Last Updated on February, 2025
Yorkshire Terriers are 7-pounds of absolute joy, and for all of us dying to take home this cute little fur ball, the questions are endless.
How much do they REALLY cost? Where do you even get one? How do you avoid scams, puppy mills, backyard breeders, and the list of concerns just goes on.
But hey, don’t give up on your Yorkie dreams just yet!
Here’s a research-backed breakdown of the actual costs involved in becoming pet parents.
Quick Summary
The cost of a Yorkie can range from $800 to $10,000.
Yorkshire Terriers are a popular and in-demand breed of dog.
The lifetime cost of owning a Yorkshire Terrier can be between $26,000-$40,000 due to expenses for supplies, initial medical care, and ongoing monthly and yearly expenses for the dog’s care.
Table of Contents
- How Much Does a Yorkshire Terrier Cost?
- Where to Get a Purebred Yorkie From?
- What Does the Yorkshire Terrier Price Depend on?
- Initial Costs After Getting a Yorkshire Terrier
- Monthly Costs of Owning a Yorkshire Terrier
- Annual Cost of Owning a Yorkshire Terrier
- Lifetime Cost of Owning a Yorkshire Terrier
- Summary of all the Costs
- Conclusion
- FAQs
How Much Does a Yorkshire Terrier Cost?
Yorkie prices range from $800 to $4000 but can even go up to $10,000. Why this vast price range? I’ll explain in just a bit.
Where to Get a Purebred Yorkie From?
You have two go-to options: Breeder and Shelters.
There are top-ranking and highly reputable breeders registered under the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the Yorkshire Terrier Club of America that cost between $1200-$3000.
Buying from such a licensed and reputable breeder is as safe and reliable as possible.
The price tag is definitely higher than if you go for a local breeder. Still, you are guaranteed a purebred Yorkie with the correct papers on everything you need to know about your new pet (More on papers later).
Speaking of local breeders, this one’s tricky. If you do happen to find a local, unlicensed breeder, tread carefully.
Firstly, do your research and always, ALWAYS check for customer reviews. Also, make sure to compare prices; it should usually cost between $800 to $3000.
If the price looks too good to be true, that’s your first red flag. Do visit the breeder and take a look at how the puppies are housed.
Ask the breeder many questions to see if he has had any experience in the field or is just another backyard breeder. My best advice is to trust your instincts.
If you are on a budget and can’t afford to splash, no matter how cute these cheeky little pups are, then your best options are dog shelters or dog rescue organizations.
You can get a sweet Yorkie for an adoption fee of just $100-$500. Head on to this certified database of Yorkie Rescues around the country by the Yorkshire Terrier Club of America to see if you can find a shelter near you.
What Does the Yorkshire Terrier Price Depend on?
This tiny dog comes with some pretty huge decisions to be made based on so many different factors, which is why there’s such a wide price range for these dogs.
Here are all the factors that determine how much Yorkies cost.
Lineage
The higher the pedigree of purebred Yorkies, the higher the price tag on them.
The price can go even as high as $10,000 if your pup comes from a line of championship-winning Yorkies.
If you are just looking for a cuddly little pet-quality pup, $10,000 is definitely too pricey. So, go for a Yorkie puppy with a lesser pedigree but just as cute.
With or Without papers
Documentation for your Yorkie is essential. These papers will show everything you need to know about your dog’s parents, siblings, kennel number, and information about the breeder.
Also, the documents will prove whether the pup has been screened for genetic conditions and what characteristics (Coat color, type, and texture) the Yorkie will inherit.
If you were to enter your dog into any kind of competition, these papers are vital.
Getting a Yorkie puppy without documentation will cost less than $1,200. Still, in the long run, you will end up spending a fortune on medical bills if the pup has health issues you weren’t aware of. So, always, better safe than sorry!
Age and Gender
A Yorkshire Terrier puppy costs considerably more than an adult.
Females tend to be pricier than males, mostly because most want to breed them.
You can expect a $400 to $500 difference between male and female pups.
Appearance
For purebred Yorkshire Terriers with standard colors of blue and tan, blue and gold, black and tan, or black and gold, along with the glossy, silky hair of a purebred, the price will be a tad higher.
Non-standard colors of chocolate, gold, red, and multi-colored with a coarser coat go for much lower prices.
Size
On average, a Yorkie puppy weighs 4-7 pounds. The smaller, cuter ones you’ve seen jumping around are actually Teacup Yorkies who are also purebred but weigh only about 3 pounds and are 7 inches tall.
The extra cuteness comes with a price, literally. You’ll be looking to pay $1500-$3000 on average for a Teacup Yorkie.
Health
Most small dogs are prone to collapsed tracheas.
Also, Yorkies can have luxating patellas (sliding kneecaps), retinal dysplasia (vision problems), periodontal disease (dental issues), hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), and liver shunts.
Licensed breeders will always prioritize health and genetically screen parents to ensure no defective health problems will pass on to the Yorkshire Terrier puppies.
ALWAYS check the pup’s papers and question the breeder. I cannot stress on this enough.
If your dog has no papers AND the breeder is willing to negotiate a low price, that is your first sign that something is off with the puppy’s health.
Initial Costs After Getting a Yorkshire Terrier
Buying Yorkies doesn’t just end there. Let’s talk about all the initial costs that come with these furballs.
Supplies
Firstly, to set up their new home with everything required to make them comfortable and safe would altogether cost you approximately $270-$350.
Item | Average Price |
Bed | $50 |
Crate | $60 |
Blanket | $20 |
Food and water bowls | $30 |
Leash | $10 |
Collars | $15 |
Chew toys | $30 |
Puppy pads | $25 |
Grooming kit | $30 |
Total | $270 |
Medical Expenses
Next, we have medical expenses during the first year.
This includes mandatory vaccinations such as rabies and DHPP, preventive treatments for heartworm, fleas and ticks, and fecal examinations.
This brings the initial medical costs to $500-$700.
Additionally, you might want to opt for spaying or neutering your dog.
This would take out an additional $200-$500. However, this is entirely optional.
Training
Yorkies are big personalities bundled into small packages. So, unless you want a 7-pound hyperactive ball of fur running your life, training is necessary. Also, they do have a stubborn streak, so training at a young age is the way to go.
Yorkshire Terriers, like all dogs, need basic obedience training and potty training. Yorkies bond fast and usually suffer from separation anxiety, so crate training early on is ideal.
Also, socialization classes to get them comfortable around people and other dogs are recommended, which would cost $100-$200 per hourly session from a professional trainer.
Or else, as a cheaper alternative, you can check out this free online dog training program here.
Monthly Costs of Owning a Yorkshire Terrier
There are a couple of things to be taken care of monthly for your little fur friend. Food for this small dog is not a big issue. They only eat in small amounts because of their size but require a well-balanced diet.
Also, there are monthly preventive treatments and vet check-ups necessary to ensure your pup is in shape. All the glory of this fully-fledged diva has to be maintained too, with regular grooming.
So, here’s the breakdown of everything your pup will need monthly:
Item | Average Price |
Dog food | $50 |
Vet bills | $50 |
Pet Insurance | $50 |
Toys and treats | $20 |
Grooming | $50 |
Total | $200 |
Annual Cost of Owning a Yorkshire Terrier
Initially, during the first year after you’ve bought your dog, it is true that the expenses are a bit high because of all the initial supplies and initial veterinary care. But after the first year, life becomes much simpler.
After the first year, the annual expenses are $2,000-$2,500 per year.
Lifetime Cost of Owning a Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkies can develop multiple health conditions as they near the end of their life span, including hip dysplasias, cancer, and heart problems.
Even purebred healthy puppies can develop certain conditions towards the later years of life.
While the medical costs of these conditions are pretty high, having pet insurance can save you thousands of dollars.
Since these dogs have a lifespan of 13-15 years, this brings the total cost of owning Yorkies to $26,000- $40,000.
Summary of all the Costs
Average Yorkshire Terrier price | $800-$4,000 |
Initial supplies cost | $270-$350 |
Annual cost | $2,000-$2,500 |
Lifetime cost | $26,000-$40,000 |
Other Dog Breeds Pricing Guides:
Conclusion
So, to wrap up, dog lovers need to know that taking a Yorkie home is more than just the price tag at the start. You have all the subsequent expenses to consider as well.
But this decision is more significant than just dollars and cents. While the cost matters, all the cuddles and joy this pup comes with is priceless.
Here’s to hoping this article helps you find a furry friend who’ll wag their tails into your hearts!
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