cute-yorkshire-terrier-pictureSmall, bold and as cute as they come, Yorkies have held 2nd place in American popularity for both 2007 and 2008 according to the American Kennel Club. My father owned a pair of these dogs when I was a child (Becky and Penny) and I can attest to their reputation as fearless animals not quite in tune with their diminutive size. Their boldness alone makes them good candidates for pet health insurance! Becky’s attitude almost got her killed when she went after a bull dog on a walk through the German wilderness one day. A year or two later, she chased a pack of feral dogs (all about the size of German shepherds) through a Spanish resort. Apparently they didn’t realize how small she was, either.

In noting Yorkshire Terrier health issues, it’s important to remember that these are simply potential health problems associated with the breed, not indicators of likelihood. Aside from the occasional teeth cleanings, our Yorkies were perfectly healthy their entire lives, dying peacefully of old age. Prudent Yorkshire terrier care just means being aware of these possibilities.

Yorkshire Terrier Health Issues:

I should also point out that, while fearless and brave in the face of seemingly overwhelming odds, Yorkies are not generally aggressive dogs. They can, however, be protective. Though it might not be relevant to veterinary pet insurance, owners of Yorkies and other dogs with tendencies to protective or aggressive behavior should make an effort to socialize these breeds early minimize this behavior. An attitude dramatically greater than one’s ability to back it up can lead to embarassment, frustration or even to a pet’s injury.