The Lifespan of a Yorkie

The Yorkshire terrier is a little active dog that, like a lot of little dogs, has a long life. A Yorkie lives about 12 to 15 years. The dog was bred by the working men of the West Riding area of Yorkshire, England. They needed a dog to bold enough catch and kill the rats and mice that lived in the clothing mills and mines where they worked. They also needed a dog small enough to enter fox and badger burrows.

  1. Health Concerns

    • Conditions that might impact a Yorkie's lifespan are some dogs being prone to a slipped stifle, bronchitis, eye infection or early tooth decay. Yorkies should get their teeth cleaned at the veterinarian when needed and should have dry food or bones to chew on to keep their teeth healthy. Yorkies can also have digestion problems and be intolerant of anesthesia. They can also suffer from herniated disks and can suffer fractures because of their fragile bones. Sometimes females have trouble giving birth and need Caesarean sections.

    Conformation

    • Small dogs tend to have a longer lifespan than large dogs. Some veterinarians believe that the size and weight of a large dog puts more stress on their internal organs and their bones, making them more subject to arthritis and other life shortening conditions. A healthy Yorkshire terrier stands 6 to 7 inches at the shoulder and weighs no more than 7 lbs. It has erect, V-shaped ears, straight legs, and round feet with black toenails. Its main feature is its long fine silky coat. In dogs whose coat is unclipped it sometimes looks like the animal is traveling on wheels when it walks, as its feet can't be seen. The coat of the body and tail are a dark steely blue, and the rest of the dog is tan, and it's the tradition to gather up the long hair on the head into a topknot tied with a bow, or parted and tied with two bows. The eyes are sparkling, medium sized, dark and have dark rims. Yorkie puppies are born black.

    Stressors

    • Yorkshires, as expected for a dog bred to fight rats and badgers, is brave and energetic. Because they're so small they're good for apartments, though they're sensitive to cold and like warm climates. The stress of being unprotected from winter's cold could lead to a decreased lifespan from hazards like frostbite and the illnesses that are more frequent in winter. Yorkies also need a daily walk aside from play; not being walked every day is a stressor that can lead to destructive or anxious behavior.

    Grooming

    • A dog with such fine, long silky hair must be groomed regularly. A clipped coat needs to be combed and brushed daily to weekly, and a full coat needs hours of grooming, which is why some pet owners simply clip the coat. A badly groomed coat can't properly insulate the dog, and Yorkies are sensitive to cold.