Yorkshire Terrier

This page is educational reference material for preparing questions. A licensed veterinarian examines the animal, makes the diagnosis, and sets the treatment.

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A terrier that fits in a tote

Yorkshire terriers are toy terriers, about 7 to 8 inches and 4 to 7 pounds, with a life often running 11 to 15 years. The silky coat grows like hair. It mats behind the ears and in the armpits if nobody combs it. A short pet trim is a kindness. The show coat is a hobby.

They are fiery for the size and bossy with other dogs. Children who treat them like a plush toy get bitten, and the dog gets dropped. Older, gentle kids are a better match. Walks can be short. Stairs, sofas, and a jump from a person's arms are how tiny legs break.

Trachea, knees, and the shunt test

Tracheal collapse sounds like a goose honk when the dog pulls on a collar. Use a harness. Slipping kneecaps and Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease both make a toy dog skip on a back leg. Portosystemic shunts show up in this breed often enough that a sickly puppy deserves bile-acid testing. The Merck Veterinary Manual describes the shunt. Coughing that will not settle is a reason to open the symptom checker and call the clinic.

Yorkshire terrier questions

Are Yorkies hypoallergenic?

They shed very little. That is not the same as allergy-proof. Saliva and dander still bother some people. Spend time with an adult Yorkie before you rely on the coat claim.

How often is the coat trimmed?

A pet clip every four to six weeks, or daily combing if you keep the long coat. Mats pull on the skin. A shaved Yorkie is a grooming rescue, not a style.

What is a liver shunt?

A blood vessel that bypasses the liver, so toxins stay in circulation. A puppy that is stunted, vacant after meals, or unsteady needs a vet workup, not more food.