Yorkshire Terrier (Yorkie)

The Yorkshire Terrier is a toy-sized dog belonging to the Toy Group. Originally from England, the breed carries that working heritage in its build and temperament. Among AKC-registered breeds it sits at #11 by popularity. Many owners just call them Yorkies. Adults typically stand 7–8 inches (17.8–20.3 cm) at the shoulder and weigh 6–7 pounds (2.6–3.2 kg), with males at the upper end of those ranges.

Published breed data puts a typical Yorkshire Terrier lifespan at 11–15 years. The main levers behind that number are body size (smaller dogs usually outlive bigger ones), genetics, and how consistently a dog stays lean, exercised and current on preventive veterinary care. On the size-related aging curve, toy-sized breeds like this one age at a moderate pace. Owners who keep the weight off and the teeth clean reliably see the upper half of the range.

Energy runs high, so plan on real daily exercise — long walks, fetch sessions, or a job to do. This breed is highly trainable and typically picks up new commands quickly. Gentle with kids by reputation — a classic family companion. Other dogs are usually accepted, particularly with early socialization.

Compact living rarely stresses this breed, provided daily walks happen on schedule. Shedding is light, which makes everyday cleanup manageable. Grooming demands run high. Frequent brushing and professional grooming keep the coat in shape. No low-shedding claim applies here. Allergy sufferers should spend time with the breed before committing.

In our own database of 152 breeds, the Yorkshire Terrier's average adult weight of 2.9 kg sits heavier than 3% of them. Size rank translates directly into budget: feeding and equipping this breed costs what that weight class costs anywhere. All figures on this page come from the AKC breed profile cited below, and the calculators linked here use those same numbers for feeding portions, crate sizing, age conversion and first-year costs. Because breed-specific health risks affect veterinary spending, comparing pet insurance while your dog is young and healthy is usually worthwhile.