Yorkshire Terrier Health: What the UK Vet Records Show
UK Yorkshire Terriers lived a median of 13.56 years in one records study. Their common problems were teeth, baby teeth that don't fall out, and kneecaps.
Written by thecanineledger
A study of UK vet records found that “Among the 464/3,308 (14.03%) Yorkshire Terriers that died during the study period, the median age at death was 13.56 years” (O’Neill et al., Companion Animal Health and Genetics 2025). The authors conclude that “Overall, the Yorkshire Terrier has high longevity, which is suggestive of robust overall health.”
While a long life is good news, the records also show three problems that are more common in Yorkies than in dogs overall. This page sets out what they are.
1. The study
The dogs. Researchers used VetCompass, a database of anonymised UK primary-care records. Of 905,542 dogs under care in 2016, 28,032 were Yorkshire Terriers, or 3.10%. The team read the full records of 3,308 of them at random.
The data is from 2016. The paper was published in 2025, but the records are almost a decade older.
Fewer Yorkies. The share of new puppies that were Yorkies fell from 3.54% in 2005 to 2.15% in 2016.
Funding. The work was supported by the Kennel Club Charitable Trust and a pet insurer.
Our note: The records are from 2016.
2. Teeth
Gum disease. “In the present study, periodontal disease was similarly the disease most commonly diagnosed in Yorkshire Terriers, with a much higher prevalence of 21.10%, that is almost twice as high as the overall prevalence in dogs.” Periodontal disease is disease of the gums and the tissue that holds the teeth.
Baby teeth that stay. “Persistent deciduous teeth are defined as deciduous teeth that remain in the mouth at the same time as their permanent counterparts have erupted”. Deciduous teeth are baby teeth. In Yorkies, 3.57% had this recorded, more than three times the rate in dogs overall. The median age of affected dogs was 1.79 years.
What the authors advise. “Therefore, persistent deciduous teeth are recommended to be extracted as early as possible”. They suggest owners watch their puppy’s adult teeth come through. The paper says a full set of adult teeth is usually in by about seven months.
Our note: The study doesn’t say when to check a Yorkie puppy’s teeth. Ask your vet.
→ Dental Disease in Dogs: What Brushing Can and Can’t Do
3. Kneecaps
What it is. Patellar luxation is a kneecap that slips out of its groove. The authors say most cases are developmental, and that it can lead to arthritis in the knee later.
How common. “In the present study, Yorkshire Terriers had a 3.42% prevalence of patellar luxation, which is substantially higher than the 1.04% prevalence reported previously in dogs overall in the UK”.
Our note: We have no source on the signs owners might notice, such as skipping or holding up a back leg.
4. Other common problems, and causes of death
Everyday problems. After gum disease, the most common were overgrown nails, at 6.47%, anal sac impaction, at 3.99%, and being overweight, at 3.72%.
Causes of death. The most common groups were brain disorders, at 9.79% of deaths, and kidney disorders, at 8.73%.
Small dogs. The median adult weight was 5.06 kg.
5. The authors’ view on the breed
The authors note the falling numbers of pedigree Yorkies. They suggest that relaxing the breed’s size limit and allowing crossing with other breeds could produce a larger and perhaps more robust type. That is their opinion, not a finding of the study.
6. If you have, or want, a Yorkie
- Keep up with teeth from puppyhood.
- Watch the adult teeth come through, and ask your vet if baby teeth are still there alongside them.
- Keep your dog lean, since weight adds load on the knees.
Our note: These points are ours, including the weight point.
→ Choosing a Breed or a Mix: The Health Data Breeders Don’t Lead With · → Breed and Lifespan: What the UK Primary-Care Data Shows
7. What we could not verify
| Commonly said | What we found |
|---|---|
| “Yorkies are long-lived” | Yes, in UK records. Median age at death was 13.56 years. |
| “Yorkies have bad teeth” | Gum disease was common, at 21.10%, almost twice the rate in dogs overall. |
| “Baby teeth fall out on their own” | Not always. Retained baby teeth were recorded in 3.57% of Yorkies. |
Sources
- O’Neill DG, Witkowska SD, Brodbelt DC, et al. Yorkshire Terriers under primary veterinary care in the UK - demography and disorders. Companion Anim Health Genet 2025: VetCompass study, 28,032 Yorkshire Terriers in 2016. Supported by the Kennel Club Charitable Trust and a pet insurer
Always confirm with your vet before acting on anything on this page.