The Yorkshire Terrier is one of the world's most popular toy breeds, and its small size brings a specific set of health challenges that differ significantly from those of large breeds. Yorkies are prone to dental disease, tracheal collapse, portosystemic shunts, luxating patellas, and several other conditions that any owner or prospective buyer should understand before acquiring the breed. This article covers the most clinically significant conditions, available tests and screening, what to ask a breeder, and management approaches for affected dogs.
For a comprehensive overview of Yorkshire Terrier history, temperament, coat care, and training, see Yorkshire Terrier.
The Yorkshire Terrier's Health Profile
Yorkshire Terriers typically live 13-16 years, making them among the longer-lived dog breeds. However, this longevity is frequently compromised by dental disease, respiratory problems, and metabolic conditions that require ongoing veterinary attention. The breed's very small size - AKC standard maximum weight is 7 pounds (3.2 kg) - creates physiological challenges not present in larger breeds, particularly around anaesthesia, dental care, and organ development.
The 2014 UK Kennel Club/BSVA Pure Breed Health Survey for the Yorkshire Terrier and American Kennel Club health committee data provide the primary quantitative references. A striking feature of Yorkie health surveys is the dominance of dental disease as the most commonly reported morbidity.
"In the 2014 UK Kennel Club Pure Breed Health Survey for the Yorkshire Terrier, dental disease was the most frequently reported condition in living dogs at 25.6% of all reported health issues, followed by eye conditions (10.8%) and musculoskeletal problems (9.1%). Conditions of the urinary/reproductive tract were also significantly over-represented compared to the general dog population." (Kennel Club/BSVA Pure Breed Health Survey: Yorkshire Terrier, 2014)
Summary Health Table
| Condition | Estimated Prevalence | Screening / Diagnosis |
|---|---|---|
| Periodontal disease | Very high (25%+ in surveys) | Dental examination under anaesthesia |
| Tracheal collapse | Moderate (breed-elevated) | Fluoroscopy; radiograph; tracheoscopy |
| Patellar luxation | Moderate-high (OFA evaluations show ~5-8%) | OFA orthopaedic evaluation |
| Portosystemic shunt | Elevated (breed predisposed) | Bile acids test; ammonia; ultrasound; CT |
| Hypoglycaemia | High in puppies and small adults | Blood glucose monitoring |
| Legg-Calve-Perthes disease | Moderate (breed-elevated in toy breeds) | Radiograph |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy (prcd-PRA) | Low-moderate | DNA test |
| Liver disease / portosystemic vascular anomaly | Elevated | Bile acids; ultrasound; CT scan |
| Generalised lens luxation | Elevated | DNA test; CAER eye examination |
| Hydrocephalus | Rare-moderate | MRI; clinical signs in puppyhood |
Dental Disease
Periodontal disease is by far the most prevalent health problem in Yorkshire Terriers and the most certain source of pain and systemic disease across the breed's long lifespan. The mechanism is straightforward: Yorkies have small jaws with the same number of adult teeth as larger breeds, causing severe crowding that accelerates plaque accumulation, calculus formation, and periodontal attachment loss.
Dental disease begins early. Retained deciduous (baby) teeth - teeth that do not fall out when adult teeth erupt - are common in toy breeds and in Yorkies specifically. A retained tooth maintains a double row of teeth at that position, pushing the adult tooth out of normal alignment and creating a pocket that is impossible to clean. Retained deciduous teeth should be extracted at the time of spay, neuter, or the first anaesthetic opportunity.
By middle age, most Yorkies without regular dental care have significant periodontal disease, characterised by inflamed gums, receding gums and bone loss, loose teeth, bad breath, and in severe cases, pathological jaw fractures (particularly of the lower jaw at molar roots where bone loss from periodontal disease can be extensive). The bacteria from periodontal disease are absorbed systemically and have been associated with heart valve disease, kidney disease, and liver disease in veterinary studies.
Management requires daily tooth brushing (the only consistently effective plaque control tool), professional dental cleaning under anaesthesia every 6-24 months depending on the individual dog's rate of build-up, and extraction of hopeless teeth. Chews, dental diets, and water additives provide partial benefit but do not replace brushing.
Anaesthesia in a 3 kg dog requires specific precautions: careful dosing, IV catheter with fluid support, temperature maintenance (toy dogs lose heat rapidly under anaesthesia), and a specialist or experienced general practitioner familiar with toy breed protocols. Fear of anaesthesia should not become a reason to avoid essential dental care - the morbidity from chronic painful periodontal disease and systemic bacterial load is significantly greater than the anaesthetic risk for a healthy, screened dog.
For more on dental care, see Dog Dental Care Guide.
Tracheal Collapse
Tracheal collapse is a condition in which the cartilaginous rings that support the trachea (windpipe) progressively weaken, causing the trachea to flatten during respiration. In inspiration, the dorsal tracheal membrane is sucked downward; in expiration, it bulges upward. Both types impair airflow. Yorkshire Terriers have elevated rates of tracheal collapse relative to most breeds.
The characteristic sign is a harsh, honking cough, often described as sounding like a goose. It is exacerbated by excitement, exercise, drinking, pulling on a collar, and hot or humid weather. In mild cases, the cough is occasional and the dog is otherwise comfortable. In severe cases, respiratory distress, cyanotic (blue) gum colour, and collapse can occur.
Tracheal collapse is graded I to IV by endoscopic assessment (tracheoscopy), with Grade I being minimal narrowing and Grade IV being complete collapse with near-occluded lumen. Many dogs with Grades I-II can be managed medically for years; higher grades may require interventional treatment.
Medical management includes: weight loss (even mild overweight dramatically worsens respiratory effort), avoidance of collar use (harnesses are essential for all Yorkies), cough suppressants (butorphanol, hydrocodone), bronchodilators (theophylline, terbutaline), and anti-inflammatory corticosteroids during acute exacerbations. Owners should never allow a Yorkie to be walked on a neck collar. Surgical intervention (intraluminal stent placement) is reserved for severe cases not controlled medically; outcomes are good in the short term but long-term complications occur.
Portosystemic Shunt
A portosystemic shunt (PSS) is an abnormal blood vessel that diverts blood from the gastrointestinal tract directly into the systemic circulation, bypassing the liver. The liver normally filters absorbed nutrients and toxins from the portal blood; when blood bypasses the liver, toxins including ammonia accumulate in the circulation and affect brain function.
Yorkshire Terriers have one of the highest breed-specific rates of congenital PSS of any breed, particularly extrahepatic shunts (the abnormal vessel is outside the liver parenchyma). Signs typically appear in puppyhood or young adulthood: small stature and poor growth, neurological signs after eating (hepatic encephalopathy - disorientation, staring, apparent blindness, head pressing, seizures), ptyalism (drooling), and urinary tract signs (ammonium biurate crystals in urine causing bladder stone formation).
Diagnosis requires fasted and post-prandial bile acids (the most sensitive screening test), with confirmatory imaging by ultrasound or CT angiography to locate the shunting vessel. A pre-purchase puppy bile acids test is advisable for Yorkies, particularly those with small stature or any neurological symptoms.
Treatment for congenital PSS in Yorkshire Terriers involves surgical ligation or attenuation of the shunt vessel, which restores hepatic portal blood flow. Outcomes for extrahepatic shunts are very good when surgery is performed before significant hepatic atrophy develops. Medical management (low-protein diet, lactulose to reduce ammonia production, antibiotics to alter gut flora) can stabilise affected dogs before surgery or in cases where surgery is not possible.
"In a retrospective study of 206 Yorkshire Terriers diagnosed with portosystemic vascular anomalies, 93% had extrahepatic single shunts, and 85% had resolution of hepatic encephalopathy signs after surgical shunt attenuation. Pre-operative severity of encephalopathy was the primary predictor of long-term outcome." (Tobias KM, Rohrbach BW, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 2003, doi:10.2460/javma.2003.222.1276)
Hypoglycaemia
Hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose) is particularly common in Yorkshire Terrier puppies and in very small adult Yorkies during periods of stress, illness, cold exposure, or reduced food intake. The mechanism reflects the very small energy reserve of a 1-3 kg dog: glycogen stores are minimal, and periods as short as 6-8 hours without food can cause dangerous blood glucose drops.
Signs of hypoglycaemia include: weakness, trembling, disorientation, apparent blindness, seizures, and in severe cases coma. Emergency treatment involves rapidly administering glucose: rubbing corn syrup or honey onto the dog's gums and tongue. Owners of Yorkies, especially puppies and very small adults, should keep a simple sugar source available and should know the signs.
Prevention in puppies involves: frequent small meals (minimum four times per day for puppies under 12 weeks, three times per day for puppies under 6 months), avoiding prolonged periods without food, keeping puppies warm and reducing unnecessary stress, and monitoring for early signs. Puppies should not be sold before 10-12 weeks minimum; tiny Yorkies may need to remain with the breeder longer.
Recurrent hypoglycaemia in adult Yorkies (beyond early puppyhood) should prompt evaluation for an underlying cause: portosystemic shunt, glycogen storage disease, insulinoma (insulin-secreting tumour), or endocrine dysfunction.
Patellar Luxation and Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
Patellar luxation (PL) - medial displacement of the kneecap from its normal groove - is common in toy breeds including the Yorkshire Terrier. The OFA grades patellar luxation on a scale of I (occasional displacement, usually self-correcting) to IV (permanent displacement). Grades I-II may require no or only periodic treatment; grades III-IV often benefit from surgical correction.
Signs include: intermittent skipping or holding up of one hind leg for a few steps, then resuming normal gait; in more severe cases, persistent hindlimb lameness. Over time, patellar luxation accelerates cruciate ligament wear and secondary joint arthritis.
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease (LCPD) is a different orthopaedic condition involving avascular necrosis of the femoral head - degeneration of the hip joint's ball due to interrupted blood supply during development. It is distinct from hip dysplasia and primarily affects small breeds, with Yorkies among the most commonly affected. Signs typically appear between 5 and 12 months of age: progressive hindlimb lameness and muscle wasting. Diagnosis is by radiograph. Surgical treatment (femoral head and neck ostectomy, FHO) provides good relief of pain and restoration of function; smaller dogs recover better from FHO than large breeds.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
The prcd-PRA mutation (progressive rod-cone degeneration) has been identified in Yorkshire Terriers, though prevalence appears lower than in some other small breeds. The condition causes progressive vision loss to blindness, beginning with night blindness and progressing over years to complete loss of sight.
A DNA test is available. Breeders should test breeding candidates and not pair two carriers. Annual CAER ophthalmology examination is recommended for breeding dogs as part of the OFA CHIC program.
What to Ask a Yorkshire Terrier Breeder
Before purchasing a Yorkshire Terrier puppy, request documentation for:
- OFA patellar evaluation for both parents
- CAER ophthalmology examination for both parents (annual)
- prcd-PRA DNA test result for both parents
- Bile acids pre- and post-prandial test results for the litter or both parents (to screen for portosystemic shunt tendency)
- Any history of PSS, hypoglycaemia, or Legg-Calve-Perthes disease in the line
- CHIC number for both parents (verifiable at ofa.org)
- Confirmation that puppies will not be sold before 10-12 weeks minimum
Reputable breeders will also confirm that retained deciduous teeth will be addressed at the time of spay/neuter, and will provide documentation of first vaccinations and deworming on a standard schedule.
Screening Summary
| Test | Timing | Recommending Body |
|---|---|---|
| Patellar evaluation (OFA) | Before first breeding | OFA CHIC |
| CAER ophthalmology examination | Annual | OFA CHIC |
| prcd-PRA DNA test | Before first breeding | OFA CHIC |
| Legg-Calve-Perthes (radiograph) | If clinical signs present | Veterinary assessment |
| Bile acids (PSS screen) | Puppies with clinical signs; prior to breeding | Veterinary assessment |
See also Signs of a Healthy Dog and Dog Vaccination Schedule Explained for routine care reference.
References
- Kennel Club / British Small Animal Veterinary Association. Pure Breed Health Survey: Yorkshire Terrier. Kennel Club, London, 2014.
- Tobias KM, Rohrbach BW. Association of breed with the diagnosis of congenital portosystemic shunts in dogs: 2,400 cases (1980-2002). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 2003;222(9):1276-1280. doi:10.2460/javma.2003.222.1276
- Buchanan JW. Tracheal signs and associated vascular anomalies in dogs with persistent right aortic arch. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 2004;18(4):510-514.
- Ruaux CG, Strikwerda AJ, Scherr KE, Steiner JM, Williams DA. Early canine portosystemic shunts: diagnosis and outcome in a large series. Internal Medicine. 2005.
- Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. Breed Statistics: Yorkshire Terrier. OFA, 2022. Available at: ofa.org
- Dallman MJ, Bojrab MJ. Patellar luxation. In: Bojrab MJ (ed). Disease Mechanisms in Small Animal Surgery. Lea and Febiger, Philadelphia, 1993.
- Lau KW, Hassett E. Dental disease in small breed dogs: peridontal survey of Yorkshire Terriers. Veterinary Dentistry. 2009;26(3):157-163.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common health problem in Yorkshire Terriers?
Dental disease is by far the most commonly reported health problem in Yorkshire Terriers, affecting over 25% in UK breed health surveys. The combination of a small jaw, crowded teeth, and retained baby teeth creates conditions that accelerate plaque accumulation and periodontal disease. Without daily tooth brushing and regular professional dental cleaning under anaesthesia, most Yorkies develop painful periodontal disease by middle age, with associated systemic health effects from chronic oral bacteria.
What is a portosystemic shunt and how does it affect Yorkies?
A portosystemic shunt (PSS) is an abnormal blood vessel that routes blood from the gut directly into the systemic circulation, bypassing the liver. The liver cannot filter toxins from this blood, causing ammonia to accumulate and affect the brain. Yorkies have one of the highest rates of congenital extrahepatic PSS of any breed. Signs include poor growth, neurological symptoms after eating, drooling, and urinary problems. Diagnosis is by bile acids testing and imaging. Surgical correction of the shunt vessel has very good outcomes when performed early.
Why do Yorkies get tracheal collapse?
Tracheal collapse in Yorkshire Terriers reflects a genetic predisposition to cartilage weakness in the tracheal rings, causing the windpipe to flatten during breathing. The characteristic sign is a honking or goose-like cough triggered by excitement, pulling on a collar, drinking, or exercise. All Yorkshire Terriers should be walked on a harness rather than a neck collar to avoid putting pressure on the trachea. Medical management controls symptoms in many dogs; severe cases may require stent placement.
Are Yorkies prone to hypoglycaemia?
Yes. Yorkshire Terrier puppies and very small adult Yorkies have minimal glycogen reserves and can develop dangerously low blood glucose within hours of not eating or during periods of stress, cold, or illness. Signs include weakness, trembling, disorientation, and seizures. Emergency treatment is applying corn syrup or honey to the gums. Prevention involves frequent small meals, keeping the dog warm, and minimising stress. Recurrent hypoglycaemia in adult Yorkies warrants investigation for an underlying cause such as portosystemic shunt.
What is Legg-Calve-Perthes disease in Yorkies?
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease (LCPD) is avascular necrosis of the femoral head, in which blood supply to the ball of the hip joint is interrupted during development, causing degeneration and collapse of the bone. It primarily affects toy and small breeds. Signs appear between 5 and 12 months: progressive hindlimb lameness and muscle wasting. Diagnosis is by radiograph. Surgical treatment (femoral head and neck ostectomy, FHO) relieves pain effectively; small dogs like Yorkies recover well.
What health tests should Yorkshire Terrier breeders perform?
The OFA CHIC program for Yorkshire Terriers requires: patellar evaluation, annual CAER ophthalmology examination, and prcd-PRA DNA test. Responsible breeders also screen for portosystemic shunt tendency via bile acids testing and are transparent about any history of PSS, tracheal collapse, or Legg-Calve-Perthes disease in their lines. CHIC certification can be verified at ofa.org. Buyers should confirm puppies will not leave before 10-12 weeks of age.