All about your Yorkshire Terrier
Smart and self-assured, with a cheeky sense of humour. Yorkshire Terriers are small, feisty dogs with an endless sense of adventure hidden beneath that long flowing coat. From grooming advice to common health conditions, our guide covers the key things you should know about this endearing little dog with a big personality.
Breed information & advice
The Yorkshire Terrier belongs to the toy dog group, and is bright, fearless, loyal and energetic. They can adapt to living in any size of home, but this dog will still need plenty of exercise and an owner who can keep them in line. Here’s more you should know:
- Yorkshire Terriers need discipline and training to stop them trying to take chargeYorkshire Terriers need discipline and training to stop them trying to take charge
- Their long, fine coat will shed very little, which means that they might be a good choice for allergy sufferersTheir long, fine coat will shed very little, which means that they might be a good choice for allergy sufferers
- They’ll typically weigh between 1.5kg and 3kg, when fully grownThey’ll typically weigh between 1.5kg and 3kg, when fully grown
- A healthy Yorkshire Terrier will usually live from 12 to 15 yearsA healthy Yorkshire Terrier will usually live from 12 to 15 years
Typical size of a Yorkshire Terrier: Small: 20cm-23cm
Recommended exercise & nutrition
Yorkshire Terriers have a hunting instinct and love looking for toys and chasing balls. Your dog is likely to enjoy all kinds of games and exercise, enjoying the attention that comes from learning tricks and taking part in agility trials. They might square up to dogs three times their size if they haven’t been socialised from an early age, as they're more courageous than their lapdog reputation might suggest.
Feeding your dog two high-quality meals each day, should give them all the nutrients they need and avoid upsetting their delicate digestive system. Always read the portion guidance, and allow for your dog’s age, size and exercise regime.
Up to half an hour of exercise per day
Yorkshire Terriers are naturally energetic and inquisitive, so will benefit from a daily walk.
Common health problems & illnesses
There’s no reason why your Yorkshire Terrier shouldn’t live a long and happy life. However, being aware of the ailments your dog will be more prone to, along with the associated symptoms, can help you to deal with any health issues that crop up.
A common injury affecting this breed is a dislocated kneecap, also known as a luxating patella. This is a condition that they’ll have been born with, and signs to look out for include occasional skipping or hind-leg lameness. Simple surgery is usually the best way to treat this condition, but your vet can advise on the best course of action.
Try to take notice of the sounds your Yorkshire Terrier makes. A harsh cough could be a sign of a collapsed windpipe, which can be caused when small dogs pull too hard against their collar during walks. You can avoid this condition by using a body harness rather than a collar, or by training your dog to walk alongside you.
Yorkshire Terriers can get low blood sugar as a result of stress, causing weakness, confusion and unsteadiness. If your dog starts shivering and shaking, shows a lack of energy or his tongue and gums take on a blueish colour, you should take them to your vet for a check-up. Other symptoms to watch out for include increased thirst and having to urinate more often, an increased appetite and weight loss. Treatment such as a controlled diet or insulin jabs can help to manage the condition over the long term.
Dogs can get many of the same or similar oral diseases as are seen in people. However, whereas the most common dental disease in people is tooth decay or cavities, in dogs it is periodontal disease. Dogs with dental problems commonly show symptoms such as bad breath, excessive drooling, loss of appetite, and more.
As dog parents, we need to take good care of our dog’s teeth by regular brushing. We should also check our dog’s mouth regularly for early signs of dental problems. If you have any concerns, speak to your vet.
Legg-Perthes is a painful condition that causes the hip joint to crumble and collapse. It can be treated with an operation to remove the diseased hip joint. With successful treatment, the outlook for a dog with Legg-Perthes is good.
Dog name popularity
If you’re struggling to think of a name for your Yorkshire Terrier, take a look at the most popular ones at Tesco Pet Insurance for inspiration.
Teddy
Poppy
Bella
Daisy
Alfie
Average treatment costs
Wondering whether pet insurance for your Yorkshire Terrier is worth it? We’ve put together the top five conditions claimed for by Tesco Pet Insurance customers in 2021. To give you an idea of how much vet bills can vary, we’ve shown both the average cost and the top 10% most expensive costs for each condition.
Top five conditions and average costs
|
Condition |
Average cost |
10% most expensive |
|---|---|---|
|
Cruciate rupture |
£2,093 |
£4,066 |
|
Lameness |
£667 |
£1,072 |
|
Epilepsy/fitting/seizure |
£674 |
£1,349 |
|
Diabetes |
£940 |
£1,901 |
|
Vomiting |
£596 |
£1,278 |
Tesco Pet Insurance claims data from paid treatments including excesses from 01/01/21 to 31/12/21.
Considering Yorkshire Terrier insurance?
We know your dog is an important member of the family, so give them the protection they deserve with Tesco Pet Insurance.
Tesco Pet Insurance is arranged, administered and underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Ltd.
Grooming advice
A Yorkshire Terrier’s long, fine coat needs plenty of attention, and they will need a weekly bath. You’ll need to trim or tie their long facial hair out of the way, or take them for regular visits to a professional groomer.
If your terrier has a ‘silky’ coat you may not have too many problems with knots and tangles. If they have a ‘soft’ coat, you may want to keep their coat shorter. You should brush your dog’s coat every day to prevent matting and keep their skin healthy. It’s important to establish a grooming routine early on to get your puppy used to the attention – it will make them a lot more cooperative in the future.
After their bath, always check their ears for debris, discharges or bad smells. Daily brushing will help to protect their teeth and gums, as Yorkshire Terriers can be prone to tartar and early tooth loss. Their nails can grow long quickly, so check these regularly in case they need clipping.
Fun & interesting facts
- Yorkshire Terriers can experience episodes of reverse sneezing, and often make loud honking sounds. It might seem alarming, but it’s usually harmless.
- Audrey Hepburn was a big fan of the breed, and her dog Mr Famous appeared with her in the film Funny Face.
- The smallest dog ever recorded was a Yorkshire Terrier called Sylvia. She was just 6.5cm tall, 9cm long and weighed 113g.
- Yorkshire Terriers were once larger, and employed in mills to catch rats hiding under looms.
- Smoky was a Yorkshire Terrier that became a WW2 hero, for helping to string communication lines between squadron offices in the Philippines.
Important information
The content on this page aims to offer an informative introduction to pet breeds, but does not constitute expert veterinary advice. If your dog or cat falls ill or has an injury, contact your vet immediately. Tesco Pet Insurance has a partnership with vetfone™ which means that as a customer, you can benefit from their advice as part of your policy.
Tesco Pet Insurance is arranged, administered and underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Ltd. The vetfone™ service is provided by VetsDirect Ltd.
All facts and figures were correct at date of publication and were compiled using a range of sources.
Vetfone™ is a 24/7 unlimited, free telephone or video call service that provides expert advice from vets or vet nurses qualified with the RCVS (Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons). If your pet has a medical emergency, or you need advice on health, grooming, feeding or behaviour vetfone™ is there to help.
As a Tesco Pet Insurance customer, you can access friendly, expert advice from qualified Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons as a standard benefit with your policy, and the service is provided at no additional cost. A quick telephone call or video call could answer any questions you have about your pet, give you peace of mind and could even save you a trip to the vet.
Tesco Pet Insurance is arranged, administered and underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Ltd. The vetfone™ service is provided by VetsDirect Ltd.
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