Are Yorkshire Terriers Good Family Dogs?

Yorkshire Terriers are tiny, glamorous and brimming with personality — a big dog in a very small body. But are Yorkies actually good family dogs, and would one suit your home? Here is an honest look at the breed's temperament, how it copes with family life and children, and the households it fits best.

The Yorkie temperament

Do not be fooled by the size: the Yorkshire Terrier is a true terrier at heart — bold, confident, lively and self-assured. They were originally bred as working ratters in the mills and mines of Yorkshire, and that spirited, tenacious character is still very much there. At the same time, modern Yorkies are devoted, affectionate companions who bond closely with their people and love being part of family life. Expect a dog that is loyal, alert, playful and full of opinions, often convinced it is far larger than it actually is.

Good with children?

This is the key question for families, and the honest answer is it depends on the children. Yorkies can be excellent companions for families with older, gentle, sensible children who understand how to handle a small, delicate dog. They are far less suited to homes with toddlers and very young children, where there is a genuine risk of accidental injury: a Yorkie weighs only a couple of kilos, and a dropped, squeezed or trodden-on toy dog can be seriously hurt. Equally, a startled or cornered small dog may snap to defend itself. With supervision, gentle handling rules and a quiet space the dog can retreat to, a Yorkie can thrive in a family — but the match has to be right.

Teaching children to handle a small dog

If you have children, success comes down to teaching them well. Children should learn to:

• Sit on the floor to interact rather than picking the dog up and risking dropping it.
• Be calm and gentle, with no grabbing, squeezing or chasing.
• Leave the dog alone when it is eating, sleeping or in its bed or crate.
• Recognise when the dog wants space.

All interactions between young children and any dog should be supervised. Get this right and a Yorkie can be a wonderful, affectionate friend for a child.

With other pets

Yorkies can get on well with other dogs and even cats, especially if raised with them and properly socialised from a young age. Their terrier instincts mean some have a strong prey drive, though, so care is needed around small pets like hamsters, rabbits or birds. As always, gradual, calm introductions and supervision are essential, and early socialisation makes a big difference to how sociable an adult Yorkie becomes.

Barking and watchdog instincts

Yorkies are alert little watchdogs and can be quick to bark at noises, visitors or passing dogs. This makes them good at announcing the doorbell, but without training it can tip into nuisance barking — something to consider in a flat or terraced house. Early socialisation, consistent reward-based training, plenty of mental stimulation and not accidentally rewarding barking all help keep it manageable.

Exercise and stimulation

Despite their size, Yorkies are energetic and need daily exercise — around 30 minutes a day for an adult, plus play and mental enrichment at home. They enjoy walks, games and puzzle toys, and their busy terrier brains need keeping occupied to prevent boredom and mischief. Our dog walking calculator can help you plan, and puzzle and enrichment toys are great for tiring out a clever little dog indoors. Remember to walk a Yorkie on a harness rather than a collar to protect the windpipe.

Flat and city living

The Yorkie's small size makes it a popular choice for flats and smaller homes, and it can get a lot of its activity indoors. That said, it is not a low-energy ornament — it still needs walks, training and stimulation, and the barking tendency means socialisation and training matter especially in close-quarters living.

Who do Yorkshire Terriers suit?

• Families with older, gentle children, or adult and older households.
• People who want an affectionate, characterful companion and enjoy a dog with personality.
• Owners happy to commit to grooming (see our grooming and care guide).
• Those who can provide training, socialisation and daily stimulation.
• Flat and city dwellers willing to put in the training to manage barking.

They are less ideal for homes with toddlers, or for people wanting a low-maintenance, low-grooming, low-attention dog.

The honest verdict

For the right home, Yorkshire Terriers make wonderful family companions: affectionate, loyal, lively and endlessly entertaining. They ask for gentle handling, training, socialisation and regular grooming in return — and, crucially, a household where a tiny, fragile dog can be kept safe. For more, see our guides on lifespan and health and costs.

*This is general guidance. Every dog is an individual, so meet the puppy and its mother before choosing, and speak to a vet or behaviourist about your specific situation.*

Sources

• The Kennel Club — Yorkshire Terrier breed information and temperament (thekennelclub.org.uk).
• Blue Cross — choosing a dog and dogs with children (bluecross.org.uk).
• PDSA — dog behaviour, socialisation and exercise (pdsa.org.uk).
• RSPCA — dogs and children, and dog welfare (rspca.org.uk).