Breed guide
Yorkshire Terrier
Big personality in a small package. Coat and dental care are daily commitments. Hypoglycemia-prone in puppyhood.
AKC Rank
#15
Size
toy (4-7 lbs)
Life Expectancy
13-16 yrs
Activity
moderate
Feeding a Yorkshire Terrier
Tiny breed. ~200-300 kcal/day. Fine silky coat demands frequent grooming and dietary support.
Key nutrients
- •omega-3 (for coat)
- •dental support
- •biotin
Portion notes: 3 small meals daily for puppies; 2 for adults. Watch weight.
Fresh food picks for Yorkshire Terriers
Our recommended fresh-food subscriptions for toy dogs.
The Farmer's Dog
Fresh, human-grade food portioned for your dog
- •Human-grade fresh food
- •Portioned per dog
- •Vet-developed recipes
- •50% off first box
Nom Nom
Restaurant-quality fresh food with microbiome testing
- •Pre-portioned pouches
- •Vet-formulated
- •Microbiome testing available
- •50% off first order
Spot & Tango
Fresh or UnKibble — whole-food nutrition, your choice
- •Fresh or UnKibble options
- •Human-grade ingredients
- •Shelf-stable storage option
- •50% off first order
First-year cost
What a Yorkshire Terrier actually costs year one
Breed-specific estimate based on size, health concerns, and grooming needs. Excludes purchase/adoption fees (highly variable).
First-year total
$2,250-$5,160
Ongoing years run $1,670-$3,830 (no gear + training one-times).
Food (year one)
Fresh food subscription
$550-$900
Gear (one-time)
Crate, bed, harness, bowls, toys
$180-$280
Vet care
Wellness + breed-specific
$720-$1,550
Grooming
high grooming needs
$400-$1,200
Training
Puppy class + supplies
$150-$500
Supplements
Breed-matched, optional
$0-$180
Other first-year
Vaccines, neuter, DNA test
$250-$550
Pet insurance (estimate)
Not included above — shown for planning. Breed-risk adjusted.
$499-$874/yr
Estimates based on US market averages for toy dogs. Your costs will vary with lifestyle and region.
Health concerns to watch
Dental disease is nearly universal — daily brushing from puppyhood.
Long silky coat requires daily brushing to prevent matting.
Hypoglycemia risk in puppies — multiple small meals daily.
Use harness (not collar) due to collapsing trachea risk.
Gear for Yorkshire Terriers
Breed-size-appropriate picks. Links go to Amazon.
Crate
for Yorkshire Terriers
Harness
for Yorkshire Terriers
Bed
for Yorkshire Terriers
Collar
for Yorkshire Terriers
Leash
for Yorkshire Terriers
Slow feeder bowl
for Yorkshire Terriers
Chew toy
for Yorkshire Terriers
As an Amazon Associate, Barkly earns from qualifying purchases.
Training for Yorkshire Terriers
Matched to Yorkshire Terrier temperament (affectionate, sprightly, tomboyish).
BAXTER & Bella
Online puppy training program, lifetime access
- •Lifetime membership
- •Self-paced video lessons
- •Puppy + adult content
- •Behavior troubleshooting
GoodPup
1-on-1 virtual dog training with certified trainers
- •1-on-1 live video sessions
- •Certified trainers
- •Custom per-dog plan
- •Weekly structure
Dogo
App-based training with daily structure
- •App-based daily plans
- •AI-guided feedback
- •Affordable monthly cost
- •Trick training library
GPS trackers for Yorkshire Terriers
Size-appropriate picks for tracking, activity monitoring, and escape alerts.
Tractive
Affordable GPS tracker with unlimited range
- •Attaches to any collar
- •Worldwide GPS coverage
- •Activity monitoring
- •Budget-friendly
Curious about their DNA?
Confirm breed mix, check for genetic health risks, and get actionable insights.
Embark
The most comprehensive dog DNA test
- •350+ breeds identified
- •250+ health conditions screened
- •Cornell-partnered science
- •Relatives finder
Wisdom Panel
Breed identification + health screening
- •350+ breeds
- •Genetic health insights
- •Budget-friendly option
- •Fast results
Common symptoms in Yorkshire Terriers
What to watch for, what causes it, and when to worry.
Bad Breath (Halitosis) →
Strong or foul breath in dogs usually signals dental disease, sometimes GI or kidney issue…
Loose Stool & Diarrhea →
Soft or liquid stool — dietary indiscretion is most common; chronic cases point to food se…
Coughing →
Dry hacking, wet cough, or gagging — causes range from kennel cough to heart disease to co…
Yorkshire Terrier questions, answered
How long do Yorkshire Terriers live?▾
How big do Yorkshire Terriers get?▾
How much exercise does a Yorkshire Terrier need?▾
What health problems do Yorkshire Terriers commonly have?▾
Are Yorkshire Terriers hard to groom?▾
What should I feed a Yorkshire Terrier?▾
Are Yorkshire Terriers good for first-time owners?▾
Ask Barkly about your Yorkshire Terrier
Get personalized answers about food, health, and care.