PetYorkies pack a lot of personality into a tiny frame. They're affectionate, alert, and long-lived — but the small size brings concentrated risks. Dental disease is the dominant ongoing cost, and a few catastrophic categories (tracheal collapse, severe patellar luxation) deserve planning.
Yorkshire Terrier at a glance
| Typical adult weight | 2–3.5 kg |
| Height | 18–23 cm at the shoulder |
| Lifespan | 13–16 years |
| Breed group | Toy (Terrier) |
| Coat & shedding | Long, silky, hair-like coat; very low shedding, regular grooming |
| Energy level | Moderate — alert, bold and playful |
| Insurance snapshot | Lower-range premiums, but dental and small-breed claims compound over a long life |
Common Yorkshire Terrier health issues
| Condition | How common | Typical treatment cost (CAD) |
|---|---|---|
| Dental disease | Very common — Yorkies are especially prone | Moderate per cleaning, recurring; biggest ongoing cost |
| Patellar luxation | Common in toy breeds | Moderate per knee if surgery required |
| Tracheal collapse | Notable in the breed | Lifelong management possible; severe cases need surgery |
| Hypoglycemia (puppies especially) | Common in toy breeds | Low ongoing management with awareness |
| Portosystemic shunt (liver shunt) | Higher than average in the breed | Surgical correction is significant; medical management ongoing |
| Eye conditions (cataracts, retinal dysplasia) | Notable | Diagnostic to surgical, varies |
| Fragility (jumping injuries) | Lifestyle risk — small dogs jump off couches | Variable — broken legs not uncommon |
Our Recommendation
For a Yorkshire Terrier, comprehensive coverage with a wellness add-on makes more sense than for most breeds because routine dental cleanings are the dominant ongoing cost — and wellness modules cover them. Combine with a comprehensive plan for the catastrophic categories (tracheal collapse, liver shunt, severe injuries).
What drives a Yorkshire Terrier's insurance cost
Yorkies pack concentrated risks into a tiny frame. Dental disease (~$650–1,300 per cleaning, recurring) is the dominant ongoing cost — Yorkies are especially prone. The bigger occasional bills come from patellar luxation, tracheal collapse, and the breed's higher-than-average portosystemic (liver) shunt risk, which can need surgical correction when young. Their fragility also matters: a jump off the couch can mean a broken leg.
How to structure coverage for a Yorkshire Terrier
Comprehensive coverage with a wellness add-on makes more sense here than for most breeds, because routine dental cleanings are the dominant ongoing cost and wellness modules cover them. Pair that with a comprehensive base for the catastrophic categories — tracheal collapse, liver shunt, fracture repair. Enrol in puppyhood: a 13–16-year lifespan gives the policy years to deliver, and locks in coverage before dental or knee issues become pre-existing exclusions.