How to Adopt a Yorkshire Terrier in Germany | PetzLover

Where can you find a Yorkshire Terrier to adopt in Germany?

• Animal shelters (Tierheime). The Deutscher Tierschutzbund is the umbrella body of German shelters and animal welfare societies, and its shelter finder (Tierheim-Finder) lists those near you. Small breeds do arrive: the Berlin shelter took in 119 puppies in 2024, 52 of them from illegal trade, mostly small and toy breeds.
• The KfT's Terrier in Not page. On the Klub für Terrier's website, its breeders can present older terriers from their own breeding that have fallen on hard times, and members can place a KfT-bred terrier they can no longer keep. The club stresses that it acts only as an intermediary, so you deal directly with the contact given for each dog.
• Private adoption listings. You can browse Yorkshire Terriers listed for adoption and save the search to hear about new ones.
• Breeders. Some breeders rehome a retired breeding dog; that is usually a sale, so read how breeders sell Yorkshire Terriers to know what to expect.

No shelter can promise a particular breed. Ask several, keep your saved search running, and be open to a Yorkie mix with the right character.

How does adopting a dog from a German shelter work?

1. You fill in a questionnaire, often online, about your household, home, working hours and other pets.
2. You meet the Yorkie, ideally several times and on a walk.
3. Many shelters visit your home before the adoption (Vorkontrolle).
4. You sign a protection or transfer contract and pay the adoption fee.
5. You take the dog home with its vaccination record (Impfpass) and papers.
6. A follow-up visit after the adoption is often agreed.

Expect questions about stairs, balconies, children and time alone. With a dog of up to 3.2 kg, check stairs, balconies and gaps in fences before the visit.

What does adoption cost, and what does the contract say?

Stiftung Warentest advises having the dog's health checked before you sign and recording it in the contract. For a Yorkie, ask specifically about its knees, teeth and any cough.

Which health questions matter for an adult Yorkie?

• Knees: has the dog had a patella examination? A Yorkie that skips for a few steps on three legs may have a slipping kneecap. The KfT excludes dogs worse than grade 1 from breeding.
• Teeth: VCA says dental disease is common in the breed. Ask about cleanings and extractions, and plan for dental care.
• Trachea: the American College of Veterinary Surgeons names the Yorkie among the breeds most affected by tracheal collapse. A persistent cough is a reason to use a harness and see a vet.
• Liver: the US breed club lists liver shunt among the breed's conditions; a bile acid test can point to it.
• Basics: is the dog vaccinated, microchipped and neutered, and when was its last check-up?

The US breed club gives a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years, so a Yorkie of seven or eight can still have many years ahead.

Is the dog really a Yorkshire Terrier?

The FCI standard describes a long, straight, silky coat in dark steel blue with rich tan, and a weight of up to 3.2 kg. Only a pedigree proves the breed. Many dogs called Yorkies are crosses or have colours outside the standard, and for a good life together character matters more than papers. Ask how the dog copes with people, children, other dogs and being alone.

How do you settle an adopted Yorkie in?

• Set up a quiet corner with a bed and water before the dog arrives.
• Keep the first walks short and calm, on a well-fitting harness.
• Brush a few minutes a day, or book a groomer early for a shorter, easier trim.
• Expect house training to need patience; VCA notes it can take longer in Yorkies.
• Register the microchip in your name, for example free of charge with FINDEFIX, the Deutscher Tierschutzbund's pet register, or with TASSO.
• Register the dog with your municipality; in Berlin, for example, every dog goes into the central dog register.

If you ever have to give a Yorkie up yourself, read how to list a Yorkshire Terrier for adoption.

What should you watch for in private adoption ads?

• Visit the dog where it lives before you pay anything, and see its Impfpass, vet records and any results.
• Pay no deposit and no transport costs; German police advise never paying transport costs that were not agreed beforehand.
• Be wary of tiny puppies offered for adoption for a high fee: that is a sale, and it may come from illegal trade.
• Put the handover in writing with the chip number, health status and fee.
• Report suspicious listings with the Report Scam button.