Yorkie Breed Guide: Everything to Know Before Bringing Home a Yorkshire Terrier

Meet the Breed: Yorkshire Terrier

The Yorkshire Terrier, affectionately known as the Yorkie, is one of the most popular toy dog breeds in America. Famous for their silky coats, confident personalities, and loyal nature, Yorkies may be small in size, but they have big personalities and strong bonds with their families.

Originally bred as working terriers, Yorkies have become beloved companion dogs while still keeping their intelligence, courage, and spirited nature. Today, they are cherished by families, seniors, singles, and city dwellers for their adaptability, affectionate personalities, and low-shedding coats.

At Furever Friends in Honey Brook, Pennsylvania, we love Yorkshire Terriers because they bring joy, loyalty, and endless personality to the families who welcome them home. If you are interested in a Yorkie puppy, you can view our available puppies or contact us to ask about upcoming litters and waitlist options.

Quick Facts About the Yorkshire Terrier

Trait	Details
Breed Group	Toy Group
Height	7–8 inches
Weight	Up to 7 pounds
Life Expectancy	11–15 years
Energy Level	Moderate
Trainability	High
Shedding	Very Low
Family Friendly	Excellent
Child Friendly	Very Good
Good with Other Pets	Good

Yorkshire Terriers are known for their compact size, silky coats, and bold terrier personalities. Despite weighing only a few pounds, they are confident, alert, and surprisingly adventurous.

Yorkshire Terrier History

The Yorkshire Terrier originated in northern England during the mid-1800s. Scottish workers brought various terrier breeds to Yorkshire and Lancashire, where they were developed into skilled ratters used in textile mills and coal mines.

Over time, their beautiful coats and charming personalities caught the attention of dog enthusiasts and aristocrats alike. By the Victorian era, Yorkies had transitioned from working dogs to fashionable companion animals.

Today, the Yorkshire Terrier remains one of the most popular toy breeds in the United States and around the world.

Yorkie vs. Biewer Terrier: What’s the Difference?

Yorkshire Terriers and Biewer Terriers are closely related, but they are not exactly the same breed. Yorkies are traditionally known for their blue and tan coats, confident personalities, and long history as both working terriers and companion dogs.

Biewer Terriers were developed from Yorkshire Terrier bloodlines and are best known for their distinctive tri-colored coats, often including white, black or blue, and gold or tan markings. Both breeds are small, affectionate, intelligent, and people-oriented, but families should learn about each breed’s grooming needs, temperament, and care requirements before choosing the right puppy.

Furever Friends works with both Yorkshire Terriers and Biewer Terriers, helping families understand which breed may be the best fit for their lifestyle.

Yorkshire Terrier Size and Appearance

The Yorkshire Terrier is one of the smallest recognized dog breeds, but its appearance is anything but ordinary.

Size

Most adult Yorkies stand between 7 and 8 inches tall and weigh no more than 7 pounds according to the breed standard.

Their compact size makes them ideal companions for apartment living, travel, and families seeking a smaller dog.

Coat

The Yorkie’s signature feature is its beautiful, silky coat that closely resembles human hair.

Their coat:

Is low-shedding
Requires regular grooming
Continues growing throughout life
Can be kept long or trimmed into a puppy cut

Colors

Adult Yorkshire Terriers typically display:

Blue and Gold
Blue and Tan
Black and Gold
Black and Tan

Their elegant coloring and flowing coat contribute to their timeless appeal.

Yorkshire Terrier Temperament

The Yorkshire Terrier temperament is one of the reasons this breed has remained so popular for generations.

Affectionate and Loyal

Yorkies form incredibly strong bonds with their families and often prefer being close to their favorite people throughout the day.

Bold and Confident

Despite their tiny size, Yorkies possess classic terrier confidence. Many owners affectionately describe them as “big dogs in small bodies.”

Intelligent and Trainable

Yorkshire Terriers are highly intelligent and enjoy learning new commands, tricks, and activities. Their eagerness to engage with their owners makes training both rewarding and enjoyable.

Alert and Attentive

Yorkies are naturally observant and often make excellent watchdogs, quickly alerting their families to visitors or unusual activity.

Are Yorkshire Terriers Good Family Dogs?

Absolutely.

Yorkshire Terriers make wonderful companions for many different types of households.

Great Companion Dogs

Yorkies thrive on companionship and enjoy being involved in daily family life.

Adaptable to Many Living Situations

Their small size allows them to flourish in apartments, condominiums, suburban homes, and rural settings alike.

Good with Older Children

Yorkies often do best with respectful children who understand how to interact gently with smaller dogs. Because of their petite size, supervision is recommended around very young children.

Exercise Needs

Yorkshire Terriers may be small, but they enjoy staying active.

Activities Yorkies Enjoy

Daily walks
Puzzle toys
Trick training
Indoor play
Interactive games
Short outdoor adventures

Most Yorkies benefit from approximately 20–40 minutes of exercise daily, along with regular mental stimulation.

Grooming Requirements

The Yorkshire Terrier’s coat requires regular maintenance.

Grooming Essentials

Daily or frequent brushing
Professional grooming every 4–8 weeks
Ear cleaning
Nail trimming
Dental care

Many pet owners choose a shorter puppy cut for easier maintenance while still enjoying the Yorkie’s adorable appearance.

Yorkshire Terrier Health and Lifespan

The average Yorkshire Terrier lifespan ranges from 11 to 15 years, although many Yorkies live even longer with proper care.

Potential health concerns may include:

Luxating Patella
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
Eye Conditions
Dental Disease
Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease
Liver Shunts

Responsible breeding, routine veterinary care, and preventative health measures help support long-term wellness.

Why Families Love Yorkshire Terriers

Families continue to choose Yorkies because they are:

✔ Affectionate and loyal

✔ Highly intelligent

✔ Low-shedding companions

✔ Easy to travel with

✔ Adaptable to many lifestyles

✔ Alert and attentive

✔ Full of personality

✔ Long-lived companions

✔ Great apartment dogs

✔ Wonderful family pets

Is a Yorkshire Terrier Right for You?

A Yorkshire Terrier may be the perfect fit if you’re looking for:

A small companion dog
A low-shedding breed
An intelligent and trainable pet
A loyal lap dog
A companion that travels well
A dog with a big personality in a tiny package

Potential owners should be prepared for regular grooming, companionship, and consistent training.

Yorkshire Terrier Puppies at Furever Friends

At Furever Friends, we are dedicated to raising healthy, happy, and well-socialized Yorkshire Terrier and Biewer Terrier puppies. Our puppies are raised in a home environment with daily care, early socialization, and a focus on helping each puppy become a confident and loving family companion.

If you are searching for a Yorkshire Terrier puppy in Pennsylvania, we invite you to view our current availability or contact us to ask about upcoming litters. Families interested in future Yorkie or Biewer Terrier puppies are encouraged to start the conversation early and ask about waitlist options.

Interested in a Yorkie Puppy?

If you think a Yorkshire Terrier may be the right fit for your family, Furever Friends would be happy to answer your questions. View our available puppies or contact us to learn more about current availability, upcoming Yorkie and Biewer Terrier litters, and waitlist options.

Frequently Asked Questions About Yorkshire Terriers

1. Are Yorkshire Terriers good family dogs?

Yes! Yorkshire Terriers are affectionate, loyal, and adaptable companions that thrive when they are part of the family.

2. How big do Yorkshire Terriers get?

Most adult Yorkies weigh up to 7 pounds and stand approximately 7–8 inches tall.

3. Do Yorkshire Terriers shed?

Yorkies are considered a very low-shedding breed because their coat resembles human hair more than traditional dog fur.

4. Are Yorkshire Terriers easy to train?

Yes. Yorkies are intelligent and capable learners who respond well to positive reinforcement training.

5. How long do Yorkshire Terriers live?

The average Yorkshire Terrier lifespan is between 11 and 15 years.

6. Are Yorkshire Terriers good with children?

Yes, especially with older, respectful children who understand how to interact gently with smaller dogs.

7. How much grooming does a Yorkshire Terrier require?

Yorkies require regular brushing and professional grooming every 4–8 weeks to maintain their beautiful coats.

8. Why choose a Yorkshire Terrier from Furever Friends?

Furever Friends focuses on responsible breeding, health, temperament, and early socialization to help raise confident, healthy, and well-adjusted Yorkshire Terrier puppies.

Additional Yorkshire Terrier Resources

The Responsible Dog Breeder Network helps connect families with breeders committed to health testing, ethical breeding practices, transparency, and responsible puppy placement.

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