Yorkshire Terrier
約瑟爹利
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Yorkshire Terrier is a toy-sized terrier from the mills of northern England, weighing no more than about 3 kg under a floor-length silky coat of steel blue and tan. Yorkies are tenacious, spirited and sometimes bossy, need only modest exercise, and are one of Hong Kong's classic apartment dogs — but their tiny size means care around small children and attention to dental and knee health.
Facts
| Size | Toy |
|---|---|
| Height | 18–20cm |
| Weight | 3–3.2kg |
| Life expectancy | 11–15years |
| Breed group | AKC: toy FCI: 3 |
| Role | Toy |
| Coat | Long coat |
| Shedding | 1/ 5 |
| Exercise | 20–120min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 3 hours |
| Companionship need | 5/ 5 |
| Trainability | 4/ 5 |
| Barking | 4/ 5 |
| Good with children | 5/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 3/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 3/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 3/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Inherited eye conditions
Various inherited eye conditions are reported in the breed; annual eye examinations by a veterinary ophthalmologist are recommended for breeding stock. Ask your vet about eye screening.
Patellar luxation
Patellar luxation (slipping kneecaps) is commonly reported in small breeds; breeders screen for it. Ask your vet if your dog skips or holds up a hind leg.
Behaviour
All terrier under the silk
The CKC says that even as a pampered pet the Yorkie is loaded with spirit and displays its terrier heritage, making an alert watchdog; the AKC calls it tenacious, feisty, brave and sometimes bossy.
Not a breed for small children
The CKC states plainly this is not a breed for small children; the AKC recommends moderate exercise such as steady walks and short bursts of play, and reward-based training rather than harsh corrections.
Energy and exercise
Energy level is rated 4/5 (high) on the AKC breed-trait chart. The Royal Kennel Club puts its exercise need at "up to 30 minutes per day".
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 4/5, barking level 4/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Yorkshire Terrier
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Canadian Kennel Club — Yorkshire Terrier (Toy Dogs)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
The Royal Kennel Club — Yorkshire Terrier
Breed characteristics (size small, exercise up to 30 minutes per day, lifespan over 12 years).
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — Yorkshire Terrier (standard no. 86, group 3)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Yorkshire Terrier — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Yorkshire Terrier — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Yorkshire Terrier — Breeds A to Z — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Yorkshire Terrier — FCI standard no. 86 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [7]FCI-Standard No. 86 — Yorkshire Terrier, 22.02.2012 (weight up to 3.2 kg) — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
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Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.