How long do Yorkshire terriers live at home?

Breed Features

Yorkies, or Yorkshire terriers, are a miniature breed of dog originally bred to hunt rats and other small rodents. Today they are not used for working purposes, but are actively kept as pets. By adulthood, the dog's weight should vary from 2.3 to 3.2 kg; due to their fast metabolism, they are not prone to weight gain.

By modern standards, Yorkies are a long-haired breed. Their fur should fall straight down to the sides, with a possible parting from the nose to the tail. The yellow-brown coat is similar to human hair, rarely falls out and requires regular care and washing. Despite the decorative appearance, the dog should have a well-developed body, straight and graceful posture. The paws are straight and evenly covered with hair. The hind limbs should be almost at right angles. Until recently, the tail was docked; since 2009, this has not been a prerequisite for participation in the exhibition.

Signs of illness

For timely diagnosis of Yorkie diseases, you should know about their main manifestations. Any illness causes a serious blow to the dog’s well-being. The first alarm bells are weakness, lethargy and loss of appetite.

Yorkies are very active, so if the pet has stopped playing and having fun, or is trying to hide somewhere, the owner should show it to the doctor as soon as possible. Disorders in the gastrointestinal tract are characterized by diarrhea or constipation, vomiting, excessive salivation, and convulsions.

Signs that a Yorkie has problems with the musculoskeletal system are unnatural position of the limbs and lameness. If a dog whines when walking, this is also an alarming symptom.

This is interesting: How to recognize and treat conjunctivitis in Yorkies?

Other signs of illness include scratching (including the ears, if there are ear mites), limited movement, shortness of breath, fever, and slow growth.

Expert opinion

Anna Abramenko

An avid dog lover. Experience in veterinary medicine since 2009.

Ask a Question

If a suspicious symptom or abnormality is detected, you should not try to cure the dog yourself. This will probably not bring results, and valuable time will be lost.

Baby face

In recent years, a variety of Yorkshire terrier called the baby face has gained great popularity. Their feature is a shortened muzzle and enlarged eyes, due to which a childish expression is achieved. With such a structure, the dog does not meet canine standards and is the reason for refusal to participate in exhibitions. In addition, baby-face Yorkies are prone to chronic conjunctivitis, breathing problems and snoring - the reason for this pathology is the structural features of the skull.

Character

Yorkies retain the qualities of a true terrier - they are brave, inquisitive and active. They get along well with people and other animals and respond quickly to training. Yorkshire Terriers need attention, it is important for them to receive the owner's approval and play. They feel the mood of others and are able to adapt to it. To maintain health and increase life expectancy, high activity is a prerequisite for keeping Yorkies - games and walks in the open air are recommended.

https://youtu.be/zfsX1edCvqE

How many years do Yorkies live?

The average life expectancy of Yorkshire terriers is 12-15 years ; in history there are cases when dogs lived up to 18-20 years. It is believed that girls can live 1-1.5 years longer than boys, which is due to the physiological characteristics of their body.

Yorkies are a hardy and healthy breed. With proper care and proper nutrition, they can live a long and happy life. Unlike other breeds, they have few hereditary diseases, and deaths are more likely to occur due to injuries and similar causes, which is due to their size. The life expectancy of Mini Yorkies and babyfaces is lower than that of classic Yorkshire terriers.

What affects the life expectancy of mini Yorkies?

People who decide to get a decorative Yorkie, whose weight rarely reaches 2 kg, need to be prepared for the fact that the pet will not live long.
The longest-living dogs in this category were Yorkies, which lived up to 9 years, but otherwise, almost all “mini” dogs die at 6-7 years. The main reasons for such a short life expectancy are genetics, health problems and injuries. “Mini” Yorkies are much sicker than dogs from the “standard” category; they catch colds more quickly, suffer from ear infections, and have digestive problems. However, most often, owners bring dogs to the veterinary clinic that have been injured due to their own or human negligence.

Important! If a standard-sized Yorkshire Terrier jumps off a low sofa, nothing will happen to him. For a mini Yorkie, a careless jump can result in a broken spine and death.

A big mistake is buying a miniature puppy for a home with a small child. Very often, innocent games of children with decorative terriers end in the premature death of the animal and psychological trauma of the child. Those who have acquired a pet of this kind need to constantly look at their feet, check the bed and chairs before sitting or lying down. Even a slight blow or pressure can take the life of a mini puppy.

Important! Due to their low weight and body size, Mini Yorkies should not be used for breeding. Even if the female is able to become pregnant and carry to term, she will not survive childbirth, even if performed by caesarean section.

Main causes of death

The main causes of death of Yorkie puppies are infectious diseases (parvovirus, distemper, leptospirosis), so it is important to vaccinate in a timely manner and follow the rules for the first walk of the puppy. In addition, at a young age, dogs of this breed often die due to injuries and damage - this is due to their small size. The causes of death in adult Yorkies are:

• Oncological diseases . Dog cancer is a serious disease that requires a responsible approach from the owner and timely treatment. Yorkies are most often diagnosed with lymphoma, mammary cancer and sarcoma. It is believed that with early therapy, the length and quality of life of a pet can be significantly increased.
• Respiratory diseases . Diseases of the respiratory system occur in both puppies and adult dogs. Yorkies over 7 years of age are especially susceptible to these problems, as their lungs become less resistant to infections and toxins. The main causes of death in this group: tracheal collapse, pulmonary fibrosis.
• Injuries . One of the most common causes of death in puppies and adults. Yorkies regularly die from severe injuries to the head due to a fall from a height, a car accident, or the owner's carelessness (reasons: the dog was stepped on or knocked down the stairs). Deaths from injuries, unlike diseases, are much easier to avoid.
• Congenital pathologies . Due to the high popularity of the breed, more and more puppies are being born with developmental defects. These may include body defects, chronic liver or kidney diseases, and epilepsy. That is why it is important to be careful when choosing a breeder and carefully inspect the puppy before purchasing.

The quality and life expectancy of a dog largely depends on proper care, living conditions and genetic characteristics. That is why it is important for every owner to know how to provide their pet with everything necessary and the basic rules of first aid. You need to be especially careful if the following symptoms appear:

• weakness and refusal of activity;
• attacks of vomiting, diarrhea;
• increased thirst, frequent urination;
• unusual behavior;
• presence of mechanical damage on the body;
• seizures, loss of consciousness and convulsions.

If you notice any of these signs, you should contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. Timely diagnosis of the cause and early treatment significantly increase the dog’s chances of recovery.

Diseases that shorten several years for a Yorkie

Regular (not mini) Yorkies are a disease-resistant breed; they can still have a number of diseases:

1. Perthes' disease. This can be the cause of lameness, non-healing of the fontanel (common in minis), and irregular teeth changing.
2. Patella luxation
3. Low blood sugar
4. Allergy
5. Liver diseases
6. Damage to teeth and gums
7. Reaction to medications

Knowing how many years Yorkies live, you will be able to notice the onset of diseases in time and immediately contact a veterinarian who will guide you on the right path of treatment.

How to extend a dog's life

There are many ways you can increase your Yorkie's lifespan. Dogs require quality care and attention from the first days of life, so from puppyhood you should take a competent approach to keeping your pet. Useful tips:

• Vaccination . Infectious diseases are one of the main causes of death in dogs, so it is important to get all necessary vaccinations in a timely manner. In addition, you should remember that puppies cannot go outside until scheduled vaccination. Repeated procedures are carried out every year.
• Prevention of injuries . In an apartment where a Yorkshire Terrier lives, it is important to ensure the dog’s safety. All family members should be attentive and remember that there may be a pet underfoot. If there are stairs, all large spans must be secured with special devices. Be sure to teach your dog commands so that you can control its behavior on the street.
• Oral hygiene. Yorkies must have their teeth brushed regularly - the procedure removes tartar formation and also removes excess plaque. In advanced cases, pathogenic microorganisms accumulate in the oral cavity, causing the development of many diseases.
• Diet . Food has a huge impact on a dog's health and appearance. It is important to correctly prepare a regular diet, taking into account the characteristics of your Yorkie. It is best to prefer ready-made food that contains all the necessary vitamins, micro- and macroelements.
• Regular activity . Physical activity combined with diet is extremely beneficial for a dog's health. Since terriers were originally bred for hunting, they love active games and exploring the area. Walks should be carried out less than 2 times a day - in the morning and in the evening.
• Taking into account age characteristics. Older dogs require special attention and approach. For them, you need to select proper nutrition, reduce the time and activity of walking. After 7 years of age, the Yorkshire Terrier needs to be seen by a veterinarian at least twice a year.

If you do not plan to use your dog for reproduction, sterilization is recommended. This operation allows you to increase life expectancy and reduce the risk of diseases of the reproductive system. The procedure can be performed as early as 6 months without harm to health. Regardless of the age and condition of the dog, it is necessary to regularly visit the veterinarian for a preventive examination.

Features of feeding and caring for your Yorkie

Food for Yorkies is practically no different from food for other small decorative dogs. As for natural food, it is necessary that the pet’s diet is rich in vitamins and nutrients. To maintain good wool quality, ground flax grains and a little sulfur powder can be added to the main food. Flax will make your pet's fur shiny and silky, and sulfur will prevent hair loss.

Caring for a Yorkie involves purchasing things necessary for the dog’s comfortable existence. The pet’s “dowry” should include a bed, at least two bowls, a leash and collar (or harness), and toys. For convenience, you can purchase a special toilet tray and several diapers.

The coat, the main asset of doggies, must be well-groomed. To do this, your Yorkie must be combed at least once a day, washed with special shampoos, and taken to a groomer salon for trimming and treatment of nails.

It doesn’t matter to what age Yorkie girls and boys grow. The main thing is how they feel in the home of a caring owner.

Briefly about the main thing

1. The Yorkshire Terrier is a miniature dog that is often kept as a pet. Characteristic features of the breed are light weight, long hair without undercoat, and a playful character.
2. Yorkies live on average 12-15 years. The duration is influenced by hereditary characteristics and conditions of detention.
3. The main causes of death for Yorkies are injuries, respiratory and infectious diseases, and cancer.
4. To prolong life, it is important to choose the right food, take regular walks and regularly visit the veterinarian. It is important to get vaccinated on time and, if necessary, sterilize.

How long did your Yorkshire Terrier live? Share your impressions of keeping this amazing breed in the comments.