Thanks all for responding. I am new to this forum and pleased with all of your varied opinions. I wasn't sure if this was the place to ask. I perhaps assumed all here had tiny teacups or would kill me for suggestion a collar.
My yorkie is 11lbs and there are several yorkies here ranging from the tiniest to 25lbs 
I my dog is larger but I am still concerned about how easily exactly it is to harm the trachea.
It should still be a concern even if he's a larger yorkie. I have a larger yorkie at 11lbs and he HAS to be on a harness...He does have problems with honking and all of that, and there have been a couple of time, where he couldn't settle down for 2 minutes. I thought we were going to lose him. He couldn't breathe. We were on our way to the Vet when he started breathing again.Is it really a threat for all Yorkies?
Yes, it's a threat to all yorkies...That doesn't mean collapsing trachea will happen to all of them, but it can. is it a breed defect if it happens/ I wish to go with the collar as he is awesome in heel ..but my fear is he'll charge at something one time and do permanent damage. is that really possible? I
Yes, this is possible. One time could do the trick. Think about it...If someone chokes you really hard just ONE TIME, it could do permanent damage. need a level headed Yorkie expert/vet to tell me. what did people with Yorkie do before harnesses?
I'm not sure, but what did people do before antibiotics? And what did people do before electricity? Just playing devil's advocate... I see harnesses all over the place now on all sorts of dogs. I know it is really a threat with Yorkies but I am wondering if it is also a bit of a trend/fad.
Not sure that it's a fad...I think most people just want to keep their dogs safe regardless of size. I read somewhere that even Golden Retrievers could get collapsing tracheas which makes sense.I did read the ongoing debate that was suggested. It is a bit of a shame some words got out of hand but I appreciate how much you ALL must love your dogs. I can understand how one might feel attacked by going against the grain on an issue that appears to be putting one's dog in harm's way. Believe me I am thinking about this a lot but in the end may end up going with the collar. My dog has made the honking sound on occasion..off the harness /collar even before I've gotten the collar when he was smaller while running around like crazy. It wasn't even a spell but i've heard the sound and he has made it while on the harness. I'm speaking about a few times the whole 6 mo. we've had him. it may have just been a cough but I want to know what it means. I am full disclosure! he has not made the sound on the collar ..granted I've just switched this week.
In the end, it's your choice, but I think it's wonderful that you came on here to get people's opinions on the matter. It shows you care about your yorkie. Good luck on your decision. If you decide to go with a harness, a step-in harness are easiest for them, in my opinion.