Which health problems are common in the Yorkshire Terrier?
Gum disease is the most common problem in Yorkshire Terriers, and puppy teeth that never fall out are more common than in other dogs. Daily tooth brushing and dental checks from puppyhood help the most.
Updated November 9, 2026
What should Yorkshire Terrier owners watch for?
Common for the breed doesn't mean your dog will have it.
- Teeth. Gum disease is common in the breed. Bad breath, red gums or tartar are the signs, and daily brushing helps most.
- Puppy teeth. Puppy teeth that stay after the adult ones come in trap food and tartar. Show your vet any double teeth early.
- Kneecaps. The kneecap can slip out of place. A skip in the step or a back leg held up for a few strides is the sign.
- Windpipe. A weak windpipe causes a dry, honking cough, worse with excitement or heat. A harness instead of a collar helps.
- Liver shunt. A blood vessel can bypass the liver from birth. Slow growth, or staring and odd behaviour after meals in a young dog, needs a vet check.
Which checkups do vets often suggest?
| Checkup | What it is | When |
|---|---|---|
| Dental check | Your vet looks at the teeth and gums for tartar and gum disease. Ask how often your dog needs one. | Every year |
| Kneecap check | Your vet feels the knees to see whether a kneecap slips out of place. Programmes certify it from 1 year of age. | From 1 year · Once |
| Eye exam by an ophthalmologist | A specialist checks the eyes for inherited problems. Screening programmes suggest repeating it every year. | Every year |
Your vet decides which checkups fit your pet, and when.
How do I keep a Yorkshire Terrier health record?
VetVitae, a free pet health record app for iPhone, Android and the web, shows these notes on your dog’s profile under Health, and Plan it opens the exam or test with its name filled.
For vaccines, parasites and the signs that can’t wait, see the dog care guide.
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. Your vet knows your pet.
Sources
- Yorkshire Terriers under primary veterinary care in the UK, demography and disorders, O'Neill et al., 2025
- Toy group health testing requirements, American Kennel Club
- Recommended tests for Yorkshire Terrier, Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
- The epidemiology of patellar luxation in dogs attending primary-care veterinary practices in England, O'Neill et al., Canine Genetics and Epidemiology, 2016
- Tracheal Collapse in Dogs, VCA Animal Hospitals
- Portosystemic Shunt in Dogs, VCA Animal Hospitals
- Luxating Patella in Dogs, VCA Animal Hospitals
Start a record for your pet.
Add your pet, log the last vaccine, and you're set up. Use it in your browser, on iPhone or on Android.