[gemy]

Just to clarify a bit, there are NO true genetic tests for Yorkies. That means, there has been no identified gene marker, for any of the major health issues Yorkies can suffer from, be it Liver Shunt, Luxating Patella, PRA, kidney disorders, etc.

A full blood panel, can point the way for more tests to be done, and as LadyJane said, physical exam from an "experienced vet" can identify LP and guesstimate the degree of severity, can check heart and ears, and teeth. I don't think that rescues and I'm sure shelters don't test for PRA, so that could rear it's head. Progressive Retinal Atrophy is thought to be a genetic disorder, which will eventually cause blindness in the Yorkie.

I think if you are interested in a Yorkie be it from a rescue or from a shelter, you still have some associated health risks common to Yorkies. But what is very good about rescues like YHR is that they do do the full blood panel, and will do further tests as warranted.

The historical incidence of any of these conditions in Yorkies, is not truly known. The databases that collect this health information, show a very low population of Yorkies, to whit on the CHIC database, there were only 38 Yorkies registered with them. Given the population and popularity of Yorkies out there that is an amazingly small number.

Breeders of Yorkies need to be encouraged to submit there health testing results to the appropriate databases, so we can all truly begin to understand what is going on in this breed.

Anectodal evidence is very limited. But given at the minimum there are at least a few hundred thousand Yorkies registered with the AKC, and only 38 CHIC numbers issued, we have quite a long way to go, in the collection of any meaningfull statistics.