I’ve been a licensed veterinarian practicing in Texas for more than a decade, and Yorkshire Terriers are one of the breeds I see week after week. People love Yorkies for their size, confidence, and personality, but many don’t realize how medically complex this little dog can be.

In my experience, Yorkies are not fragile in spirit, but they do come with a predictable set of health challenges that owners need to understand early, not after something has gone wrong.

I’m not writing this from a textbook perspective. That comes from years of exam rooms, follow-up calls, emergency visits, and long conversations with worried owners who thought a problem was “just a phase.” Some issues are manageable if caught early. Others can become expensive, painful, and emotionally draining if ignored.

Dental Disease Is Not a Minor Issue in Yorkies

If I had to pick one problem that causes the most preventable suffering in Yorkies, it would be dental disease. I see it constantly, even in dogs under three years old.

Yorkies have small mouths with tightly packed teeth, which creates perfect conditions for plaque and tartar to build up quickly. A few months ago, I examined a four-year-old Yorkie who came in for bad breath. The owner thought it was normal. When I lifted the dog’s lip, several teeth were already loose, and the gums were inflamed and bleeding. That dog ended up needing multiple extractions under anesthesia.

What many owners don’t realize is that dental disease doesn’t stay in the mouth. I’ve treated Yorkies with heart murmurs and kidney issues where severe oral infection was likely contributing to systemic inflammation. In small breeds, the connection is not subtle.

In my practice, I strongly recommend regular professional dental cleanings for Yorkies, often starting earlier than owners expect. Home brushing helps, but it rarely replaces cleanings in this breed. The mistake I see most often is waiting until the dog is clearly in pain.

Tracheal Collapse Shows Up Gradually, Then All at Once

Another issue I see frequently is tracheal collapse. That is especially common in toy breeds, and Yorkies are near the top of that list.

Tracheal collapse often starts as an occasional cough. Owners describe it as a “goose honk” sound that comes and goes. I remember a Yorkie I saw last spring whose owner thought the cough was allergies. It only happened during excitement or when the dog pulled on the leash. By the time the dog came in, the coughing episodes were more frequent and more stressful for both the dog and the owner.

The cartilage rings in the trachea weaken over time, causing the airway to flatten. Once that process starts, it can’t be reversed. What we can do is manage it.

One strong opinion, based on experience, is that Yorkies should never be walked on a collar. I’ve seen coughing worsen dramatically in dogs that pull against neck pressure. Switching to a harness early can slow progression. Weight control also matters more than people think. Even a pound or two makes a difference in a dog this small.

Luxating Patellas Are Common and Often Missed Early

Kneecap issues are another regular finding. Luxating patella means the kneecap slips out of place, usually toward the inside of the leg. In Yorkies, this can be mild at first and easy to overlook.

I often hear owners say, “She skips sometimes, but then she’s fine.” That skipping gait is a classic early sign. I once diagnosed a young Yorkie during a routine wellness exam whose owner hadn’t noticed anything. A year later, the same dog came back limping consistently, and surgery became part of the discussion.

Not every Yorkie with luxating patellas needs surgery. I’ve managed many cases conservatively with weight management, joint supplements, and activity adjustments. The problem arises when owners assume intermittent limping is harmless. Over time, abnormal movement can lead to arthritis and chronic pain.

Liver Shunts Are Rare but Serious

Yorkies are also overrepresented when it comes to congenital liver shunts. That is not something I see every week, but when it happens, it’s life-changing for the owner.

A liver shunt allows blood to bypass the liver, preventing toxins from being properly filtered. The signs can be subtle at first. Poor growth, intermittent vomiting, strange behavior after eating, or episodes of lethargy are common.

I still remember a tiny Yorkie puppy that came into my clinic, not gaining weight despite eating well. The owner thought it was just a “tiny dog being picky.” Bloodwork told a different story, and further testing confirmed a shunt. That dog eventually needed surgery at a specialty hospital, and the total cost reached several thousand dollars. Early detection made a significant difference in outcome.

That is one of the reasons I take poor growth in Yorkie puppies seriously. Waiting to “see if they grow out of it” can cost valuable time.

Hypoglycemia Can Be an Emergency in Young Yorkies

Low blood sugar is another issue I’ve seen turn serious quickly, especially in puppies and very small adults. Yorkies have fast metabolisms and small energy reserves. Skipped meals, stress, illness, or even a long play session can trigger hypoglycemia.

I’ve treated puppies that came in weak, trembling, or disoriented because they hadn’t eaten enough. One owner brought in a Yorkie who had collapsed at home after a busy day with visiting relatives. The dog recovered, but the situation was frightening and avoidable.

I advise owners of small Yorkies to feed their dogs at consistent times and avoid prolonged fasting. During illness or travel, this becomes even more important. Hypoglycemia is one of those problems that escalate quickly and leave little room for error.

Skin Issues and Allergies Are More Than Cosmetic

Yorkies often struggle with skin problems, including allergies and chronic itching. Because they don’t have a thick undercoat, skin issues are easier to see but also easier to dismiss as “just sensitive skin.”

In reality, chronic itching often points to underlying allergies, infections, or both. I’ve treated Yorkies with repeated ear infections tied to food sensitivities. Others develop hair loss and thickened skin from untreated allergies.

One mistake I see is repeated use of over-the-counter products without addressing the root cause. Temporary relief can mask a growing problem. In my experience, early veterinary intervention saves both discomfort and long-term expense.

Collapsing Teeth, Fragile Bones, and Injury Risk

Yorkies were not built for rough handling. Their bones are small, and fractures happen more easily than many owners expect. I’ve treated broken legs caused by jumping off furniture, being accidentally stepped on, or falling from arms.

I once saw a Yorkie with a fractured foreleg after jumping off a couch. The surgery and recovery were extensive, and the dog needed weeks of restricted activity. Owners often underestimate how dangerous everyday situations can be for small dogs.

Preventing injuries in Yorkies means being realistic about their size and limits. I often advise against letting them jump from heights or interact unsupervised with larger dogs.

What I Wish More Yorkie Owners Understood

Yorkies can live long, happy lives, but they require attentive care. Many of the health issues I see are not caused by neglect but by a misunderstanding of the breed’s vulnerabilities.

In my experience, the owners who do best with Yorkies are proactive rather than reactive. They don’t wait for symptoms to become severe. They invest in dental care, use harnesses instead of collars, monitor subtle changes, and take minor problems seriously.

Yorkies are confident dogs despite their small size. Medically, they demand respect for their size and structure when owners understand that early, outcomes are almost always better.