The Young-at-Heart Yorkie: A Guide to Yorkshire Terrier Dogs
Hannah Roundy
Yorkie puppies have a larger-than-life personality, despite their small size. Learn everything there is to know about the Yorkshire Terrier mix.
Meet the Magnificent Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terriers, or Yorkies, are an iconic breed of dogs. They are specifically popular in the United States, recently winning the country’s 11th most popular dog breed in 2024. Though beloved by Americans, the breed actually originated in England.
A surplus of rats in 19th-century England is how the Yorkshire Terrier mix came to be. They were bred to chase down rats infesting textile mills. The Yorkie’s natural hunting instincts, athleticism, and compact size made the job an easy feat.
At some point in time, humans grew to value Yorkie puppies for their companionship and beauty rather than their hunting skills. The breed is more associated with celebrities and luxury today than it is with working dogs. Nonetheless, a Yorkie can be the perfect pup for pet parents of all kinds.
Physical Characteristics
Height: 7-8 inches
Weight: 7 pounds
Shedding Level: Little to no shedding
Coat Type: Silky
Coat Length: Long
Colors: Black, gold, tan, blue
A healthy purebred adult Yorkshire Terrier weighs around 7 pounds. But Teacup Yorkies can be even smaller, at only 3 to 4 pounds. Yorkie Poos can be toy, small, or medium breeds, depending on the size of the Poodle parent.
Yorkshire Terrier mix dogs are low-maintenance compared to other breeds. Their long, silky hair keeps growing and doesn’t shed. Curious how to groom a Yorkie? We recommend daily brushing plus a professional grooming every 4 to 6 weeks.
Personality
Raising a Yorkie is a loving, memorable experience. They are great dogs that develop deep attachments to their humans. Size is no object--these pups are alert and confident, so they’ll bark at anything that makes them feel intimidated.
Yorkshire Terrier mix dogs thrive on quality time with their human family. They want to be wherever you are, warming your lap, and hopefully getting some belly scratches in return.
If you have Yorkie puppies, socialize them as early as it’s safe to do so. Meeting and safely interacting with other dogs, people, and places is a great way to practice socialization. It shows your dog that they don’t have to be afraid in new environments.
The only personality trait to worry about is their pride. Yorkie stubbornness can get in the way of their natural ability to learn new commands. Make training sessions short, sweet, and full of delicious treats.