Breed Introduction: Yorkshire Terrier (Yorkie)

The Yorkshire Terrier (also known as a Yorkie) is one of the most popular dog breeds due to its playful nature and loving attitude, two characteristics shared by most Yorkie dogs.  Yorkie puppies are terriers in name and heritage but actually belong to the Toy Group of dog breeds due to their small size.  The breed itself was developed in the 1800s in the Yorkshire area of England, hence the name Yorkshire Terrier.  Yorkie puppies were originally bred by owners of textile mills in the Yorkshire area to catch rats that were present in their factories.  From these working dogs, Yorkie puppies quickly transitioned into popular family pets because of their desirable traits and characteristics.

In the late 1860s a very popular Yorkie show dog came out of the Yorkshire area by the name of Huddersfield Ben.  This Yorkie was shown at dog shows throughout Britain and came to be the definition by which the breed was recognized because of its desirable traits.  Huddersfield Ben was a constant show winner and is recognized as one of the best stud dogs to ever exist of the breed.  Most present day purebred Yorkie show dogs can trace their lineage to Huddersfield Ben and he is referred to as the father of the Yorkie breed.

The Yorkie breed was first introduced in the United States shortly after the end of the Civil War and was one of the first twenty-five breeds to ever be registered by the American Kennel Club (AKC).  The Yorkie has continued to be a very popular breed ever since and remains one of the most popular small dog breeds.  The Yorkie breed has such desirable characteristics and traits that breeders have used the breed to create other breeds, such as the Australian Silky Terrier, Yorkinese, and Morkie.

Yorkie Puppy Appearance/Markings

Most purebred Yorkie dogs can be described as having a black and tan coat, although technically the appearance of a Yorkie can come in four variants and still be considered a purebred Yorkie: blue and tan, blue and gold, black and tan or black and gold.  Yorkie puppies are born black and tan and maintain this appearance for several years until the Yorkie dog is fully mature.  As such, all Yorkie puppies that we have available for sale have a black and tan appearance as they are purebred Yorkshire Terrier puppies.  To see the Yorkie puppies we currently have available for sale, please scroll to the bottom of this page.

An interesting trait of the Yorkie breed is that Yorkie puppies are described as having a hypoallergenic coat, which is another reason that purebred Yorkies make a good pet.  The Yorkie coat is a unique trait in that it is more like human hair than the fur that some other dog breeds have, with Yorkie hair being glossy and silky.  While Yorkie puppies do shed some hair, they do not shed to the extent that most other dogs do, which is part of the reason that Yorkies are considered hypoallergenic.  However, the hair is not the reason that most people have allergic reactions to dogs, it is actually the dander and saliva of the puppy that causes most allergic reactions.  Although it is not known for sure, some think that the difference in proteins contained in a Yorkie's dander is what makes them more hypoallergenic.

Being a member of the toy group, the Yorkie is obviously a small dog, usually in the range of 4-7 pounds when fully grown.

Yorkie Puppy Temperament

As a terrier, the characteristics of Yorkie puppies are to be brave, determined, investigative and energetic.  Yorkie puppies are known to be very intelligent and fast learners, making them easier to potty train than some other dog breeds, another desirable trait of Yorkie puppies.  Yorkies love attention, especially in their puppy years, when they have a very cuddly temperament, making them great with children.  Yorkies have very loyal and affectionate characteristics, making them a great pet.  One characteristic of the Yorkie that you might not readily assume with such a small dog is that they are very brave.  It is not uncommon for larger dogs to be afraid of Yorkie puppies because Yorkies do not show fear of the larger dog and stand up to them quite readily.  This trait makes the Yorkie a great small dog to add to your family if you already have a larger dog, as Yorkies possess a temperament that will allow them to adapt well to an environment that contains a larger dog.

As with any dog, the best way to learn about the temperament of a Yorkie puppy is to spend time with the puppy.  The temperament of a puppy is based off of many factors, including the parents and the environment in which the puppy is raised in addition to the breed of the puppy itself.  Spending time with the puppy will help you learn more about that specific Yorkie puppy's temperament.

Right Breed for You?

As a small dog, purebred Yorkies make great house pets and are great apartment dwellers, as they need only limited exercise.  As a small dog, they are also more convenient to travel with and are known to travel well.  As mentioned, Yorkies have a very loyal and affectionate temperament, but they do need daily interaction as they love to socialize.  Yorkie puppies can require extensive grooming if you keep your Yorkie with a longer coat.  However, if the Yorkie's coat is trimmed, only minimal grooming is required.

Yorkshire Terrier (Yorkie) Puppies For Sale

Below are the Yorkie puppies that are currently for sale or adoption. If the Yorkie puppy you are looking for is not currently available for sale, you can join our puppy waiting list to be informed when new Yorkie puppies are for sale.  You can also view the other puppies that are currently available for sale. If you have a general question about the Yorkie puppies that are for sale or adoption, or any questions about Yorkie puppies, you can contact us and we will be happy to answer your question.