Best Trait – Fun lapdog
Worst Trait – High-maintenance coat
The Yorkshire Terrier was originally bred to kill rats, but they are mostly family pets or show dogs these days.
They are small and have big personalities. They are feisty, loving, and elegant. This could be the perfect breed if you are looking for a sweet companion for your family or household.
Due to their size, they need plenty of exercise but would make a great flat/apartment dog. They will still enjoy a good daily walk, especially if they have no garden to run around in. They are very playful dogs, so they should adapt well as long as they get plenty of playtime.
Remember, a bored dog will usually become mischievous, whether through nuisance barking, chewing, or digging. To keep them out of trouble, try to ensure they are occupied with jobs, playtime, or plenty of exercise.
They love to be with you and the family but tend to bond more with one special person. They are good with children and have their limits on being messed around with, so they are probably a breed to avoid if you have toddlers. They will run around the garden with older kids all day. They also make great lapdogs and love to snuggle with you.
Yorkies make for excellent watchdogs. They will alert you to every little thing going on. They can be a little barky, so you must train them to be quiet on command. They are un-trusting of strangers, and you must ensure they are socialised early to combat this.
If brought up with other dogs and cats, they should be fine. However, as with most terriers, they can be a little bossy. They are hunters, so their instinctive need to chase neighbours’ cats and small animals is probably too strong to control. Ensure your outside area is well enclosed so they can’t escape when giving chase.
Yorkshire terriers are relatively intelligent and reasonably easy to train, but they are a little stubborn and independent. You will want to discover their motivation reward early on to make the best progress. They prefer fun and playful training rather than harsh or forceful training. They are slow and difficult to house-train and walk on a lead.
They shed very little hair, but they do require clipping, which would normally be done by a professional every few months. This makes it more expensive, but you could learn to do it yourself with the time or inclination.
Yorkshire Terrier Stats
The Yorkshire Terrier resulted from cross-breeding between various terrier types and first appeared around England’s Yorkshire region during the middle of the 19th century. The early Yorkshire Terriers could be as large as 6kg and were used, similar to other terrier breeds, to kill rats. Over time, breeders produced a smaller, more beautiful dog, a household pet and show dog, rather than a rat killer.
- Weight -3kg –8kg
- Size – 18cm – 25cm
- They live for 12-15 years