I had always thought that yorkies, being the adorable tiny breed they are, would have a healthier life than most dog breeds. Turns out that is true to a certain extent.
Just how long do Yorkies live? On average, Yorkies can live around 13 to 16 years. That is a few years longer than the average dog’s lifespan.
Having said that, Yorkshire Terriers are still susceptible to common dog health issues, especially the ones that commonly plague their breed, that can potentially lead to early deaths. Events like pregnancy and heat cycle may also cause unforeseen mishaps for these toy breeds, especially teacup Yorkies due to the stress of housing a baby in their already tiny body.
Before we take a look at some of these common health problems of Yorkshire Terriers, let’s examine the factors that may have contributed to their slightly longer life expectancy.
The average lifespan for the Yorkshire dog breed is 13-16 years.
This is pretty impressive compared to other breeds with averages as low as 4 to 6 years. There are, however, some differences in range within the breed. For example, female Yorkies on average outlive their male counterparts by about 1.5 years.
The other breeds of Yorkies like the Biewer and Parti Yorkies also boast similar longevity.
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. It doesn’t matter whether you have a pure pooch or a hybrid.
This does not mean that they don’t get sick or deteriorate with age. 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’s 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 breed dogs 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.
If you got your Yorkie from a rescue at a cheap price or even free, chances are that they may have innate health problems already.
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 of these illnesses.
Dental problems are a huge issue with yorkies with retained milk teeth taking the top spot. This is where the puppy teeth fail to fall out. The growing adult teeth therefore have to fight for space in the tiny dog’s mouth. 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.t
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 diarrhoea and vomiting. These problems are also common with ageing yorkies due to deteriorating gut health.
Yorkshire dogs also suffer from a range of genetic anomalies. These range from abnormal eyelash positions and skeletal malformation to hormonal abnormalities, like Cushing’s syndrome.
These tamper with the overall quality of life 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 your Yorkie did not have its tail docked, you can use their tails’ activity as an indicator. If not, as Yorkies like to bark, the frequency of barking can be a good substitute.
What is unique about yorkies and small dog breeds 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. With this dog in particular, there are 3 main causes of death most of which are associated with old age. 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 the 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.
This has for a long time been the leading cause of death not only among yorkies but many popular small dog breeds. It is an unpredictable and often inevitable consequence of age. Fibrosis of the lungs and tracheal collapse are the most common issues among Yorkies in this case. In addition to making breathing difficult, they make the little one more prone to respiratory infections which ultimately lead to death.
Unfortunately, dog’s can’t talk to us and tell us when and where it hurts. This means that for the most part, our furry besties suffer for a long time in silence before their agony is evident enough for us to pick up on. However, there are certain clues that could help you figure out when something is wrong so you can take prompt action.
Yorkies are usually ravenous little beasts that will eat anything they deem tasty.
So if your little one starts leaving their food bowl empty you need to be alarmed.
Poor appetite is the most common universal symptom and could be as a result of anything from a stomach bug to illness-related lethargy.
The level of activity is something else you could keep an eye on.
If your usually active Yorkie is all of a sudden super chill and constantly tired then something could be wrong.
Try giving them their favorite dog treat to eat in case it is hypoglycemia. If this does not work and they still feel lethargic, you need to get the little one checked out in case it is a more serious problem.
Yorkies have very sensitive skin and coats. More often than not, problems with internal systems present with altered coat appearance. This could be in the form of rashes or even hair loss. In skin conditions like cancer, you may also notice lesions like abnormal growths or ulceration.
Finally, your doggy’s bowel movements serve as a major clue for a sick and/or dying yorkie. Here, look out for frequency of movements, their consistency and presence of things like blood, mucous or worms. Excessive diarrhoea and vomiting are common, potentially life-threatening complications of many yorkie illnesses and should therefore never be ignored.
Yorkies are generally very easy to maintain especially when it comes to health and overall well-being. To help you out, here are 5 tips to help your little one live to their full life span potential.
This includes feeding them foods that have been proven to be safe and beneficial to them. So make the effort to learn foods that should be particularly avoided with yorkies and dogs in general. It also means feeding them in appropriate intervals and quantities to prevent issues like obesity of hypoglycemia.
This is important for musculoskeletal health, maintaining healthy metabolism and the general well-being of the pooch. It is particularly important with this breed as they are prone to muscle and joint problems which in turn lead to complications like obesity. So get ahead of this problem and make life easier for your pooch with that occasional walk or backyard playtime.
This should go without saying not only for Yorkshire dogs but any breed you may have. Make a habit of investing in your furry friend’s health by taking them to the doctor regularly. This means they keep up with their shots and deworming as well as picking up on any early signs of serious conditions.
Something as simple as training could save you and your dog a lot of anguish down the line. Discipline training will help prevent things like trauma whether it is from running into the street or falling down the stairs. It also includes training on what they can and can’t eat to spare them upset tummies, as well as potty training to maintain proper hygiene. Ideally, these dog trainings should start young when it is easier for them to learn and for you to train.
No matter how good the dog brand you settle for is, your yorkie could always benefit from additional supplements. These provide additional nutrients and compounds needed for the pooch to thrive.
A fantastic option is Doggie Dailies Glucosamine for Dogs. The soft chewables contain vitamins, minerals and compounds like glucosamine that are ideal for protecting your yorkie from bone and joint related health problems like hypoplasia of dens, Legg–Calvé–Perthes syndrome and luxating patellas.
Another great supplement to try is TOMLYN High Calorie-Nutritional Gel. This is a high-calorie ideal for picky eaters or dogs with poor appetite. With a small squeeze of this every now and then, you can protect your 4-legged bestie from hypoglycemia.
Longest Living Yorkie: The longest living yorkie in recorded history was a male pooch from Britain known as Jack. He lived up to 26 years which is an entire decade above the expected lifespan. Despite the numerous health problems from arthritis to incontinence, it was a fatal attack from a terrier that ended this little one’s long life.
How Long Do Yorkies Sleep? Yorkies generally do three things all their lives. Eat, play, and sleep. And with how much playing they do, it is no wonder that they are always tuckered out. In fact, Yorkshire Terriers have one of the longest sleeping cycles with a daily average of 15 to 20 hours of sleep.
Why Do Yorkies Shake? Yorkies shake for 2 main groups of reasons. The first is psychological in which case the tremors are as a result of anxiety. It could be social anxiety in unfamiliar places or separation anxiety when you as the owner leave them. The second possible set of reasons are physical. The main cause here is hypoglycemia but it could also be due to seizure disorders.
Pete Decker is the Lead Editor at The Goody Pet. He is a passionate wildlife educator and loves to share his experiences on pets. During his free time, you can find him cozying around his 2 adorable Labradors (Tobi & Kobi).
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