How Long Do Yorkshire Terriers Live?
This page contains affiliate links. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post through our independently chosen links, which earn us a commission. Learn More
The Yorkshire Terrier, also known as the Broken-Haired Scotch Terrier, is a toy breed dog of the terrier type that was created in Yorkshire, England, during the 19th century.
This breed of dog is friendly and great for families with older children. But how long do Yorkshire Terriers live?
In this article, we discuss the Yorkshire Terrier’s lifespan, what can affect their livelihood, and some tips to make sure they live long and healthy lives.
The Life Expectancy of the Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terriers are strong, healthy dogs with a lifespan of 13–16 years, with a median age of 14.5 years. They have a longer lifespan than other breeds, with females living 1.5 years longer than males.
The average lifespan of domesticated dogs is 12.67 years in the US, 12.8 years in Canada, and 11.08 years in the UK.
However, when considering deaths from trauma, the number drops to 11.1 years. Female Yorkshire Terriers typically live longer than males, at a rate of one to one and a half years.
Do Different-Size Yorkshire Terriers Have Longer Lifespans?
The Yorkshire Terrier breed comes in three sizes to begin with. They come in teacup, standard, and giant sizes.
The standard Yorkie is also known as the toy Yorkie, whereas the teacup Yorkie is also referred to as a mini Yorkie.
Let’s look at the lifespan of the various Yorkie sizes in more detail.
Teacup Yorkie Lifespan
The smallest variety of the Yorkshire Terrier breed is called a teacup Yorkie. Small dogs typically live longer than larger dogs. However, this is not the case for teacup Yorkies.
The teacup Yorkie only lives seven to nine years on average. Compared to giant and standard Yorkies, this is a few years shorter.
Standard Yorkie Lifespan
The Yorkshire Terrier, a medium-sized breed, is the typical Yorkie. In terms of size, these dogs are the “original” Yorkshire Terrier. The life expectancy of standard Yorkies is between 12 and 15 years old.
Standard Yorkies live about the same amount of time as Poodles, Maltese, and Pomeranians. One of the world’s longest life spans for dogs belongs to these dogs!
Giant Yorkie Lifespan
The most significant varieties of Yorkshire terriers are giant ones. However, these “giants” are not at all that big. These dogs are only slightly larger and taller than standard Yorkies, weighing a few extra pounds.
A giant Yorkie can live between 13 and 16 years, which is a little longer than a standard Yorkshire Terrier.
Leading Causes of Death in Adult Yorkie’s
The University of Georgia conducted a sizable study that classified the causes of death for 74,556 dogs between 1984 and 2004.
They discovered that respiratory diseases claimed 16% of Yorkshire Terrier lives.
Here are a few common respiratory diseases that can prove fatal:
Pulmonary Fibrosis: A disease called pulmonary fibrosis causes the lung tissue to scar. It is a disease that worsens over time and makes the lungs stiff and thick. The ability of the lungs to effectively transfer oxygen into the bloodstream eventually declines.
Dogs of all ages, especially terrier breeds, are typically affected, with the West Highland White Terrier being the most susceptible.
Collapsed Trachea: Significant breathing problems may result from the trachea’s cartilage rings narrowing. It is advised to use a Yorkie harness rather than their collar when attaching leashes to them because collapsed tracheas are common in small breeds.
Brachycephalic airway syndrome : Brachycephalic airway syndrome, which is the collective name for the abnormalities in the upper airway of the nose or soft palate, is a different respiratory condition that is occasionally mentioned in literature.
As a brachycephalic dog breed, Yorkshire Terriers are also susceptible to this condition, which typically affects dogs with shortened facial bones that give the face a pushed-in appearance, such as Boxers, Bulldogs, and Chinese Pugs.
The majority of the time, symptoms appear between one and four years of age. Due to increased effort to breathe properly, the syndrome frequently progresses to airway inflammation or heart strain.
Trauma: Since Yorkies are small even when fully grown, trauma is a major cause of death for adult Yorkshire Terriers as well as puppies.
Cancer: There are conflicting findings in scientific studies regarding Yorkie cancer rates. The Yorkie breed has high incident rates, according to a 2017 study.
According to a 2013 analysis of the scientific literature, the actual percentage is probably closer to just 1.34%. In any case, it seems that many cancers are curable if discovered in a timely manner.
Congenital Disease: A University of Georgia study reveals that Yorkshire Terriers are the fourth most likely breed to die from congenital illnesses, with 10.5% of them passing away. One of the most common congenital diseases is liver shunts, where the dog’s blood doesn’t reach the liver, preventing it from detoxifying chemicals and waste, leading to inadequate growth and development..
Leading Cause of Death in Yorkie Puppies 
Like puppies of all breeds, Yorkie puppies are more likely to pass away from illness in their first year than they are in the following four.
Parvovirus: Puppies are more susceptible to illnesses like parvovirus, which is spread through direct contact with infected dogs or animal waste. Despite 90% of puppies surviving, symptoms include severe diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, pain, weight loss, and swollen tissue. This disease typically affects puppies under 6 months old and can lead to death. An effective vaccine is given between 14 and 16 weeks of age. The virus spreads through the sneezing or coughing of infected dogs or wild animals, but it can also spread sporadically through shared water and food bowls. Symptoms include paralysis, convulsions, seizures, nasal discharge, vomiting, coughing, fever, and sluggishness.
Hypoglycemia: Under 5 months old, Yorkie puppies are most susceptible to hypoglycemia. The puppy can quickly become upset when its blood sugar levels fall too low. It could endanger your life if it is not corrected right away.
Leptospirosis: Leptospirosis is caused by spirochete bacteria, found in damp areas with standing water or mud, and is often carried by wild animals like rats, raccoons, and domestic animals. Dogs can get sick by drinking contaminated water or contact with infected urine. The disease is most severe in unvaccinated puppies under 6 months old. Regular vaccinations for puppies are not given, so discussing vaccination with a veterinarian is recommended if your Yorkie is frequently exposed to wildlife-infested water areas.
Distemper: Canine distemper is a similarly dangerous and contagious illness. It is brought on by a virus similar to rabies that affects the nervous, gastrointestinal, and respiratory systems of puppies and dogs. Those who survive the distemper typically experience permanent nervous system damage.
Trauma: Unfortunately, one of the main causes of death for Yorkie puppies is trauma. Children frequently find Yorkie puppies to be utterly adorable, but they are frequently unaware of the puppy’s vulnerability when playing. By being too rough, it is easy to unintentionally hurt a Yorkie puppy.
A fall caused by being dropped, a trip down the stairs, or being stepped on can be fatal due to their small, delicate bodies.
Yorkies can hurt themselves if you slam on the brakes or collide with another vehicle in your car. They can also easily navigate their way underfoot without your knowledge.
How to Extend Your Yorkshire Terrier’s Life
While your Yorkshire Terrier’s lifespan is influenced by genetics and proper breeding practices, it is also influenced by the care he receives.
Examples of proper care are:
- Feeding a high quality diet
- Regularly grooming
- Providing exercise daily
- Providing shelter and keeping indoors
- Arranging for regular preventative veterinary examinations and care. And if necessary, schedule immediate veterinary care
- Recognize when your dog is acting unusual, in order to quickly make arrangements for veterinary care
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Getting regular veterinary dental cleaning
Final Thoughts
One of the dog breeds with the longest life expectancies is the Yorkshire Terrier. Yorkies are typically healthy dogs that require very little upkeep. Basically, if you want a dog that will be a lifelong companion, a Yorkie should be at the top of your list!
