The 60-second version of the Yorkshire Terrier: what they're like, what they need, and whether one would suit your home — written for Australian owners.
Yorkshire Terrier at a glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Breed group | Toy |
| Weight | 2–3.2 kg |
| Lifespan | 13–16 years |
| Energy | Moderate — busy indoors, enjoys short walks |
| Coat | Long, silky, hair-like — human-style grooming needed |
| Grooming | Daily brushing if long; many owners clip short |
| Shedding | Very low |
| Good with kids | Better with gentle, older kids — tiny and fragile |
| Puppy price (AU) | $2,000–$4,500 |
| Insurance (AU) | ~$40–$70/month |
Living with a Yorkshire Terrier in Australia
Don’t let the bow fool you: the Yorkshire Terrier was bred to kill rats in Yorkshire mills, and nobody told them they’re now a handbag accessory. Yorkies are brave, vocal, bossy and fiercely attached to their favourite human. Their hair-like coat sheds very little — a blessing for allergy-aware households — but demands real grooming. They suit Australian apartments beautifully, provided the neighbours can tolerate a dog who takes security duties seriously.
Health watch-outs
Long-lived, with the classic toy-breed watch-list:
- Luxating patellas and tracheal collapse — walk on a harness, never a collar.
- Dental disease — tiny mouths crowd teeth; daily brushing is the gold standard.
- Liver shunts — a congenital risk; buy from breeders who health-test.
Budget at a glance
- Puppy price: typically $2,000–$4,500 from a registered breeder — much lower offers are often scams.
- Insurance: around $40–$70/month — see our pet insurance cost guide for what shapes premiums.
- Grooming is the ongoing cost: professional clips every 6–8 weeks, or commit to daily brushing at home.
Is a Yorkshire Terrier right for you?
Great fit if you… ✅
- Apartment dwellers wanting a tiny dog with real terrier spark
- Allergy-aware households — minimal shedding
- Owners who enjoy grooming as bonding time
Think twice if… ⚠️
- Fragile — not suited to rough-and-tumble toddler households
- Yappy by nature; training and socialisation keep the volume reasonable
Keep exploring
🍖 Best food: See our dog food picks — chosen for Australian conditions and budgets
🛡️ Insurance: What pet insurance costs in Australia — breed-by-breed premium guidance