Most important facts
- Group
- Toy
- Size
- Toy
- Weight
- 2–3.5 kg
- Lifespan
- 13–16 years
- Coat
- Long, straight
- Energy
- Moderate
- Height
- 18–23 cm
- Colours
- Steel blue and tan
- Shedding
- Light
- Est. feeding cost
- ~£11/mo
- Gear to consider
- Soft padded harness (not a neck collar), fine-tooth grooming comb, dental chews or dental-care kibble
Typical dry food, adult
About the Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkshire Terrier was bred in the mills and mines of Victorian Yorkshire, largely by Scottish weavers who came south with their small terriers, to catch the rats that plagued the workshops. The foundation sire Huddersfield Ben fixed the type in the 1860s, and within a generation the working ratter had been scooped up into fashionable laps, where it has remained ever since.
Yorkshire Terriers were originally bred to catch rats in Yorkshire's mills and mines, and that bold, tenacious streak is still very much present. They're confident to the point of sometimes challenging much larger dogs, alert and quick to bark at anything unfamiliar, and generally more terrier than lapdog in outlook despite their glamorous coat.
Underneath the confidence, most Yorkies are deeply affectionate and thrive on being close to their people, which can tip into separation anxiety without alone time built up gradually. They respond well to short, reward-based training sessions, with treats kept small and counted in the day's total.
Common health conditions
Things Yorkshire Terrier owners commonly watch for. Guidance, not veterinary advice.
Dental and periodontal disease
The condition vets diagnose most often in Yorkies. Small jaws mean crowded teeth, so brush daily and choose a kibble with a dental-care texture.
Luxating patella
The kneecap slips temporarily out of place, common in toy breeds. Keep a Yorkie lean, as accurate portioning matters as much as any supplement.
Tracheal collapse
The windpipe loses rigidity over time, causing a dry, honking cough. Swap the collar for a well-fitted harness and keep weight off the chest.
Portosystemic (liver) shunt
An inherited blood vessel abnormality that Yorkshire Terriers are over-represented in. Affected dogs are usually managed on a specially formulated diet under veterinary guidance.
Progressive retinal atrophy
Sight is lost slowly as the retina deteriorates, and the condition is inherited. Ask breeders to show eye screening results for the parents.
Feeding a Yorkshire Terrier
A Yorkshire Terrier's energy requirement is tiny, so every meal needs to be calorie-dense but carefully measured, and a small-breed food with appropriately sized kibble is far easier to portion accurately. Weighing food rather than estimating prevents the gradual weight gain that strains the knees and windpipe.
Because dental disease is the health issue vets see most often in the breed, a kibble shape and texture designed to reduce tartar build-up is worth prioritising, alongside daily brushing. Yorkies can also be selective eaters, so a palatable recipe and a consistent feeding routine work better than frequently switching foods, which encourages fussiness and does not cure it.
Every dog is different — weight, age and activity all shift what a Yorkshire Terrier needs. The turns these breed tendencies into a shortlist matched to your dog’s age, size, budget and needs.
Typical adult weight
2–3.5 kg
Est. daily calories
140–290 kcal
A broad guide for an average-activity adult in good body condition — not veterinary advice. Real needs vary with age, neutering, activity, health and body condition, so no two Yorkshire Terriers eat exactly the same. Get a personalised estimate or estimate feeding costs.
- Per day
- ~£0.37
- Per month
- ~£11
- Per year
- ~£136
A broad typical monthly budget guide, not a live price quote. Food format, calorie density, pack size and retailer pricing all change the real cost.
Find the right food for your Yorkshire Terrier
Foods ranked to your dog
Answer a few quick questions and the Food Finder ranks foods to your Yorkshire Terrier by score, price, life stage and fit.
Breed at a glance
- Exercise needs4/10
- Appetite5/10
- Trainability6/10
- Good with children4/10
- Shedding1/10
- Tolerates being alone3/10
The good & the worth-knowing
The good
- Adaptable to flats and smaller homes, needing only modest daily exercise
- Long-lived and typically robust for a pedigree breed, often reaching the mid-teens
- Big, confident personality that many owners find endlessly entertaining
Worth knowing
- Long coats need daily brushing and regular professional grooming to avoid matting
- Small size and fragile bones mean less tolerance for rough handling
- Prone to fussy eating and to piling on weight quickly if treats aren't measured
Best matched accessories
All accessories →The collections that suit the breed, judged by the same independent standard.
Common owner questions
How much should I feed my Yorkshire Terrier?
Start from the feeding guide for your dog's current weight, then adjust to body condition, feeling for ribs under a light covering. Because portions are so small, weighing food on kitchen scales is far more accurate than a scoop.
Why is my Yorkie a fussy eater?
Some pickiness is normal in the breed, but it can be reinforced by switching foods often or offering too many treats, teaching a dog to hold out for better. A palatable food and limited treats usually help more than chasing a new recipe.
Are Yorkshire Terriers good with children?
They can be affectionate family dogs, but their small size and fine bones make them easy to injure, so supervised time and older, gentler children suit them best.
How much exercise does a Yorkshire Terrier need?
Most Yorkies are content with 30 to 40 minutes a day over a couple of walks, plus some indoor play. Because their calorie needs are so low, pair exercise with careful portion control from the Food Finder rather than relying on activity alone to manage weight.