The Yorkshire Terrier did not start out as the elegant and glamorous breed that it is today. They are a combination of so-called terrier breeds that evolve from various terrier breeds. It is widely believed that the Yorkshire Terrier was a cross between the Waterside Terrier, the Manchester Terrier, and the Paisley Terrier. He got this name from Yorkshire, a county in England where breeding took place. In 1873, the Kennel Club of England was formed. The Yorkshire Terrier joined the 40 selected non-sporting breeds under the name Broken-Haired Scotch and Yorkshire Terriers. In the late 19th century, the Yorkie became popular in the United States. Since then it has remained one of the most desired breeds.

The Yorkshire Terrier does not shed, but because its long coat is prone to matting and matting, daily brushing is recommended. For a small dog, this can be time consuming, so both dog and owner need to show patience.

Yorkshire Terriers are adventurous little dogs. They do not require much exercise, but they do enjoy walks. The need for lots of attention and playtime is a great way to exercise these small dogs. They love space to run but may need to stay in a restricted area as there are so many dangers for such a small animal. It is always a good idea to have several toys for them to play with. They will mostly enjoy any game that interacts with their owners. They are a fearless watchdog and have a great sense of hearing and can usually hear someone approaching long before they reach the door. They are usually unaware of their small stature, often taking on dogs 5 times their size and rarely backing down. Most will prefer to share your bed if you allow it. Full of energy that can keep up with the kids. Due to their small size, they may need more supervision with younger children. Yorkshire Terriers are highly intelligent, but they can also be a bit stubborn. Keeping training happy and fun is a great way to approach this breed. They can tend to get bored and it is important that it be a fun and positive experience for them. One way to teach your Yorkie new tricks is to hold a small treat in your hand. Treats and lots of praise tend to work well with these little dogs.

There are some health problems associated with this breed that owners should be aware of and they include portosystemic shunt, collapsing tracheas, Legg Perthes disease, and patellar luxation.

The life expectancy of the Yorkshire Terrier is 12 to 15 years and is average for a dog of a similar breed and size.