A Yorkshire Terrier standing on a wooden floor.

A Yorkshire Terrier standing on a wooden floor.

Roxyuru, Yorkshire terrier dog 04.jpg, Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Yorkshire_terrier_dog_04.jpg. Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0. No source-file edits; display resizing/cropping only.

Roxyuru · CC BY-SA 4.0

Image source

Breed or variety record

Yorkshire Terrier

dog breed

Part of Dog

Explore the Yorkshire Terrier in The Ark Is Earth's educational archive.

Summary

Developed in 19th-century Yorkshire, England, the breed grew from terrier stock brought by Scottish workers, with crosses that included the Old Black and Tan Terrier, Maltese, and Skye Terrier. Its small size and hunting instinct made it useful for controlling rats and other vermin in textile mills and mines. Yorkies are feisty, lively, affectionate, and confident. Today they are companion dogs that also take part in conformation shows and companion events.

Quick facts

  • Toy-sized: The AKC profile lists a height of 7–8 inches and a weight of 7 pounds.
  • Silky coat: The long coat is typically steel blue and rich golden tan.
  • Lifespan: A typical life expectancy is 11–15 years.
  • Big personality: Yorkies are small but bold, lively, affectionate, and confident.

Sources

Species context

Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)