Yorkshire Terriers - Everything You Need To Know About Them 2024

If you have had the luck to see one for yourself, then you certainly know there is nothing more adorable than a Yorkshire Terrier puppy. Yorkshire Terriers are known and loved for their beautiful furry looks, their caring personalities, and might even be the most popular dog in the United States.

But what should you be aware of before buying a Yorkshire Terrier? How long do these dogs live and what special needs do they have? What are the pros and cons of owning a one? Is owning a Yorkshire Terrier even worth it today?

Let’s get right into everything You need to know:

Weight and Height

Yorkshire Terriers are one of the smallest dog breeds you will find along with chihuahuas and Pomeranians. Their average height is around 6 to 7 inches (15 to 17.5 centimeters) and they only weigh up to 7 pounds (3 kilograms).

What is iconic about these dogs however is not their size, but their appearance in general.

Description

Yorkies have a small head with a medium sized muzzle and an iconic fur which gives them a cute, aristocratic look. Their fur is extremely long for any animal with their body size and is surprisingly silky and soft making them perfect cuddling partners. Its colors are usually some combination of black and gold, black and blonde, or dark blue and gold. In addition, they possess pointy, V-shaped ears which are always erect, and black, beady eyes.

History

These dogs might have hair that reaches the floor and may barely be larger than a cat but don’t let that fool you. They still have the same predatory ancestral instincts other dogs have.

Up until recently, Yorkies were used as guard dogs in mills and were tasked with taking care of any rats that would dare to come close.

How Long Do Yorkshire Terriers Live?

Yorkshire Terriers are healthy dogs with an average lifespan that ranges anywhere from 13 to 16 years.

The exact number of years your yorkie will live, obviously depends on the dog, as well as how well you treat it. If you wish to maximize your yorkies lifespan, make sure to feed it high quality dog food, take it on plenty of walks to meets its exercise needs, and regularly visit the vet.

How Much Do Yorkshire Terriers Cost?

The best option by far if you are thinking of getting a Yorkshire Terrier puppy is to adopt one from a friend who owns a yorkie that just gave birth, or from a dog shelter. However, not everyone is lucky enough to have this opportunity, so they are understandably forced to buy one.

A Yorkshire Terrier from a reputable breeder can cost anywhere from 800 to 3000 dollars. The true cost of owning one, however, is much higher than that, since you should also take dog food, dog equipment, and vet bills into consideration.

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

They Are Great Apartment Dogs.

Yorkshire Terriers may not be the biggest or strongest dogs out there, but their tiny size makes them perfect for your apartment. Thanks to their size, yorkies are highly unlikely to damage or trample over anything around the house and will fit in perfectly no matter the size of your apartment or studio. All they require is a short daily walk to get some exercise in, which can be done by any family member, since their size makes them really easy to walk.

They Are Perfect Travel Companions.

Travelling is another sector in which small size comes in handy. If you are someone who enjoys travelling or travels often due to work, then yorkies are one of the best dogs for you. The fact that they fit most weight and size restrictions means you can easily bring them on a plane with you with the right pet carrier and maybe even stay with them in the same hotel.

They Don’t Require Much Exercise.

Larger dogs will usually require a 1-to-2-mile walk to meet their exercise needs and remain healthy. Yorkshire Terriers, however, can get away with a simple walk around the block and maybe some playtime in the backyard. They will also unavoidably run around in your house whether you go for a walk or not.

They Are A Friendly Breed.

When properly socialized Yorkshire Terriers are the type of dogs that will be friendly towards all family members and will happily greet any guests, friends, or acquaintances you might invite over.

They also have the ability to sense if you want the person in your apartment to be there or not, so their behavior towards strangers mirrors off of your mood.

They Don’t Shed Much.

The fur of a Yorkshire Terrier closely resembles human hair which fortunately means there will be little to no shelling around the house. You will, however, still have to purchase a brush for its fur and a dog grooming kit to cut it when it gets too long.

Cons:

They Don’t Co-exist Well With Other Pets.

The only other pet yorkies might tolerate is another one of their breed. They have absolutely zero tolerance for any other pet and will frequently seek your attention and get jealous when you favor other pets. They will get into fights with just about any other pet you may have even if the other pet is far larger than them.

They Aren’t Ideal For Small Kids.

Yorkies are the type of dogs that love cuddling and playing as long as it doesn’t get rough. Young children up to 5 years old are likely to be a little rougher when handling a yorkie and do not take the dog’s comfort into consideration. When handled roughly these dogs can react in a similar manner by scratching or slightly biting.

They Have The “Big Dog” Syndrome.

What this means is that Yorkshire Terriers are oblivious to their size and strength and overestimate their abilities. They do portray territorial behavior and will not hesitate to get into a fight with any other dog no matter its size. So, if you live among other dogs, you should be aware that your yorkie will surely challenge to be the pack leader at some point, something that could prove dangerous for its own safety.

They Are Hard To Train.

The belief that Yorkshire Terriers are impossible to train is only a myth, but the truth is that it will take much more effort than most other dogs. Training them to obey commands, or potty training is no easy task, and it will take lots of patience and failed attempts.

If you are interested about learning more about how to train your dog effectively make sure to check out Brain Training for Dogs which is the top dog training course available in the market right now and will teach you everything you need to know about how to train your dog effectively.

Daily Grooming

As mentioned before a yorkies fur closely resembles human hair, which means you will have to brush its hair on a daily basis if it isn’t trimmed so that your yorkie doesn’t develop painful knots.

A special brush is usually necessary for this process so make sure you check it out if you are interested in getting one.

All in all, Yorkshire Terriers are adorable little dogs which will not create any problems around the house. Their loving nature and cute looks will make you fall in love with them at first sight.