The short answer
Yorkshire Terriers are tiny (4 to 7 lbs), bold, spirited, affectionate true terriers, a huge personality in a glamorous little package. Start on LocalPetFinder's Montreal listings, the Montreal SPCA, and small-breed rescues, though purebreds go fast (be open to a mix or an adult). Their small size suits apartments, but, unlike a Pomeranian, the fine silky single coat gives little cold tolerance, so in Montreal winters they need a sweater/coat and booties. Manage barking, handle them gently, use a harness not a collar, and keep up dental care. Adoption runs ~$300 to $600; avoid “teacup” Yorkies entirely.
Don't be fooled by the glamorous silky coat, the Yorkshire Terrier is a true terrier: bold, tenacious, and bursting with personality. That spirited character, in a body small enough for any apartment, is the whole appeal. But a Yorkie is a real dog that needs training, gentle handling, and, in Montreal, protection from the cold. Here's what adopters should know.
Where to adopt in Montreal
A few routes, though patience helps, as in-demand purebred Yorkies go fast:
- •LocalPetFinder's Montreal dog listings, aggregating adoptable dogs from Montreal-area shelters and rescues, refreshed regularly. Search Yorkies and Yorkie mixes.
- •The Montreal SPCA, Quebec's largest animal-protection organization, which takes in small breeds.
- •Montreal-area small-breed and general rescues, many foster-based, posting dogs through their websites and social media.
- •Toy-breed and Yorkshire Terrier rescue networks in Canada that sometimes cover Quebec.
Avoid “teacup” Yorkies. That unofficial term markets dangerously undersized dogs, often bred irresponsibly and prone to serious health problems. Being open to a Yorkie mix (Morkies, Yorkiepoos, and others, more available in rescue) or an adult (whose real size and temperament you can see) is often the better path.
The big terrier personality
Yorkies are bold, confident, feisty, spirited, and full of personality, true terriers at heart (originally bred to catch rats), so brave, tenacious, energetic, and curious, often seemingly unaware of their size. They're usually affectionate and devoted, bonding closely with their family and happy as lap dogs, while also lively, playful, and busy, not just decorative. They're intelligent and trainable (with positive methods), though the terrier streak can make them a little stubborn.
Yorkies are alert little watchdogs and tend to bark (sometimes a lot), so managing barking is worthwhile, and the terrier boldness means they can be feisty with other dogs and may have prey drive toward small animals, so socialization matters. The key, as with many toy breeds, is to treat them like real dogs: socialize and train them well, or an over-indulged Yorkie can become bossy, barky, snappy, or anxious. Well-raised, a Yorkie is a confident, delightful companion with far more substance than its glamorous look suggests. See our health guide and grooming guide.
Apartment and climate fit
Yorkies suit apartments well, tiny size, exercise met with indoor play and short walks, a good fit for Montreal's apartment dwellers (manage the barking). But here's the key Montreal caveat: unlike a double-coated breed, the Yorkie has a fine, silky single coat with little undercoat and little body fat, so they are NOT cold-hardy and get cold easily. In Montreal winters they need a warm sweater or coat (and often booties), short outings in extreme cold, and protection from getting chilled (many owners use indoor pee pads on the coldest days).
In summer they tolerate warmth reasonably but should be kept cool and hydrated in extreme heat. They're also small and fragile, so handle gently and supervise around very young children and larger dogs. Overall, for a Montreal apartment dweller wanting a small, lively, affectionate companion, the Yorkie is an excellent fit, the main local caveat is bundling them up against the winter cold.
The real cost
Adoption fees run ~$300 to $600 (usually covering spay/neuter, vaccinations, and microchipping), vs $1,500 to $4,000+ from a breeder. Ongoing costs are lower than a big dog's but real: small-breed food, routine vet care, grooming (the silky coat, often professional), dental care (small breeds are very prone to dental disease), winter clothing (important here), and a fund or insurance for potential issues (dental, luxating patellas, tracheal collapse, liver shunts).
Pet insurance is worth considering, taken out while the dog is young. Under Quebec's Civil Code (article 898.1), animals are recognized as sentient beings, not mere property. Yorkies are relatively affordable versus a large breed, but grooming, dental care, winter clothing, and potential health costs mean it's not a no-cost commitment, and they're fairly long-lived (often 12 to 16 years), a long commitment to budget for.
Browse adoptable dogs in Montreal
Yorkies and Yorkie mixes go fast, so check often and be open to a mix or an adult. Refreshed regularly across Montreal-area organizations.
See Available Dogs →Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I adopt a Yorkshire Terrier in Montreal?
Start with LocalPetFinder's Montreal listings, the Montreal SPCA (spca.com), and small-breed and toy-breed rescues. Purebreds are in demand and go fast, so be patient and open to a mix (Morkies, Yorkiepoos) or an adult. Avoid “teacup” Yorkies entirely, they're often irresponsibly bred and unhealthy.
What is their temperament like?
Bold, confident, feisty, and full of personality, true terriers, so brave, tenacious, and energetic despite the glamorous look. Affectionate and devoted, but also alert (so prone to barking) and can be feisty with other dogs. Intelligent and trainable, though a little stubborn. Treat them like real dogs with proper socialization and training.
Are they good in Montreal apartments?
Yes, tiny size and adaptable exercise needs suit apartments well (manage the barking). The key Montreal caveat: their fine silky single coat gives little cold tolerance, so they get cold easily and need a sweater or coat and often booties for winter, short cold-weather outings, and protection from chilling. In summer, keep them cool in extreme heat.
How much does it cost?
Adoption runs ~$300 to $600 (usually including spay/neuter, vaccinations, microchipping), vs $1,500 to $4,000+ from a breeder. Ongoing costs are lower than a big dog's but real: small-breed food, vet care, grooming, dental care, winter clothing, and a fund or insurance. They're fairly long-lived (12 to 16 years).
What should I know before adopting one?
They're tiny and fragile (handle gently, supervise around young kids and big dogs), need proper training and socialization, can be barky, are NOT cold-hardy (need winter clothing in Montreal), need coat grooming, benefit from a harness not a collar, and are prone to certain health issues (dental, luxating patellas, tracheal collapse, liver shunts). They're fairly long-lived, a long commitment.
Should I buy a puppy or adopt?
Consider adoption first. Buying runs $1,500 to $4,000+, and the breed's popularity has led to lots of irresponsible breeding, including dangerous “teacup” Yorkies (avoid entirely). Adoption costs far less, helps a dog in need, and, with an adult, lets you see the real size and temperament. Purebreds go fast, so be open to a mix or an adult.
Related Montreal guides
Yorkshire Terrier Health Issues
Dental disease, tracheal collapse (harness not collar), luxating patellas, liver shunts, and the pet-insurance case.
Yorkshire Terrier Grooming & Coat Care
The silky single coat, brushing and matting, the puppy cut, topknot, face and eye care, and coat care through Montreal's seasons.
Adoptable Dogs in Montreal
All currently available dogs across Montreal-area organizations, including Yorkies and Yorkie mixes. Updates regularly.
Montreal Dog Adoption Resources
All our Montreal dog adoption guides in one place.
New dog? Start with these care guides
Everything a new adopter needs to set up a safe, happy home.