The Complete Yorkie Care Guide
Everything you need to know about Yorkshire Terriers — from grooming and training to health care, nutrition, and finding a reputable breeder for your new companion.
The Yorkshire Terrier — affectionately known as the Yorkie — is one of the smallest yet most spirited dog breeds in the world. Originally bred in England to catch rats in textile mills, this tiny terrier packs a bold, confident personality into a compact body. Today, the Yorkie is a beloved companion dog prized for its silky coat, feisty charm, and deep loyalty to its family.
Despite their size, Yorkies are not low-maintenance lap dogs. Their long coats, delicate frames, and terrier instincts require dedicated care and attention. This guide walks you through every critical aspect of Yorkie ownership so you can keep your dog healthy, happy, and well-groomed throughout their life. If you are considering a similar small companion breed, you may also enjoy our guides on the Yorkie Poodle mix and the Yorkie Chihuahua mix.
Breed Overview & Temperament
The Yorkshire Terrier is a toy breed that typically weighs between 4 and 7 pounds as an adult, standing about 7 to 8 inches tall. Their lifespan is impressively long for a small dog — usually 11 to 15 years, and some Yorkies live even longer with excellent care. The breed is recognized by the AKC in the Toy Group.
Personality Traits
- Bold and confident: Yorkies often act like they are ten times their actual size. They are alert, curious, and not easily intimidated.
- Affectionate but independent: They bond deeply with their owners and love attention, yet retain a stubborn, terrier-like streak.
- Alert watchdogs: Their sharp hearing and tendency to bark make them excellent early-warning companions, though this can become excessive without training.
- Intelligent and trainable: Yorkies learn quickly but can be stubborn. Positive reinforcement and consistency work best.
- Feisty with other animals: Their terrier heritage can make them chase small pets and be territorial with other dogs unless properly socialized early.
Is a Yorkie Right for You?
Yorkies thrive with owners who can give them consistent attention and grooming. They are ideal for apartment living and for people who want a constant companion. However, they are fragile — not the best choice for households with very young children — and their grooming needs are significant. If you are looking for a low-maintenance toy dog, this may not be the breed for you.
Quick Breed Profile:
• Size: Toy (4–7 lbs)
• Lifespan: 11–15 years
• Energy: Moderate
• Grooming: High maintenance
• Trainability: High with patience
• Good with kids: Older children only
• Apartment friendly: Yes
Grooming & Coat Care
Grooming is the single most demanding aspect of Yorkie ownership. The breed's signature silky, fine coat — which is often described as hair rather than fur — grows continuously and matts easily. Whether you keep the long show coat or a practical puppy cut, consistent grooming is non-negotiable.
Brushing & Combing
Yorkies with full-length coats need daily brushing with a slicker brush and metal comb to prevent matting, especially behind the ears, under the legs, and around the collar. Puppy-cut Yorkies still need brushing 2–3 times per week. Always work through tangles gently — yanking on mats is painful and can damage the coat.
Bathing
Bathe every 2–3 weeks using a gentle dog-specific shampoo. Too-frequent bathing strips natural oils and can dry out the skin, while too-infrequent bathing leads to matting and odor. Use a conditioner formulated for silky coats and dry thoroughly, especially in the ear canals and between paw pads.
Trimming & Professional Grooming
Show-coat Yorkies benefit from professional grooming every 4–6 weeks. Puppy-cut owners can stretch visits to every 6–8 weeks. Keep hair trimmed around the eyes, ears, and sanitary areas. Nails should be trimmed every 2–4 weeks — a long nail on a tiny dog changes gait and can cause joint strain.
Ear & Dental Care
Yorkies have floppy ears that trap moisture and debris, so clean them weekly with a dog-specific ear cleaner. Dental disease is extremely common in the breed due to crowded teeth in a small jaw. Brush teeth at least 3 times per week — daily is ideal — and schedule professional dental cleanings as recommended by your vet.
Grooming Tip: Start grooming routines when your Yorkie is a puppy. Touch paws, ears, and mouth frequently so your dog associates handling with positive experiences. A quality slicker brush and a gentle dog shampoo are the two most important grooming investments you will make.
Training a Yorkie
Yorkies are intelligent, curious, and eager to please — but they also inherit a stubborn terrier streak. Training must be consistent, patient, and positive. Harsh methods damage the trust this sensitive breed depends on and often make behavior problems worse.
Positive Reinforcement Works Best
Reward-based training is the most effective approach for Yorkies. Use tiny, high-value treats — the breed has a small stomach, so break treats into pea-sized pieces. Keep sessions short (5–10 minutes) because attention spans are brief. Always end on a success.
Essential Commands
- Sit: The foundation command. Lure the nose up with a treat, mark the moment the bottom touches the floor, and reward.
- Stay: Builds impulse control. Start with one second and gradually increase duration and distance. Essential for vet visits and grooming.
- Come: The most important safety command for a small dog who could slip out a door. Never punish a recall — always reward generously, even if your Yorkie took forever to respond.
- Leave it: Critical for a breed that will grab dropped food or small objects. Start with low-value items and build up gradually.
- Quiet: Yorkies bark at everything. Teach a "quiet" cue by rewarding silence after a bark alert, rather than shouting over the barking.
House Training Challenges
Yorkies are notoriously difficult to house train, partly because their small bladders need frequent trips outside and partly because many owners use potty pads indoors, which can confuse the dog about where elimination is acceptable. Consistency is key: take your Yorkie out frequently, reward every successful outdoor elimination, and clean accidents thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner.
Behavior to Watch For:
• Excessive barking — the most common Yorkie complaint
• Small Dog Syndrome — bossy, demanding behavior when the dog is over-indulged
• Resource guarding of toys, food, or favorite people
• Separation anxiety — Yorkies bond strongly and may panic when left alone
Address these early with positive training and, if needed, guidance from a professional behaviorist.
Health Issues & Prevention
Yorkies are generally hardy for their size, but the breed is predisposed to several health conditions. Understanding these risks allows you to monitor your dog and catch problems early, when treatment is most effective.
Common Yorkie Health Conditions
- Patellar luxation: Slipping kneecaps are common in small breeds. Signs include skipping, hopping, or holding up a back leg. Keep your Yorkie at a healthy weight and avoid high-impact jumping.
- Tracheal collapse: The windpipe weakens and can collapse, causing a honking cough. Use a harness instead of a collar to avoid pressure on the throat, and keep your dog at a lean weight.
- Dental disease: Extremely common due to crowded teeth. Daily brushing and professional cleanings prevent pain, tooth loss, and systemic infection.
- Hypoglycemia: Especially dangerous in puppies, who can develop low blood sugar if they go too long without eating. Feed small, frequent meals and watch for weakness, trembling, or disorientation.
- Portosystemic shunt: A liver condition that can cause poor growth, lethargy, and neurological signs. Reputable breeders screen for this.
- Legg-Calve-Perthes disease: A hip disorder affecting young Yorkies. Early detection improves outcomes.
Preventive Care Schedule
Healthy adult Yorkies should see the vet annually for a wellness exam, vaccinations, and parasite screening. Puppies need a full vaccination series — typically visits every 3–4 weeks until 16–20 weeks of age — and senior Yorkies (7+ years) benefit from twice-yearly checkups with bloodwork. Keep up monthly flea, tick, and heartworm prevention year-round.
Health Tip: Because Yorkies are so small, even a few extra ounces matters. Ask your vet to assess your dog's body condition score at every visit, and keep treats to less than 10% of daily calories. Weight management is one of the simplest ways to protect your Yorkie's joints and extend their lifespan.
Nutrition & Feeding
Yorkies have high metabolisms relative to their body size and need nutrient-dense food in small portions. Because their mouths and stomachs are tiny, meal frequency matters — especially for puppies.
Choosing the Right Food
Look for a complete and balanced formula that meets AAFCO standards, with a named animal protein — such as chicken or turkey — as the first ingredient. Small-breed formulas are often ideal because the kibble size is easier for a tiny mouth to chew, and the nutrient density suits a fast metabolism. Avoid foods heavy in fillers like corn and by-products.
Feeding Schedule
Yorkie puppies under 6 months should be fed 3–4 small meals daily to prevent hypoglycemia. Adults do well with two meals per day. Measure portions precisely and adjust based on body condition, not just the bag recommendation. Free-feeding is not recommended for this breed, as it makes weight control difficult.
Treats and Supplements
Treats should be tiny and accounted for in daily calories. Soft, small treats work best for a Yorkie's delicate teeth. If you feed a homemade diet, consult a veterinary nutritionist to ensure it is complete — small breeds are especially vulnerable to nutrient imbalances. Supplements should only be given when recommended by your vet.
Water
Fresh water should always be available. Small dogs dehydrate quickly, so monitor intake and consider a shallow bowl that is easy for a tiny muzzle to reach. If your Yorkie is reluctant to drink, a pet fountain can encourage hydration.
Exercise & Enrichment
Despite their small size, Yorkies are active little dogs with genuine terrier energy. They need daily exercise to stay physically healthy and mentally balanced — but their needs are modest and easily met.
Daily Exercise Needs
- Walks: Two short walks of 15–20 minutes each per day. Yorkies tire quickly, so avoid long, strenuous hikes or extreme heat.
- Indoor play: Fetch down a hallway, tug with a soft toy, or a game of hide-and-seek burns energy and strengthens your bond.
- Mental stimulation: Puzzle feeders and short training sessions tire a Yorkie's brain more effectively than extra laps around the block.
- Safe exercise: Avoid jumping from furniture or high-impact activities, which can aggravate knee issues. Keep your Yorkie on a harness and leash during walks.
Enrichment Ideas
Yorkies are intelligent and can become bored and destructive without enough mental activity. Rotate interactive dog toys and puzzle toys to keep things novel. Snuffle mats and frozen stuffed toys provide calming, low-impact enrichment. Short, positive training sessions are excellent brain work for this clever breed.
Signs Your Yorkie Needs More Activity:
• Destructive chewing or digging
• Excessive barking or pacing
• Hyperactivity or inability to settle
• Weight gain despite normal portions
Conversely, if your Yorkie seems reluctant to walk or limps, contact your vet — small breeds are prone to joint problems.
Choosing a Yorkie Puppy
Bringing home a Yorkie puppy is exciting, but choosing the right puppy — from the right source — sets the stage for a healthy, well-adjusted adult dog. Because Yorkies are so popular, they are frequently produced by puppy mills and irresponsible breeders, so caution is essential.
What to Look For in a Puppy
- Age: Puppies should stay with their mother and littermates until at least 8 weeks of age — 10–12 weeks is even better for socialization.
- Health: The puppy should be bright, alert, and curious, with clear eyes, clean ears, and a shiny coat. Avoid puppies that seem lethargic or have discharge.
- Size: "Teacup" and "micro" Yorkies are marketed at premium prices but are often bred irresponsibly and face greater health risks. A standard, healthy Yorkie is typically the wiser choice.
- Temperament: A confident, friendly puppy who approaches you voluntarily is a good sign. Avoid extremely fearful or aggressive puppies.
- Documentation: Ask for vaccination records, deworming history, and any health testing on the parents. The AKC registration should be available for registered litters.
Puppy Care Essentials
Before your Yorkie puppy arrives, gather the essentials: a small crate, a soft bed, small-breed puppy food, tiny treats, a harness and leash, grooming supplies, and safe chew toys. Puppy-proof your home by securing electrical cords, removing toxic plants, and blocking access to small objects. Start house training, socialization, and gentle grooming from day one.
Puppy Tip: Yorkie puppies are extremely fragile. Avoid rough handling, and do not let young children carry them unattended. A fall from a couch or being stepped on can cause serious injury to a puppy this small. Supervise all interactions with children and larger pets.
Finding a Reputable Yorkie Breeder
The breeder you choose has a profound impact on your dog's health, temperament, and lifelong well-being. A reputable dog breeder prioritizes health and temperament over volume, and will become a resource for you throughout your dog's life.
What a Responsible Breeder Does
- Performs health testing: Parents should be screened for patellar luxation, liver shunts, and other breed-relevant conditions.
- Raises puppies with care: Puppies should be socialized in a clean home environment, not a kennel or cage.
- Asks you questions: A good breeder wants to know about your lifestyle, experience, and plans for the puppy to ensure a good match.
- Provides a contract: A written health guarantee and a contract outlining responsibilities on both sides is standard practice.
- Stays involved: Reputable breeders welcome questions after purchase and often require you to return the dog to them if you cannot keep it.
Red Flags to Avoid
Walk away from any breeder who offers multiple breeds, sells puppies without meeting you, refuses to show you where the puppies are raised, or pressures you to buy immediately. These are hallmarks of puppy mills or backyard breeders. A healthy Yorkie puppy is a long-term investment — take your time and choose carefully.
Breeder Interview Questions:
• Can you show me health clearances for both parents?
• What health issues have appeared in your lines?
• How are the puppies socialized before they go home?
• What food are the puppies eating?
• What does your health guarantee cover?
• Can I visit the puppies and meet the mother?
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Thoughts
The Yorkshire Terrier is a wonderful companion for the right owner — someone who can commit to regular grooming, patient training, and plenty of loving attention. Despite their small size, these dogs have big personalities and big needs. If you are ready for the commitment, a well-bred Yorkie will reward you with years of loyalty, charm, and affection. Start with quality nutrition, consistent grooming, and a solid relationship with a veterinarian, and your Yorkie will thrive.
