Yorkshire Terrier Health Issues

One of the world's most popular toy breeds, the Yorkshire Terrier carries a suite of health challenges that distinctively affects small dogs differently from large breeds. Owners must grasp that Yorkies commonly develop dental disease, tracheal collapse, portosystemic shunts, luxating patellas and other conditions prospective buyers should understand fully before bringing the breed into their home.

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 have an above-average life expectancy, with UK and Japanese studies finding roughly 12.5 to 14 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.

Dental disease is widely reported as the most common health problem in the breed, a 2019 study found that 98% of Yorkshire Terriers had early periodontitis affecting at least one tooth at 37 weeks of age.

Summary Health Table

Condition	Estimated Prevalence	Screening / Diagnosis
Periodontal disease	Very high	Dental examination under anaesthesia
Tracheal collapse	Moderate (breed-elevated)	Fluoroscopy; radiograph; tracheoscopy
Patellar luxation	Moderate-high	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.

Daily tooth brushing is essential for plaque control (the only method that works consistently). Dogs need professional cleaning under anaesthesia every 6 to 24 months, depending on their rate of build-up and any hopelessly infected teeth must be extracted. Chews, dental diets and water additives offer partial benefit, but they do not substitute for 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.

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 missed meals 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.

To prevent issues in puppies, feed them frequently with small meals (four times daily for puppies under 12 weeks, three times for puppies under 6 months), avoid long stretches without food, keep them warm and reduceunnecessary stress while watching for early signs. Puppies should not leave the breeder before 10-12 weeks minimum, and tiny Yorkshire puppies may need to stay longer with the breeder.

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 in young dogs, usually between 5 and 8 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.

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