Breed library

Yorkshire Terrier

Also known as Yorkie, Yorkie Terrier, Yorkshire terrier.

Yorkshire Terrier photograph.
(2 version) Grupp 3, YORKSHIRETERRIER, NO UCH SE UCH Oxzar Amazing Bel’s Toffy (24310212305).jpg - Svenska Mässan from Sweden. CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:(2_version)_Grupp_3,_YORKSHIRETERRIER,_NO_UCH_SE_UCH_Oxzar_Amazing_Bel%E2%80%99s_Toffy_(24310212305).jpg. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0. License: CC BY-SA 4.0.

Breed overview

The Yorkshire Terrier, also known as a Yorkie, is a British breed of toy dog of terrier type. It is among the smallest of the terriers and indeed of all dog breeds, with a weight of no more than 3.2 kg. It originated in the nineteenth century in the English county of Yorkshire, after which it is named. The coat is tan on the head and dark steel-grey on the body; no other colour is accepted by either The Kennel Club or the Fédération Cynologique Internationale. It is playful and energetic, usually kept as a companion dog. It has contributed to the development of other breeds including the Silky Terrier, and also to cross-breeds such as the Yorkipoo.

  • Country of origin: EnglandBreed reference country of origin.

Breed facts

  • In the mid-nineteenth century, workers from Scotland came to Yorkshire in search of work and brought with them several varieties of terrier dogs.
  • Breeding of the Yorkshire terrier was "principally accomplished by the people - mostly operatives in cotton and woollen mills - in the counties of Yorkshire and Lancashire." In the 1800s, miners wanting to develop a ratting terrier, bred Black-and-Tan Terriers with the Paisley and Clydesdale Terriers.
  • The breed originates from two distinct dogs, a male named Old Crab, a female named Kitty, and another female whose name is not known.
  • The Paisley Terrier, a smaller version of the Skye Terrier that was bred for a beautiful long silky coat, also figured into the early dogs.
  • Yorkshire Terriers were shown in a dog show category (class) at the time called "Rough and Broken-coated, Broken-haired Scotch and Yorkshire Terriers".

Size and appearance

For adult Yorkshire Terriers, The American Kennel Club places importance on coat colour, quality, and texture. According to The Kennel Club (UK), the hair must be glossy, fine, straight, and silky. Traditionally the coat is grown out very long and is parted down the middle of the back, but "must never impede movement.". The hair of the Yorkshire Terrier can be used to determine content of metals in the dog organism. From the back of the neck to the base of the tail, the coat should be a dark grey to a black colour, and the hair on the tail should be a darker black. According to the American Kennel Club Breed Standard, on the head, high chest and legs, the hair should be a bright, rich tan, darker at the roots than in the middle, that shades into a lighter tan at the tips, but not for all dogs. Also, in adult dogs there should be no black hairs intermingled with any of the tan-coloured fur.

  • Body mass reference: 3.2 kgAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 3.2 kg. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Body mass reference: Up to 3.2 kgBreed reference body mass. maximum.
  • Coat length: long
  • Coat texture: straight
  • Weight category: toy

Personality and behavior

The ideal Yorkshire Terrier character or "personality" has been described by the Kennel Club as having a "carriage very upright conveying an important air".

  • Attachment and attention seeking (C-BARQ mean): 2.40 / 4Owner-reported attachment and attention seeking factor mean for US reference population Yorkshire Terrier.
  • Chasing (C-BARQ mean): 2.05 / 4Owner-reported chasing factor mean for US reference population Yorkshire Terrier.
  • Dog-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 1.22 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Yorkshire Terrier.
  • Dog-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 1.14 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed fear factor mean for US reference population Yorkshire Terrier.
  • Energy (C-BARQ mean): 2.01 / 4Owner-reported energy factor mean for US reference population Yorkshire Terrier.
  • Excitability (C-BARQ mean): 2.37 / 4Owner-reported excitability factor mean for US reference population Yorkshire Terrier.
  • Familiar-dog aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.74 / 4Owner-reported familiar-dog aggression factor mean for US reference population Yorkshire Terrier.
  • Non-social fear (C-BARQ mean): 1.10 / 4Owner-reported non-social fear factor mean for US reference population Yorkshire Terrier.
  • Owner-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.29 / 4Owner-reported owner-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Yorkshire Terrier.
  • Separation-related problems (C-BARQ mean): 0.93 / 4Owner-reported separation-related problems factor mean for US reference population Yorkshire Terrier.
  • Stranger-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.79 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Yorkshire Terrier.
  • Stranger-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.89 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed fear factor mean for US reference population Yorkshire Terrier.
  • Touch sensitivity (C-BARQ mean): 1.14 / 4Owner-reported touch sensitivity factor mean for US reference population Yorkshire Terrier.
  • Trainability (C-BARQ mean): 2.23 / 4Owner-reported trainability factor mean for US reference population Yorkshire Terrier.

Exercise and activities

Care planning: build a weekly routine with walks, play and time to explore. Enter the minutes and sessions that work for your dog, then compare the weekly total with your available time. Keep notes about the activities your dog enjoys and adjust the routine together.

Training and enrichment

Care planning: choose one everyday skill to practice and keep a record of each session. Note the cue, the reward your dog enjoys and what went well. Rotate familiar games and new activities, and use your notes to choose the next small step.

Coat and grooming

Care planning: use the coat details above to discuss a grooming routine with your groomer. Record brushing sessions, baths and appointments in the app. Add the tools you use and your preferred schedule so the whole household can follow the same routine.

  • Coat length: long
  • Coat texture: straight

Health and lifespan

A 2013 study in the UK of patient records found the breed to have a life expectancy of 13 years, higher than the average. A similar 2022 study in the UK found the breed to have a life expectancy of 12 and a half years. A 2024 UK study found a life expectancy of 13.3 years for the breed compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreeds and 12 for crossbreeds. A study in Japan based on pet cemetery data found a life expectancy of 14.3 years, above the average life expectancy. A 2024 Italian study found a life expectancy of 13 years for the breed compared to 10 years overall.

Living with this breed

Care planning: compare this profile's adult dimensions, coat care and available activity information with your household's routine. Make a shortlist, plan who will handle daily care and save the questions you want to ask a breed club, rescue or breeder.

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Breed history

The Yorkshire Terrier originated in Yorkshire. In the mid-nineteenth century, workers from Scotland came to Yorkshire in search of work and brought with them several varieties of terrier dogs. The breed originates from two distinct dogs, a male named Old Crab, a female named Kitty, and another female whose name is not known. The Paisley Terrier, a smaller version of the Skye Terrier that was bred for a beautiful long silky coat, also figured into the early dogs.

Clubs and further reading

Sources

  1. Yorkshire Terrier - WikipediaWikipedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted excerpts from Wikipedia contributors, Yorkshire Terrier, revision 1378695816. CC BY-SA 4.0. Formatting, citations and selection changed. Source history: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Yorkshire_Terrier&action=history
  2. Wikidata structured breed dataWikimedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC0 1.0. Wikidata contributors (CC0).
  3. National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.PLOS ONE / Figshare Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY 4.0. Bohland, Kyle R.; Lilly, Meghan Leanne; Herron, Meghan E.; Arruda, Andréia G.; O’Quin, Jeanette M. (2023). National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.. PLOS ONE. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289356.s003 CC BY 4.0. Selected rows and field names adapted; values unchanged.
  4. File:(2 version) Grupp 3, YORKSHIRETERRIER, NO UCH SE UCH Oxzar Amazing Bel’s Toffy (24310212305).jpgWikimedia Commons Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 4.0. (2 version) Grupp 3, YORKSHIRETERRIER, NO UCH SE UCH Oxzar Amazing Bel’s Toffy (24310212305).jpg - Svenska Mässan from Sweden. CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:(2_version)_Grupp_3,_YORKSHIRETERRIER,_NO_UCH_SE_UCH_Oxzar_Amazing_Bel%E2%80%99s_Toffy_(24310212305).jpg. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
  5. Palipaws everyday care planningPalipaws Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Palipaws original factual summaries. Palipaws. Original care-planning text, separate from breed measurements and licensed article summaries.
  6. AKC national parent club directoryAmerican Kennel Club Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Factual reference only. Names and verified external links only. No source descriptions, logos or endorsement reused.