11 Fun Yorkie facts that will melt your heart

Yorkies, Yorkshire Terriers, Fur-balls, Fur-babies – whatever you call yours! Yorkies have an amazing talent to wiggle their way into our lives and hearts! Here are some great yorkie facts that will open your heart to them even more!

1. Yorkshire Terriers may be small but they are mighty in spirit!

Yorkies are part of the Terriers breed family and come in different sizes, but the standard is between 5 and 7 pounds and 7 and 8 inches in height. The smaller Yorkies are often referred to as teacups and can be as small as 3 pounds.

The larger ones can be as much as a healthy 14 pounds, although not much taller and cannot be shown as they don’t meet the show dog standard. I have heard them referred to as Giant Yorkies, which is hilarious as they are still cuddly lapdogs.

They have a long lifespan, with some living up to 15 years (some up to 18). This means that you can enjoy having a furry companion in your home for many years to come.

Regardless of where your Yorkie fits in size, they have huge personalities. These little dogs are energetic and feisty with a tendency to try to be the boss if not trained, but also affectionate cuddle bugs.

2. Yorkshire Terrier Grooming: Hair, Not Fur.

Yorkies are known for their long, cascading, soft coats, which sway gracefully in the exhibition arena. But this beautiful trait also needs daily care to maintain. As the coat is comparable to human hair, they do require regular grooming.

Their coats should be brushed regularly to prevent matting. It may also snap off when brushing against rugs and carpets at home. The bonus is that Yorkies don’t have an undercoat so their coat doesn’t shed any more than your hair naturally does.

Many breeders recommend that new owners keep their family Yorkshire Terrier in a “puppy cut,” which is short and easy to maintain. This cut involves trimming down the soft hair on the body and keeping the face, tail, and legs relatively long.

This helps to minimize tangles and mats in the fur and prevents skin irritation that can be caused by excess fur. Regular brushing is also important not only for appearance but for maintaining healthy skin and coat.

3. Yorkies have a working dog background.

Sure, today they may have pretty bows in their top knots and their adorable expressions may make them seem like they were born to be spoilt, but did you know the Yorkie fact that they have a working dog background of catching rats and other vermin in underground tunnels.

They were initially bred in Yorkshire, England during the 19th century as working dogs and are considered to be one of the oldest dog breeds. This instinct still comes out in their play (offer a Yorkie a toy rope or stuffed toy, and you’ll see they still have strong jaws despite their delicate appearance.

There is even an AKC Earthdog test that allows dogs to test their ability to pursue caged rats underground in a non-competitive setting.

4. Yorkshire Terrier History: A Celebrated War Hero

Smoky the Yorkie served during World War II. She was discovered in a foxhole by an American soldier in New Guinea and quickly became part of his platoon. During her service, she single-handedly saved the lives of hundreds of soldiers through her bravery and loyalty.

Her most famous feat was when she ran a telegraph line under a 60-foot-long pipe in only 45 minutes, helping to secure communications between two camps. For her heroic efforts, Smoky was awarded eight battle stars and several other honors from the United States Army Air Corps.

After the war, Smoky enjoyed a happy life with her owner until her death in 1957 at the age of 14. To this day, Smoky is remembered as one of the bravest canines to ever serve in combat.

Smoky (dog). (2022, November 15). In Wikipedia.

5. Yorkies Make Great Therapy Dogs

While bred as ratters, Yorkies are very friendly and loving dogs and a well-trained Yorkshire Terrier can be a great therapy dog.

This is a wonderful story of the smallest working Yorkie, helping people feel better.

Lucy can make us smile even without the cuddle.

6. Yorkies Have A Hollywood History

Yorkies have a long history intertwined with Hollywood. The first Yorkie to make it big in Hollywood was Terry, who starred alongside Shirley Temple in Bright Eyes. Terry even received top billing and credit for his role in the film!

Many other Yorkies have followed in his footsteps since then, appearing in films and television shows such as Beverly Hills Chihuahua and Legally Blonde. Yorkies have also been featured on magazine covers, in advertisements, and even had their own cartoon series.

Today they are still widely popular due to their small size and lovable personalities, making them perfect companions for people of all ages. Their Hollywood pedigree gives them an added bit of glamour, making them the ultimate status symbol for pet owners everywhere.

7. Yorkies Are Adaptable To Urban Or Rural Living

Yorkies are incredibly adaptable dogs, being able to thrive in both urban and rural living environments. They have an impressive energy level and can easily keep up with an active lifestyle. They don’t need a lot of space to exercise either, making them perfect for city living.

Yorkies are highly intelligent, so they learn quickly and respond well to training. They also thrive when given plenty of mental stimulation, so it’s important to provide them with lots of toys and activities in order to keep them entertained.

Despite their size, Yorkies make great watchdogs and can be quite protective of their owners. With the right socialization, they get along well with other pets and people too. In general, Yorkies are loyal companions who love spending time with their families and providing lots of unconditional love – no matter where you live!

8. Watch Your Fearless Yorkie Pups

They make great watchdogs and will bark as they are alert and bark at unfamiliar sounds. However, they don’t know they are small. My Yorkies don’t hesitate to try to play with bigger dogs or give them a ‘go away’ bark. Our garden is their domain and it doesn’t matter if it is a coyote, raccoon, or a big squirrel, they will try to chase them off.

They will take on anything they see as a threat to their territory. They are small enough for an owl or bird of prey to fly off with. They need your protection to protect them from themselves.

9. Yorkies have Natural Hair Color Changes

One of Yorkshire Terriers’ most notable features is their hair color. Yorkies come in a variety of colors, from black to tan to silver. The most unique thing about Yorkies is that their hair can change color over time due to either genetics or environmental factors such as diet.

As the dog ages, its coat may lighten or darken depending on the color of the original coat. This can be especially noticeable when comparing photos taken at different stages in the dog’s life. It is also possible for Yorkies to have “fairy dust” markings on their fur which give them an almost ethereal appearance with bright spots of white or silver throughout their fur.

Yorkies have lovely hair color changes that make them even more endearing and beautiful than other breeds of dogs!

10. Yorkies Make Great Apartment Dogs

Yorkies make amazing small home dogs. They are loyal, smart and loving, making them ideal pets for many households.

Yorkies are also low maintenance as due to their size they don’t need a ton of exercise, so they’re great for people with busy lifestyles. They can even be exercised inside when bad weather or circumstances require it as they are still a dog and need daily exercise to stay healthy. They’re relatively quiet if well-trained, so they won’t disturb your neighbors.

Plus, their small size makes them perfect for apartments or smaller homes, as they don’t take up much space. All in all, Yorkies make the perfect pet for anyone looking for a loyal companion who will bring joy and love into their life.

They also need regular exercise, but they don’t require much more than a few short walks each day.

Yorkies can also be trained to use a litter box or puppy pads so you don’t have to worry about accidents when you’re at work or away from home for a few hours.

11. Yorkies are a One-Person Forever Puppy

Yorkies are a one-person forever puppy, and they’re the perfect pet for those who want unconditional love and companionship. They are very loyal and the Yorkshire Terrier personality is affectionate and devoted to their owners. They often have one main person that is theirs, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t love enough to share with the rest of the family.

These tiny dogs are full of personality and intelligence, making them enjoyable companions for years to come. They’re happy just being around their owner, but they also adapt easily to new situations and environments if needed. With proper care, a Yorkie will be your loving companion for life!

These are some of the amazing yorkie facts that will open your heart to these wonderful little dogs. If you are looking for a journal to track your life with your yorkie, we have your covered with The Yorkie Times Dog Journal! We also have a wonderful Facebook community that you can join as well!