Yorkshire Terrier Overview
Origin: United Kingdom
Developed in 19th-century Yorkshire and Lancashire, England, by weavers who bred a ratting terrier small enough to carry in a pocket. Despite its glamorous modern appearance, the Yorkie has tough working-terrier roots.
Tiny English toy breed known for long, silky coat and confident personality. Despite diminutive size (3–4 kg), Yorkies have large personalities and fearless nature. Hypoallergenic, shedding-free, ideal for apartment living. Originally bred to hunt rats in Yorkshire textile mills; retain prey drive and can be aggressive toward small animals.
Affectionate with families but can be territorial, snappy with children, and problematic with small pets. Long coat requires significant grooming commitment (daily brushing or professional grooming every 4–6 weeks). Adapt well to all Australian climates and are excellent for urban dwellers, apartment residents, and older adults seeking small companions.
Suit experienced owners, apartment dwellers, and those willing to commit to grooming. Not ideal for families with young children or those with limited grooming resources. Delicate frames and high grooming needs require dedicated owners.
Yorkshire Terrier Personality & Temperament
Understanding the Yorkshire Terrier temperament is the most important step before bringing one home.
Confident, fearless, affectionate, spirited | Independent and stubborn; territorial; high prey drive; can be snappy with children; loyal to owners | Problematic with children (fragility, snappiness); problematic with small animals; high barking; moderate separation anxiety
Breed Ratings at a Glance
How the Yorkshire Terrier scores across key traits (1 = Low, 5 = High).
Is a Yorkshire Terrier Right for You?
✅
Apartment
Perfect; tiny, low-energy
✅
House with yard
Suitable; minimal space needed
⚠️
First-time owner
Fair; grooming-intensive; require experienced handling
✅
Renters
Excellent; small, quiet
✅
Hot climate (QLD/NT/WA)
Excellent; tiny size suits all
✅
Cold climate (VIC/TAS/ACT)
Suitable; small, easily managed
✅
Elderly/retired owners
Perfect; gentle companion
⚠️
Working owners (8hrs alone)
Fair; moderate separation anxiety
❌
Rural/acreage
Not ideal; designed for urban living
❌
Active lifestyle
Minimal exercise tolerance
Separation Anxiety: Moderate — this breed may struggle if left alone for long periods.
Yorkshire Terrier Size & Appearance
Size
Toy
Weight M
3–4 kg
Weight F
3–4 kg
Height
20–23 cm
Coat
Long, silky, fine texture
Colours
Tan or golden on head/legs; dark steel blue or tan on body
Variations
None
Brachycephalic
No
Hypoallergenic
Yes ✓
Yorkshire Terrier Health & Lifespan
14 years
Average Lifespan
Known Health Conditions
Knee cap dislocation common in toy breeds. Mild cases managed; severe require surgery.
Est. treatment: $800–$2,500
Low blood sugar common in toy breeds. Requires immediate glucose treatment.
Est. treatment: $200–$1,000 per episode
Windpipe weakens and collapses. Signs: dry, honking cough. Managed with medication.
Est. treatment: $800–$2,500
Liver blood vessel abnormality. Managed medically or surgically.
Est. treatment: $1,500–$3,500
Crowded teeth; poor dental hygiene common. Regular dental cleaning essential.
Est. treatment: $300–$800 per cleaning
Vision loss leading to blindness. Genetic screening available.
Est. treatment: $500–$1,500
Recommended Health Tests:
Patella evaluation, bile acid test for liver shunt, ophthalmologist evaluation
Pet Insurance for Yorkshire Terrier
Avg Annual Insurance: $600
Monthly Estimate: $600–$1,000/month. Insurers: Bow Wow Meow, PD Insurance, Petcover.
Recommended Insurers:
• Bow Wow Meow
• PD Insurance
• Petinsurance.com.au
• Budget Direct
• Petcover
• NRMA
TIP: Insure before 6 months.
Compare insurance policies for your Yorkshire Terrier
Given this breed's known health conditions, comprehensive coverage is recommended for Australian owners.
Compare Pet Insurance →
Yorkshire Terrier Cost of Ownership (AUD)
| Category | Amount (AUD) |
|---|
| PURCHASE |
$1,000 - $2,000 |
| Food |
$1,100 |
| Vet |
$450 |
| Grooming |
$350 |
| Insurance |
$600 |
| TOTAL/yr |
$1,796 |
| Monthly |
$83 |
| LIFETIME (14 yrs) |
$25,144 |
| FIRST-YEAR EXTRAS |
$1,200–$2,200 (desexing, vax, microchip, setup, puppy school) |
$25,144
Estimated lifetime cost (14 years)
All prices in AUD. Costs vary by state, vet, and lifestyle. Sources: PetSure, RSPCA, Animal Medicines Australia.
Yorkshire Terrier Grooming Guide
Frequency
2–3 times per week
Brushing
Daily if kept long; 4–6 weeks professional grooming
Professional Cost
$50–$80
Coat
Long, silky, fine texture
Shedding
☆☆☆☆☆/5
Tools
Slicker/pin brush, deshedding tool, nail clippers
Nails
Every 4–6 weeks | Ears: Monthly | Teeth: 2–3×/week
Yorkshire Terrier Exercise Needs
Daily Exercise
30 minutes
Type
Short walks, indoor play, climbing stairs
Energy
★★★☆☆/5
Separation Anxiety
Moderate
Mental Stimulation
Puzzle feeders, sniff walks, 10min training/day
Sports
Agility, flyball, scent work, swimming (breed-dependent)
Training Your Yorkshire Terrier
Trainability: ★★★☆☆/5
First-Time Owner: ★★★☆☆/5
Intelligent but stubborn and independent. Difficult to housetrain. Respond to reward-based training; dislike harsh correction. Early socialisation critical to reduce fear-based aggression. Can be territorial and aggressive toward larger dogs despite size. Training requires patience.
Tips: Positive reinforcement only | Puppy school 8–12 weeks
Short 5–10min sessions | Socialise early with dogs, people, sounds
Yorkshire Terrier Feeding Guide
Annual Food Cost: $1,100
0.25–0.5 cups daily, split into two meals. Toy breed kibble with high-quality protein. Expect $10–$20/week. Prone to hypoglycemia—frequent meals essential. Many are picky eaters.
Tips: Premium kibble + 2 meals/day | Monitor weight | Fresh water always
Avoid: grapes, onion, chocolate, xylitol, macadamias
Finding a Reputable Yorkshire Terrier Breeder
REGISTRIES:
• ANKC (ankc.org.au)
• RightPaw (rightpaw.com.au)
GREEN FLAGS: Health tests, ANKC/RPBA reg, visits allowed, health guarantee, screens buyers
RED FLAGS: Always available, multiple breeds, no health tests, Gumtree/social media sellers, pet shops
✅ Green Flags
- Registered with ANKC, RPBA, MDBA, or RightPaw
- Invites you to visit and meet the mother (dam)
- Provides health test results for parents
- Includes vet certificate, microchip, and vaccination records
- Has a waiting list (sign of demand, not a puppy farm)
❌ Red Flags
- Multiple breeds always available with no wait
- Won't let you visit or meet the mother
- No health testing mentioned
- Price significantly below market average
- Meets in a public place instead of their property
Trusted Australian Registries:
ANKC (ankc.org.au) · RPBA (rpba.org.au) · RightPaw (rightpaw.com.au) · Dogs Australia · ACF
Adopting a Yorkshire Terrier in Australia
RESCUE OPTIONS:
• Yorkshire Terrier Rescue Australia
• PetRescue.com.au
• RSPCA Australia
Adoption Cost: $250–$600 AUD
(includes desexing, microchip, vaccinations)
Search PetRescue.com.au — Australia's largest adoption platform
❤️ Thousands of dogs need homes. Rescue dogs come desexed, vaccinated, and microchipped.
Yorkshire Terrier — Frequently Asked Questions
Good for families with children?
Not ideal. Fragile and can be snappy. Better without young children.
Lifespan?
12–18 years typical; some reach 20. Longest-lived toy breed.
Hypoallergenic?
Yes. Don't shed; human-like hair. Excellent for allergy sufferers.
Grooming?
Extensive. Daily brushing if long, or professional every 4–6 weeks if trimmed. Costs $50–$80 per visit.
Insurance cost?
$600–$1,000 annually (Bow Wow Meow, PD Insurance, Petcover).
Good for apartments?
Excellent. Tiny, low-energy, minimal exercise, suit all climates.
Left alone?
Moderate separation anxiety. Prefer companionship but tolerate alone time.
Health issues?
Patellar luxation, hypoglycemia, tracheal collapse, portosystemic shunt, dental disease, PRA.
Diet?
0.25–0.5 cups daily of toy breed kibble. Expect $10–$20/week. Frequent meals prevent hypoglycemia.
Small animals?
No. High prey drive means cats and small animals at risk.
