Yorkshire Terrier knees, weight and aging: what to watch and when
Watch the kneecaps, the windpipe and the teeth. Yorkies have 5.5 times the odds of patellar luxation compared with crossbreeds, and a UK life expectancy of about 12.5 years.
Yorkshire Terrier at a glance
The short version
- Patellar luxation is the main joint risk: 5.4% of Yorkshire Terriers in an English study of 210,824 dogs had it, against 1.3% of all dogs.
- Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, a hip problem of small breeds, usually shows between 4 and 11 months of age.
- UK life expectancy is about 12.5 years, so by the AAHA rule a Yorkie is a senior from about age 9 to 10.
- A goose-honk cough points to the windpipe, and 22.2% of Yorkies in a UK study had periodontal disease diagnosed in one year.
A Yorkshire Terrier owner should watch the kneecaps first, then the windpipe and the teeth. Yorkies are long-lived, so small problems have many years to add up, and most of them are easier to manage when caught early.
What is a Yorkshire Terrier built for?
The Yorkie began as a working terrier in 19th-century Yorkshire, England, where its vermin-hunting skills were put to use in textile mills and workers' housing.2 The AKC standard now describes "a long-haired toy terrier" and sets one size rule: weight "must not exceed seven pounds."1
A body that light carries little load, so the large-breed hip and elbow problems are not the story here. The weak points are small-dog ones: a kneecap that can slip out of place, a hip that can lose its blood supply during growth, and a windpipe held open by cartilage rings that can weaken.
Which joint and mobility problems are Yorkies prone to?
| Condition | What it is | When it tends to show |
|---|---|---|
| Patellar luxation | The kneecap slips out of its groove; it can lead to lameness, osteoarthritis and pain3 | Median age at diagnosis across all breeds was 4.0 years3 |
| Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease | Blood supply to the ball of the hip is disrupted, the bone weakens, and arthritis follows4 | Most often between 4 and 11 months of age, usually in one hip4 |
Patellar luxation has the strongest evidence. In a study of 210,824 dogs at 119 veterinary clinics in England, 1.3% of all dogs had a diagnosis, compared with 5.4% of Yorkshire Terriers. After adjusting for other factors, Yorkies had 5.5 times the odds of crossbred dogs.3 These are primary-care records from England, so they describe diagnosed cases, and US numbers may differ. Only 13.2% of new cases in that study went to surgery.3
Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease is a young-dog condition. Cornell's canine health center names Yorkshire Terriers among the small breeds affected and lists limping, pain when the hip is touched, stiffness and loss of thigh muscle as signs.4 We found no reliable percentage for the breed.
We also looked for evidence on fractures from jumps and falls in toy breeds and could not verify a figure, so we leave it out.
How long do Yorkies live, and when is one a senior?
UK life tables built from 30,563 veterinary death records give the Yorkshire Terrier a life expectancy of 12.5 years from birth (12.54, 95% CI 12.30–12.77), against 11.2 years for all dogs.7 That is UK data, and US dogs may differ.
The American Animal Hospital Association defines the senior stage as the last 25% of estimated lifespan.8 Our arithmetic: 75% of 12.5 years is a little over 9 years. A Yorkie is a senior from about age 9 to 10.
What else should a Yorkie owner watch?
- Tracheal collapse. The cartilage rings of the windpipe weaken and flatten. The American College of Veterinary Surgeons names Yorkshire Terriers among the breeds most affected, usually in middle age or later. The typical sign is a harsh, dry cough "that sounds like a goose honking," often when the dog is picked up or the collar is pulled.5
- Dental disease. In a UK study of 22,333 dogs, 12.5% were diagnosed with periodontal disease in a year; for Yorkshire Terriers it was 22.2%. Dogs under 15 kg had 2.5 times the risk of dogs weighing 30–40 kg.6
What can you do at home?
Watch the weight. On a dog this size, a few ounces is a real percentage. Veterinary surgeons list being overweight as a risk for tracheal collapse and put weight loss first in its medical management.5 Weigh your Yorkie monthly on the same scale.
Mind the neck. Coughing when the collar is pulled is a listed sign of a weak windpipe.5 Ask your veterinarian whether a harness suits your dog better.
Exercise. General guidance, not a study result: regular walks keep the thigh muscles working around the knee. Note any change in how he uses his back legs.
Check tonight
On your evening walk, watch your Yorkie's back legs from behind for two minutes. Look for a skipped step: one hind leg carried for a stride or two, then put back down as if nothing happened. Note which leg and how often. Do not try to feel or move the kneecap yourself. That is an exam for your veterinarian.
What should you ask your veterinarian?
When to call your veterinarian
- Go now: difficulty breathing or fainting, which can occur with tracheal collapse.5
- Call the same day: a back leg held up and not put down again, or a puppy under a year old that limps or cries when the hip is touched.4
- Book a visit: a honking cough, a skip that keeps coming back, bad breath or red gums.
Questions to bring:
- "Can you check both kneecaps and tell me the grade?" The breed's national club recommends a patella evaluation and an ophthalmologist eye exam.9
- "How do his teeth look, and how often should they be cleaned?"
- "He coughs when excited or on the leash. Could it be his trachea?"
- "What should he weigh?"
Quick answers
Are Yorkshire Terriers prone to luxating patella?
Yes. In an English study of 210,824 dogs, 5.4% of Yorkshire Terriers had patellar luxation diagnosed, compared with 1.3% of all dogs, and Yorkies had 5.5 times the odds of crossbreeds.
How long do Yorkshire Terriers live?
UK veterinary life tables give the Yorkshire Terrier a life expectancy of about 12.5 years from birth, compared with 11.2 years for all dogs. US figures may differ.
Why does my Yorkie cough like a goose?
A harsh, dry, honking cough is the typical sign of tracheal collapse, which veterinary surgeons say is most common in small breeds including Yorkshire Terriers. Book a veterinary visit, and go immediately if your dog struggles to breathe.
Sources
- American Kennel Club. Official Standard of the Yorkshire Terrier
- American Kennel Club. Yorkshire Terrier History: Where the Breed Originated
- Canine Genetics and Epidemiology (O'Neill et al.) (2016). The epidemiology of patellar luxation in dogs attending primary-care veterinary practices in England
- Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Riney Canine Health Center. Avascular necrosis of the femoral head (Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease) in dogs
- American College of Veterinary Surgeons. Tracheal Collapse
- Royal Veterinary College (2021). Clinical Connections, Autumn 2021: VetCompass periodontal disease study
- Scientific Reports (Teng et al.) (2022). Life tables of annual life expectancy and mortality for companion dogs in the United Kingdom
- American Animal Hospital Association (2019). Canine Life Stage Definitions (2019 AAHA Canine Life Stage Guidelines)
- American Kennel Club. Toy Group Health Testing Requirements
Written by the Tailwise editorial team from the sources above. We are not veterinarians, and this article is not veterinary advice. If something here matches what you see in your dog, talk to your veterinarian.
More years. Better years.
