Yorkshire Terrier

Like every breed, the Yorkshire Terrier is not the right fit for every home. Based on the breed’s typical traits:

• Use reward-based training methods and be patient.
• Teach them to walk on a collar and lead from an early age.
• Start socialisation early, ideally in a class with other small puppies, so they do not become nervous around other dogs.
• If they will live with cats, look for a breeder who rears puppies with cats and introduce them early.

• Children

  Usually better with older, calmer children.

• Other dogs

  Can be selective about other dogs.

• Cats and small pets

  Varies with the individual dog.

• Flats and smaller homes

  Often adapts to flats and smaller homes.

• Being left alone

  Usually copes only with short periods alone.

• First-time owners

  Often suits first-time owners.

Not yet reviewed by a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice: speak to your vet about your own dog’s health.

• Patellar luxation

  The kneecaps can slip temporarily out of place.

• Tracheal collapse

  The windpipe loses its rigidity, which can cause weakness and collapse.

• Dental problems

  The small mouth can lead to overcrowded teeth and tooth decay.

• Bladder stones

  Collections of minerals that form in the bladder or urinary tract and can cause pain.

• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)

  A gradual deterioration of the retina, which can start with night blindness and progress to total blindness.

• Lens luxation

  Dislocation of the lens of the eye.

• Hereditary cataracts

  The lens of the eye becomes cloudy, usually later in life, which can result in blindness.

• Total retinal dysplasia

  The back of the eye does not develop properly, which can lead to complete blindness.

• Distichiasis

  Small eyelashes grow on the inner surface or very edge of the eyelid and can rub on the eye, causing irritation.

• Dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca)

  Reduced tear production leads to a dry eye and damage to its surface.

• Atopy

  An oversensitivity to certain allergens that causes itching and damage to the skin.

• Diabetes mellitus

  A condition in which the body cannot produce or use enough insulin, leading to very high blood sugar levels.

• Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease

  The blood supply to the head of the thigh bone is reduced, causing the bone to break down.

• Hydrocephalus

  A build-up of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain.

• Portosystemic shunt

  Abnormal blood circulation in which blood bypasses the liver.

• Chiari malformation and syringomyelia (CM/SM)

  A painful neurological condition in which fluid-filled cavities develop in the spinal cord near the brain. There is a BVA/Kennel Club CM/SM health scheme that can screen for it.

Responsible breeders and rescues are happy to talk about health, and any pressure to decide quickly is a reason to walk away. Before taking a Yorkshire Terrier home, it is reasonable to ask about:

• Health testing of the parents. Ask which health tests the parents have had for conditions known in the breed, and to see the results.
• Veterinary and vaccination records. Puppies should have had a first vaccination and a vet check, with records you can take home.
• Microchip information. In England, Scotland and Wales puppies must be microchipped and registered by eight weeks old. Ask who the chip is registered to and how the transfer works.
• Registration paperwork. Registration papers, where they apply, record pedigree. They do not by themselves prove health or how a puppy was raised.

There are two costs: bringing a Yorkshire Terrier home, and looking after one well. Puppy prices depend on the breeder, health testing and demand; the adverts below show what sellers are asking today.

Ongoing costs are the ones new owners most often underestimate: food, insurance (which usually rises with age), routine vet care, vaccinations and parasite treatment, dental care, grooming, training, bedding and equipment, and boarding or a sitter for holidays. Budget for the whole of the dog’s life, typically from 12 years, not just the first year.

If you have decided the Yorkshire Terrier suits your life, take the same care choosing where your dog comes from. Meet the puppy in person, see it with its mother, and look at how the litter is raised.

• Check who you are dealing with: every Mypetzilla advert shows the seller type and what we have checked.
• Ask about health testing, vaccinations and the microchip before you commit.
• Take your time. Do not be rushed by deposits or "last one left" stories.
• Meet in person before paying anything, and keep conversations on Mypetzilla.

Yorkshire Terriers do come up for adoption, through rescue organisations, breed rescues and private rehoming, often because an owner’s circumstances have changed rather than any fault of the dog. An adult dog arrives as a known quantity: its size, coat and character are already on show.

Rescues will usually talk you through the dog’s history, any medical care, and the home it needs, including children, other animals and time alone. Be honest about your circumstances: a good rescue would rather place a dog once, well.