How Long Does a Yorkshire Terrier Live?
Many people wonder how long a Yorkie lives. According to research, the average lifespan of Yorkies is 11 to 15 years, though some breeds live longer. Some common health problems can affect your Yorkshire Terrier, including collapsing tracheas, luxating patellas, hypothyroidism, and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. Additionally, Yorkshire terriers are prone to portosystemic shunt, which can result in a shorter life span.
The first step to keeping your Yorkie healthy is to get them vaccinated against leptospirosis. This potentially deadly disease damages a dog’s liver and kidneys and is contracted through contact with infected urine from wild animals. Though leptospirosis vaccination is voluntary in many areas, veterinarians recommend it for dogs that spend a lot of time near wildlife, which often includes Yorkshire Terriers.
The Yorkshire Terrier is a toy breed, so it’s important to remember that smaller Yorkies are at greater health risks than larger ones. Their bones are less sturdy, so they don’t have enough room to develop strong teeth. Their internal organs are also weak, so if they don’t grow properly, they could fail suddenly, causing hypoglycemic shock. The shorter a Yorkie’s life span, the higher its health risk.
The longer it lives, the better, and Yorkies are great companions.
With proper training, they can be great pets. However, they aren’t known for their intelligence and aren’t very sensitive to extreme temperatures. If you know the right breeder, your Yorkshire Terrier will be a joy and a companion for years to come. So, consider adopting a Yorkie today!
If you are considering a Yorkshire Terrier as your companion, you’ll probably be surprised to learn how long they live. Unlike other breeds, their coat is silky and straight, shedding minimally. Initially, they are black, with blue and tan markings gradually emerging. Puppies that lighten too early often turn gray. The average Yorkshire Terrier lives only about five years.
Yorkies are good watchdogs and excellent companions, but they can be quite aggressive toward strangers and other small animals. As a result, Yorkshire terriers are best kept on a leash or in a fenced yard. They do well with cats and other dogs, but they may become snappy if they are left alone for extended periods. If you have children, you might want to consider adopting a puppy as a way to bond with a new family member. If your children are younger, make sure that they are around as Yorkies can be highly excitable when startled.
Yorkshire terriers can live as long as 20 to 30 years, but they can live much longer.
There are three sizes of Yorkshire Terriers: teacup Yorkies, standard Yorkies, and giant Yorkies. The teacup Yorkie has the smallest lifespan of any of the three Yorkie breeds. Its lifespan is similar to those of Poodles, Pomeranians, and Maltese.
Many Yorkies have one of the most common orthopedic conditions – Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. This is a degenerative disease, mainly found in small-breed dogs. It presents itself in puppies around five to eight months of age. It causes the head of the femur to degenerate, which is responsible for smoother leg swings. In some cases, it can be treated with medication and surgery. A Yorkie’s patella is also susceptible to Patella Luxation, a malformation of the knee joint, resulting in a dislocation.
Yorkshire terriers shed little and require regular brushing. Brushing and combing are necessary to keep their coat looking beautiful. Regular trimming is also important, and a professional groomer can help you decide which style will suit your lifestyle best. A Yorkshire Terrier’s short coat is easier to care for than a long one, but a full show coat requires several hours of grooming every week.
Meet Rose Camilla, an expert in the Terrier dog breed and an active writer and publisher. Camilla has been working with Terriers for over 12 years and her passion for them has only grown stronger with time. She has dedicated her life to understanding, training, and writing about Terriers.
