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 Named after its place of origin, the Yorkshire Terrier roots are in Yorkshire, England, tracing back to the 19th century. The exact combination of breeds that the Yorkshire Terrier originated from is unknown, however, it is believed that they are a mix of several terriers brought over by Scottish craftsman. The Paisley Terrier, Clydesdale Terrier, Waterside Terrier and Skye Terrier are Scottish breeds suspected of contributing to the creation of the Yorkshire Terrier. The Maltese and the Black and Tan terrier are also believed to have contributed to this breeds bloodline. The Yorkshire Terrier breed was first known as “Broken-Haired Scotch Terrier” as well as “Toy Terrier”, and is now popularly known simply as “Yorkie”.
The Yorkshire Terrier was originally bred to catch small rodents. Their small size allowed them to get into very tight places that other breeds would not be able to reach. Yorkies are an intelligent breed that excel at obedience and agility competitions. They are relatively easy to train and good with following commands, however they can display stubborn behavior. They do not have a high tolerance for being teased and are therefore not recommended for homes with younger children. They do however, make a great family pet for homes with older, more considerate children. They are very affectionate towards their owners. Their behavior towards strangers varies from friendly and accepting, to weary and withdrawn, and they are often inclined to bark at strangers. Yorkshire Terriers enjoy barking and investigating sounds, making them excellent watchdogs.
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Yorkshire Terrier Breed Information |
Breed Group |
Toy Group |
Coat |
Silky, shiny and straight. |
Color(s) |
Black and tan, Tan, or Blue |
Size |
6-7 inches |
Weight |
5-8 lbs |
Exercise: |
Does not require a lot of exercise, they are highly energetic and can get the exercise they need indoors |
Temperament |
Clever, Energetic, Intelligent, Independent, Brave, Affectionate, |
Trainability |
Generally easy to train, but they can be stubborn |
Average Lifespan |
12-15 years |
Common Health Problems |
Tooth decay, Bronchitis, Cataracts, Sensitive digestion system, Patellar luxation,, Retinal Dysplasia, Bladder stones, Legg-Calve-Perthes syndrome, Tracheal Collapse, Portosystemic shunt, Hypoplasia of dens, Districhiasis |
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