Are Yorkshire Terriers good with kids?

The honest answer on Yorkshire Terriers and children

Yorkshire Terriers are not the easiest breed around young children. Their bold, assertive personality means they don't automatically defer — they have a point of view and will express it. Their curious, independent nature means they're often more focused on their own agenda than accommodating a child's.

Many Yorkshire Terriers live successfully with children. The bar for supervision, training, and teaching children how to interact is just higher than with a breed known specifically for family tolerance.

Strong need for closeness and affection makes these dogs natural companions for children who want a dog that participates in family life rather than observing from a distance. Curiosity about children rather than anxiety around them builds better early associations. These dogs tend to approach kids as something interesting rather than something threatening. Bold temperaments need appropriate direction from the start. A bold dog that doesn't learn to defer to children will make up its own rules around them.

With toddlers and very young children (under 5)

With older children (ages 6–12)

Key traits that matter for families

How to set your Yorkshire Terrier and kids up for success

Breed temperament is a starting point — how you manage the relationship matters just as much.

• Socialise early. Expose puppies to children of different ages from 8–16 weeks. Early positive experiences build lasting tolerance.
• Teach children dog rules. No pulling ears, tails, or fur. No approaching a dog that's eating, sleeping, or unwell. No staring directly in the eyes.
• Give the dog an escape route. Always provide a quiet space (crate, bed in another room) where the dog can retreat from children. A dog that can always escape rarely needs to escalate.
• Involve older children in training. Kids who can give commands and get responses feel respected by the dog. The dog learns to listen to them too.
• Never leave any dog alone with young children. Regardless of breed, track record, or temperament. Incidents happen in seconds.