Yorkshire Terrier — Complete Breed Guide
Toy · from England · AKC rank #13 (2025)
Key facts
| Breed group | Toy |
| Origin | England |
| Weight | 2–3 kg (4–7 lbs) |
| Height | 18–20 cm |
| Lifespan | 11–16 years |
| Coat | long silky hypoallergenic |
| AKC popularity rank (2025) | #13 of 202 recognized breeds |
Trait ratings
Our editorial 1–5 scoring, based on breed-standard temperament data.
Monthly cost
Expect roughly $70–$150 per month (estimate: food, routine vet care, grooming, insurance). Larger breeds and heavy groomers sit at the higher end. Price out the years, not just the day, with our monthly dog cost calculator.
Yorkshire Terrier coat colors and varieties
The Yorkshire Terrier's coat is long silky hypoallergenic. Within the breed you'll come across varieties buyers search for by name — teacup full grown — which usually come down to different lines and breeders rather than different dogs. Color doesn't change the temperament, exercise needs, or health picture described above.
If you have your heart set on a specific look, ask the breeder to see the parents and recent litters, and be wary of anyone charging a big premium for a color alone.
What does a Yorkshire Terrier cost?
Two budgets matter: the puppy, and everything after. After: about $70–$150 per month for food, routine vet care, grooming, and insurance — larger breeds and heavy groomers sit at the higher end.
The puppy price has no fixed answer — anyone quoting one for the whole internet is guessing. Breeders who health-test their parents and take the dog back if life goes sideways usually charge more up front than sellers who don't. Price out the years, not just the day, with our monthly dog cost calculator.
How big does a Yorkshire Terrier get?
Adults typically run 2–3 kg (4–7 lbs) and stand 18–20 cm at the shoulder. They reach full height around a year old and fill out over the second year. Small enough for apartments and laps — but small dogs still need training, not just carrying.
Health issues to know
- dental disease
- luxating patella
- tracheal collapse
- hypoglycemia
- Apartment / city living
- Low-shedding households
- You need a quiet dog (thin walls, close neighbors)
- You want a wash-and-go, low-maintenance coat
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Yorkshire Terrier live?
Typically 11–16 years. Larger individuals and lines with known health issues tend toward the lower end.
How much does a Yorkshire Terrier cost per month?
Roughly $70–$150 per month for food, routine vet care, grooming and insurance — an estimate that varies by location.
Is the Yorkshire Terrier good for apartments?
It scores 5/5 for apartment suitability. Yes — a solid apartment dog with regular walks.
Is the Yorkshire Terrier good with kids?
It scores 2/5 for kid-friendliness. Better with older, dog-savvy kids than toddlers.
Does the Yorkshire Terrier shed a lot?
Shedding scores 1/5. Minimal shedding.
Is a Yorkie a good house dog?
Very — at around 3 kg with 1/5 shedding and an 11–16 year lifespan, the Yorkie is built for indoor life, scoring 5/5 for apartment suitability. The asterisk is the voice: barking 4/5. A Yorkie is a big watchdog personality in a purse-sized body.
What are the pros and cons of a Yorkshire Terrier?
Pros: tiny and portable, minimal shedding (1/5), apartment-perfect (5/5), long-lived (11–16 years). Cons: barking 4/5, fragile at 3 kg (not for rough kids — kid-friendliness 2/5), grooming 5/5 for the long silky coat, and dental disease. A glamorous companion with terrier opinions.
Do Yorkshire Terriers bark a lot?
Yes — 4/5 in our dataset. Yorkies are terriers first: alert, reactive, and quick to sound the alarm at every noise and visitor. Training a quiet cue helps, but no one should get a Yorkie expecting silence.
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Health information is for general guidance only and is not veterinary advice. Always consult your veterinarian about your individual dog. Cost figures are rough estimates and vary by location.