Generally speaking most dogs will live decently long lives, according to two different studies in the United Kingdom and Japan the average lifespan of a dog is 12-13.7 years! However Yorkie’s, also known as Yorkshire Terriers beat out the rest! Keep reading to learn more about these wonderful little dogs and how to elongate their lives! and in this article we will answer the question , how lond do Yorkies live?
How Long Do Yorkies Live?
When looking at scientific data across multiple countries, the average lifespan of a Yorkie is around 12.6 to 14.5 years. However, it is very important to know that Yorkies can live 17 to 18 years if cared for properly and in the right conditions.
This research was accumulated over two different studies. The very first study, which took place in the United Kingdom back in 2010, took information from different owners on over 15,100 dogs in order to determine their age and also determine their cause of death.
The other study, which we mentioned earlier, was conducted in Japan and involved 12,039 dogs who died between January 2012 and March 2015.The data collected included all of the canine breeds, their gender, and their age. The data was then put together to determine the average lifespan and, ultimately, the cause of death.
The reason that Yorkies can expect a longer, healthier life than most other dogs is because they are a very healthy breed. Out of the health issues they do face in their lives, none are life-threatening. Their size comes into the equation as well; because Yorkies are much smaller than most dog breeds, they tend to avoid different spine and back problems, and they outlive their canine counterparts by several years.
According to a study that took place over the course of 20 years, large breeds of dogs die a lot more often due to musculoskeletal and gastrointestinal causes, while smaller dog breeds usually face lesser problems. In the case of the Yorkshire Terrier, they are more likely to die of endocrine-related issues; this includes issues with the thyroid, the pancreas, and the pituitary glands.
What Is The Leading Cause Of Death Amongst Yorkie’s?
Much like puppies of all different breeds in the canine family, Yorkie’s are more likely to die of disease in the first year than in the next four years of their lives. Here are some of the more common infectious diseases found in the breed:
Parvovirus
A very common disease found in puppies is called parvovirus. This disease is generally transmitted through direct contact with another infected animal or through different forms of animal waste. In cases where a puppy contracts this disease, the symptoms are far from pleasant. You can expect: severe diarrhea, weight loss, inflamed tissue around the eyes, vomiting, and more. Luckily, there is a 90% survival rate among puppies who contract this virus.
The parvovirus will generally affect puppies under 6 months of age, but there have been cases where dogs older than 2 years of age have also been affected. There are effective vaccines to counteract this disease.
Distemper
Distemper is a serious disease found in dogs. It’s main cause is a virus that attacks the nervous system, and the respiratory system of puppies and full grown canines. It is often mistaken for another very common disease called rabies.
Infected canines generally will spread the virus through bodily fluid that would come from coughing or sneezing, it can also be transmitted through shared food or water. The common symptoms: fever, lethargy, convulsions, seizures, vomiting, and paralysis. Survivors of this horrible disease generally will have severe and permanent damage to the nervous system.
Trauma
Sadly, when it comes to our furry little friend, trauma is the leading cause of death amongst Yorkies. It isn’t uncommon to find children being overly rough with the fragile little puppies when playing. There will be cases where a Yorkie is hurt from playing too rough.
Because Yorkies are small and fragile, doctors are frequently visited by a Yorkie who has fallen down the stairs, been stepped on, or been involved in a car accident. At times these mistakes can be fatal, and as sad as it may be, this is the reason most people will lose their favourite companion.
Final Thoughts
Yorkies are amazing companions! They are extremely healthy and live very long lives. If you take proper precautions in giving out vaccines, avoiding dangerous activities, and blocking off your stairs, your Yorkie will live a long, healthy, and, most importantly, happy life. Hopefully this article taught you how to do just that, and I wish you the best of luck with your furry companionship.
Recommended Readings:
- How Important is Pet Insurance for Dogs.
- How long do German Shepherds live.
- Can A Dog Get Flu From A Human?
- A Dog Jowl Is There For A Reason.
