Best toys for a Yorkshire Terrier
A Yorkshire Terrier is a toy breed with a genuine terrier temperament underneath the small size — plenty of drive to chase, tug and investigate, packed into a dog that weighs only a few kilograms. Toys sized and weighted for a small dog, rather than scaled-down versions of something built for a large breed, are what actually suits a Yorkie.
Why size is the first thing to get right
A toy built for a large or giant breed is often too heavy, too hard, or simply too big for a Yorkie to pick up, carry or grip comfortably, which makes it frustrating rather than fun for a dog this size. Toys explicitly labelled for small or toy breeds are sized with a Yorkie's small mouth and jaw strength in mind, which matters for both enjoyment and safety.
A small dog's teeth are also more delicate than a large breed's, so a toy that is too hard can be uncomfortable to chew or even risk damaging teeth, whereas a softer plush or appropriately sized rubber toy gives them something safe to gnaw on.
What Yorkies tend to enjoy
Small plush toys with a squeaker tap into a Yorkie's terrier instinct to chase and shake, and a soft toy sized for their mouth is easy for them to carry around, which many Yorkies enjoy doing regardless of whether they actually play with it. A light tug toy, sized appropriately, can also suit a Yorkie who enjoys a gentle game, though tugging should stay gentle given their small frame.
Puzzle and treat-dispensing toys, in a small size, give a food-motivated Yorkie something to work at mentally, which suits a breed that is often quite alert and food-driven. As with any toy, supervise play and remove anything that starts to fall apart, since a small dog can still swallow pieces that come loose.
What we stock for this breed
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Interactive Activity Ball Dog Toy with Cover
A bouncy activity ball in a tough zip-on cover that keeps dogs chasing, nudging and herding for hours.
From£23.99
Self-Moving Chew-Resistant Dog Ball
A USB-C rechargeable ball that moves on its own to keep dogs busy and active. Tough E-TPU construction stands up to chewing during supervised play, and the splash-resistant build suits indoor or outdoor use.
£15.99
Inflatable Herding Ball for Dogs with Pump
A large inflatable herding ball with pump that taps into your dog's chase instinct.
From£19.99
Remote-Controlled Jumping Ball Dog Toy
A self-rolling, light-up ball that jumps and rolls to keep dogs entertained. A paw-shaped remote sets three activity gears, so both small and large dogs can chase and play. Rechargeable and tough against chewing.
From£19.99
Inflatable Herding Ball for Dogs
A large inflatable ball too big for a dog to pick up, with a bite-resistant double-layer shell that slow-deflates if punctured, for high-drive chasing and nudging.
£23.99
Inflatable Herding Ball with Handles for Dogs
A large, tough inflatable herding ball that taps into your dog's natural chase-and-nudge instinct. Reinforced bite-resistant fabric and grab handles make it great for active outdoor play with medium and large breeds.
£29.99
Durables Toy Crocodile
The crocodile from Red Dingo's Durables line: solid hardware, hard-wearing materials and a five-year manufacturer guarantee, which is rare enough to be the reason to buy.
£20.49
Catit Groovy Fish Blue
A motion-activated, USB-C rechargeable cat toy with a refillable catnip pocket
£12.99
Plush Strawberry Snuffle Mat
An interactive foraging mat with removable plush strawberries that hide treats and kibble. Encourages natural snuffling and slows feeding, providing mental enrichment for dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs alike.
From£13.99
Paw-Shaped Flying Disc Launcher Cat Toy
A fun paw-shaped launcher that fires soft flying discs across the room for cats and kittens to chase. Rechargeable and easy to load, it turns hunting instincts into active indoor play.
£10.99
Tuffy Junior Zoo Hippo
A junior-sized Tuffy hippo built in bonded layers with webbed, multi-row stitched seams, light enough for smaller dogs and puppies, that floats and is machine washable.
£18.99
No-Stuffing Crinkle Plush Dog Toy
A cuddly stuffing-free plush lion with built-in crinkle and dual squeakers to keep small and medium dogs entertained. Less mess if chewed open, and the soft body is machine washable for easy cleaning.
£10.99
Common questions
- Are chew toys safe for a Yorkshire Terrier's small teeth?
- A toy sized and made for a small or toy breed is generally safer than a hard toy built for a large breed, which can be too tough for a Yorkie's smaller, more delicate teeth. Choosing something labelled for small dogs is a sensible starting point.
- Do Yorkies like to play tug?
- Many do, given their terrier background, but tug games should stay gentle given their small size and frame. A light, appropriately sized tug toy suits this better than one built for a much larger dog.
- Why does my Yorkie carry their toy around instead of playing with it?
- This is common and generally harmless — many small dogs, Yorkies included, enjoy carrying a soft toy as a comfort object rather than actively playing with it every time. It does not mean they dislike the toy.
- How do I know if a toy is too big for my Yorkie?
- If your Yorkie struggles to pick it up, carry it, or get their mouth around it comfortably, it is likely sized for a larger breed. Toys labelled specifically for small or toy breeds are the easiest way to avoid this.
Related
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.