Yorkshire Terrier Guide: Temperament, Grooming, Size and Adoption
Yorkshire Terrier overview
The Yorkshire Terrier is a small companion dog known for a silky coat, a bold personality and a strong attachment to its owner. The American Kennel Club places the breed in the Toy Group and lists England as its origin.
Where does the Yorkshire Terrier come from?
According to the United Kennel Club, the breed was bred in Yorkshire, England, to control rats in coal mines and cotton mills.
Yorkie size: how big is a Yorkshire Terrier?
For Yorkshire Terrier size, the American Kennel Club puts the breed in its smallest size category and publishes a weight of 7 pounds, while the United Kennel Club says the breed weighs no more than seven pounds. The American Kennel Club lists a height of 7-8 inches. The breed is a toy-type terrier, so it is a long way from being a large breed.
Yorkshire Terrier temperament
The American Kennel Club describes the breed's temperament as affectionate, sprightly and tomboyish. Yorkies tend to be alert and energetic, and they often act much larger than their size. Many form strong attachments and enjoy close interaction with their owners. Without early and consistent training, they may become vocal or reactive.
Exercise and daily needs
Yorkshire Terriers need moderate daily activity, and short walks with indoor play usually meet their needs. They tend to have limited tolerance for being alone and may become anxious. Because of their small size, they are sensitive to cold.
Yorkie grooming: do Yorkies shed?
Coat care is a major part of keeping this breed, and daily brushing helps prevent tangles. Regular bathing helps maintain cleanliness and coat texture, and routine ear cleaning and nail trimming are required. For people asking whether Yorkies shed, the American Kennel Club rates shedding for the breed at 1 of 5 and grooming frequency at 5 of 5.
How long do Yorkies live, and what health concerns matter?
The American Kennel Club gives a general life expectancy of 11-15 years for the Yorkshire Terrier. The breed is especially prone to dental disease because of crowded teeth, so daily dental care is considered essential. Small size also raises the chance of low blood sugar in puppies and of breathing-passage trouble later in life. Keeping weight in check and catching liver or heart disease early matter for long-term health.
Considering a Yorkie rescue or adoption
Yorkies do best in homes that offer attention, routine and gentle handling. They are often best matched with older, gentle children, and supervision is recommended around other pets because they may be assertive.
AKC breed facts
These are the American Kennel Club’s general facts and 1 to 5 ratings for the Yorkshire Terrier as a breed. General tendencies don’t establish any one dog’s ancestry, personality or health; ask the listing organization about the dog you are considering.
- AKC group
- Toy Group
- AKC recognition year
- 1885
- Height (AKC published)
- 7-8 inches
- Weight (AKC published)
- 7 pounds
- General life expectancy
- 11-15 years
- AKC size category
- XSmall
AKC general breed ratings (1 to 5)
- Energy: 4 of 5
- Mental enrichment: 4 of 5
- Trainability: 4 of 5
- Grooming frequency: 5 of 5
- Shedding: 1 of 5
- Vocalization: 4 of 5
- Drooling: 1 of 5
- Adaptability: 5 of 5
- Playfulness: 4 of 5
- Watchful or protective tendency: 5 of 5
- Affection toward family: 5 of 5
- Openness toward strangers: 5 of 5
- AKC child compatibility rating: 5 of 5
- AKC dog compatibility rating: 3 of 5
Health screenings AKC lists for the breed
Breeding evaluations AKC names for the breed; they are not a diagnosis or a testing plan for any one dog.
- Patella Evaluation
- Ophthalmologist Evaluation
Source: American Kennel Club breed profile (opens in a new tab), retrieved November 4, 2026 (snapshot akc-2026-11-04).
Written by Lily's Second Chance with AI assistance from the sources listed under References. Facts were checked automatically against those sources on November 7, 2026.
References
- Yorkshire Terrier | VCA Animal Hospitals (opens in a new tab), VCA Animal Hospitals, checked November 7, 2026
- Breed Standards : Yorkshire Terrier | United Kennel Club (UKC) (opens in a new tab), United Kennel Club, checked November 7, 2026
- Yorkshire Terrier - AKC breed profile (snapshot akc-2026-11-04) (opens in a new tab), American Kennel Club, checked November 4, 2026
