Temperament and care ratings
The American Kennel Club rates every breed from 1 to 5 on the traits below. They describe how the breed tends to be, not a promise about one dog.
Coat: Silky coat, long.
A Yorkshire Terrier suits
- A family with young children (rated 5 of 5 with kids)
- A home that changes often, or apartment life (adaptability 5 of 5)
- A first-time owner who wants an eager learner (trainability 4 of 5)
- Runners, hikers and active households (energy 4 of 5)
- People who hate dog hair on the sofa (shedding 1 of 5)
- Anyone who wants a natural watchdog (protective nature 5 of 5)
Think twice if
- You can't offer daily training or puzzle games (mental stimulation needs 4 of 5)
- You don't want regular grooming: coat care is 5 of 5
- You share walls with neighbors: barking is 4 of 5
What the ratings mean day to day
An energy score of 4 and mental stimulation needs of 4 mean plenty of daily exercise plus training games or puzzle feeders. With barking at 4 of 5 and a watchdog score of 5, expect a vocal dog that announces visitors. Grooming at 5 of 5 means brushing several times a week or regular professional grooming.
Popularity
The Yorkshire Terrier was the number 13 most popular breed in the US in 2025, by AKC registrations. In 2020 it ranked 13.
Breeds with a similar profile
Closest matches across all 14 trait ratings:
Compare: Yorkshire Terrier vs Poodle · Yorkshire Terrier vs Wire Fox Terrier · Yorkshire Terrier vs Welsh Terrier
Frequently asked questions
Are Yorkshire Terriers good with kids?
The AKC rates the Yorkshire Terrier 5 out of 5 for being good with young children. That is the top score.
Do Yorkshire Terriers shed a lot?
Shedding is rated 1 out of 5 (very low), and coat grooming 5 out of 5.
Are Yorkshire Terriers easy to train?
Trainability is rated 4 out of 5 and mental stimulation needs 4 out of 5.
How much energy does a Yorkshire Terrier have?
Energy is rated 4 out of 5 and playfulness 4 out of 5.
Ratings: American Kennel Club breed pages, compiled February 2022 (AKC Yorkshire Terrier page). 2025 ranking: AKC, published August 2026. How we check.