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Yorkshire Terriers And Tracheal Collapse

If you love a Yorkie, you have probably heard the words "tracheal collapse" from another owner, a groomer, or your vet. Researchers describe Yorkies as a breed predisposed to it. That does not mean your dog will get it. It does mean it is worth knowing what the research says and what to watch for, so you can act early if that honking cough ever starts.

Why Yorkies Come Up So Often

The American College of Veterinary Surgeons names Yorkshire Terriers first in its list of the breeds most commonly affected, along with Pomeranians, Poodles, and Chihuahuas. In an earlier Seoul National University review of 99 dogs diagnosed by X-ray in 2002 and 2003, 64 were Yorkies, about 65 percent of the group. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine explains that the cause is not fully known, but a genetic part may be involved, since small breeds are the dogs most often affected.

How Common Is It In Yorkies?

The answer depends a lot on where the dogs were seen.

• Everyday vet visits. Researchers behind a VetCompass study of Yorkshire Terriers in UK general practice reviewed the records of 3,308 Yorkies seen by general practice vets during 2016. Tracheal collapse was recorded in 31 of them, just under 1 percent in that year. The median age of the affected dogs was about 10 years.
• A large specialty hospital. In a 2026 study of Yorkshire Terriers at the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center in New York, researchers looked at 11,061 Yorkies in the hospital's records. 739 of them, 6.7 percent, had confirmed severe tracheal collapse, which that study defined as the airway narrowing by 50 percent or more. The median age at diagnosis was 10 years.

These two numbers measure different things, so they are not in conflict. One is a single year of general practice visits. The other covers the Yorkies seen at one large specialty hospital. The authors of the New York study point out how hard it is to pin down the true rate of a disease when different hospitals see different dogs. What both studies agree on is that most Yorkies in them did not have a diagnosis of tracheal collapse, and the dogs who did tended to be older.

Age, Sex, And Type

In the New York study, the diagnosis was made more often in males (59 percent) than females. Dogs with the less common "malformation" type, a fixed narrowing rather than one that changes with each breath, were diagnosed younger, at a median of 8 years, compared with 11 years for the traditional type. The earlier Seoul review found the opposite split by sex, with 59 percent of its dogs female, which is a good reminder that single studies vary. VCA Animal Hospitals describes the condition as most common from 4 to 14 years of age, and Embrace Pet Insurance puts the average age when signs start at around 6 to 7 years.

Yorkies, Liver Shunts, And The Liver

Yorkies are also prone to a liver blood vessel problem called a portosystemic shunt. The New York study asked whether the two conditions travel together. Only 6 of the 11,061 dogs had both, and the authors say more research is needed before anyone can say whether one affects the other. Separately, VCA Animal Hospitals notes that many dogs with tracheal collapse also have liver disease and says liver function should be watched closely. If your Yorkie is diagnosed, it is reasonable to ask your vet whether liver blood work is part of the plan.

Signs To Watch For

• A dry, harsh, honking cough, often compared to a goose
• Coughing that gets worse with excitement, at night, in hot or humid weather, right after eating or drinking, or with pressure on the neck from a collar (VCA Animal Hospitals)
• Coughing when your dog is picked up (University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center)
• Tiring quickly on walks

Everyday Habits That Help

The American College of Veterinary Surgeons notes that dogs who are overweight or live with smokers may be more at risk, or at least more likely to show signs. Small, steady habits help: a harness instead of a collar for the leash, a lean body weight, no smoking or vaping around your dog, and calm greetings at the door. See Weight And Tracheal Collapse and Day To Day Care.

If Your Yorkie Is Diagnosed

Most dogs start with medicine and changes at home. The American College of Veterinary Surgeons says medical management may work for up to 70 percent of dogs, especially those with mild collapse. For dogs that keep struggling, stents and ring surgery are options at some hospitals. Ask your vet how the collapse was measured and what grade it is (see Grades), and if you want to see which practices near you list these procedures, use Find A Practice.