How much exercise does a Yorkshire Terrier need?
Daily exercise minutes, the activities a Yorkshire Terrier enjoys and signs of too much or too little.
About 30 to 45 minutes of activity a day suits most adults, ideally split into two short walks plus some indoor games. Yorkies love sniffing walks, short fetch sessions down a hallway and puzzle toys that make them work for kibble. They also enjoy being carried to new places, but a dog that is carried everywhere misses out on normal exercise and confidence building.
Use a well-fitted harness instead of a collar, because pressure on the throat is a concern in toy breeds with delicate windpipes. In cold, wet weather a light coat helps, since there is no insulating undercoat. A Yorkie that lags behind, sits down on walks or shivers has had enough, while one that barks at every sound and races around at night probably needs more mental work in the day.
Yorkshire Terrier exercise in numbers
Activity ranges are editorial planning estimates. The five-minutes-per-month puppy rule lacks scientific evidence. Adapt activity to the individual and seek advice for pain or exercise difficulty. PDSA puppy exercise guidance.
Editorial activity estimate
60 to 90 min
Puppy activity
Individual plan
adapt to age, health and development
Senior activity
Individual plan
adapt to comfort and ability
Size
toy
2 to 3 kg
Energy level
Playfulness
Handles heat
Handles cold