Yorkshire Terrier Health Guide
Everything yorkshire terrier owners need to know about keeping their dog healthy.
Breed Overview
Yorkshire Terriers are tiny toy dogs with outsized personalities: affectionate, feisty, intelligent, and often very alert. The breed developed in northern England from terrier-type dogs used to catch vermin, and that terrier background still shows up in their bold attitude and need for mental stimulation. What makes Yorkies especially important from a health perspective is that their very small size and toy-breed build increase risk for several inherited or breed-associated problems, especially tracheal collapse, luxating patellas, liver shunts, dental disease, and Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease. Their long, continuously growing coat also means grooming and skin care are part of routine preventive health, not just appearance.
Common Health Issues
Tracheal Collapse
Yorkies are one of the classic breeds affected by collapsing trachea. Signs often include a dry honking cough, noisy breathing, exercise intolerance, or coughing that worsens with excitement, heat, or neck pressure from a collar. Breathing distress is an emergency.
Luxating Patella
A slipping kneecap is common in toy breeds and can cause skipping, bunny-hopping, intermittent rear-leg lameness, or arthritis over time. Mild cases may be monitored, while more severe cases can require surgery.
Portosystemic Shunt
Yorkshire Terriers are predisposed to congenital liver shunts. Puppies or young dogs may show poor growth, vomiting, diarrhea, urinary issues, odd behavior after eating, staring, circling, or seizures. This needs prompt veterinary workup.
Dental Disease
Because Yorkies have very small mouths, plaque and tartar can build up quickly. Bad breath, inflamed gums, dropped food, chewing difficulty, or loose teeth are reasons to schedule a dental exam sooner rather than later.
Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease
This inherited hip disorder affects small-breed young dogs and causes pain, limping, and reduced use of a rear leg. Early diagnosis matters because chronic pain and muscle loss can worsen without treatment.
Hypoglycemia in Puppies
Yorkie puppies can be prone to low blood sugar, especially when very young, stressed, or not eating well. Weakness, tremors, sleepiness, wobbliness, or collapse in a puppy should be treated as urgent.
Preventive Care Schedule
Yorkshire Terriers need the standard core vaccination schedule recommended by your veterinarian, with non-core vaccines based on lifestyle and local risk. Beyond routine vaccines, preventive care for this breed should emphasize dental health, orthopedic screening, and breeder health testing. Daily tooth brushing is ideal, and many Yorkies benefit from professional dental cleanings throughout life because toy breeds are especially prone to periodontal disease. Ask your veterinarian to monitor the knees at wellness visits for patellar luxation, and investigate any chronic cough, noisy breathing, exercise intolerance, or repeated gagging because Yorkies are at high risk for tracheal collapse. For puppies or dogs from breeders, ask whether the parents had OFA-recommended screening such as patella evaluation, ophthalmologist evaluation, and breed-club guided liver screening including serum bile acids when indicated. Young Yorkies with poor growth, GI signs, neurologic episodes, or urinary crystals should be evaluated promptly for a congenital liver shunt. Regular weight checks also matter because extra weight can worsen breathing and joint problems.
When to Use Telehealth for Your Yorkshire Terrier
Telehealth can be especially helpful for Yorkie owners when you are trying to decide how urgent a problem is. Common breed-specific use cases include a new cough that is mild but not causing distress, questions about whether a harness may be better than a collar, repeated reverse-sounding coughing fits, dental concerns like bad breath or tartar buildup, limping or intermittent skipping that could suggest a luxating patella, picky eating in a tiny puppy, and questions about post-dental or post-surgical recovery. A telehealth vet can help you triage whether your dog can be monitored, needs a same-week appointment, or should go to an emergency hospital. Telehealth is not enough for a Yorkie with labored breathing, blue or gray gums, collapse, seizures, severe weakness, major trauma, or sudden inability to use a limb—those signs need in-person veterinary care immediately.
Yorkshire Terrier Health FAQs
What health problems are Yorkshire Terriers most prone to?
Should I use a collar or harness for a Yorkie?
How often do Yorkies need dental care?
How can I tell if my Yorkie’s cough is an emergency?
What health testing should I ask a Yorkshire Terrier breeder about?
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute veterinary medical advice. Reading this content does not establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship. Every pet is different — always consult a licensed veterinarian before making decisions about your pet's health, diet, or care. If you'd like personalized guidance, you can talk to one of our vets. If your pet is experiencing a medical emergency, contact your local emergency animal hospital immediately.