

double

curly

wavy

sikly

Coat Length

short

medium

long

Acceptance Of New People

The likelihood of a breed to be friendly towards strangers will vary. While some breeds may consistently exhibit reserve or caution around unfamiliar people, regardless of the setting, others are often eager to greet and interact with any new person they meet.

Reserved Outgoing

Protective Nature

The propensity of a dog to notify you of the presence of strangers is breed-dependent. Some breeds are more inclined to respond to any perceived threat, be it the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. However, most breeds are generally more accepting of strangers who are welcomed by their human family members.

Minimal Interest Maximum Vigilance

Playfulness Level

The likelihood of a breed remaining playful beyond puppyhood will vary. Certain breeds retain their enthusiasm for activities like tug-of-war or games of fetch well into their adult years, whereas others are more content to simply lounge on the sofa with you for the majority of time.

Low High

Adaptability Level

The ease with which a breed can adapt to changes in its environment can vary greatly. This adaptability encompasses how well a breed is likely to cope with alterations to its home and yard, noise levels, weather conditions, daily routines, and other fluctuations in everyday life.

Low High

Trainability Level

The ease with which a dog can be trained and its eagerness to learn new skills can depend on the breed. Some breeds are naturally inclined to please their owners and will readily accept training, while others tend to follow their own desires, often showing independence in how, when, and where they choose to do things.

Stubborn Eager

Barking Level

The frequency of vocalization, including barking and howling, will vary from breed to breed. Some may bark at each person who passes by and every bird in the sky, while others will typically bark only for a good reason. Additionally, a few breeds that do not typically bark will still be vocal, using different sounds to communicate.

Quiet Vocal

Energy Level

The level of physical exercise and mental engagement required will depend on the breed. High-energy breeds are always on the go. They are enthusiastic about their next activity and tend to be busy most of the time, running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. In contrast, low-energy breeds are akin to couch potatoes, content to just lounge around and take naps throughout the day.

Couch Potato Busybody

Need For Mental Stimulation

The extent of mental stimulation needed to keep a dog content and healthy will vary by breed. Dogs bred for specific purposes may need tasks involving decision-making, problem-solving, and concentration. Without sufficient mental exercise, these dogs can resort to creating their own activities to engage their minds, resulting in unwanted behaviors like chewing, digging, and escaping.

Minimal Engagement Intensive Interaction

Yorkshire Terrier Health

The Yorkshire Terrier is generally a healthy breed.

Lifespan: 12-15 years

Potential Health Risks

Conditions which may affect the breed are Liver Shunt, Microvascular Dysplasia, Protein-Losing Enteropathy, Encephalitis, Degenerative Myelopathy and Hyperuricosuria, which may be discussed with your breeder.

Yorkshire Terrier Personality

Very vocal. Needs a job to keep busy. Extremely loyal to the family and presents as a “guard” dog in spite of their size.

Feeding & Nutrition

A well-balanced diet is most important. Table scraps should be kept to a bare minimum. There are particular foods created for this specific breed.

Yorkshire Terrier Training

Yorkies are extremely intelligent with a very good memory. Training repetition is the best path to take. Obedience training is very valuable in creating a well-behaved family pet

Yorkshire Terrier Exercise

Daily exercise is recommended, whether running in the yard or going on walks.

Exercise Expectations

Energy Level	Moderate
Exercise Requirements	Mental stimulation, retrieving toys, daily walks, plenty of sunshine for Vitamin D. No thick collars around the neck area. Retractable leashes are not favored for this breed.

Yorkshire Terrier Grooming

As mentioned earlier, daily brushing on a long coat is mandatory. Mats and knots can form if this is not done and become painful if close to the skin.

Grooming Expectations

Coat Type	Quality, texture, and quantity of coat are of prime importance. Hair is glossy, fine, and silky in texture. Coat on the body is moderately long and perfectly straight (not wavy). The fall on the head is long, tied with one bow in the center of the head. Hair on muzzle is very long. Hair should be trimmed short on the tips of the ears and may be trimmed on the feet to give them a neat appearance.
Grooming Requirements	Yorkies kept in long coat must be brushed daily. A mild tearless shampoo and moderate conditioner should be used once a week. Wrapping the coat is suggested to prevent breakage and promote growth; however, wraps should be checked daily. Pet Yorkies are easier to maintain in a “puppy cut,” which is short hair all over the body with a heart-shaped muzzle trim.

Living with a Yorkshire Terrier

They are extremely affectionate and very curious. Love to chase squirrels and bark at strangers. Very sociable and happy to cuddle up next to you.

Yorkshire Terrier Puppies

Puppies should not be sold until they are at least 12 weeks of age and have had their initial vaccinations.

Yorkshire Terrier Activities & Sports

Conformation shows, Companion & Performance (Agility, Obedience, Earth Dog, FCAT) are some of the many areas Yorkies can compete in.

Group Classification & Standards

The Yorkshire Terrier is recognized by the world’s leading registries and kennel organizations, which categorize the breed into a specific Group based on its unique characteristics. This breed is recognized worldwide under the following Group designations:

International Organizations

Organization	Group Designation
AKC (American Kennel Club)	Toy
CKC (Canadian Kennel Club)	Toys
ANKC (Australian National Kennel Council)	Toys
RKC (The Royal Kennel Club)	Toy
FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale)	Group 3: Terrier; Section 4: Toy Terriers

The ideal Yorkshire Terrier is described by a Breed Standard that is approved by each of the world’s leading registries and kennel organizations. The Breed Standards for this breed may be found in the following links:

Breed Standards

Organization	Breed Standard
American Kennel Club	AKC Yorkshire Terrier Breed Standard
Canadian Kennel Club	CKC Yorkshire Terrier Breed Standard
Australian National Kennel Council	ANKC Yorkshire Terrier Breed Standard
The Royal Kennel Club	RKC Yorkshire Terrier Breed Standard
Fédération Cynologique Internationale	FCI Yorkshire Terrier Breed Standard

Yorkshire Terrier Clubs

Please click here for the names of all Regional Clubs.

Yorkshire Terrier Rescue Groups

Please visit YTCA Rescue Page for complete information.

Yorkshire Terrier Facts

A Decorated Hero: In 1944, a Yorkshire Terrier named “Smoky” was found by an American soldier in the New Guinea jungle. She was bought by Corporal William A. Wynne and back-packed through the rest of the war, accompanying Wynne on combat flights in the Pacific, warning soldiers of advancing troops, and going into foxholes. Weighing only four pounds, she was awarded eight battle stars. She was awarded posthumously the PDSA Certificate for Bravery or Devotion in April 2011.
Westminster Winner: A Yorkshire Terrier has only won Best in Show at The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show once, in 1978; Ch. Cede Higgins, owned by Barbara and Charles Switzer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are “Teacup Yorkies?”

There is no such thing as a teacup in any breed. Some litters produce a smaller puppy who is considered to be the “runt” of the litter. Extremely small Yorkies (2-3 lbs) are rare and never used for breeding by reputable breeders. They require more smaller meals per day and must be watched closely for any signs of distress.

Where do I find a Breeder of Yorkies?

YTCA.org has a list of approved breeders to contact and do not advertise in newspapers or the Internet. Reputable breeders will ask very detailed questions of anyone wishing to purchase a puppy (or adult dog) and will insist on meeting you in person, preferably in their own home.

References:

Our Dogs article on Yorkshire Terriers by Annie Swan
Toy Dogs by Mrs. Lillian C. Raymond-Mallock
The Complete Book of The Dog by Robert Leighton
The History of The Yorkshire Terrier by Joan Gordon
Yorkie Doodle Dandy by William A. Wynne

All of the above listed information can be found on the AKC.org website and the YTCA.org website. Owning a Yorkie can be challenging, but they make you smile every day of their life!

Yorkshire Terrier Club of America, Inc.

Founded in 1951, the Yorkshire Terrier Club of America (YTCA) serves as the official AKC Parent Club for the breed in the United States. With a mission centered on preservation, education, and responsible breeding, the YTCA is dedicated to protecting the integrity of the Yorkshire Terrier. The club supports breeders and owners alike in maintaining true breed type, sound health, and stable temperament, while fostering a spirit of camaraderie among its members. Always guided by the best interests of the breed, the YTCA continues to be a vital force in promoting the excellence and welfare of Yorkshire Terriers nationwide.