The Yorkshire Terrier is known for its happy, friendly temperament and ease in getting along with people. There is a wide range of personalities, as is the case with any dog breed, but in general the Yorkie is an affectionate, playful dog. 

Most Yorkies are adventurous and brave, a holdover from their terrier lineage. They tend to be smart and confident dogs, as they would need to be when hunting rodents on their own. It’s rare for the Yorkshire Terrier to be shy or withdrawn – an outgoing personality is common for the breed. 

However, like most other small breeds, they aren’t aware of their diminutive size. They behave like much bigger dogs, which can get them into trouble. Early training and socialization are necessary to teach a Yorkie the proper manners. 

Yorkshire Terriers tend to be great playmates for almost anyone, even cats, if the Yorkie is introduced to them at an early age.Yorkies are typically playful and gentle with children, but it’s a good idea to supervise any interaction between them. The Yorkshire Terrier has a fragile body and may inadvertently be hurt by a child who does not know how to handle a small dog. 

Yorkies are portable pups, as they do not mind being carried and cuddled. They love getting attention and physical contact from their owners, and are loyal and affectionate companions if they’re taken care of properly. 

Yorkshire Terriers may have been bred to hunt, but they don’t need a great deal of exercise. Their energy levels are high, but due to their small size, even just walking through the house can expend a lot of energy already. What they need more is frequent chances to move around and play. 

Most Yorkies will be satisfied with around half an hour of exercise each day, split up into two or three shorter sessions so that they don’t get overly tired. Exercise can be in the form of walks or play, depending on what your dog prefers. It’s also good to have dog puzzles and stimulating toys on hand at all times when your Yorkie is at home, so that they can get enough mental exercise as well. 

Yorkshire Terriers also enjoy dog sports such as agility and obedience, so that is an option for the competitive-minded owner. Just take care that you don’t make the obstacles too complex or too high for your dog, as their fragile bodies can easily get injured. 

The Yorkshire Terrier’s crown jewel is its coat, which is long, straight, and silken like that of a human. Grooming a Yorkshire Terrier can be the most challenging part of owning one. Their single coat requires frequent brushing and trimming to prevent tangles. 

Show Yorkies can have hair that reaches down to the floor, but many Yorkies kept as pets will have a “puppy cut” that is one to two inches long for ease of maintenance. Regardless of the length of your dog’s coat, they need to be brushed daily to get rid of shed hair and prevent breakage. 

Yorkies will need to be bathed weekly to keep their coat clean, beautiful, and shiny. While other dogs are fine with just shampoo, Yorkies usually need conditioner as well to maintain the moisture of their skin and hair. Some owners go the extra mile and use a leave-in conditioner afterwards. This is crucial to keep the hair moist, as brushing a dried-out coat may break the hair.

Nail trimming can be done every two weeks to prevent the Yorkie’s nails from clicking on the floor. Tooth brushing should be done daily, as small breeds are prone to dental issues and gum disease. 

It’s now exceedingly rare for Yorkshire Terriers to be used for their original purpose of hunting vermin. Because of this, novice owners may be surprised by how energetic and self-assured the Yorkie can be. Yorkshire Terriers are also very intelligent and clever, so they can often try to be the “boss” of the household. 

Training a Yorkie requires patience and consistency, not just for the owner, but also for other members of the household. The Yorkshire Terrier is smart enough to figure out who among the family is more likely to give them what they want, even if it’s against the rules. Applying household rules with consistency will be crucial in training your Yorkie. 

Apart from that, positive reinforcement will help motivate your dog to participate in training sessions. Teaching a Yorkie basic commands and proper behaviors is easy when they’re excited and willing to learn. Punishments will only serve to make a Yorkshire Terrier frustrated and uncooperative.

Part of training your Yorkie is letting them explore the world. Too often, owners will simply pick up their Yorkie and carry them around instead of letting them walk around on their own. It’s better to only carry your dog when necessary, as a dog that has no experience with their surroundings tends to be less confident and more likely to develop negative behaviors. 

Yorkshire Terriers are generally healthy dogs and can have a life expectancy of up to 12 to 15 years. Yorkshire Terriers may be prone to:

• Collapsed trachea – a condition in which the dog’s throat and trachea are prone to collapsing, leading to difficulty breathing
• Patellar luxation – a condition in which the kneecap or patella slips out of place, causing pain and lameness
• Periodontal disease – a variety of dental diseases that can cause tooth decay and gum infections
• Hypoglycemia – a condition in which the dog’s blood sugar levels drop too low, resulting in symptoms such as lethargy and seizures

Yorkshire Terriers are famously unobtrusive in the home, due to their small size. They stand between 7 to 8 inches at the shoulder. Both male and female Yorkshire Terriers will generally weigh below 8 pounds when fully grown. 

Yorkshire Terriers are very adaptable and can fit into most households, whether in urban settings or rural homesteads. They’re a favorite choice for apartment owners because they do not need a great deal of space. However, their tendency to be vocal may not be appreciated by nearby neighbors, and training will be necessary to keep your Yorkie quiet. 

It is not recommended to have a Yorkshire Terrier live outdoors as their coat does not protect them from the elements very well. They also will want to be close to their humans fairly often, so Yorkshire Terriers are best kept indoors.