# Yorkshire Terrier (*Canis lupus familiaris*) A Yorkshire Terrier is a tiny dog with silky hair and a brave heart. It loves to trot beside its people. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Homes and apartments; short outings in parks - **Also known as:** Yorkie ![Yorkshire Terrier](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426782/objects/4408.jpg) ## Appearance The Yorkshire Terrier has a small, compact body covered in long, silky, steel-blue and tan fur. Its head is often a rich golden tan, distinctively contrasting with its blue-grey back. They have small, V-shaped ears that are usually carried erect. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Carnivora - **Family:** Canidae - **Genus:** Canis ## Interesting facts - Despite their tiny size, Yorkies often think they are huge, fearless guard dogs! - Many Yorkies love to carry their favorite small toys everywhere they go, like a treasure! - They are born almost entirely black, slowly changing to their famous blue and tan colors! - Yorkies were first bred in England during the Victorian era for hunting rats! ## Special abilities - **Keen Alertness:** Yorkshire Terrier has keen hearing and a watchful nature that helps them detect even faint sounds, making them excellent tiny 'alarm' systems. - **Agile Navigation:** Yorkshire Terrier can navigate tight spaces with agility because of its compact body, allowing it to explore small areas effectively. - **Hypoallergenic Coat:** Yorkshire Terrier has a low-shedding, hair-like coat that helps them cause fewer allergic reactions in some people with sensitivities. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 18-20 cm - **Weight:** 2-3.5 kg - **Lifespan:** 12-15 years - **Speed:** 25 km/h - **Litter Size:** 2-5 - **Gestation:** 58-68 days ## Diet & Feeding Yorkshire Terriers eat small, specially formulated meals to keep their tiny bodies healthy and energetic. - **Age differences:** Puppies need more frequent, specialized meals for growth, while seniors may require easier-to-chew or joint-supporting foods. - **Primary Foods:** kibble, wet dog food, small dog treats, cooked lean meats, some vegetables ## Ecological connections - **Symbiotic with:** [Human](https://www.snappit.app/explore/human) (*Homo sapiens*) — Provides companionship and receives care, food, and shelter from humans. - **Hunts:** [Brown Rat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-rat) (*Rattus norvegicus*) — Historically bred to hunt this common rodent in workshops and mills. - **Hunts:** [House Mouse](https://www.snappit.app/explore/house-mouse) (*Mus musculus*) — Possesses a natural terrier instinct to pursue small mice when encountered. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Whiskered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/whiskered): Possessing prominent sensory hairs or vibrissae, often around the snout. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Domesticated](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/domesticated): Domesticated refers to species that have been selectively bred and tamed by humans for specific purposes. - [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Use gentle, quiet play and avoid loud surprises. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Yorkshire Terrier? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Yorkshire Terrier? 18-20 cm ### How much does Yorkshire Terrier weigh? 2-3.5 kg ### How long does Yorkshire Terrier live? 12-15 years ### How fast can Yorkshire Terrier move? 25 km/h ### What does Yorkshire Terrier eat? Yorkshire Terriers eat small, specially formulated meals to keep their tiny bodies healthy and energetic. ### Where is Yorkshire Terrier usually found? Homes and apartments; short outings in parks ### How many babies does Yorkshire Terrier usually have? 2-5 ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Yorkshire Terrier: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/yorkshire-terrier)