Toy · United Kingdom
Yorkshire Terriertemperament, daily life and costs
Tiny, sharp and full of terrier. A Yorkie is bolder than anyone expects.
Origin & original purpose: Yorkshire Terriers were developed in the 1800s by mill workers in Yorkshire and Lancashire to catch rats. It's a long way from there to the silky-coated lap dog, but the terrier is still in there.
- They usually live
- 13–16 years
- Roughly, per year
- €1000–1800
Life with a Yorkshire Terrier
What people love about them
- Barely sheds
- Perfect size for a flat
- Bright and quick to learn
- Often lives a long life
Things to weigh up honestly
- Coat needs daily care, or a short clip to keep it simple
- Tends to bark at everything, delivery drivers included
- Delicate underfoot — easy to hurt without meaning to
- Housetraining can be slower than you'd expect
What they're like
Some breeds shed less than others, which people with allergies sometimes find easier to live with. But no dog is completely allergy-free, and reactions vary from person to person.
A typical day together
- 07:00
Morning Routine
A walk of 15–23 minutes before the day starts properly. Ten minutes of training or a scent game keeps their head busy.
- 12:00
Midday & Independence
Midday is the hard part — they'd rather not be left for long stretches, so most homes need a plan for it.
- 17:30
Evening Energy Burn
A longer outing later on — 30–45 minutes across the day in total — then settling down with you.
- 21:00
Decompression & Care
Brushing most days, plus a groomer every 6–8 weeks
Estimated daily active commitment: ~0.5 hours
What they ask of you
- Exercise
- 30–45 min a day
- Your time
- 5–7 hours a week
- Walks, training, coat care and play together
- Space
- Content in a flat, provided they get out often enough
- Coat care
- Brushing most days, plus a groomer every 6–8 weeks
- Typical yearly cost
- €1000–1800
- Food, insurance, routine vet care and grooming. Illness and emergencies come on top.
- Lifespan
- 13–16 years
- The whole of that time is the commitment, not just the puppy year.
What a year with this dog costs
An honest estimate, built from this breed's size and coat. Adjust the two things that really move the number, and you'll see the range change as you go.
Where you live
Insurance included
Professional grooming
- Food
- €200–€295
- Routine vet care and insurance
- €290–€440
- Grooming
- €305–€590
- Equipment and consumables
- €100–€175
- Buffer for the unexpected
- €105–€300
Your likely year
€1,000–€1,800
about €83–€150 a month
Real costs vary by country, by the size and appetite of your own dog, and by their health. Illness, dental work and emergencies can sit well above this range, which is why the buffer is here at all.
Best suited for
- Quieter homes and shorter, gentler walks
- Flats and town living
- Anyone who wants a dog close by, most of the day
Important things to consider
- Coat care is ongoing and adds a real cost each year
- Vocal by nature, which matters where neighbours are close
- Finds long days alone genuinely hard
- Feels the cold, so winter needs a coat and shorter outings
Health considerations
Kneecaps, teeth and a collar-sensitive windpipe are the usual small-dog things to ask about, so many owners use a harness. The fine coat needs regular brushing or a trim. Ask the breeder what health checks the parents had, and read the breed profile. General guidance, not a vet.
A poor match if…
- You'd like a dog that leaves other dogs alone, whatever their size
- You'd rather not brush or trim regularly
- You'd like a quiet dog that isn't tempted to bark
Key trade-offs
- A small dog with a big-dog attitude: brave, bright and confident
- Silky, low-shedding and a full-time terrier
Questions people ask before committing to a Yorkshire Terrier
- Is a Yorkshire Terrier good with children?
- Usually fine with children who have been shown how to behave around a dog. As with any breed, the mix of good manners and adult supervision matters more than the label.
- Can a Yorkshire Terrier live in an apartment?
- Yes — apartments suit a Yorkshire Terrier well. Give it a fixed resting spot and reliable walks and the space itself is rarely the problem.
- How much exercise does a Yorkshire Terrier need each day?
- Plan for around 45 minutes of real activity a day, split into more than one outing, plus something that uses its head — scent games, training, or a proper sniffing walk.
- Does a Yorkshire Terrier shed a lot?
- Very little loose hair around the home. Expect regular trips to a groomer instead — low shedding almost always means more coat care.
- Is a Yorkshire Terrier a good first dog?
- A reasonable first dog if you prepare. Read up, book a course early, and keep the daily routine simple.
- How long can a Yorkshire Terrier be left alone?
- Around 2 hours at a stretch once fully grown and gradually trained for it. Longer days need a dog walker, day care or someone dropping in — and a puppy needs far shorter stretches at first.
- What does a Yorkshire Terrier cost per year?
- Budget roughly €1000–1800 a year for food, routine vet care, insurance, grooming and everyday kit. Country, size and individual health move that figure quite a bit, and a single unlucky year can cost more.
These answers come from the same trait numbers used everywhere on DoggMatch — no marketing, no guesswork.
Read more before you decide
The guides that matter most for this breed, written in plain language.
Compare with similar breeds
Side by side on exercise, coat, time alone and cost — the things that decide how the week actually feels.
- Yorkshire Terrier
Shih Tzu
Maltese
Toy Poodle
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