Yorkshire Terrier puppies for sale in Miami

Yorkshire Terriers are big dogs in very small bodies. They were first bred in northern England to catch rats in mills and mines, and that terrier spirit is still there. A Yorkie is brave, curious, and confident, and often has no idea how small it really is.

At home, Yorkies are affectionate and loyal. Many pick a favorite person and stick close to them all day, riding along in a carrier, napping in a lap, or watching the front door. They love attention and can be playful well into their senior years.

Yorkies are alert watchdogs. They will tell you about the mail carrier, the neighbor's dog, and the leaf that blew past the window. Early training helps keep the barking under control. They can be bossy with bigger dogs, so supervise play and socialize them early with calm, friendly dogs.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. Always talk with your vet about your own dog.

Yorkies are generally long-lived, but their tiny size comes with some common problems:

• Dental disease: small mouths crowd the teeth, so tartar builds up fast. Baby teeth sometimes do not fall out on their own and may need to be removed by a vet.
• Tracheal collapse: the rings of the windpipe can weaken and flatten, causing a dry, honking cough. Using a harness instead of a neck collar helps protect the throat.
• Luxating patella: the kneecap slips out of place, which can cause skipping or hopping on a back leg.
• Liver shunt (portosystemic shunt): an abnormal blood vessel lets blood bypass the liver. Signs can include slow growth, confusion or odd behavior after meals, and seizures.
• Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease: a hip problem in small breeds that causes limping in young dogs.
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) in young puppies, especially if they skip meals.

Be careful with anyone who promises a "teacup" Yorkie. That is not an official size, and dogs bred to be extra tiny can face more health problems, including low blood sugar, fragile bones, and liver issues. A healthy Yorkie at a normal size is the goal.

Before you choose a puppy, ask what health information is available for the puppy. Useful tests include a patella (knee) exam, an eye exam, a hip check for Legg-Calvé-Perthes, and a bile acid test to screen for liver shunt.

Call your vet right away if your Yorkie has a honking cough with trouble breathing, gums turning blue or gray, weakness, trembling, or wobbling (a sign of low blood sugar in puppies), seizures, confusion after eating, sudden limping, or refuses food for more than a day.

Many owners enroll in pet insurance while their puppy is young, before any condition becomes pre-existing. Read the policy closely to see if dental care, knee surgery, and liver problems are covered.

Florida has a pet lemon law that protects puppy buyers. Learn more about your rights under Florida law.

Yorkies handle warm weather better than flat-faced breeds, but Miami heat and humidity are still risky for such a small dog. Walk early in the morning or after sunset, keep walks short, and bring water. A shorter haircut helps them stay cool, but do not shave down to the skin, since the coat helps protect against sunburn. Know the signs of heatstroke: heavy panting, drooling, bright red gums, vomiting, or stumbling.

Some Yorkies can paddle, but they tire and chill quickly. Fence or supervise pools, use a small dog life vest near pools, boats, and the beach, and rinse off salt water and sand afterward.

For the Miami basics every dog owner needs, like hot pavement, parked cars, year-round parasites, cane toads and hurricane prep, see our Miami puppy care guide.

The Yorkshire Terrier has a long, silky, single coat that sheds very little. The AKC standard colors are blue and tan, blue and gold, black and tan, and black and gold.

Yorkie puppies are born mostly black with tan markings. The black slowly changes to the steel blue color as they grow, often over the first year or two, and the tan becomes a lighter gold. So the puppy you bring home may look quite different as an adult.

Your first week sets the tone. Here is a simple checklist:

• Get supplies ready: a small crate or playpen, bed, shallow food and water bowls, the same food your puppy has been eating, a soft harness (not a neck collar), a light leash, ID tag, small chew toys, puppy pads, a soft brush and comb, and a puppy toothbrush
• Book a first vet visit within a few days of bringing your puppy home
• Keep the vaccine schedule going and bring your puppy's records to the vet
• Feed small meals several times a day and watch for signs of low blood sugar
• Start a crate and potty routine on day one: out after waking, eating, and playing
• Puppy-proof your home and teach family members to sit down when holding the puppy
• Begin gentle socialization with new people, sounds, grooming, and surfaces once your vet says it is safe

Questions about the breed or our current litters? Ask us about our Yorkshire Terrier puppies, and see our financing options.