RVC study assesses Yorkie health amid breed decline
Yorkshire terriers were found to be susceptible to dental disease.
A study from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has explored the health, demographics and longevity of Yorkshire terriers in the UK.
The project comes as the once popular breed sees a decline in Kennel Club registrations.
Despite once consisting of 0.93 per cent of registrations in 2013, just 0.18 per cent of registrations in 2022 were Yorkshire terriers. The pedigree Yorkie could soon be classed as a ‘vulnerable breed’, meaning it is close to extinction.
However, since two-thirds of UK dogs are not registered with the Kennel Club, researchers have conducted further studies into the breed.
The research team analysed anonymised veterinary information from a VetCompass population of 28,032 Yorkshire terriers under veterinary care in 2016. Using this data, the study hoped to gather a clearer image of health and demographic trends
Statistics revealed that most Yorkshire terriers being kept as pets were a different type of dog to the pedigree version. These dogs had a much larger body size, averaging 5.06kg.
Ownerships of this type of Yorkshire terrier was much higher than the pedigree population, and the decline was less pronounced. The general population decreased from 3.54 per cent of all dogs in 2005 to 2.15 per cent in 2016.
The breed was also found to have a higher average lifespan than other dogs, reaching 13.56 years. This exceeds the average canine lifespan of 12 years, which the researchers say highlight the Yorkshire terrier’s robust health.
However, Yorkshire terriers were found to be particularly vulnerable to dental disease, as well as overgrown nails, anal sac impaction, obesity and persistent deciduous teeth. Based on this finding, owners of Yorkshire terriers are encouraged to protect their dog’s dental hygiene and implement preventative home care methods like tooth brushing.
Dan O’Neill, lead author of the paper, said: “There seems to be growing awareness by the general public of the suffering that goes with extreme body shapes, such as extreme miniaturisation in dogs.
“Therefore, this new study provides good news that the general pet population of Yorkshire Terriers are robust dogs with long lives, whose welfare can benefit further from extra attention to good dental hygiene.
“Perhaps it is time for us all to reembrace the pet Yorkie as a good choice of breed to acquire.”
The full study can be found in the journal Companion Animal Health and Genetics.
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The BSAVA has opened submissions for the BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026.
