What to Consider Before Getting a Yorkie
When deciding on a dog breed, there are many things to consider before you get a Yorkie.
- What kind of dog will you have space and time for?
- What dog has a personality that will best fit with your family?
One of the most popular small dog breeds is the Yorkshire Terrier or the Yorkie with many fun facts about them. As the name indicates, the Yorkshire Terrier was first developed as a breed in England and has been around since the middle of the 1800s.
The Yorkie may come in a small package but do not be deceived! Yorkies have a lot of energy and a contagious zest for life. Affectionately known as Yorkies, the Yorkshire Terrier is a small-sized breed of dog with a long soft silky coat colored in three variations of blue and gold, black and gold and blue with tan. They have the cutest trot and a personality that makes this breed one of the most popular household pets and purse dogs in the country.
Small in size but very big in heart, a Yorkie may or may not be the right furry friend for you. With all dog ownership come the huge responsibility of 24-hour care, health bills and ugh, training.
1. Yorkies Need Time and Attention
Like all dogs, Yorkies need to spend time with their people and even more than some breeds of dogs, a Yorkie loves to be on your lap, in your arms and near you as much as possible.
Yorkies are curious and active. However, they can be stubborn and snappy at times. As a result, they may not necessarily be the best choice for a family with small children because of this aspect of their temperament.
2. Grooming and Health
A pretty coat requires daily brushing otherwise the coat will tangle. For this reason, many Yorkies sport a short haircut for easy upkeep. Ears and anal glands will require care by a groomer or veterinarian on a regular basis. Vaccinations and yearly health checks are part of owning a dog.
Hair, hair everywhere! To own a Yorkie means to be committed to caring for the dog’s coat. They have long, fine and silky hair that needs continual brushing and care. They will need regular trimming. As a long-haired breed of dog, the Yorkshire requires more grooming visits and cost than a short haired dog.
3. Energy Level
Yorkies may be small, but they are mighty. They have a lot of energy and are very active. When they get tired they do sleep hard but when they are awake, be ready for action.
4. Vocal and Talkative
The Yorkie is known to be “yappy”, they love to let their little opinion be known with barks, yaps and excitement when visitors stop by. They are territorial and loudly defend their area. As a watchdog, this will be a great benefit. However, if barking could be an issue where you live, it will be important to employ intentional training.
5. Training & Living space
A new Yorkie puppy will need to be trained, housebroken and socialize which all require time and cost.
Yorkies are indoor dogs. They can go out for short walks on a leash but are primarily indoor animals. Since they are small, they don’t necessarily need a lot of space but it is important to be aware that they are not a breed that should live outdoors.
6. Yorkie Health
The lifespan of a Yorkie is about 14-16 years, however as a pure breed they can be prone to knee problems, dental issues, collapsing trachea, and several other conditions. It will be important to have check-ups with a veterinarian to keep an eye out for these possibilities.
With a little size pup comes a more tender body and lighter bone structure which is more easily injured by other pets and children at play. Plus an excited Yorkie is very good at jumping from the arms of its owner to shock everyone nearby with a flying act that can lead to a bad fall.
Is a Yorkie Bundle of Joy for you?
Before you decide to get a Yorkie, think about the amount of time you want to cuddle this little pal who will love nothing more than spending time in your arms. Consider the cost of grooming, food and doctor bills plus the exercise and training.
Although owning a Yorkie may have some challenges, they are adventuresome, curious, bold, affectionate and fun dogs. Learn more about the Yorkshire Terrier and mixed pups too, online at The Yorkie Times and feel free to ask questions in the comments below.
So many good tips here! Our Yorkie was a puppy mill rescue, so I guess that’s why she doesn’t bark a lot! She is not extremely Yorkie like in that regard. I am kind of glad! She is the best dog I could ever imagine!
I’m glad you are enjoying the tips and your rescue Yorkie – so many forever puppies need good homes 🙂
Hi I was wondering is a Yorkie good to have if u have a full time job and will have to leave them alone at home for 10 hours?
unfortunately, no. yorkies need attention, if u left the yorkie alone for 5+ hrs he/she will feel so lonely.
I have had a # of Yorkies, they are smart & funny.
I’m 69 and live on Social Security, I’m home most the time as I’m retired and live alone and have been looking for a yorkie, but they are all so expensive. Where can I get one that is reasonable? I can give it a good home, looking for a lap dog. and fur buddy, I have had dogs my whole life.
Pam. A well trained Yorkie doesn’t have to be yappie or a barker. Mine is 4.5 lbs. she’s 6.5 years old and I’ve heard her bark once. She has a beautiful temperament. When I did breed dogs I explained to every new home that if u dobt want a barker these instructions. When the tiny puppy barks in play the owner must in a firm low mean voice say promptly “no bark”. If u don’t want a bitter When the pup puts his or her teeth on u in play quickly pull ur hand away and in that same firm voice say no bite. Too often these tiny little balls of fur are told oh how cute when they bark or bite. Owners choice!!!!
Hello there are you in Spain or the uk i live in spain and i am interested in a Yorkie girl puppy
I have a Yorkie mix and she is the cuddlest dog I’ve ever had, and I love those cuddles.
Thank you for rescuing your pup dog from that place.
You wrote this comment on my birthday. And I have a teacup yorkie. She is the most playfully puppy ever but she can get tired super easily.
My York shire follows me everywhere I am never alone and He is very jelous and over protected his name is Bambam and I love him very much
I have a one year old male Yorkie. And let me tell you he is the Boss of our Home. You do NOT raise your voice or play fight that is a NO NO NO. He Does not want to be left alone at all you cant go to the Restroom without him looking at you like where am I to set. LOL He really is like Our own Child. My son calls him His Brother. LOL. How do I get him to not be so Clingy {without Hurting his little feelings} Please.
Hi Glenda,
We’ll do some research and work on an article on that topic. Give us a week or so 🙂
Sounds like our lil Cali! 2.5 lbs of energy. I’ve used several approaches to her barking and she reacts like she’s getting beaten. Any suggestions out there? She is 10 months.
My Yorkie, Stewart was awesome. Toughest, bravest, little guy. He had many health problems, bad heart, bladder stones, lost one eye. Yes, i was a great pet owner, my vet said, i was probably the best pet owner he ever met. He just passed last wk. he was 16 yrs. old. I am so sad, and miss him so much…
Hi Betty,
They never really leave our hearts. Even though I miss Loki’s snuggles, even seeing his pictures can leave me smiling.
Sorry for your loss of your yorkie-son I bet he was the love of your life when u came in the front door he was right there to greet you. May he rest in doggy peace????
I know this reply is about two years old..BUT
I just want to say I’m sorry for your loss..
I have seven rescue animals..
Four meows an three pooches….
I also have a twenty seven year old (Female) cockatoo I bought as an egg…
Losing any of my baby would hurt so bad..
Two years ago I lost my 18 year old Jack Russell on Christmas Eve..
She had been a only dog for 17 of them year..
She absolutely love Christmas because every year she got a big squeaky toy that she unwrapped herself..or shredded it open..Christmas will never be the same..
Anyway I’ll hush..I just get carried away with my critters..
Again..soooooooo sorry for your loss!
God Bless!
Sharon Daniels
I just brought my 2 mobth old yorkie home how do I get him to understand that he has to sleep in his space or is it normal at first for them to want to sleep where I sleep.
Hi Frederick,
I’m not a trainer but from our experience, there is no quick way to train a Yorkie. Being patient and repetition is the way. You can find some general help in this article: https://theyorkietimes.com/basic-yorkie-training.
Hope that helps!
I am so sorry for your loss. I am getting a 13 wk old today. Haven’t met him. But love him already.
I am a older woman 78 and at times use a cane do I would need to carry a dog in a crossbody sling for dogs so I need a small dog in order to ddo this. I I am looking for a yorkie or yorkie mixed.I would be interested in adopting one what ever the caase may be.
Hi Mary Jane,
There are some great slings out there like this one https://amzn.to/2J4wXaF for you to choose from. We don’t breed Yorkies ourselves but are in the process of gather information on breeders and rescues that will be up on the site in the next couple months to help. 🙂
I purchased a sling for my little female Parti Yorkie. She absolutely hates it. She squirms and whines the entire time she is in the sling.
Please let me know about some good yourkee rescues. I tried one in Houston but they only adopt out to people living in Houston and I live in Louisiana
I’m sorry to tell u of my experience. I have a 4.5 lb yorkie and she is so afraid of my walker. Time doesn’t seem to have helped. She wasn’t pleased with the cane when I cd use one. A walker is noisy the concern is they want to be close to the owner so they are under foot and cd get hurt by the cane n break bones or they cd accidentally hurt u in a fall. I’ve fallen 4 times in the Kast year with serious injury each time. My tiny York’s wasn’t the cause of any of the falls.
I have two Yorkies from the same litter. They are sisters and 6 1/2 years old. We just love them so much. We did have a rescue Yorkie who had been in a puppy mill for years. She was so special and we felt so lost when she passed away.
We know exactly what you mean Jenny – we still miss Loki.
We just got a 3 mo old male yorkie, how do I train him to go outside to pee pee ? I’m afraid someone will steal him. I wish he would scratch on the door when wanting to go out and I would go with him of course. I really don’t want to use pee pads in my house. Please advise
Hi Terri,
I had the same problem for about some months and he finally got into the habit of barking when he has to use the bathroom now. I had to resort to using pee pads to start the initial process but he got the picture once I was able to put him on a steady routine. I think that’s the best thing with Yorkie’s, a steady routine they could get used to.
Now my only issue is him not wanting to go outside when it’s raining and not wanting to get his paws wet, going after it has rained. I love his spoiled self though.
Hope this helps somehow 🙂
I have a 12 month old yorkie and he likes to bite all the time how do you stop that
Thinking about getting a Yorkie. I’ve never had a dog that requires grooming. How often does it need to be done? What is the average cost? Training our dog not to bark is very important to us and I’m glad to hear that seems plausible with this breed.
Hi Kat,
Yorkie’s have fine hair instead of fur, so need to be groomed fairly often. Daily if their hair is long. We keep ours in a puppy cut & keep a brunch handy both to groom and because she likes the attention 🙂 You can check out a couple of grooming tips here: https://theyorkietimes.com/3-yorkie-grooming-tips.
The cost will vary as to dog food, groomers, & vet costs in your area. We think it is worth it!
Cheers,
Shelly
I have a 3.5 yrs old female and she doesn’t stop barking on night. What should I do
Hi John,
Is your yorkie barking at every sound? We have found that a white noise machine or even a small fountain has helped Rosie calm down at night and she rarely barks while in bed. Do you take her out for a walk before bedtime? She could have extra energy so isn’t tired for when it’s time to sleep.
I have 2 yorkies both boys ones 12 going 2 lol & the other will be 16 in June thereboth in very good health althou the elder one does have arthritis & a narrow traichel I give both of them glucosamine daily which helps the arthritis & benedryl for the cough & breathing difficulties that come with a narrow traicia on the older one they both have most of there teeth yet. I’ve had to little lovable guys for 10 yrs I adopted them at that time
Wow! Great article! Very helpful in my situation! Do yorkies bite and chew up couches and stuff?
I have a 7 month old female yorkie. She doesn’t like to be held, nor rubbed. She constantly likes to play, jumb and chew on my fingers. Is there anything that I can do to calm her? I love holding her, but she only allows me to for a very short time, then it’s back to just playing and chewing on my hands.
I’m thinking about getting a 7 year old Yorkie, from a friend that will not be breeding her anymore. She house train and has good manner. What should l expect? How long do you think she will adjust to me? There is just me an my cat no children.
My little Yorkie COCOA LATTE is the Sweetest Angel ……….She is 12 years old now and still very healthy but sadly lost her eye sight.She is a little Trooper though…….It’s remarkable if you keep everything in it’s place and don’t move things they navigate remarkably Well………..She is just a bundle of Love!!!!!!…..And so true that they want to be by your side always……She follows me everywhere……She sleeps with me Too!!…..I am very Grateful for being her Mommy!!!!!!…..
We have a 1 yr old Yorkie female named Daisy. She is 5 lbs.
We have purchased a little sister for her and we get her in a month. She will be Rosie and I hope Daisy will love her and vice versa. Excited to bring her home. Rosie will be 12 weeks old when she comes home. Any advice?
It’s good to know that Yorkies are territorial dogs, which is why they make a good watchdog. My dad wants to get a cute dog that could also protect and alarm us in case of a burglary. I’ll suggest we get a Yorkie since they bark a lot when a stranger arrives. Thanks.
I have a 3-year-old female yorkie she is 9 pounds, and she is the queen of the house, she does bark a lot at anyone who walks up to our home or walks by she can hear them. She sleeps with us every day, when we leave her alone, she won’t eat or drink until we get home, she lets us know when she wants to go outside. she stands by the door. she lets my wife know when her sugar drop low on her diabetes, she even jumps on her at knight if she is sleeping to get up, or she will bark at her until she wakes up. Our baby is the best dog we have had. Lotti is her name, and she loves her walks every day. she follows me into the bathroom and sits at my feet to rub her belly, lol.