Yorkshire Terrier care guide
The Yorkshire Terrier is a ratting terrier in a silk gown — tiny in body, enormous in self-regard. Yorkies bond hard to their people, travel well, and live long, making them superb companions for owners who treat them like dogs rather than ornaments.
Feeding
Tiny mouths and tiny stomachs: feed small kibble in two or three meals daily. Toy puppies risk hypoglycemia — never skip meals.
Exercise
Two short walks plus indoor play covers their needs; their watchdog brain benefits from training games.
Grooming
The fine, hair-like coat mats easily: daily brushing for long coats, or a short 'puppy cut' every 6–8 weeks for easier care.
Common health issues
- Dental disease — daily brushing matters more in toy breeds than any other
- Luxating patellas
- Tracheal collapse — use a harness, never a collar
- Portosystemic (liver) shunt in some lines
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Frequently asked questions
Are Yorkies good with small children?
Generally better with older, gentle children — at 2–3 kg they're easily injured by accidental falls or rough play.
Why should Yorkies wear a harness?
The breed is prone to tracheal collapse, and collar pressure on the windpipe makes it worse. A Y-front harness removes that risk.
Related breed guides
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