life expectancy - YorkieTalk.com Forums

alita · 01-17-2013, 02:21 PM

I know it might sound silly, but the obe thing that's been keeping me from getting another dog after our one died 4years ago (in a car accident,) is the thought that dogs don't live enough...is like ...they are taken away from us far too soon right? how long do yorkies live? don't you wish they live as much as tortoises? :/
I am very probaby getting another yorkie real soon...how long are they expected to live?
any thoughts/advise for me?

KimInMD · 01-17-2013, 03:31 PM

Hi Alita, welcome to YT. We are glad you are here. Even though Yorkies live to be up to 18, we get no guarantees. No matter how prepared you think you are, or how much time you have your fur baby, it's never long enough. It's so hard to say goodbye. I lost my little fur girl last week, and it just ripped my heart out. Still, I can't imagine living without a Yorkie. No other dog can take the place of the precious little one you lost, and you are not replacing him with a new dog. Instead, you are just making room in your heart for a new little baby, and everyday, no matter how long you have him, is a gift. Best wishes on your search for a new little love bug.

rubynrosie · 01-17-2013, 03:37 PM

I always believe my pets never live long enough and the thought of only having them w me for x amount of years can make me sad...but after my yorkie Lola died and previously my Samoyed Kyia died I realized that even though they were w me for far too few of years..the happiness while they were here and the great memories I have of those two pushed me to want to open my heart to another one of their breeds soon. Too me that happiness and love they give me while they are here (even if its for a short time) far outweigh the sadness that their death may bring. I am not 100% positive but I believe yorkies can live into their late teens with good care...

Lap Princess · 01-17-2013, 04:24 PM

It's not the quantity, but the quality. Of course it seems like there's never enough time, and losing a dog is as painful as losing a human loved one--maybe more! My Lexie has 18-year-olds in her bloodline, so yes, yorkies can live a lot longer than many or most breeds. The average is around 14 to 15.

1kumiko · 01-18-2013, 03:49 AM

Good question. I wondered the same as I'm a new yorkie owner (mine is 3yrs now). Just like with humans, you have to understand and acept life as it is. Dont count the time but only the warm feelings, the fun walks, smiles, everything that your dog adds to your life and you to his or her

bobohyde · 01-18-2013, 04:59 AM

I lost my golden 10 years ago to cancer when he was only 10 and it ripped my heart out. I can't even imagine the pain of losing a child if the pain of losing my pet was that bad. My yorkie is now 9. He is very healthy, but thoughts have been entering my head about when he might be taken from us. I guess because I lost my golden so unexpectedly. The vet and others now call him a senior. Those that love their pets understand the pain of losing them. However, even though the pain was so great, I would not give up the joy I experienced having them in my life.

AbbyMax · 01-18-2013, 05:12 AM

I think the average life span for a healthy Yorkie is 12-15 years. Our Yorkies have varies with their life spans - 21, 12, 17 and 9. My little Poppy died when she was 9 years young after battling renal failure for a year, the others had no major issues.

yavenay · 01-18-2013, 05:59 AM

I agree with what everyone says. I have two furbabies, one is 13 and the other one is 12. I don't think about their ages. I just love on them everyday and cherish the time I do have left with them.

My biggest fear is me dying before them because I hate what could happen to them if I'm not here to take care of them. it's morbid thought I know but I've made plans for them in the event that happens and even with that, there's no guarantess.

celstu1 · 01-18-2013, 06:44 AM

Yorkies have a longer life span, some live 18 years!

honestly, I do wish they lived longer, but I look at it this way; I go into owning them knowing that I have limited time with them, I love them to pieces, let them love me and when our time is up, realize that the joy of having them in my life was worth the pain of losing them.

I do wish they lived as long as we do though!!!

alita · 01-18-2013, 10:30 AM

thank you all ! your messages will definitely help me see this little issue from a healthier perspective. I am getting my little baby in April hopefully, and..well, I think it will be a "toy" one. Do you recommend this or do they tend to get sick more often or live less than the rest? I know I shouldn't be thinking like this lol... but still..I'm educating myself on this topic and then I will forget about it and I promise I will enjoy every minute of the time I do get with the little baby!

Lap Princess · 01-18-2013, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alita

thank you all ! your messages will definitely help me see this little issue from a healthier perspective. I am getting my little baby in April hopefully, and..well, I think it will be a "toy" one. Do you recommend this or do they tend to get sick more often or live less than the rest? I know I shouldn't be thinking like this lol... but still..I'm educating myself on this topic and then I will forget about it and I promise I will enjoy every minute of the time I do get with the little baby!

I'm not sure what you mean by "toy." You are getting a yorkie in April, right? All yorkies are a toy breed. Did you mean a very small yorkie--what many (incorrectly) call "teacups"? I would caution against that, as many of the very small ones do tend to have more health problems.

celstu1 · 01-18-2013, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alita

thank you all ! your messages will definitely help me see this little issue from a healthier perspective. I am getting my little baby in April hopefully, and..well, I think it will be a "toy" one. Do you recommend this or do they tend to get sick more often or live less than the rest? I know I shouldn't be thinking like this lol... but still..I'm educating myself on this topic and then I will forget about it and I promise I will enjoy every minute of the time I do get with the little baby!

Stick with dogs that are not advertised as 'teacups' as they could lead to more health problems and shorter life span. Just buy a Yorkie from a reputable breeder, there are many on this site. AKC states Yorkies are 3-7lbs, I have a 7lb boy and a 13lb boy. I'll tell you 7lbs is tiny for a dog and 13lbs is great. I worry way less about my 13lb boy! He's solid and playful where my 7lb boy needs a lot more attention from me mainly bc I worry so much about him getting hurt that I just end up carrying him all the time, which believe me is not as sweet as it sounds! LOL

gracielove · 01-18-2013, 01:18 PM

A healthy Yorkie that does not run into any complications could live over 15 years. I know that is not long enough. My Shih Tzu lived to be 15 and it was not long enough for me. It is the one very sad fact about animals. Their lifespan is just different than humans. That would never stop me from having them around though. They bring so much joy and loyal companionship during their short lifetimes that they are well worth the heartbreak that we go through at the end.
When my previous dog died I was not going to have another one but after several months went by I realized the huge gap not having a dog left in my life.

alita · 01-20-2013, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lap Princess

I'm not sure what you mean by "toy." You are getting a yorkie in April, right? All yorkies are a toy breed. Did you mean a very small yorkie--what many (incorrectly) call "teacups"? I would caution against that, as many of the very small ones do tend to have more health problems.

Yeah, sorry about the confusion about the term " toy" . I'm spanish and that is what they call them over here, to refer to small yorkies. I guess something like "teacup". But I am not bothered about that, I will choose one from a good breeder, that's all I care about

01-17-2013, 02:21 PM	#1
alita Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: spain Posts: 107	life expectancy I know it might sound silly, but the obe thing that's been keeping me from getting another dog after our one died 4years ago (in a car accident,) is the thought that dogs don't live enough...is like ...they are taken away from us far too soon right? how long do yorkies live? don't you wish they live as much as tortoises? :/ I am very probaby getting another yorkie real soon...how long are they expected to live? any thoughts/advise for me?

01-17-2013, 03:31 PM	#2
KimInMD Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Baltimore, MD. Posts: 1,078	Hi Alita, welcome to YT. We are glad you are here. Even though Yorkies live to be up to 18, we get no guarantees. No matter how prepared you think you are, or how much time you have your fur baby, it's never long enough. It's so hard to say goodbye. I lost my little fur girl last week, and it just ripped my heart out. Still, I can't imagine living without a Yorkie. No other dog can take the place of the precious little one you lost, and you are not replacing him with a new dog. Instead, you are just making room in your heart for a new little baby, and everyday, no matter how long you have him, is a gift. Best wishes on your search for a new little love bug. __________________ Kim- Mom to Lola, Mia, Allie, and Lucy, always in my heart

01-17-2013, 03:37 PM	#3
rubynrosie Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: ada mn usa Posts: 1,362	I always believe my pets never live long enough and the thought of only having them w me for x amount of years can make me sad...but after my yorkie Lola died and previously my Samoyed Kyia died I realized that even though they were w me for far too few of years..the happiness while they were here and the great memories I have of those two pushed me to want to open my heart to another one of their breeds soon. Too me that happiness and love they give me while they are here (even if its for a short time) far outweigh the sadness that their death may bring. I am not 100% positive but I believe yorkies can live into their late teens with good care... __________________ Bobbi and her two favorite girls...Ruby-Sioux and Rosie Too . We you Lola Marlene Bubbles

01-17-2013, 04:24 PM	#4
Lap Princess Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2009 Location: with my Yorklet! Posts: 1,356	It's not the quantity, but the quality. Of course it seems like there's never enough time, and losing a dog is as painful as losing a human loved one--maybe more! My Lexie has 18-year-olds in her bloodline, so yes, yorkies can live a lot longer than many or most breeds. The average is around 14 to 15. __________________ _______________________________________ Inga - Loved by Lexie

01-18-2013, 03:49 AM	#5
1kumiko Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 100	Good question. I wondered the same as I'm a new yorkie owner (mine is 3yrs now). Just like with humans, you have to understand and acept life as it is. Dont count the time but only the warm feelings, the fun walks, smiles, everything that your dog adds to your life and you to his or her __________________ Neo

01-18-2013, 04:59 AM	#6
bobohyde Donating YT Addict Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: c Posts: 427	I lost my golden 10 years ago to cancer when he was only 10 and it ripped my heart out. I can't even imagine the pain of losing a child if the pain of losing my pet was that bad. My yorkie is now 9. He is very healthy, but thoughts have been entering my head about when he might be taken from us. I guess because I lost my golden so unexpectedly. The vet and others now call him a senior. Those that love their pets understand the pain of losing them. However, even though the pain was so great, I would not give up the joy I experienced having them in my life.

01-18-2013, 05:12 AM	#7
AbbyMax Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Arizona, USA Posts: 481	I think the average life span for a healthy Yorkie is 12-15 years. Our Yorkies have varies with their life spans - 21, 12, 17 and 9. My little Poppy died when she was 9 years young after battling renal failure for a year, the others had no major issues. Last edited by AbbyMax; 01-18-2013 at 05:13 AM.

01-18-2013, 05:59 AM	#8
yavenay Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Delaware Posts: 2,663	I agree with what everyone says. I have two furbabies, one is 13 and the other one is 12. I don't think about their ages. I just love on them everyday and cherish the time I do have left with them. My biggest fear is me dying before them because I hate what could happen to them if I'm not here to take care of them. it's morbid thought I know but I've made plans for them in the event that happens and even with that, there's no guarantess.

01-18-2013, 06:44 AM	#9
celstu1 Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 10,534	Yorkies have a longer life span, some live 18 years! honestly, I do wish they lived longer, but I look at it this way; I go into owning them knowing that I have limited time with them, I love them to pieces, let them love me and when our time is up, realize that the joy of having them in my life was worth the pain of losing them. I do wish they lived as long as we do though!!! __________________ “Petting, scratching, and cuddling a dog could be as soothing to the mind and heart as deep meditation and almost as good for the soul as prayer.” ― Dean Koontz

01-18-2013, 10:30 AM	#10
alita Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: spain Posts: 107	thank you all ! your messages will definitely help me see this little issue from a healthier perspective. I am getting my little baby in April hopefully, and..well, I think it will be a "toy" one. Do you recommend this or do they tend to get sick more often or live less than the rest? I know I shouldn't be thinking like this lol... but still..I'm educating myself on this topic and then I will forget about it and I promise I will enjoy every minute of the time I do get with the little baby!

01-18-2013, 01:18 PM	#13
gracielove YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: NY Posts: 6,582	A healthy Yorkie that does not run into any complications could live over 15 years. I know that is not long enough. My Shih Tzu lived to be 15 and it was not long enough for me. It is the one very sad fact about animals. Their lifespan is just different than humans. That would never stop me from having them around though. They bring so much joy and loyal companionship during their short lifetimes that they are well worth the heartbreak that we go through at the end. When my previous dog died I was not going to have another one but after several months went by I realized the huge gap not having a dog left in my life.