Yorkshire Terrier Health Problems: An Honest Guide

Yorkshire Terriers are generally healthy, long-lived little dogs, but like every pedigree breed they have a handful of conditions they are more prone to than others. Knowing what these are helps you buy wisely, spot problems early and care for your dog well. Here is an honest, factual guide to the main Yorkshire Terrier health problems and what you can do about each.

Dental disease

The single most common health problem in Yorkies is dental (periodontal) disease. Toy breeds have a lot of teeth packed into a very small jaw, which causes crowding, traps food and encourages plaque and tartar. Over time this leads to gum inflammation, infection, pain and tooth loss, and severe dental disease can affect general health. Signs include bad breath, reluctance to eat hard food, pawing at the mouth and visible tartar or red gums. Prevention is far easier than cure: brush the teeth daily with dog toothpaste, use dental chews, and have regular vet dental checks with a professional scale-and-polish under anaesthetic when needed. Our dental care range can help you build a routine, and it is one of the most valuable things you can do for a Yorkie.

Patellar luxation

Like many small breeds, Yorkies are prone to patellar luxation, where the kneecap slips out of its proper groove. It is graded from mild to severe: a mild case may cause an occasional skip or hop in the step that the dog shakes off, while a severe one can cause persistent lameness and lead to arthritis, sometimes needing surgery. Watch for intermittent hopping, holding up a back leg, or a 'skipping' gait, and have any of these checked by your vet. Keeping your dog lean reduces the strain on the joints.

Collapsing trachea

The breed can be affected by a collapsing or weakened trachea (windpipe), where the rings of cartilage supporting the airway flatten, narrowing it. The classic sign is a dry, honking cough, often triggered by excitement, exercise, pulling on the lead or pressure on the neck. Mild cases are managed with weight control and avoiding throat pressure; more severe cases may need medication or, occasionally, surgery. This is the key reason to walk a Yorkie on a harness rather than a collar — see our dog harnesses — and to keep your dog at a healthy weight, as excess weight worsens airway problems.

Portosystemic (liver) shunts

Yorkshire Terriers have an increased risk of portosystemic shunts — an abnormal blood vessel that allows blood to bypass the liver, so toxins are not properly filtered out. Affected dogs, often young, may show stunted growth, poor weight gain, dullness, disorientation or wobbliness (especially after meals), excessive drinking and digestive upset. Diagnosis involves blood tests and imaging. Some shunts can be managed with a special diet and medication, and many can be corrected surgically, so any of these signs in a young Yorkie warrant prompt veterinary attention.

Hypoglycaemia in puppies

Very small and young Yorkie puppies can be prone to hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar), particularly the tiniest pups, and especially if they miss a meal, get cold, become stressed or over-exert themselves. Signs include weakness, wobbliness, trembling, glazed eyes and, in severe cases, collapse or seizures — it can be an emergency. Feeding small, frequent meals, keeping puppies warm and unstressed, and not letting tiny pups go to new homes too early all help. If a puppy shows these signs, a little glucose or honey on the gums and an urgent vet call are appropriate. This is another reason to steer clear of 'teacup' Yorkies, which are at higher risk.

Eye conditions

Yorkies can be affected by various eye problems, including conditions affecting the cornea and the back of the eye, as well as everyday irritation from facial hair rubbing the eyes. Keep the hair around the eyes trimmed or tied back, wipe the area clean daily, and have any redness, cloudiness, discharge or squinting checked promptly, as some eye conditions can threaten sight if left untreated.

Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease

Some small breeds, including Yorkies, can develop Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, in which the blood supply to the head of the thigh bone is disrupted, causing the bone to degenerate and the hip to become painful. It usually appears in young dogs as gradually worsening hindlimb lameness and is often treated surgically with a good outcome. Any persistent limp in a young Yorkie deserves a vet assessment.

Buying and caring to reduce the risks

Many of these risks can be lowered by sensible choices:

• Buy from a responsible breeder who rears pups well and is open about the breed's health — see our cost and buying guide.
• Avoid 'teacup' and extremely tiny dogs, which carry higher risks.
• Prioritise dental care from the start.
• Use a harness, not a collar, and keep your dog lean — our pet calorie calculator helps with portions.
• Insure early so investigations and treatment are affordable.
• See your vet promptly for coughing, limping, or any change in behaviour or appetite.

With good breeding and good care, most Yorkies live long, happy, healthy lives. For more, see our guides on lifespan and grooming and care. You can also find local and emergency clinics through our vet finder.

*This is general guidance, not a substitute for advice from your vet, who can examine and diagnose your individual dog.*

Sources

• The Kennel Club — Yorkshire Terrier breed health information (thekennelclub.org.uk).
• PDSA — common dog health conditions and dental care (pdsa.org.uk).
• Blue Cross — dog health problems and advice (bluecross.org.uk).
• RVC VetCompass — UK dog health research (rvc.ac.uk/vetcompass).
• RSPCA — dog health and welfare (rspca.org.uk).