how long do yorkies live?

[yorkiepuppie]

some people say small dogs live longer, and some people say big dogs live longer. which one is true?

and how long do yorkies generally live, can they live up to 20 years?

[Debbier2010]

I'm not sure but I did see one at the vet that was 17 years old so it wouldn't surprise me if they could live to 20

[Britster]

In general, I think small dogs tend to live longer. However, I believe the oldest living dog ever was an Australian Cattle Dog who was around 23..... *edit* it was a 28 year old Beagle that died in 2003.

I've read of some Yorkies living to be 20+.... however I think the general lifespan of a Yorkie probably ranges more in the 13-15 age range. I think everything depends on genetics, lifestyle, food, etc as well.

[Becca1]

Originally Posted by yorkiepuppie

some people say small dogs live longer, and some people say big dogs live longer. which one is true?

and how long do yorkies generally live, can they live up to 20 years?

Our first Yorkie lived to be 16 (and we had to put him to sleep); our last Yorkie lived to be 13, but she came down with liver cancer, and we had to put her to sleep. I do believe it's true that smaller dog (breeds) have a longer lifespan than larger breeds.

[Britster]

Also, for example, when it comes to Great Danes... their average lifespan is only about 7-8 years. So, yes, it seems the bigger the dog = shorter the life.

[RDB911]

I've read small dog live longer because they don't age as fast. Not sure if thats a fact?

[RDB911]

interesting article

Dogs and Lifespan: Breeds That Live the Longest on MedicineNet.com

in the article (pg 2) they say mutts live longer than purebred..interesting

"Mutts haven't gone through the inbreeding, so they should live longer, or at least be healthier than your purebred dogs," Austad says."

[yorkiepuppie]

Originally Posted by RDB911

interesting article

Dogs and Lifespan: Breeds That Live the Longest on MedicineNet.com

in the article (pg 2) they say mutts live longer than purebred..interesting

"Mutts haven't gone through the inbreeding, so they should live longer, or at least be healthier than your purebred dogs," Austad says."

i have also heard that mutts generally are healthier due to the genetic diversity. but the argument for carefully bred purebred is that a lot of health and genetic testing have been done to ensure very healthy offspring whereas mutts don't have testing done to ensure that. but in general it's probably easier for a mutt to have less health issues than a purebred.

[RDB911]

Originally Posted by yorkiepuppie

i have also heard that mutts generally are healthier due to the genetic diversity. but the argument for carefully bred purebred is that a lot of health and genetic testing have been done to ensure very healthy offspring whereas mutts don't have testing done to ensure that. but in general it's probably easier for a mutt to have less health issues than a purebred.

very good point

[Rhetts_mama]

Originally Posted by RDB911

interesting article

Dogs and Lifespan: Breeds That Live the Longest on MedicineNet.com

in the article (pg 2) they say mutts live longer than purebred..interesting

"Mutts haven't gone through the inbreeding, so they should live longer, or at least be healthier than your purebred dogs," Austad says."

True- unless you have a mixed pup who inherits the worst of both breeds.

[yorkiepuppie]

Originally Posted by Britster

Also, for example, when it comes to Great Danes... their average lifespan is only about 7-8 years. So, yes, it seems the bigger the dog = shorter the life.

yea. that's true. i think something about their hearts working harder because they are bigger. but at the same time. small dogs' hearts have to work hard by beating more times per minute because they are so small. so????

[Becca1]

Originally Posted by Rhetts_mama

True- unless you have a mixed pup who inherits the worst of both breeds.

Right on!!

[KashasMom]

I think that while small dogs are slated to have a longer life span is has a lot to do with the breeds pre-disposed illnesses, diet, lifestyle & health care. I'm new to the Yorkie groupies but with Scottish Terriers they were prone to cancer despite the care of their owners :-( Actually I just found out that pet insurances wont take some breeds because of this. However, I think our furbutts are safe. 12-15 sounds like enough time for us to invent something to keep them around & healthy forever.

[Beamers Mom]

Penni, my first Yorkie, lived to be 15.1/2.
I had some dachsie rescues, that I had agreed to foster until forever homes could be found - and we know how that turns out. They were beautiful females ( a puppy mill in Tampa, owned by an Alice Holt was closed down). I had offered to take a couple of Yorkies, but they had already got foster homes, and a friend talked me into helping by taking a couple of dachsies. When I went to pick up the two I had agreed to foster, there as another one there who begged me to bring her home with me too. She had a club foot - not that she realized it herself! So, I brought three of themGing home. Ginger, with the club foot I said I would keep forever.Nutmeg and Cinnamon were the other two. They both had heartworms when I got them. The vet was able to treat Nutmeg for them, but Cinnamon was too sick. Over $600 vet bill later Cinnamon went to Rainbow Bridge. I ended up with Nutmeg and Ginger for the next 10 years. just couldn't part with my "Spice Girls" The vet figured Nutmeg was 17 or 18 years old when she passed, and Ginger a year maybe 2 younger. Quite a good age for puppy mill dogs, and the health problems they had. I had some other rescues on and off while I had Ginger and Nutmeg, and they were all seniors so I kept them until they passed away. And after Ginger passed, I decided I needed to get another Yorkie - my first love. We already had Lil Bit, but she is my husband's baby. And so, I got Beamer.

Sorry for the rambling

[Rachael x]

It depends on the dog but generally between 13-15 years.