Are Yorkshire Terriers Good Dogs? What Science Says

Last Updated: Nov 22, 2022

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Introduction to the Temperament of the Yorkshire Terrier

The are many descriptions of the temperament of the Yorkshire Terrier out there. However, most of these descriptions are difficult to verify or prove. They are based on mere speculations.

In this article, we will provide a factual description of the temperament of the Yorkshire Terrier based on solid scientific research. This will give you a better understanding of what you can expect from the Yorkshire Terrier breed.

We obtained our description of the temperament of Yorkshire Terrier by analyzing raw scientific data from The Canine Behavioral Assessment & Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) database.

The C-BARQ dog temperament standard was developed by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania. It is considered the gold standard for measuring the behavior of dogs.

Over the years, the C-BARQ study has collected data on the temperament of thousands of dogs of different breeds including the Yorkshire Terrier.

The C-BARQ study obtains its data by asking dog owners to score the behavior of their dogs on different behavior patterns.

The idea behind the C-BARQ study is that if it collects thousands of scores from thousands of dog owners on different aspects of dog behavior, a clear pattern will emerge on the temperament of different dog breeds.

The C-BARQ questionnaire measures 14 behavior aspects of dogs:

  1. Aggression towards stranger
  2. Aggression towards its owner
  3. Aggression towards other dogs
  4. How well they get along with other dogs
  5. Fear of strangers
  6. Fear of new things (new objects, unfamiliar loud sounds, etc)
  7. Fear of other dogs
  8. Separation anxiety
  9. Clinginess
  10. Trainability/ Stubbornness
  11. Prey drive
  12. Excitability
  13. Touch sensitivity
  14. Energy level

In this article, we will discuss the score of the Yorkshire Terrier for each of these 14 characteristics. This will let you know the real temperament of the Yorkshire Terrier.

The summary table below shows the score of the Yorkshire Terrier for the different behavioral characteristics.

High percentage scores close to 100 are bad. Low percentage scores close to 0 are good.

Behavior Score
Attachment Attention Seeking 75.1 percent
Separation Related Behavior 66.4 percent
Energy Level 58.2 percent
Dog Directed Fear 56.6 percent
Dog Directed Aggression 55.6 percent
Stubbornness 54.9 percent
Excitability 52.7 percent
Stranger Directed Aggression 52.6 percent
Nonsocial Fear 51.1 percent
Dog Rivalry 50.9 percent
Stranger Directed Fear 48.4 percent
Touch Sensitivity 45.7 percent
Prey Drive 43.5 percent
Owner Directed Aggression 30.3 percent

Note that with proper training, you can better your Yorkshire Terrier`s temperament. To learn how to properly train your Yorkshire Terrier, I highly recommend that you go through Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.

I learned most of the things that I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.

Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your Yorkshire Terrier.

See also our complete ranking of dog breeds from the `best` to the `worst` based on temperament.

Are Yorkshire Terriers Aggressive Towards Strangers?

Dog breeds that are aggressive to strangers show hostile responses to strangers approaching or invading the dog`s or the dog owner`s personal space, territory, or home range.

Stranger-aggressive dog breeds are quick to show aggression to unfamiliar people.

Typical signs of moderate aggression in dogs include barking, growling, and baring of teeth. More serious display of aggression generally includes snapping, lunging, biting, or attempting to bite.

Yorkshire Terriers are very much aggressive towards strangers.

This is because the Yorkshire Terrier ranks very high for aggression towards strangers.

The Yorkshire Terrier ranks number 20 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards strangers.

This information is based on what 55 Yorkshire Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Yorkshire Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Yorkshire Terrier has a stranger-directed-aggression score of 52.6 %.

Other dog breeds that are very much aggressive towards strangers just like the Yorkshire Terrier are listed in the table below

Stranger-Directed-Aggression Rank Breed Stranger-Directed-Aggression Score
17 Rat Terrier 56.3 %
18 Kuvasz 53.6 %
19 Chinese Crested 53.4 %
20 Yorkshire Terrier 52.6 %
21 Belgian Sheepdog 52.4 %
22 Schipperke 52.3 %
23 Lhasa Apso 50.6 %

The dog breeds that are most aggressive towards strangers are the:

  1. American Eskimo Dog
  2. Dachshund
  3. Miniature Pinscher
  4. Dachshund (Miniature)
  5. Miniature Schnauzer

The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards strangers are the:

  1. Siberian Husky
  2. Greyhound
  3. Irish Wolfhound
  4. Samoyed
  5. Black and Tan Coonhound

Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the most stranger-aggressive breed to the least stranger-aggressive breed.

Temperament of the Yorkshire Terrier

Are Yorkshire Terriers Aggressive Towards their Owners?

Due to human effort over the course of many centuries, the dog has become a very domestic animal. Dogs have learned to live well with humans. As a result, dogs respect and love their owners. Nevertheless, some dog breeds are less respectful to their owners than some other dog breeds.

Owner-aggressive dog breeds show threatening or hostile responses to their owner or other members of the household when challenged, manhandled, stared at, stepped over, or when approached while in possession of food, objects, or toys.

A dog that is owner-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite their owners.

Yorkshire Terriers are quite a bit aggressive towards their owners.

This is because the Yorkshire Terrier ranks high for aggression towards its owner.

The Yorkshire Terrier ranks number 27 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards their owners.

This information is based on what 55 Yorkshire Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Yorkshire Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Yorkshire Terrier has an owner-directed-aggression score of 30.3 %.

Other dog breeds that are quite a bit owner-aggressive just like the Yorkshire Terrier are listed in the table below

Owner-Directed-Aggression Rank Breed Owner-Directed-Aggression Score
24 Shih Tzu 32.4 %
25 Chinese Shar-Pei 32.3 %
26 English Bulldog 31.9 %
27 Yorkshire Terrier 30.3 %
28 Old English Sheepdog 30.2 %
29 Shiba Inu 28.8 %
30 Cocker Spaniel (American) 28.2 %

The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards their owners are the:

  1. Pekingese
  2. Basenji
  3. Australian Silky Terrier
  4. Lhasa Apso
  5. Alaskan Husky

The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards their owners are the:

  1. Chinook
  2. Pointer
  3. Irish Water Spaniel
  4. Rhodesian Ridgeback
  5. Italian Greyhound

Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are most aggressive to their owners to the ones that are least aggressive to their owners.

Are Yorkshire Terriers Aggressive Towards other Dogs?

Dogs that are aggressive towards other dogs will direct aggressive threats or actions toward unknown or unfamiliar dogs.

A dog-aggressive dog will threaten or show hostile responses when approached by unfamiliar dogs

A dog that is dog-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite other dogs.

Yorkshire Terriers are quite a bit aggressive towards other dogs.

This is because the Yorkshire Terrier ranks high for aggression towards other dogs.

The Yorkshire Terrier ranks number 43 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards other dogs.

This information is based on what 55 Yorkshire Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Yorkshire Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Yorkshire Terrier has a dog-directed aggression score of 55.6 %.

Other dog breeds that are quite a bit dog-aggressive just like the Yorkshire Terrier are listed in the table below

Dog-Directed-Aggression Rank Breed Dog-Directed-Aggression Score
40 English Springer Spaniel 57.5 %
41 Standard Schnauzer 56.4 %
42 Maltese 55.9 %
43 Yorkshire Terrier 55.6 %
44 American Staffordshire Terrier 55.3 %
45 Anatolian Shepherd 54.3 %
46 Boston Terrier 53.5 %

The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards other dogs are the:

  1. American Eskimo Dog
  2. Parson Russell Terrier
  3. Chinese Crested
  4. Pit Bull mix
  5. Dachshund

The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards other dogs are the:

  1. Pointer
  2. Black and Tan Coonhound
  3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
  4. Irish Wolfhound
  5. Keeshond

Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are most aggressive to other dogs to the ones that are least aggressive to other dogs.

Personality of the Yorkshire Terrier

Are Yorkshire Terriers Afraid of Strangers?

Some dogs breeds tend to be fearful of strangers.

Dogs that are fearful of strangers will avoid strangers. These dogs will crouch, cringe, or tremble when approached by strangers.

Extreme fear in dogs is characterized by serious attempts to escape or hide from the feared stranger.

Yorkshire Terriers are very much fearful of strangers.

This is because the Yorkshire Terrier ranks very high for fear of strangers.

The Yorkshire Terrier ranks number 18 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of strangers.

This information is based on what 55 Yorkshire Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Yorkshire Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Yorkshire Terrier has a stranger-directed-fear score of 48.4 %.

Other dog breeds that are very much stranger-fearful just like the Yorkshire Terrier are listed in the table below

Stranger-Directed-Fear Rank Breed Stranger-Directed-Fear Score
15 Chow Chow 53.6 %
16 Lhasa Apso 51.6 %
17 Chinese Shar-Pei 51.5 %
18 Yorkshire Terrier 48.4 %
19 Maltese 47.9 %
20 Ibizan Hound 46.7 %
21 Saint Bernard 44.7 %

The dog breeds that show the most fear of strangers are the:

  1. Dachshund (Miniature)
  2. Chinese Crested
  3. American Eskimo Dog
  4. Italian Greyhound
  5. Chihuahua

The dog breeds that are least fearful of strangers are the:

  1. Old English Sheepdog
  2. Irish Wolfhound
  3. Norwegian Elkhound
  4. Siberian Husky
  5. Giant Schnauzer

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are most fearful of strangers to the ones that are least fearful to strangers.

Are Yorkshire Terriers Afraid of Other Dogs?

Some dogs breeds tend to show fear when an unfamiliar dog approaches them.

A dog that is fearful of other dogs will try to avoid meeting other dogs.

Yorkshire Terriers are very much fearful of other dogs.

This is because the Yorkshire Terrier ranks very high for fear of other dogs.

The Yorkshire Terrier ranks number 24 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of other dogs.

This information is based on what 55 Yorkshire Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Yorkshire Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Yorkshire Terrier has a dog-directed-fear score of 56.6 %.

Other dog breeds that are very much other-dog-fearful just like the Yorkshire Terrier are listed in the table below

Dog-Directed-Fear Rank Breed Dog-Directed-Fear Score
21 Beagle 57.6 %
22 Poodle (Toy) 56.9 %
23 Saint Bernard 56.8 %
24 Yorkshire Terrier 56.6 %
25 English Springer Spaniel 55.0 %
26 Pekingese 55.0 %
27 Australian Kelpie 54.3 %

The dog breeds that are most fearful of other dogs are the:

  1. Dachshund (Miniature)
  2. Fox Terrier (Toy)
  3. Chinese Crested
  4. Chihuahua
  5. Lhasa Apso

The dog breeds that are least fearful of other dogs are the:

  1. Giant Schnauzer
  2. Ibizan Hound
  3. Eurasier
  4. Kuvasz
  5. Borzoi

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are most fearful of other dogs to the ones that are least fearful of other dogs.

Is the Yorkshire Terrier a good pet

Do Yorkshire Terriers Have Non-Social Fears?

Dogs that are fearful of sudden or loud noises, traffic, and unfamiliar objects and situations are said to exhibit nonsocial fear.

Yorkshire Terriers are very much fearful of unfamiliar sounds, situations, and objects.

This is because the Yorkshire Terrier ranks very high for non-social fear.

The Yorkshire Terrier ranks number 19 out of 124 dog breeds for being fearful of unfamiliar things and situations.

This information is based on what 55 Yorkshire Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Yorkshire Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Yorkshire Terrier has a nonsocial-fear score of 51.1 %.

Other dog breeds that are very much nonsocial-fearful just like the Yorkshire Terrier are listed in the table below

Nonsocial-Fear Rank Breed Nonsocial-Fear Score
16 Lhasa Apso 53.5 %
17 Pembroke Welsh Corgi 53.3 %
18 Maltese 52.0 %
19 Yorkshire Terrier 51.1 %
20 Pit Bull mix 50.7 %
21 Miniature Pinscher 50.5 %
22 Alaskan Husky 50.3 %

The dog breeds that are most fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:

  1. Australian Silky Terrier
  2. Dingo
  3. Fox Terrier (Smooth)
  4. English Bulldog
  5. Italian Greyhound

The dog breeds that are least fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:

  1. Giant Schnauzer
  2. Siberian Husky
  3. Irish Setter
  4. Kuvasz
  5. Borzoi

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are most fearful of unfamiliar situations to the ones least fearful of unfamiliar situations.

Do Yorkshire Terriers Get Along Well With Other Dogs?

Some dog breeds display high dog rivalry. These dog breeds will threaten or act hostile to other familiar dogs in the same household.

These dog breeds will compete with other dogs. Also, these dog breeds do not get along well with other dogs.

Yorkshire Terriers are quite a bit competitive when dealing with other dogs.

This is because the Yorkshire Terrier ranks high on dog rivalry.

The Yorkshire Terrier ranks number 41 out of 124 dog breeds for displaying dog rivalry when dealing with familiar dogs.

This information is based on what 55 Yorkshire Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Yorkshire Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Yorkshire Terrier has a dog-rivalry score of 50.9 %.

Other dog breeds that are quite a bit competition-driven just like the Yorkshire Terrier are listed in the table below

Dog-Rivalry Rank Breed Dog-Rivalry Score
38 Dalmatian 51.9 %
39 Dachshund 51.7 %
40 Pomeranian 51.0 %
41 Yorkshire Terrier 50.9 %
42 Australian Kelpie 47.8 %
43 English Bulldog 47.4 %
44 Giant Schnauzer 47.2 %

The dog breeds that do not get along well with other dogs are the:

  1. Miniature Pinscher
  2. Parson Russell Terrier
  3. Fox Terrier (Smooth)
  4. French Bulldog
  5. Treeing Walker Coonhound

The dog breeds that get along well with other dogs are the:

  1. Chinook
  2. Saint Bernard
  3. Norwegian Elkhound
  4. Italian Greyhound
  5. Scottish Terrier

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how well they get along with other dog breeds.

The Yorkshire Terrier. Is it aggressive?

Are Yorkshire Terriers Easy to Train?

Dogs have high trainability have the willingness to listen to their owner. These dogs are not stubborn. These dogs obey simple commands, and they learn very quickly.

Highly trainable dogs excel at fetching objects. They also respond positively to correction and ignore distraction.

Yorkshire Terriers are not easy to train.

This is because the Yorkshire Terrier ranks very low for trainability.

The Yorkshire Terrier ranks number 110 out of 124 dog breeds for easiness to train.

This information is based on what 55 Yorkshire Terrier owners reported on the trainability of their Yorkshire Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Yorkshire Terrier has a trainability score of 45.1 %.

Other dog breeds that are not easy to train just like the Yorkshire Terrier are listed in the table below

Trainability Rank Breed Trainability Score
107 Pug 45.9 %
108 French Bulldog 45.4 %
109 Beagle 45.3 %
110 Yorkshire Terrier 45.1 %
111 Greyhound 44.9 %
112 Bull Terrier 44.8 %
113 Fox Terrier (Wire/Wire-haired) 43.7 %

The dog breeds that are most easy to train are the:

  1. Belgian Tervuren
  2. Belgian Malinois
  3. Border Collie
  4. Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
  5. Irish Water Spaniel

The dog breeds that are difficult to train are the:

  1. Dingo
  2. Treeing Walker Coonhound
  3. Basenji
  4. Afghan Hound
  5. Pekingese

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are easiest to train to the ones that are most difficult to train.

Learn more about how intelligent the Yorkshire Terrier is and how the intelligence of the Yorkshire Terrier affects its trainability in this article on how smart the Yorkshire Terrier is.

Do Yorkshire Terriers Get Along Well with Cats? Do They Get Along Well with Other Pets?

Dog breeds that have high chase-drive will run after (chase) cats, birds, and/or other small animals, given the opportunity.

Yorkshire Terriers are a little bit into chasing after other smaller pets like cats, squirrels, chickens, and birds.

This is because the Yorkshire Terrier ranks low for small-pet-chasing.

The Yorkshire Terrier ranks number 78 out of 124 dog breeds for chasing after smaller pets.

This information is based on what 55 Yorkshire Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Yorkshire Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Yorkshire Terrier has a chasing score of 43.5 %.

Other dog breeds that are a little bit into chasing after smaller pets just like the Yorkshire Terrier are listed in the table below

Chasing Rank Breed Chasing Score
75 Portuguese Water Dog 44.6 %
76 Bull Terrier 44.3 %
77 Rottweiler 44.3 %
78 Yorkshire Terrier 43.5 %
79 Norwegian Elkhound 42.8 %
80 Chinook 42.1 %
81 Kuvasz 41.6 %

The dog breeds that like chasing after cats and other smaller pets are the:

  1. Basenji
  2. Dingo
  3. Ibizan Hound
  4. Parson Russell Terrier
  5. Borzoi

The dog breeds that will not chase after cats and other smaller pets are the:

  1. Pug
  2. Bulldog
  3. Shih Tzu
  4. Bernese Mountain Dog
  5. Great Pyrenees

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their prey drive.

Things to know before getting the Yorkshire Terrier

Do Yorkshire Terriers Like Attention? Are they Clingy or Aloof?

Some dog breeds like to stay close to their owners all the time. These dogs like attention, and they like to receive the affection of their owners.

These dogs get jealous when their owners give attention to other dogs or other people instead of them.

Dogs with these traits are described as attachment/attention-seeking.

Yorkshire Terriers are very much attachment/attention-seeking.

This is because the Yorkshire Terrier ranks very high for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.

The Yorkshire Terrier ranks number 15 out of 124 dog breeds for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.

This information is based on what 55 Yorkshire Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Yorkshire Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Yorkshire Terrier has an attachment/attention-seeking score of 75.1 %.

Other dog breeds that are very much attachment/attention-seeking just like the Yorkshire Terrier are listed in the table below

Attachment-Attention-Seeking Rank Breed Attachment-Attention-Seeking Score
12 Poodle (Miniature) 77.9 %
13 Parson Russell Terrier 75.8 %
14 Vizsla 75.8 %
15 Yorkshire Terrier 75.1 %
16 Gordon Setter 74.7 %
17 Belgian Malinois 74.4 %
18 Chihuahua 74.3 %

The dog breeds that are always seeking the attention of their owners are the:

  1. Poodle (Toy)
  2. Fox Terrier (Toy)
  3. Australian Silky Terrier
  4. Australian Cattle Dog
  5. American Eskimo Dog

The dog breeds that are aloof are the:

  1. Norwegian Elkhound
  2. Borzoi
  3. Kuvasz
  4. English Setter
  5. Chow Chow

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their clinginess.

Do Yorkshire Terriers have Separation Anxiety? Do They Like to be Left Alone?

Dog breeds that have separation anxiety do not like to be left alone.

These dog breeds tend to bark and destroy things when separated from their owners.

They become restless or lose their appetite when left alone.

Yorkshire Terriers are very much prone to developing separation anxiety.

This is because the Yorkshire Terrier ranks very high for separation anxiety relative to other dog breeds.

The Yorkshire Terrier ranks number 9 out of 124 dog breeds for separation anxiety.

This information is based on what 55 Yorkshire Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Yorkshire Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Yorkshire Terrier has a separation anxiety score of 66.4 %.

Other dog breeds that are very much prone to develop separation anxiety just like the Yorkshire Terrier are listed in the table below

Separation-Related-Behavior Rank Breed Separation-Related-Behavior Score
6 Dachshund (Miniature) 80.8 %
7 Poodle (Toy) 79.3 %
8 Maltese 66.5 %
9 Yorkshire Terrier 66.4 %
10 Dachshund 66.2 %
11 Lhasa Apso 65.5 %
12 Basenji 63.8 %

The dog breeds that are most prone to develop separation anxiety are listed below. These dog breeds do not like to be left alone. These dog breeds are the:

  1. Treeing Walker Coonhound
  2. Fox Terrier (Smooth)
  3. Chinese Crested
  4. Miniature Pinscher
  5. Australian Silky Terrier

The dog breeds that are least prone to develop separation anxiety are the:

  1. Kuvasz
  2. Borzoi
  3. Giant Schnauzer
  4. Eurasier
  5. Bernese Mountain Dog

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their tendency to develop separation anxiety.

Temperament Profile of the Yorkshire Terrier

Are Yorkshire Terriers Touch Sensitive? Do They Like to be Groomed?

Dogs that are touch-sensitive are fearful of `painful` procedures such as bathing, grooming, nail clipping, and veterinary examinations.

These dogs do not like going through these `painful` procedures, and they will react to show they do not like the procedure.

Yorkshire Terriers are very much touch-sensitive.

This is because the Yorkshire Terrier ranks very high for touch sensitivity.

The Yorkshire Terrier ranks number 22 out of 124 dog breeds for touch sensitivity.

This information is based on what 55 Yorkshire Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Yorkshire Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Yorkshire Terrier has a touch-sensitivity score of 45.7 %.

Other dog breeds that are very much touch-sensitive just like the Yorkshire Terrier are listed in the table below

Touch-Sensitivity Rank Breed Touch-Sensitivity Score
19 Dachshund (Miniature) 46.4 %
20 Australian Kelpie 46.1 %
21 Poodle (Toy) 45.7 %
22 Yorkshire Terrier 45.7 %
23 Basset Hound 43.9 %
24 Whippet 43.2 %
25 Dachshund 42.9 %

The dog breeds that are most touch-sensitive are the:

  1. Fox Terrier (Toy)
  2. Miniature Pinscher
  3. Pekingese
  4. Australian Silky Terrier
  5. Chihuahua

The dog breeds that are least touch-sensitive are the:

  1. Kuvasz
  2. Borzoi
  3. Pointer
  4. Gordon Setter
  5. Portuguese Water Dog

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their sensitivity to touch.

Are Yorkshire Terriers Hyper? Are they Highly Excitable?

Excitable dog or hyper dog breeds display strong reactions to potentially exciting or arousing events, such as:

  • going for walks
  • car trips
  • sound of the doorbell
  • arrival of visitors, and
  • the owner arriving home

Highly excitable dog breeds have difficulty settling down after arousal.

Yorkshire Terriers are quite a bit hyper (excitable).

This is because the Yorkshire Terrier ranks high for excitability.

The Yorkshire Terrier ranks number 38 out of 124 dog breeds for excitability.

This information is based on what 55 Yorkshire Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Yorkshire Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Yorkshire Terrier has an excitability score of 52.7 %.

Other dog breeds that are quite a bit excitable just like the Yorkshire Terrier are listed in the table below

Excitability Rank Breed Excitability Score
35 Chihuahua 53.2 %
36 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier 53.0 %
37 Gordon Setter 52.8 %
38 Yorkshire Terrier 52.7 %
39 Keeshond 52.4 %
40 Brittany 52.3 %
41 Bearded Collie 51.6 %

The dog breeds that are most hyper (excitable) are the:

  1. Australian Silky Terrier
  2. Fox Terrier (Smooth)
  3. American Eskimo Dog
  4. Parson Russell Terrier
  5. Miniature Schnauzer

The dog breeds that are least hyper (excitable) are the:

  1. Borzoi
  2. Samoyed
  3. Great Pyrenees
  4. Italian Greyhound
  5. Anatolian Shepherd

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how hyper they are.

The Yorkshire Terrier

Are Yorkshire Terriers Playful? What is the Energy Level of Yorkshire Terriers

Energetic dog breeds are very playful dog breeds. These are the dog breeds that do not get tired easily.

Yorkshire Terriers are somewhat energetic.

This is because the Yorkshire Terrier ranks average for energy level.

The Yorkshire Terrier ranks number 59 out of 124 dog breeds for energy level.

This information is based on what 55 Yorkshire Terrier owners reported on the temperament of their Yorkshire Terrier in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Yorkshire Terrier has an energy-level score of 58.2 %.

Other dog breeds that are somewhat energetic just like the Yorkshire Terrier are listed in the table below

Energy-Level Rank Breed Energy-Level Score
56 Poodle (Toy) 60.3 %
57 Dachshund 59.3 %
58 Redbone Coonhound 58.3 %
59 Yorkshire Terrier 58.2 %
60 Poodle (Standard) 57.9 %
61 German Wirehaired Pointer 57.5 %
62 Shetland Sheepdog 57.3 %

The dog breeds that are most playful and most energetic are the:

  1. Belgian Malinois
  2. Belgian Tervuren
  3. Fox Terrier (Toy)
  4. German Shorthaired Pointer
  5. Ibizan Hound

The dog breeds that are laziest are the:

  1. Kuvasz
  2. Anatolian Shepherd
  3. Greyhound
  4. Great Pyrenees
  5. Pekingese

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the most energetic to the least energetic.

Conclusion on Yorkshire Terrier Temperament

The temperament of your Yorkshire Terrier comes from a combination of its genetics and what environment your Yorkshire Terrier is exposed to.

You cannot change your Yorkshire Terrier`s gene but you can change the things you expose your Yorkshire Terrier to.

Exposing your Yorkshire Terrier to dog training sessions early in its life can help you mold the temperament of your Yorkshire Terrier to what you desire.

Again, with proper training, you can better your Yorkshire Terrier`s temperament. To learn how to properly train a dog, I highly recommend Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.

I learned most of the things I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.

Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your Yorkshire Terrier.

If you think the Yorkshire Terrier is the right dog breed for you, see our article on how much Yorkshire Terriers cost and Yorkshire Terrier puppy buying guide.

Also, see our list of reputable Yorkshire Terrier breeders in the United States and the prices of their Yorkshire Terrier puppies.