Yorkshire Terrier — cost & care
Affectionate, sprightly, tomboyish. Small toy dog.
A Yorkshire Terrier costs roughly $26,000 over its lifetime (11–15 years), or about $1,720/year: ~$145 food, ~$480 insurance, ~$450 routine vet, ~$400 grooming. Purchase price runs $1,200–$3,500.
📍 Costs in USD (United States) — see this breed in another country.
0.7cups of food / day (~4.9 lb/mo)
0.7cups of water / day
13 yraverage lifespan (11–15)
Customize your estimate — tick only what you actually pay for
Your estimate: / year · lifetime
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Get Yorkshire Terrier insurance quotes — average plan ~$480/yr. See quotesRecommended food
A Yorkshire Terrier eats ~4.9 lb/month. Shop small-breed foodFull cost breakdown
| Item | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Purchase (one-off) | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Food / year | $145 (0.7 cups/day) |
| Pet insurance / year | $480 (est.) |
| Routine vet / year | $450 |
| Grooming / year | $400 |
| Supplies & misc / year | $250 |
| Total annual | $1,720 |
| Lifetime total | $26,000 |
Breed stats
| Size | Small |
| Avg weight | 6 lb |
| Height | 7–8 in |
| Lifespan | 11–15 yrs |
| Group | Toy |
| Hypoallergenic | Yes |
Temperament & care
| Energy | 4/5 |
| Trainability | 3/5 |
| Good with families | 3/5 |
| Apartment-friendly | 5/5 |
| Shedding | 1/5 |
| Grooming need | 4/5 |
| Barking | 4/5 |
Common health conditions
- Patellar luxation
- Dental disease
- Collapsing trachea
- Liver shunt
How we calculate: food cost = breed weight → vet RER/MER calorie formula → cups/day → US food-price average. Insurance = NAPHIA US average adjusted by breed health-risk tier and size. Estimates — verify with your vet and insurer.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Yorkshire Terrier cost per year?
About $1,720 a year — roughly $145 food, $480 insurance, $450 vet and $400 grooming.
What is the lifetime cost of a Yorkshire Terrier?
Around $26,000 across its 11–15-year lifespan, including purchase and first-year setup.
How much does a Yorkshire Terrier eat?
About 0.7 cups of food a day (~4.9 lb per month).
How much water should a Yorkshire Terrier drink?
About 0.7 cups of water a day — verify with your vet for your animal.
Is the Yorkshire Terrier hypoallergenic?
Yes — it is a low-shedding, allergy-friendlier breed.