If so, then you might be worried about how long they live. On average, Yorkies can live around 13 to 16 years , but some can make it all the way up to 20 or more! However, the life expectancy of a Yorkshire terrier varies greatly depending on what factors may affect their health, such as genetics or lifestyle choices, such as diet and exercise.
Yorkshire Terriers are susceptible to common dog health issues, especially the ones that commonly plague their breed, that can potentially lead to early deaths.
This is impressive compared to other breeds — with averages as low as 5 to 8 years. There are, however, some differences in range within the breed.
For example, female Yorkies, on average, outlive their male counterparts by about 1. Generally, all breeds of Yorkies such as the Biewer and Parti Yorkies have this same life expectancy.
Teacup Yorkies on the other hand have an uncharacteristically low average for small breeds with a life span of 7 to 9 years. One of the main reasons why Yorkies live so long for dogs is their general health status.
These teddy bear-like pooches have been bred to near perfection over the centuries and are largely healthier than most other dogs out there. However, their problems are fewer and often easier to deal with. So if you take care of your little one properly, they will be around to bug you with their never-ending energy for a good long while. In addition to the general good health Yorkies enjoy, they also benefit from the paradoxical relationship between dog breed sizes and lifespans.
Typically in nature, larger species tend to survive longer. However, with dogs, it is the opposite, with small breeds outliving their larger counterparts with up to decades in lifespan difference. The key theory proposed to explain this is the difference in metabolism and clearance of toxins.
Small dog breeds , like Yorkies, have more efficient systems and therefore suffer less DNA deterioration and toxin accumulation. Yorkies live long, but their lives are not always problem-free, especially when it comes to wellness. While they are typically healthy and energetic, there are several health problems you may have to deal with.
You may have paid a low price for your Yorkie or even received one as a free gift , but chances are it came with some innate health problems. Some of the illnesses are specific to Yorkies, while others are to be expected with most if not all small dog breeds. Here are 4 of the most common illnesses. Dental problems are one of the most common health issues for Yorkies.
Retained milk teeth can affect them greatly, as it leaves their gums sore and painful to chew. This is where the puppy teeth fail to fall out. In addition to being uncomfortable and making eating a little annoying for the pooch, the problem is associated with dental cavities and should be handled promptly. Yorkies are typically very adventurous when it comes to what counts as food to them.
Without proper training, the little furry buddies will make a meal out of anything, and this is the main cause of their gut problems, from ulcers to chronic diarrhea and vomiting. These problems are also common with aging Yorkies due to deteriorating gut health. Yorkshire dogs also suffer from a range of genetic anomalies. These tamper with the overall quality of life of the Yorkie, like causing it to stink or have some mood swings. If left unchecked, they could lower their survival rate.
Hypoglycemia is a very common problem among small breeds, especially Yorkies. These little ones love to play and are constantly off somewhere exploring or getting into trouble. If their calorie intake does not match their active lifestyle and feisty personalities, there is always a risk of hypoglycemia.
This is when the blood sugar levels are lower than what is required to keep them healthy and functioning. It could present as something simple as lethargy or serious complications, including hypoglycemic comas.
A common indicator of lethargy is a less enthusiastic wagging of the tail. If not, as Yorkies like to bark, the frequency of barking can be a good substitute. What is unique about Yorkies, in general, is that for the most part, diseases that afflict them most of their lives contribute only a small portion to the main causes of their death.
There are 3 main causes of death most of which are associated with old age in Yorkies. In addition to complications from the aforementioned illnesses, this is what Yorkies usually die from:.
Cancers that commonly afflict Yorkies include lymphomas, skin cancers, bone cancers, and mammary tumors. The problem is that they are often caught late, resulting in high mortality. Despite being one of the leading causes, it happens to be one of the easiest to prevent, with studies proving high effectiveness in reducing risk by spaying.
Yorkies may be small, but when they fall, they fall hard. The problem is that they are not the most agile of breeds, so if you drop them or they run into hard surfaces, their reflexes are not always fast enough to avoid injuries. It could also be other accidents, including accidental trampling or getting run over. Whatever the case, head injuries are the main causes of death with trauma. You can expect some intense diarrhea and vomiting, causing a fatal dehydration pretty rapidly.
It is incredibly contagious for any unvaccinated Yorkie. Yorkshire Terriers hold the third highest rate of deaths by respiratory disease in dogs, behind the Bulldog at The three types of respiratory illness that Yorkies have been found to be susceptible to are pulmonary fibrosis, brachycephalic airway syndrome, and collapsed trachea.
As far as senior dogs are concerned, gradual degenerative changes expected with old age that can disrupt normal lung performance can cause the lungs to become more vulnerable to airborne toxins and pathogens. Remember that Yorkshire Terriers are very prone to collapsed trachea but there is something you can do to prevent it. Always use a soft no-pull dog harness instead of a collar on your Yorkie.
Accounting for A variety of cancers, such as mast cell tumors, mammary gland tumors, lymphoma, bone cancer, and soft tissue sarcomas are all fairly common among Yorkshire Terriers. If your female Yorkie is spayed, the risk of developing mammary cancer is greatly decreased. Trauma is the second leading cause of death for Yorkie pups, and the 3 rd leading cause for adults.
All of these examples could have been avoided, and were it not for incidents like these the average Yorkshire Terrier life span would increase dramatically. The fourth leading cause of death among Yorkshire Terriers is congenital disease. Congenital disease makes up Liver shunts, also referred to as portosystemic shunts, are something of a common occurrence in Yorkies.
In the US alone, Yorkshire Terriers have a greater chance by a factor of 36 of developing liver shunts than all other purebred dogs put together. This condition causes an inadequate level of blood flow to the liver, and can sometimes be fatal.
Despite being born with the condition, the pup may show no signs until the age of 1 or above. The following are some symptoms your Yorkie may show should their blood vessel may have been shunted:. While it is possible for some dogs to live with this condition so long as being treated by non-invasive means, the lifespan of the dog will be reduced dramatically.
Moderate to severe cases are treated with surgery. If you find that your Yorkie has a liver shunt the owner of this site strongly encourages you to check out doglivershunt. There are many things you can do to give your Yorkie as long a life as possible, especially when it comes to causes of death such as trauma.
As mentioned before, infections are the number 1 cause of death with regards to Yorkie puppies, and are absolutely a concern for older dogs as well. You should not be taking your Yorkie beyond the boundaries of your property until no fewer than 2 weeks after bringing them home, and should any other animals have access to the yard then your pup should be kept under close guard and not allowed anywhere near any urine or feces, from pets or otherwise.
If you reside in an area highly populated with wildlife, speak to your vet with regards to the possible need for the leptospirosis vaccine. Watch out for items such as:. Some of the symptoms to be expected should any of the above items be ingested include a loss of appetite, diarrhea and vomiting. Information from the same report we spoke about earlier suggests that the Yorkshire Terrier is in the top five dog breeds most likely to die from a congenital disease. Generally, Yorkies are not that susceptible to hereditary illness, but the prevalent one is Liver Shunt.
All puppies require vaccinating within their first few weeks. They are ultra-important because they allow catching an illness in the early stages. We spoke of this earlier; the number one cause of Yorkie puppy deaths is trauma. The Yorkie will always be under your feet. So an immense amount of care needs to be taken to prevent the puppy from accidentally dying from trauma. Suppose you have children teach them precisely how to handle tiny, fragile dogs.
They need to learn to show the dog respect and realize they feel pain, and their bones can snap all too easily. Teeth that fall out because of decay also pose problems for dogs when eating their food. Extend the life of your Yorkie by brushing his teeth at least times each week. Cleaning will not remove the tartar on his teeth already there, but it will prevent more from forming.
What food you feed your Yorkie will have a direct impact on his health and longevity. Your Yorkie must eat high-quality food. A good source of vitamins and minerals, proteins, fats, and carbohydrates make up the balanced diet your Yorkie must have to stay fit and well. Quality dog food will have the labels to prove it.
Try not to feed him your leftover table food. There will be higher levels of ingredients his tiny body cannot take. Like Humans exercising your Yorkie is an essential part of his everyday routine. Combining a healthy, nutritious diet with the right kind of exercise are the two main cornerstones of his health regime. However small they may be, they are still a dog at heart.
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