Best Gear for Yorkshire Terriers
Yorkies are tiny (4-7 lbs) dogs with a fine, silky coat that grows continuously like human hair. They're prone to patellar luxation, tracheal collapse, hypoglycemia, and dental disease.
Weight
4-7 lbs
Height
7-8 in
Lifespan
11-15 yrs
Energy
Moderate
Shedding
Minimal
Trainability
Stubborn
Life with a Yorkshire Terrier
Your Yorkie will bark ferociously at a German Shepherd three times their size and mean every single syllable. Size is an abstraction your Yorkie has simply chosen not to accept.
You could whisper 'treat' from the other end of the house with the TV on and your Yorkie will materialize at your feet instantly. Say 'bath' at full volume and they will have vanished before the word leaves your mouth.
Your Yorkie will claim the best spot on the couch, the warmest patch of sun, and the exact center of your pillow — and then stare at you with pure disdain if you ask them to move.
Strangers will baby-talk at your Yorkie and assume they are a lap puppy. Then their Yorkie will bark at a delivery truck, challenge a Rottweiler at the dog park, and dig under a fence. Yorkshire Terriers were bred to hunt rats in mines. The dainty exterior is a disguise.
Your Yorkie's beard will absorb water, food, mud, and mysterious substances from the backyard. You will wipe it twelve times a day. It will always look damp.
What Owners Say
“r/yorkshireterrier owners agree on one thing above all else: Yorkies do not know they are small, and correcting that belief is both impossible and slightly wrong — their confidence is the entire point of the breed. Also universal: the beard smell is real, the wipes are non-negotiable, and no toy survives the first week.”
Games Yorkshire Terriers Actually Love
Burrow and Destroy
Give your Yorkie a plush toy with squeakers inside or a 'hide-a-squirrel' puzzle where they dig out stuffed animals from a tube. This directly mirrors their original ratting purpose —
Indoor Nose Work Trails
Hide small, smelly treats behind furniture, under cups, or inside cardboard boxes and let your Yorkie sniff them out. They were bred to follow scent underground into tunnels, so nose
Top Picks for Your Yorkshire Terrier
| Spec | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buy | ||||
PawBench Scoremethodology → | Nutrition 85 Ingredients 75 Palatability 82 Value 78 Owner Satisfaction 88 | Durability 94 Engagement 76 Safety 85 Value 88 Owner Satisfaction 89 | Durability 79 Comfort 91 Adjustability 79 Value 78 Owner Satisfaction 88 | Effectiveness 89 Ease of Use 80 Build Quality 80 Value 77 Owner Satisfaction 83 |
| Bag Size | 35 lb | — | — | — |
| Protein Source | Chicken | — | — | — |
| Life Stage | Adult | — | — | — |
| Grain-Free | No | — | — | — |
| Special Feature | Live probiotics, shredded blend texture | — | — | — |
| Material | — | Natural red rubber | 300D polyester with foam padding | — |
| Size | — | Large (dogs 30–65 lbs) | — | — |
| Chew Strength Rating | — | Power chewers | — | — |
| Best For | — | Stuffing, freezing, solo play | — | Double-coated breeds, heavy shedders |
| Dishwasher Safe | — | No (hand wash) | — | — |
| Weight | — | 8.8 oz | 5.6–9.5 oz depending on size | — |
| Size Range | — | — | XXS to XL (13–42 in chest) | — |
| Clip Type | — | — | Aluminum V-ring (front and back) | — |
| Closure | — | — | Two side-release buckles | — |
| Tool Type | — | — | — | Deshedding tool (stainless steel blade) |
| Dog Size | — | — | — | Large (51–90 lbs) |
| Coat Types | — | — | — | Short or Long Hair versions |
| Self-Cleaning | — | — | — | Yes (FURejector button) |
| Handle | — | — | — | Ergonomic non-slip grip |
* Prices are approximate and may vary. Please check the latest price on Amazon.
Prices are approximate and may vary. Please check the latest price on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
About the Yorkshire Terrier
Origin & Build
- •Bred in Yorkshire, England, during the Industrial Revolution as a ratter in textile mills before transitioning to
- •Adults typically weigh 4 to 7 pounds and stand 7 to 8 inches at the shoulder, though oversized
- •Their signature steel-blue and tan coat is fine, straight, and silky, growing continuously like human hair rather than
Temperament
- •Yorkies are bold, confident, and affectionate with a terrier's feisty spirit packed into a toy-sized body
- •They're loyal to their people but can be suspicious of strangers and other dogs, often posturing aggressively despite
- •They're intelligent and respond well to positive reinforcement training, but housetraining is notoriously challenging — many owners find
Exercise Needs
- •Yorkies need 20 to 30 minutes of daily exercise, which can be a combination of short walks
- •They enjoy learning tricks and can participate in agility at a toy-dog level
- •While they don't need marathon sessions, they should still get daily movement — a sedentary Yorkie becomes overweight
Health Watch
- •Patellar luxation is the most common orthopedic issue, affecting a significant percentage of the breed
- •Tracheal collapse is a serious respiratory condition aggravated by collar pressure, making harness use mandatory
- •Dental disease develops early and aggressively due to crowded teeth in a tiny jaw
- •Hypoglycemia can be dangerous, especially in puppies and adults under 4 pounds
Gear Tips
- A step-in or vest-style harness is absolutely essential — never use a collar for leash walking a Yorkie. Tracheal collapse is common
- Invest in a high-quality fine-tooth comb and a small pin brush for daily coat maintenance. Yorkie hair tangles quickly, and mats form
- A small, enclosed playpen or exercise pen is invaluable for safe indoor containment. Yorkies are fragile enough that free-roaming in a busy
- Indoor potty solutions (pee pads, artificial grass patches) are practically standard equipment for Yorkie owners. Many Yorkies refuse to go outside
- A warm fleece or insulated sweater is a genuine necessity, not a fashion statement. Yorkies have no undercoat and minimal body fat,
Keep Them Happy
- Never underestimate exercise needs because of their size. Yorkies have genuine terrier energy and need at least 20–30 minutes of active play
- Channel their prey drive into structured play: flirt poles, squeaky toys, and tug games give that terrier brain something to hunt safely.
- Socialize early and often. Yorkies who don't meet other dogs and people as puppies become the dog park bullies — convinced every
- Keep training sessions short — 5 to 10 minutes maximum. Yorkies are smart but independent-minded, and they lose interest fast. End
Frequently Asked Questions
- Should a Yorkshire Terrier wear a harness or collar?
- Always a harness, never a collar for leash attachment. Yorkshire Terriers are highly prone to tracheal collapse, a condition where the cartilage rings of the windpipe weaken and flatten. Any pressure from a collar pulling against the throat can trigger coughing episodes or worsen existing
- How do you keep a Yorkie's coat from matting?
- Daily brushing with a fine-tooth comb and pin brush is the gold standard for a long coat. Work in sections from the ends upward to avoid pulling. For most pet owners, keeping the coat in a shorter puppy clip (trimmed every 6 to 8 weeks
- Do Yorkshire Terriers need clothes in winter?
- Yes, genuinely. Yorkies lack an insulating undercoat and have very little body mass to generate warmth. They get cold quickly in temperatures below 50°F and can become hypothermic in freezing conditions. A well-fitted fleece sweater for indoor chill and a waterproof insulated jacket for outdoor
- What size crate does a Yorkshire Terrier need?
- Most Yorkies fit comfortably in a 24-inch crate, which gives them enough room to stand, turn around, and lie down without excess space. Too large a crate can undermine housetraining since they'll designate one end as a bathroom. For travel, a soft-sided airline-approved carrier works