Apartment fit
Yorkies are excellent apartment candidates when barking is trained and daily play or walks are provided.
ToySmallGreat Britain
Yorkshire Terrier
Weight
4-7 lb
Height
7-8 in
Lifespan
11-15 yrs
Coat
Silky Long
The Yorkshire Terrier is a toy-size British terrier with a long silky blue-and-tan coat, bold watchdog attitude, low shedding, and grooming needs that are much bigger than its body size.
Toy-size British terrier companionLong silky blue-and-tan coat with low sheddingBold watchdog attitude in a tiny bodyHigh grooming and dental-care needs
Breed Names
Official, native, and commonly used variants
Yorkie
BoldAffectionateAlertConfidentLivelyVocal
Weight
4-7 lb
Height
7-8 in
Lifespan
11-15 yrs
Coat
Silky Long
At A Glance
Daily living snapshot
A quick read on energy, upkeep, and what day-to-day life with this breed usually feels like.
Energy
Moderate
Barking
High
Drooling
Low
Shedding
Low
Grooming
5/5
First-time owner
Yes
Overview
The Yorkshire Terrier was developed in northern England as a small terrier, but modern Yorkies are best known as toy companions with a confident terrier attitude. AKC lists the breed in the Toy Group, while the FCI standard recognizes its terrier heritage.
A Yorkie is tiny, alert, and often fearless for its size. The long, straight, silky blue-and-tan coat is a defining breed feature, but many pet owners keep it trimmed short for easier care. Even clipped dogs need regular brushing, dental care, nail trimming, and careful handling because the breed is small and can be physically fragile.
Yorkshire Terriers can thrive in apartments and busy households when barking, grooming, and safety are managed. They are not outdoor dogs, rough playmates, or low-care accessories; they need training, socialization, and protection from falls, large dogs, and careless handling.
Temperament & Personality
BoldAffectionateAlertConfidentLivelyVocal
This breed tends to suit homes looking for a bold, affectionate, alert companion, with daily rhythms shaped by moderate energy, high barking, and low drooling.
Coat type
Silky
Coat length
Long
Shedding
Low
Colors
Blue and tan, Blue and gold, Black and tan, Black and gold
Lifestyle Compatibility
Family Friendly4/5
Good with Kids3/5
Good with Dogs3/5
Good with Strangers3/5
Apartment Friendly5/5
Exercise Needs3/5
Grooming Needs5/5
Trainability3/5
Good fit if you want
- A family-friendly companion
- A home-friendly apartment match
- A more forgiving first ownership experience
Plan ahead for
- 3/5 exercise needs
- low shedding and coat upkeep
- high barking in daily life
Owner Fit & Everyday Behavior
Best for
- apartment dwellers who can manage barking
- owners who want a small affectionate companion
- people willing to maintain coat and teeth
- families with gentle older children
Not ideal for
- homes wanting a low-grooming dog
- rough households with careless handling
- owners unwilling to train barking
- people expecting a rugged outdoor dog
Common challenges
- coat tangles and grooming cost
- dental disease
- alert barking
- fragility around stairs, jumps, and large dogs
Barking & behavior
Expect alert barking from a confident small watchdog. Teach quiet cues and avoid letting window or door barking become daily entertainment.
Training style
Use rewards and consistent rules. House training, handling, grooming cooperation, and polite greetings should start early.
Grooming & shedding
The coat sheds little but mats easily. A short pet trim reduces maintenance, but grooming and dental care remain non-negotiable.
Care Guide
Exercise
Yorkies need daily walks, indoor play, and short training sessions, but they do not need the workload of larger terriers. Protect them from rough dog parks, high jumps, and unsafe stairs.
Grooming
A long show-style coat needs daily brushing and careful maintenance. A short pet trim is easier but still needs regular brushing, bathing, face cleaning, nail trimming, and professional grooming.
Training
Use reward-based training for barking, house training, handling, and polite greetings. Small size should not mean no rules; consistent routines prevent nuisance barking and bossy behavior.
Nutrition
Feed measured meals for a toy dog and avoid frequent treats. Dental care and weight control are especially important in a small breed.
Behavior & Environment
Energy level
Moderate
Barking level
High
Drooling level
Low
Watchdog ability
4/5
Guard dog ability
1/5
Climate tolerance
Cold weather2/5
Heat tolerance3/5
Health Considerations
Common concerns to discuss with your vet and breeder.
Dental diseasePatellar luxationTracheal collapsePortosystemic shuntHypoglycemia in puppies
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Yorkshire Terrier a good apartment dog?
Yes. Yorkies are well suited to apartments because they are tiny and exercise needs are manageable, but barking still needs training.
Do Yorkshire Terriers shed?
Yorkies are low-shedding, but their silky coat needs serious grooming. Long coats need daily brushing, and pet trims still need regular upkeep.
Are Yorkshire Terriers good with children?
They can do well with gentle older children, but very young or rough children can injure a Yorkie. Supervision and careful handling are important.
How much exercise does a Yorkshire Terrier need?
Most Yorkies do well with daily walks, indoor play, and short training sessions. They are active for their size but not built for rough endurance work.
Do Yorkshire Terriers bark a lot?
Many Yorkies are vocal watchdogs. Barking can be managed with training, routine, and reduced window or door rehearsal, but owners should expect alert behavior.
Is the Yorkshire Terrier good for first-time owners?
Yes, prepared first-time owners can do well if they take grooming, dental care, house training, and safety seriously.
What health issues should Yorkie owners watch for?
Important concerns include dental disease, patellar luxation, tracheal collapse, liver shunts, and low blood sugar in puppies.
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