Yorkshire Terrier

Coat and looks how to spot one

long, straight, fine and silky single coat

The Yorkie wears a single layer of glossy, perfectly straight hair with a silky feel, closer to human hair than to wool. In show trim it falls evenly down both sides from a parting that runs from the nose to the tail, often reaching the floor. Underneath is a compact, neat little body that the dog carries upright and with an air of self-importance, topped by a head of long golden tan hair.452

Personality what they are like

A lively, curious little dog with far more confidence than its size suggests. Yorkies are loving with their people and happy to cuddle, yet they keep the keen, busy instincts of the working terriers they descend from and make keen watchdogs. They are quick learners and can pick up basic training easily, though they may choose to listen selectively when something more interesting is going on.476

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Energetic for a toy dog. Sources suggest roughly 20-30 minutes of exercise a day as a baseline (The Royal Kennel Club says up to 30 minutes; Purina says at least half an hour), and many Yorkies will happily keep going on longer walks. Indoor play and short training games also help burn off energy.876

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Grooming is a daily job for a long coat: brush and comb through to the skin and tie up the topknot so hair stays out of the eyes. Many pet owners keep the coat clipped shorter, which cuts brushing down to about weekly plus occasional professional trims. The coat sheds very little. Daily tooth brushing is recommended because the small mouth is crowded.8672

Home where they are happiest

Suits both flats and houses, in town or country, as long as the dog gets daily outings and a secure outdoor space for toilet breaks. Yorkies can be vocal, which is worth considering with close neighbours.87

Food basics what goes in the bowl

As a toy breed with a quick metabolism and a small stomach, a Yorkie does best on several small meals a day of a complete small-breed food with small kibble.7

Company who they like around

A people-focused companion that likes to be close to its family. Because of its delicate size it fits best with adults or older, gentle children. Early, positive meetings with other dogs build confidence, and it usually gets on best with cats it has grown up with.76

The story where it all began

The Yorkie took shape in the mid-1800s in the mill and mining districts of Yorkshire and Lancashire. Scottish weavers who moved south during the Industrial Revolution brought small terriers such as the Clydesdale and Paisley types, and these were mixed with local terriers (Waterside, Old English Black and Tan and others; the FCI standard also mentions Maltese and Skye Terrier ancestry). The dogs earned their keep catching rats in the mills and mines. Early shows lumped them in with 'broken-haired Scotch' terriers, but by around 1870 the name Yorkshire Terrier had stuck because the dogs had been refined so much in that county. The key stud dog was Huddersfield Ben, born in 1865 and owned by Mary Ann Foster; he was a winner in the show ring and in ratting contests, and most modern Yorkies trace back to him. Breeders gradually brought the size down to today's 3-7 lb range, and the Yorkie moved from working ratter to fashionable Victorian lapdog. It was first registered with the AKC in 1885 and recognised by The Kennel Club in 1886. After the Second World War, the story of the war dog Smoky gave the breed a fresh wave of popularity, and it has stayed one of the best-loved toy breeds ever since.2345

Recognised by the official bits

FCI

Standard No. 86, Group 3 (Terriers), Section 4 (Toy Terriers); definitive acceptance 30 Oct 1954; current standard published 10 Nov 20111

The Royal Kennel Club

Toy Group; recognised 1886; Breed Watch Category 18

AKC

Toy Group; first registered 18852

UKC

Companion Dog Group; recognised 19565

Popularity Ranked 13th of AKC-registered breeds in 2025 (11th in 2024)10