Everything you need to know about breeding Yorkshire Terriers responsibly - from health testing to finding the perfect breeding partner for your beloved companion.
Understanding your Yorkie's Victorian heritage and fearless terrier spirit is essential for responsible breeding
Male: 4-7 lbs
Female: 4-7 lbs
Male: 7-8 inches
Female: 7-8 inches
11-15 years
Long-lived toy breed
Spritely, Tomboyish
Big attitude, tiny body
Originally bred in Yorkshire, England to catch rats in textile mills. Despite tiny size, they have true terrier courage and tenacity.
Born black and tan, coat lightens to steel blue and golden tan. Silky texture grows continuously like human hair. Requires daily grooming.
Fearless personality despite 4-7 lb size. Will challenge dogs 50 times their weight. Often don't realize how small they are.
Bones break easily from short falls. Can be injured by children or larger pets. Require careful handling and supervision at all times.
Yorkies face numerous health challenges due to their tiny size requiring careful breeding and buyer education
Kneecap dislocation extremely common. OFA patella evaluation MANDATORY. Grades 3-4 require expensive surgery and cause lameness.
Trachea cartilage weakness causes 'honking' cough and breathing difficulty. Avoid collars, use harnesses. Surgery needed in severe cases.
Low blood sugar common in tiny dogs. Can cause seizures, coma, death. Feed frequent small meals. Puppy buyers must understand signs.
Tiny mouths with crowded teeth. Need professional cleanings every 6 months. Many lose teeth by age 5. Daily brushing essential.
Portosystemic shunt more common in toy breeds. Bile acid test recommended. Can be fatal without expensive surgery.
Hip joint deterioration in toy breeds. Causes lameness and pain. Usually requires surgery. X-rays recommended before breeding.
Genetic test available. Causes blindness. Test breeding stock though uncommon in breed.
Undescended testicles more common in toy breeds. Can cause cancer. Affected males should not be bred.
Yorkshire Terriers are among the most fragile dogs. At 4-7 pounds, they face constant life-threatening dangers that larger dogs never encounter. Many Yorkie deaths are preventable accidents.
Common fatal accidents:
Buyers MUST understand these risks. Many Yorkies live in constant danger from things that seem harmless. This breed is NOT suitable for families with small children or large dogs.
Yorkie pregnancies are extremely high-risk. C-sections are often required because puppy heads are too large for the tiny birth canal. Emergency C-sections at night can cost $3,000-5,000. Mothers can die from complications. Litters are small (1-4 puppies) and newborns are incredibly fragile. Hypoglycemia kills many puppies in the first weeks. 24/7 monitoring is required. Breeding Yorkies is not for beginners - it requires extensive experience and emergency funds.
Follow these essential guidelines for responsible Yorkshire Terrier breeding
Male Yorkies
1.5 to 7 years
Female Yorkies
2 to 6 years
Toy breeds mature earlier but are fragile. Wait for complete development. Breeding lifespan shorter due to tiny size.
Yorkies face many health challenges due to tiny size. Patella testing is critical for this breed.
Females: Maximum once per year, 3-4 litters lifetime
Skip at least one heat cycle between litters
C-sections often required due to tiny size and large puppy heads. High-risk pregnancies.
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