A Yorkie is a terrier first and a lap dog second. Small enough to carry under one arm, they still bark at the door like a guard dog, see off cats twice their size and have strong views on who sits where. Then the evening comes and they're curled in your lap, perfectly happy, as if the rest of the day never happened.
The breed was developed in Yorkshire in the 1800s by mill and mine workers, who wanted a small, quick dog to catch rats. The silky coat came later, when the breed became a show dog and a favourite in Victorian homes. That mix of working terrier and pampered pet is still in every Yorkie.
Each Small Goodbyes portrait comes in oil, watercolour, charcoal, line or pastel, with a free preview before you pay, and is made to order for your Yorkie. If a friend has lost their Yorkie, see our dog memorial gifts.
| Kennel Club group | Toy |
|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth, UK | 12.5 years (Royal Veterinary College, 2022) |
| Coats you see most | steel blue and tan (puppies are born black and tan and lighten with age) |
| Styles that suit | pastel or watercolour for the blue and tan; line for a simple head and ears |
A long life, and a lot of years together
Yorkies live a long time. In the Royal Veterinary College's study of UK dogs, their life expectancy at birth was about twelve and a half years, second only to the Jack Russell among the 18 breeds it covered, and many reach fifteen. Owners often lose a dog that saw them through a lot: a move, a divorce, a retirement, grandchildren. It's a lot of life to grieve.
What owners remember
The ears up like two little sails. The top knot and the bow, or the short summer cut. The bark that was far too big for the dog. The way they trotted ahead on a walk with their tail up, and the way they had to be carried the last stretch home. And the warmth of them on your lap, which is often the thing owners miss first.
Choosing the photo
A Yorkie's coat changes colour over its life, from black and tan as a puppy to steel blue and gold as an adult, and paler again in old age. Choose the photo from the years you remember best. Pick one where the ears are up and the eyes are clear of the fringe, taken in daylight so the blue and tan come through.
Which style suits a Yorkie
Pastel and watercolour suit the soft mix of blue and tan. Oil gives a long show coat its silky shine. Line drawing makes a lovely simple picture of the head and ears for a smaller frame.
If it has only just happened, the first days are covered on our dog memorial portraits page. If you're writing a card for someone, what to write in a pet sympathy card may help.