The dainty little Yorkshire Terrier (Yorkie) distinguishes itself from other small dog breeds with its lustrous coat of long silky hair, which demands daily grooming. Descending from a mix of small terrier types, the Yorkshire Terrier was originally known as the Scotch Terrier and was used to kill rats. Breeders turned the Yorkie into a smaller and prettier breed over time and it is now a popular show dog.

The Yorkshire Terrier is a tiny toy dog, standing 17-20 cm tall and weighing only 2-3 kg. Its long, dark blue and gold coat of hair, which is not unlike human hair, doesn’t shed and can grow to the ground. The Yorkie needs a good amount of brushing every day to remove all tangles. Topknots, which keep the hair out of the dog’s eyes, need to be taken down for brushing and redoing daily. If you don’t want to spend the time, you can keep your Yorkie’s coat short.

This is a bold and confident dog with an endearing personality. Fearless and courageous, the Yorkshire Terrier barks at strangers who come to the house. It will tenaciously protect its territory and makes a good little watchdog. The Yorkie is intelligent and easy to train.

Yorkshire Terriers are affectionate dogs and loyal to their owners, but they are not naturally very good with children. With their delicate little bodies, it’s not a good idea to leave them around unsupervised young children, who may play rough.

This toy dog with its silky coat, which isn’t weather-proof, is most suited for an indoor lifestyle with short periods of outdoor exercise. It thrives on human companionship and doesn’t like being left alone.

Yorkies need very little food and are prone to obesity and resulting health problems, so care should be taken not to overfeed them. Their teeth need daily brushing and regular checks by the vet.

A Yorkshire Terrier in good health can live a long life, often reaching 16 years of age.

For more detailed information about this fabulous breed check out Yorkie Guide.