Yorkie Lifespan: How Long Do Yorkies Live? Yorkie Age Chart

Find your Yorkshire Terrier's age in human years. Then see why this tiny terrier is one of the longest lived breeds in vet data.

By the Dog Age Tools team · Facts checked against the AVMA, the AKC and peer reviewed studies · Math covered by unit tests · Last updated October 22, 2026 · Our method

Not veterinary advice. These tools give estimates for general interest. Your dog's health, weight and care plan should come from a licensed veterinarian who has examined your dog.

Yorkshire Terrier life expectancy

Yorkies usually live 13 to 15 years. The AKC range is 11 to 15. A UK study of vet records found a median age at death of 13.56 years, with half of deaths between 11.3 and 15.2 years. That places the Yorkshire Terrier among the longest lived dog breeds.

The study, from the VetCompass Programme at the Royal Veterinary College, covered 28,032 Yorkies in UK clinics in 2016. The authors concluded that the breed has high longevity. Separate life tables by Teng and colleagues ranked the Yorkshire Terrier second of 18 breeds for life expectancy at birth, at 12.54 years.

Yorkie size and the size chart

The AKC standard says about 7 pounds. Real Yorkies run bigger. The UK study found a median adult weight of 5.06 kg, about 11 pounds, with some dogs over 30 pounds. All but the largest fit the small size class (20 pounds or less), which is what our age tool uses.

Yorkie age chart

Read across from your dog's age. After age 2, each year adds about 4 human years.

Yorkie age chart in human years
Age	Human years	DNA clock
1	15	31
2	24	42
3	28	49
4	32	53
5	36	57
6	40	60
7	44	62
8	48	64
9	52	66
10	56	68
11	60	69
12	64	71
13	68	72
14	72	73
15	76	74

So a 13 year old Yorkie is about 68 in human years. The DNA clock is shown for interest, but it was built on Labradors.

Common Yorkie health problems

Researchers read the full records of 3,308 Yorkies for one year. The top five problems were:

Periodontal disease: 21.1 percent
Overgrown nails: 6.5 percent
Anal sac impaction: 4.0 percent
Overweight or obesity: 3.7 percent
Baby teeth that stayed in: 3.6 percent

The authors named periodontal disease, retained baby teeth and patellar luxation (a kneecap that slips out of place) as problems the breed appears prone to. One in five Yorkies had gum disease in a single year, the highest rate among the small breed studies we cite on this site.

What do Yorkies die from?

Among 464 Yorkies that died during the study, the most common grouped causes were brain disorders (9.8 percent) and kidney disorders (8.7 percent). No single cause stood out above all others, which is typical for a breed that often reaches old age.

The AVMA lists kidney disease among the common problems of senior pets and advises vet visits twice a year or more once a pet is senior.

When is a Yorkie a senior?

Take the AKC range of 11 to 15 years and apply the AVMA rule of the last 25 percent. Senior age starts at about 8 to 11 years. That lines up with the AVMA guide for small dogs.

Yorkie care tips that target the real risks

Daily tooth brushing. With gum disease this common, dental care is the single most useful habit. Book dental checks at every visit.
Check puppy teeth at 6 months. Ask your vet to look for baby teeth that have not fallen out.
Trim nails often. Small dogs on soft floors wear their nails down less.
Watch the knees. A skip or a hop on a back leg for a few steps can be a sign of a slipping kneecap. Mention it to your vet.
Track water intake in old age. Kidney problems were a top cause of death, so tell your vet if your dog starts to drink a lot more.

Compare other small breeds

Yorkie FAQ

How long do Yorkies live?

Often 13 years or more. The AKC lists 11 to 15 years. In UK vet records, Yorkshire Terriers that died had a median age of 13.56 years, so half of them were older than that.

Is the Yorkshire Terrier a long lived breed?

Yes. In 2022 UK life tables covering 18 breeds, the Yorkshire Terrier had the second highest life expectancy at birth, 12.54 years, just behind the Jack Russell Terrier.

What is the oldest age a Yorkie reached in the studies?

In the VetCompass records, one Yorkshire Terrier lived to 19.08 years.

What health problems affect Yorkie lifespan?

Gum disease is the most common problem by far, found in about 1 in 5 Yorkies in a year. The most common causes of death were brain disorders and kidney disorders.

What is a 13 year old Yorkie in human years?

About 68, using the small dog chart.

Yorkie Lifespan and Age in Human Years

Age in human years