The Honest Truth About Yorkies
Yorkshire Terriers are polarizing dogs. People either love them intensely or find them frustrating. There's no middle ground.
Why Yorkies inspire devotion: They're fiercely loyal, portable, hypoallergenic, and have huge personalities in tiny bodies. Yorkie owners describe them as "big dogs in small packages" with unshakeable confidence.
Why Yorkies frustrate owners: They bark at everything, are notoriously difficult to potty train, have stubborn terrier personalities, and can be snappy with children. Many Yorkies end up in shelters because owners underestimated the challenges.
Bottom line: Yorkies are EXCELLENT dogs for the right people. If you match their needs, you'll have a devoted 12-15 year companion. If not, you'll be miserable.
Pros of Yorkshire Terriers
✅ Major Advantages
- Perfect apartment size: 3-7 lbs, fit in carriers, sleep in your lap, travel easily
- Hypoallergenic: Single-layer hair (not fur), minimal shedding, good for allergies
- Long lifespan: 12-15 years average (some live to 17+), more years together than large breeds
- Fiercely loyal: Bond intensely with one person, devoted companions, always want to be near you
- Excellent watchdogs: Alert to every sound, will warn you of visitors, protective despite small size
- Low exercise needs: 30 minutes daily walk sufficient, happy with indoor play
- Adaptable: Thrive in apartments, condos, or houses, adjust to your schedule
- Big personality: Confident, brave, entertaining, never boring
❌ Major Disadvantages
- Excessive barking: Bark at everything (doorbell, strangers, other dogs, sounds), hard to stop
- Difficult potty training: Small bladders, stubborn, take 4-6 months (vs 2-3 for most breeds)
- Stubborn temperament: Rank #27/138 in intelligence (below average trainability), terrier independence
- Fragile: Easily injured (broken legs common), can't jump off furniture safely, rough play dangerous
- Expensive: $800-1,500 purchase, $800-1,500 annual vet costs (dental, health issues)
- High grooming needs: Daily brushing required, professional grooming every 6-8 weeks ($50-80)
- Separation anxiety: Can't be left alone 8+ hours, destructive when anxious
- Not kid-friendly: Can be snappy with rough handling, too fragile for toddlers
Who Should Get a Yorkie?
Ideal Yorkie Owners:
Retirees / Seniors
Home frequently, enjoy lap dogs, have patience for grooming, appreciate devoted companionship. Yorkies match lower activity levels while providing security through alert barking.
Singles / Couples Without Kids
Can dedicate time to training, grooming, attention. No fragility concerns with young children. Yorkies thrive as "only child" with undivided attention.
Apartment / Condo Dwellers
Small size perfect for limited space. Low exercise needs (short walks). Alert barking provides security in multi-unit buildings. Quiet indoor activities sufficient.
Experienced Small Dog Owners
Understand small breed challenges (potty training difficulty, fragility). Know how to handle stubborn terrier personality. Realistic expectations about barking and grooming.
People With Allergies
Single-layer coat (hair not fur) sheds minimally. Produce less dander than double-coated breeds. Among most hypoallergenic dogs (though no dog is 100% allergen-free).
Who Should NOT Get a Yorkie?
Avoid Yorkies If:
Families With Young Children Under 8
Biggest concern: Yorkies are fragile (broken bones from drops/falls) and can be snappy when roughly handled. Toddlers don't understand gentle handling. Yorkies may bite defensively. Injury risk to both child and dog. Wait until kids are 10+ years old.
First-Time Dog Owners
Yorkies are difficult starter dogs. Potty training takes 4-6 months (vs 2-3 for most breeds). Stubborn terrier personality resists training. Barking is hard to control. Better first dogs: Cavalier King Charles, Havanese, Bichon Frise.
People Who Travel Frequently
Yorkies develop severe separation anxiety. Can't be left alone 8+ hours daily. Not suited for kenneling (stress). Need consistent routine and presence. If you're gone frequently, Yorkies become destructive and anxious.
People Who Hate Barking
Yorkies are one of the most vocal breeds. They bark at: doorbell, strangers passing by, other dogs, noises, birds, wind. Anti-bark training helps but won't eliminate it. This is core terrier behavior. If barking bothers you, choose a quieter breed.
Very Active / Athletic People
Yorkies need only 30 minutes daily exercise. Can't run long distances (3-4 inch legs). Overheat easily. Not suited for hiking, jogging, athletic activities. If you want running/hiking companion, get larger sporting breed.
Yorkies vs Other Small Breeds Comparison
| Breed | Barking | Trainability | Kid-Friendly | Grooming |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yorkie | Very High | Hard (#27/138) | Poor | High (daily) |
| Maltese | Moderate | Easier (#59/138) | Good | High (daily) |
| Shih Tzu | Low | Easier (#70/138) | Excellent | High (daily) |
| Cavalier | Very Low | Easiest (#44/138) | Excellent | Moderate |
| Chihuahua | Very High | Hard (#67/138) | Poor | Low |
Key takeaway: If Yorkie cons concern you (barking, trainability, kid-friendliness), consider Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (gentler, quieter) or Shih Tzu (better with kids, less barky).
Common Questions
Are Yorkies hard to take care of?
Yes, Yorkies are moderately difficult. Challenges: potty training takes 4-6 months (small bladders), daily grooming required (matting), frequent barking (needs training), stubborn personality (patience required), fragile (careful handling). However, low exercise needs and small size make logistics easy (travel, housing). Best for experienced owners with time/patience.
Do Yorkies bark a lot?
Yes, Yorkies are one of the most vocal breeds. They bark at: doorbell, strangers walking by, other dogs, noises, birds, anything unusual. This is genetic terrier behavior (bred as ratters to alert). Training reduces but won't eliminate barking. Apartment neighbors may complain. If barking is dealbreaker, choose quieter breed like Cavalier or Havanese.
Are Yorkies good for first-time owners?
No, Yorkies are NOT recommended for first-time owners. Reasons: (1) Difficult potty training (4-6 months vs 2-3 for easier breeds), (2) Stubborn terrier personality (rank #27/138 in trainability), (3) Excessive barking hard to control, (4) Fragile (injury risk), (5) High grooming demands. Better first dogs: Cavalier King Charles, Havanese, Bichon Frise (easier to train, calmer temperament).
Find Verified Breeders
If Yorkies match your lifestyle, our breeder directory connects you with responsible breeders who:
- • Health test breeding dogs (OFA, cardiac, eye exams)
- • Socialize puppies extensively (reduces anxiety)
- • Provide AKC registration and health guarantees
- • Offer lifetime breeder support
- • Screen buyers carefully (ensures good matches)