- Also called:
- Yorkie
- Related Topics:
- teacup dog
- terrier
- toy dog
- On the Web:
- World Animal Rescue Network - Yorkshire Terrier (Nov. 08, 2026)
Yorkshire Terrier dog
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What is a Yorkshire Terrier?
The Yorkshire Terrier, or Yorkie, is a toy dog that originated in the English counties of Yorkshire and Lancashire in the mid-1800s. Scottish weavers migrating to these areas brought terrier breeds with them, including the Skye and Dandie Dinmont, which contributed to the Yorkie's development. The silky coat, parted from nose to tail, is its most notable feature.
Yorkies are known to be bold, energetic, and playful, sometimes feisty with strangers. They can be affectionate and make good lapdogs if they get enough exercise. Yorkies can adapt to smaller living spaces if they are walked daily. The American Kennel Club formally recognized the breed in 1885.
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What does a Yorkshire Terrier look like?
The Yorkshire Terrier, or Yorkie, originated in the English counties of Yorkshire and Lancashire in the mid-1800s. The breed's lineage isn't known but likely includes several terriers, possibly the Skye and Dandie Dinmont, and perhaps the Maltese.
A notable feature is its straight, silky coat, parted along the back from nose to tail, often long enough to sweep the ground. The color is typically dark blue-gray, with tan markings on the head and chest.
Yorkies are generally healthy, spirited, and valued as pets and companions. The American Kennel Club formally recognized the breed in 1885.
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Where did the Yorkshire Terrier breed originate?
The Yorkshire Terrier originated in the English counties of Yorkshire and Lancashire in the mid-1800s. Scottish weavers migrated to these areas, bringing terrier breeds with them. The exact lineage of the breed is unknown, but it seems to include terriers such as the Skye and Dandie Dinmont, and possibly the Maltese. Yorkshire Terriers are small dogs with a dark blue-gray coat and tan on the head and chest. They are generally healthy and spirited, and are valued as pets and companions. The American Kennel Club formally recognized the breed in 1885. Most terriers are named for the place where they were developed.
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What was the Yorkshire Terrier originally bred to do?
The Yorkshire Terrier was developed in the English counties of Yorkshire and Lancashire in the mid-1800s from terrier breeds brought by Scottish weavers. Terriers were bred to rid barns and stables of vermin, to dig out unwanted burrowing rodents, and to make themselves generally useful around the stable. The name terrier derives from the Old French chien terrier, meaning "earth dog," referring to the dogsā inclination to hunt underground. The breed is known for its straight silky coat, which is dark blue-gray, with tan on the head and chest. Today, the Yorkshire Terrier is valued as a pet and companion.
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How are Yorkshire Terriers usually cared for?
Yorkshire Terriers need exercise but can get by with a small yard or apartment if walked daily. They enjoy games like chasing balls but might not bring them back.
Their long coats need care, including frequent combing to remove tangles, with biweekly bathing and conditioning. Show dogs' coats need wrapping, but pet Yorkies often have shorter cuts to keep hair out of their eyes.
Like other terriers, Yorkies benefit from daily brushing. Owners often choose clipping over stripping (pulling dead hair) for easier coat maintenance, though it softens the texture.
Yorkies can be vulnerable due to their small size, so owners should watch for hazards. They're prone to patellar luxation, causing hind-leg "skipping".
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What are some common health or personality traits of Yorkshire Terriers?
The Yorkshire Terrier, or Yorkie, is a high-energy, playful dog that is bold and can be feisty towards strange dogs. They can be affectionate and make good lapdogs if they get enough exercise.
Yorkies can be stubborn but are also intelligent and quick to learn when they decide to cooperate. They make ideal companions for gentle, older children and seniors who want an amusing pet. Though they are alert and vociferous watchdogs, they aren't effective protectors.
The exercise needs of this breed can be met in small spaces, but daily walks are still needed. Yorkies enjoy playing games like chasing balls. The breed is prone to patellar luxation, which can cause hind-leg skipping.
2 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Yorkshire Terrier dog, breed of toy dog developed about the mid-1800s in the English counties of Yorkshire and Lancashire from terrier breeds brought by Scottish weavers who migrated there during this period. The lineage of the breed is unknown but appears to include several terriers, such as the Skye and Dandie Dinmont; it may also include the Maltese.
The most outstanding feature of the Yorkie is its straight silky coat, parted on the back from nose to tail and long enough to sweep the groundāwhich is achieved and maintained through arduous effort by show dog owners. Color is dark blue-gray, with tan on the head and chest. Generally healthy and spirited, it is valued as a pet and companion. The breed was formally recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885.
- Also called: Yorkie
- Breed group: Toy
- Height at withers: 7ā8 inches (18ā20 cm)
- Weight:7 pounds (3 kg) or less
- Life span: 11-15 years
- Did you know?: During World War II, an American soldier found a Yorkie in the jungles of New Guinea. The dog, which was named Smoky, survived dozens of air raids, went on numerous missions, and was awarded eight battle stars. He once helped to protect hundreds of U.S. soldiers by dragging a communications cable through a narrow drainage culvert. Smoky is credited with renewing interest in the Yorkshire Terrier breed and is sometimes cited as the worldās first therapy dog.
Care and upkeep
Though the Yorkshire Terrier is a high-energy dog, its exercise needs can be met by a small yard or even by the open areas in an apartment, as long as it is walked daily. It prefers temperate weather, neither excessively hot nor cold. It enjoys playing games and will chase balls, but it may not return them. Although most Yorkies live pampered lives of leisure, they also enjoy participating in canine sports such as obedience, agility, and barn hunt (in which they search for hidden rats). The Yorkie is not generally a water-loving breed.
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The Yorkie is one of the few breeds small enough to fit inside a carrier purse and accompany their owner around town. However, its small size renders it vulnerable to larger dogs and wild predators. In addition, Yorkie owners must be vigilant about removing any dangerous household hazards, including heavy items, that could fall on the dog.
Care of the dogās long locks can also be challenging, requiring frequent, even daily, combing and the immediate removal of any leaves or burrs that may tangle in the coat. Biweekly bathing and conditioning may also reduce the chances of the breedās hair tangling and matting. Whereas the long coats of show dogs require careful wrapping in tissue paper and rubber bands, the coats of most companion Yorkies are clipped to a more manageable length, with owners also taking care to prevent the hair from hanging in front of the dogās eyes. Like most very small breeds, the Yorkshire Terrier is prone to patellar luxation, in which the kneecap shifts out of alignment, causing hind-leg āskipping.ā
Temperament
The Yorkshire Terrier is true to its terrier roots: bold, brash, and busy. It is a high-energy and playful breed that can even be feisty at times, especially to strange dogs, and it may not be trustworthy around small rodent pets. It is affectionate and can make a good lapdog given sufficient exercise. The Yorkshire Terrier can be stubborn, but, after it decides to be cooperative, it can learn very quickly. It can be an ideal companion for older gentle children and seniors who want an amusing pet. Although it is an alert and vociferous watchdog, it is an ineffective protector.
These are well established and widely accepted generalizations about the breed. Individual dogs may differ in behavior and temperament.
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