Are Yorkshire Terriers Good Apartment Dogs?
New York City’s Top Breed
If you’re a New Yorker thinking of having a Yorkshire Terrier as your apartment dog, then you’re not alone. The NYC Department of Licensing says there have been more than 40,000 Yorkshire Terriers registered with the city since the Big Apple started keeping records.
That makes them, after mixed breed dogs, the most popular Urban Dog in New York.
Photo: Natalie Siebers
The American Kennel Club says they were the eleventh most popular breed in the United States in 2024.
Yorkshire Terriers are thought to be a cross between the Rough Coated Black and Tan English Terrier and the Paisley and Clydesdale Terrier according to the AKC.
The first were much larger than today’s Yorkies, weighing about 20 pounds. The Yorkshire Terrier as we know it weighs, on average, about seven pounds and stands at about seven inches at the shoulder.
Are Yorkshire Terriers Good Apartment Dogs?
Vet Street and Dog Time both rate Yorkshire Terriers five out of five as good candidates for city and apartment living. Perfect scores!
Photo: Natalie Siebers
Do Yorkshire Terriers Bark a Lot?
No two ways about it, Yorkshire Terriers are barkers! UC Davis researchers Benjamin and Lynette Hart devised a chart ranking dogs by the likelihood of barking at inappropriate times. On a scale of one to ten — with one being the least offensive barkers and ten the most excessive barkers — they get a ten rating! Click here for more on Urban Dog’s take on barking.
Photo: Natalie Siebers
Are Yorkshire Terriers Easily Trained?
It is important to train your city dog. You don’t want your pooch to misbehave in your building’s common areas.
Yorkies are considered "above average" when it comes to understanding new commands. They obey first commands about 70% of the time according to Stanley Coren, a professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia who studies dog behavior. That means it takes 15 to 25 repetitions for them to learn new commands.
Yorkshire Terrier
Are Yorkshire Terriers Good with Strangers, Children, and other Animals?
One of the things that Yorkie owners love about their little companions is their love and loyalty. They are quite affectionate with their masters but can be very aggressive with strangers. Vet Street has them scoring less than average when it comes to friendliness to other dogs, strangers, and children. They also say they can be territorial. Dog Time gives then similar scores.
Yorkshire Terrier Getting Groomed at Westminster Kennel Club Competition
Do Yorkshire Terriers Require a lot of Exercise?
Here’s where you wonder which expert to go with! Dog Time says Yorkshire Terriers require a lot of exercise; Vet Street says “no.” Urban Dog believes all dogs should get a fair amount of exercise.
Yorkshire Terrier
Taking Care of Your Yorkshire Terrier
If you are considering a Yorkie, keep in mind they need quite a bit of grooming. If not maintained, their hair can mat and tangle. Special attention should also be paid to their teeth. According to Dog Breed Info, small breeds are prone to dental problems. With Yorkies, tartar is a particular issue.
Yorkshire Terriers are susceptible to patellar luxation — a condition that can cause lameness — as well as degenerative eye disorder and hypoglycemia.
They live a long time. Upwards of fifteen years is not out of the question.
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