The danger of having a Yorkie is you’ll never want another dog! They are the perfect blend of feisty, affection, and apartment dogs in one. Although Yorkshire Terriers aren’t used for ratting anymore, their prey drive remains strong. This is something to think about before getting one. They are cute and small, but they have a true terrier nature! Don’t walk them off-leash unless you are confident they won’t get into trouble following a scent. And don’t be surprised if they come back with a bird or a mole in their mouth. 

Of course, there is much more to Yorkies than their prey drive. They are also very loyal, affectionate, quite barky, great watchdogs, and playful little dogs that will make your life fulfilled and much happier. However, be aware they are bossy and they will try to be in charge. Early training and socialization play a significant role in this case.

Size

The Yorkshire Terrier is a small dog. Both males and females grow up to 8 inches (20 cm) tall. They are also rarely over 8 pounds (3.5 kg). A beautiful little dog. I will talk about their coat later, but just a reminder that if they have a “show cut” or if you let their coat grow all the way to the ground, they don’t look as tiny as when they have their “pet cut” or “puppy cut”.

When you cut their fur short, you see how small they actually are. But, don’t get fooled by their small size! Yorkies are brave little dogs! They look compact and sturdy when on a mission – sniffing out potential prey. But, they are still toy dogs, so keeping an eye on them is important, especially when going for a walk outside.

Color

One of the most distinctive features of Yorkies is their coat color. The most common version is blue & tan or blue & gold. The beautiful blend of these colors is especially noticeable when their coats are kept long – all the way to the ground. 

Other possible color variations are black & tan or black & gold. But, all Yorkies are born with this coat color combination! Only later, as they grow, the black color turns into blue. Of course, this is the case if they are blue & tan/gold. If they are not, they’ll keep the black coat color. This usually happens when puppies are from 9 to 10 weeks old. 

Yorkies are born with black & tan color combination, but start to change their coat color when they turn 9 or 10 weeks. After that they can turn into a blue & gold or blue & tan coat combination.

Social Traits

The Yorkshire Terrier is a great apartment dog because of its size. They are easy to transport, put in a doggy-bag, a doggy-backpack, or a crate. Because of their size, they are often allowed in public places where big dogs may not go, such as public transport, shopping centers, etc.

However, there are some things you should know before getting a Yorkie. Here they are, cards on the table:

• They bark a lot 
• They have a strong prey drive
• They are stubborn
• They are tiny, so very young children could unintentionally hurt them
• They also have a puppy phase (very energetic!)
• They are not scared of big dogs

If all of this sounds like something you can manage with, then you should also know that Yorkies are:

• Affectionate
• Loyal
• Loving and sweet
• Lots of personality in such a small body
• Great watchdogs
• Hypoallergenic 
• Great family dogs (for families with older children)
• Just an overall fun, cheerful dog!

These breed characteristics come from dog owners, not just Kennel Club standards for purebred Yorkies. That means you might have a Yorkie that does not bark a lot at all. Or, you might have a Yorkie that couldn’t care less for the squirrel in the park. Dogs have unique personalities, and these traits have a purpose to tell you what you can expect from a dog like a Yorkie, not what all Yorkies should be. 

Trainability

Being stubborn and having a big personality in a small body can lead to some training difficulties. The problem gets bigger because of us, the owners, who apply different training techniques to small dogs just because they are small. It’s like we don’t take it as seriously as with big dogs. 

Yorkies are small dogs, but need obedience training just as if they were 100 pounds!

One of the biggest issues dog owners have with Yorkshire Terriers is potty training. It’s the biggest one because, probably, it’s the only obedience training they focus on because it bothers them – no one wants dog poop and pee in their homes. I know it sounds harsh, but not many people want to correct the behavior of their little dogs because they are just so tiny. What could such tiny dogs do?

Yorkies are not stupid or any more difficult to train than a Doberman Pinscher. They just need consistency, schedule, patience, and lots of positive reinforcement when they do the right thing. Just like any other dog. Starting early is the key. 

Activity Needs

A wonderful trait of small dogs is that they do not need hours and hours of outdoor activities every day. Of course, this is considered a wonderful trait only if you are not very active. If you are looking for a dog to go on long hikes with you, having a toy dog is not a good option. 

Yorkies are small dogs that need their daily walks and talks (physical and mental stimulation), but not for hours without breaks. The best option is to give them up to 1 hour of daily activities divided into several walks or play sessions. This is where having a small dog gets convenient. If you can’t take them outside, don’t worry! Yorkies are small and you can easily play fetch with them in your apartment. 

 Yorkies need mental stimulation too – games, solving problems, etc. One of the best mental stimulation games is hiding a treat and letting them find it using their sense of smell.

Feeding

The Yorkshire Terrier is a small dog and does not need a lot of food. Generally speaking, an adult Yorkie needs up to 1 cup of kibble food a day. Divide this amount into two meals—one in the morning and one in the evening. 

Usually, Yorkies eat ½ cup with some additional healthy snacks, such as fruits safe for dogs, or dog treats (if you are in the middle of training). Just don’t forget to consult a vet when changing your dog’s diet or brand of food. 

These are general feeding amounts, but every dog is unique. The goal is, of course, to keep them healthy and fit. Not overweight or underweight. You can use some general rules from this article to quickly determine your dog’s normal weight.

Grooming

No matter if your Yorkie has a short or long coat, you should brush them every day. Yes, you can skip a day if they have a short coat, but it’s not recommended. At least it’s not too difficult to brush them and it doesn’t take a lot of time. They are tiny!

Brushing your dog is another great way to socialize with your dog and check his health. Use a slicker brush and do a final “touch” with a metal comb for dogs. That way, you can untangle any hair. Of course, you can always take your dog to a professional dog groomer. You can see both versions of coat length/trim in the pictures below.

Possible Problems

Like other dogs, Yorkies can have some health issues. 

• Eye problems
• Luxating patella
• Teeth problem

The teeth problems are quite common, and we can do our best to prevent them. That means getting your Yorkie used to having its teeth brushed from its puppyhood. You should brush their teeth at least once a week. Ideally, you could do it every day. 

Lifespan: around 15 years

Summary

Yorkies are great companion dogs. While they are very affectionate and loyal, they have some traits that are not suitable for everyone. Depending where you live, their barky nature might be a problem. Also, they need to be on leash at all times because of their high prey drive. Even if they are not prey-driven, Yorkies are brave dogs who are not afraid of the big dogs! This can lead to a lot of issues. Training your dog, socializing and habituating him is very important. It doesn’t matter that the Yorkshire Terrier is a small dog – they still need proper training. That includes more than potty training. We need to teach them how to behave around other animals, strangers, and children. We need to make sure they grow up into confident but calm and friendly dogs.

Read Next: Miniature Pinscher Traits – Breeds 101

Cover photo by: JÉSHOOTS