Yorkshire
Terrier

A Yorkshire Terrier is a good companion for:

Children under 5

Seniors

Apartments/Condos

Children ages 5–11

Busy People

Rural Homes

Life Span

A standard Yorkshire terrier’s life span is 10 to 15 years. The teacup breed tends to have a shorter life span due to health complications.

Typical Behavior

Yorkshire terriers, or Yorkies as they are affectionately called, are very active dogs that like to please their owners. This trait makes Yorkshire terriers one of the easier dogs to train.

Yorkies tend to become attached to their owners and show signs of aggression towards other animals and humans that come too close. This can be corrected by socializing your dog with other people and animals frequently.

Care Requirements

Yorkshire terriers are prone to bronchitis, early tooth decay, and have very delicate digestion systems. It is recommended that you feed your Yorkshire terrier high quality food and ask your veterinarian for signs of distress.

Yorkies require daily brushing. Their long fur is prone to knots that become painful for the dog if not properly cared for. It is recommended that you take your Yorkshire terrier to a professional groomer once a month.

SPCA International strongly recommends that you have your dog spayed or neutered. There continues to be serious overpopulation of companion animals for which permanent homes cannot be found. This means that every year, millions of animals are euthanized in shelters before they have the chance to live a full and happy life.

Proper Habitat and Habitat Maintenance Requirements

The Yorkshire terrier’s small body makes it difficult to regulate its temperature, and leaves it sensitive to both hot and cold weather. Although Yorkies do better in warmer temperatures, they can overheat quickly. It is recommended that you do not leave your Yorkshire terrier unattended for long periods during the summer months and always have on hand cool water.

In colder weather, Yorkies need help staying warm because they do not have an undercoat. Use a sweater or coat in the winter months and do not leave your Yorkshire terrier outside unattended for extended periods of time in cold weather.

Dietary Requirements

A high quality dog food is recommended for your Yorkshire terrier. It is important to choose a food for small dogs, with smaller pieces of kibble soft enough for your Yorkshire terrier to chew.

Financial Considerations for a Yorkshire Terrier:

Veterinary

Regular veterinary care is recommended for all dogs, including Yorkshire terriers. A yearly check up runs approximately $120; year shots are approximately $60.

It is also strongly recommended that your dog be spayed or neutered. At your veterinarian clinic or local animal hospital, the cost for these services should run between $250 and $400 for a spay and $200 and $350 for a neuter. If you need financial assistance, there are low-cost spay and neuter clinics in most areas that will help you defray the expense to between $50 and $175 for a female dog (depending on weight) and between $45 and $175 for a male dog (depending on weight).

Grooming

Yorkshire terriers require grooming once a month. If maintained on a regular basis, a simple bath is all that is needed. To keep your Yorkshire terrier at show quality will require a more thorough professional grooming, which can cost between $30 and $50.

Animal Sitter

Yorkshire terriers can be loud barkers, so finding a sitter who does not live in an apartment is preferable. We recommend finding a sitter who is experienced handling Yorkshire terriers so they can recognize if your dog is in distress.

Food

A high quality food for small dogs can cost $12 to $25 per bag.

Other Supplies:

Yorkshire terriers love toys. Providing a variety of toys will help them stay active even when you are not home.

If you live in an area where there are cooler temperatures, you will need to get your Yorkshire terrier a sweater or coat.

Interesting Facts about Yorkshire Terriers:

• Some Yorkshire terriers can learn a new trick in just 15 repetitions.
• Yorkshire terriers were originally bread to catch rats and hunt for badgers and fox.