Yorkshire Terrier health guide
Also known as: Yorkie
About this breed
Yorkshire Terriers are bold little dogs with silky steel-blue coats and terrier confidence. Their windpipe, teeth and knees carry the classic toy-breed risks, and some lines add liver shunts and fragile blood sugar in puppyhood.
Living in Macau's climate
The fine single coat offers little insulation, so Yorkies feel both summer pavement heat and aggressive indoor air conditioning; provide shade outside and a warm bed inside. Dry the coat fully after rainy walks to protect the skin.
Common health conditions
Tracheal collapse
Signs: Goose-honk cough with excitement, heat or pulling on a collar.
Prevention: Harness-only walking, lean weight and avoiding smoke or incense exposure.
Dental disease
Signs: Bad breath, retained baby teeth, tartar and early tooth loss.
Prevention: Remove retained baby teeth at neutering, brush daily and schedule professional cleaning as advised.
Patellar luxation
Signs: Hind-leg skipping or a brief hop during play.
Prevention: Lean weight, non-slip floors and yearly knee checks.
Portosystemic (liver) shunt
Signs: Stunted growth, drooling, disorientation or seizures after eating in puppies.
Prevention: Ask for bile-acid testing if a puppy is unusually small; surgical treatment has good outcomes.
Daily care tips
- Walk on a harness for life to protect the windpipe.
- Brush teeth daily and check for retained puppy teeth at 6 months.
- Feed small puppies three to four times daily to prevent low blood sugar.
- Keep nails short; overgrown nails change the gait and strain tiny knees.
Screening schedule
8 to 16 weeks
Vaccination course with growth, knee and dental checks.
1 to 6 years
Annual exam with dental scoring, knee grading and cough review.
7 years and up
Twice-yearly senior checks with blood work and heart auscultation.
Book a breed-savvy check-up
Our vets see Yorkshire Terrier patients every week and know exactly what to screen for. Call +853 6677 6611 or book online.
Book a check-upRelated breeds
This guide is general information for the breed as a whole and does not replace an examination of your individual pet. When in doubt, always call the clinic.
Reviewed by the Royal Veterinary Center veterinary team.