A spirited toy terrier from 19th-century Yorkshire, originally a ratter, now a popular glamorous companion. Bold, affectionate, and portable, but the signature long silky coat is high-maintenance.
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From the minimum an animal needs to be kept humanely, up to the ideal setup. Bigger is almost always better — minimums are floors, not targets.
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Minimum
Small apartment with daily walks
Apartment + 2× daily 20-min walks
A toy breed can live happily in a small apartment provided they get two short daily walks, indoor play, and supervised free-roam time. Crate-train for safe alone-time and never leave loose with unsupervised toddlers — they injure easily.
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Recommended
Home with secure yard + social structure
House + small fenced yard + daily walks
A house with a securely fenced yard for safe potty/play time, daily walks, and a clear household routine. Toy breeds thrive when treated as full household pets, not handbag accessories.
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Ideal
Household lap-dog with rich social life
House + fenced yard + companion-dog social pack
Closely-bonded household pet with a fenced yard, regular outings, varied training games, and human company most of the day. Toy breeds are companion animals — long isolation is their biggest welfare risk.
Life & growth stages
How this animal changes through its life — each stage often has its own care, diet and space needs.
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Newborn
Newborn mammals are nursed on their mother's milk. Many are born helpless — blind, deaf, and sparsely furred (altricial, as in dogs, cats, and rodents) — while others stand and follow within hours (precocial, as in hoofed livestock).
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Juvenile
After weaning, juveniles grow quickly and become increasingly active, playful, and independent. Adult coat, proportions, and (in many species) the permanent teeth come in as they approach full size.
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Adult
Adults reach full body size and sexual maturity, with the species' mature coat and build. Sexual dimorphism — differences in size, mane, horns, or markings — is pronounced in some mammals and subtle in others.
Senior
Senior animals show aging signs such as graying fur, reduced activity, and a greater need for veterinary monitoring of joints, teeth, and organ function. Lifespan and the onset of old age vary widely by species and size.
Color & pattern variants
Natural variants occur in the wild; selectively bred (man-made) variants were developed in captivity.
Excellent apartment dog given its small size and modest space needs. Still a terrier at heart: needs daily walks and play (about 30 minutes of activity plus mental games). Sensitive to cold due to small body and single-layered coat, so use a sweater in winter. Supervise around larger dogs and on heights/stairs to prevent injury. Dislikes being left alone for long periods.
Diet
Feed a small-breed complete diet in measured portions; toy breeds are prone to obesity, which strains joints, and to dental disease. Toy and very small Yorkies can be prone to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), especially as young puppies, so regular meals are important. Daily dental care is strongly advised given high tartar and periodontal disease risk in the breed.
Behavior & temperament
Confident, lively, and affectionate with a classic big-dog-in-a-small-body terrier attitude. Intelligent and trainable but can be stubborn and prone to yappiness without structure; reward-based training and early socialization curb excessive barking and small-dog reactivity. Bonds closely with owners. Can be good with older, gentle children and other pets, but better suited to households without rough toddlers given its fragility.
Health
Predispositions include patellar luxation, tracheal collapse (use a harness, not a neck collar), portosystemic (liver) shunts, progressive retinal atrophy, dental/periodontal disease, and hypoglycemia in tiny individuals. Avoid 'teacup' Yorkies, whose extreme miniaturization increases fragility and health problems. Recommended screening: patella and eye exams, and bile acid/liver testing where indicated.
Tips, DIY & hacks
The long, silky, single coat needs daily brushing and regular grooming to prevent mats; many owners keep a shorter 'puppy cut' for easier care. Low shedding and considered relatively hypoallergenic, but the coat is hair-like and grows continuously. Use a harness to protect the trachea. Keep up dental care and protect from cold and falls. Patient, consistent training prevents 'small dog syndrome.'
