Yorkshire Terrier Pet Insurance | Compare Prices & Policies | Savvy

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Find out all about the Yorkshire Terrier and their common health conditions, then compare pet insurance options from some of Australia’s leading insurers.

Written by , updated on October 4th, 2023

Price range

$2,000 – $5,000

Height

18–23cm

Weight

2–3.5kg

Personality

Spirited, affectionate, brave

Coat length

Long

Exercise needs

Moderate

Kid-friendly?

Yes – with proper socialisation and supervision

Life expectancy

12–15 years

Overview

The Yorkshire Terrier, affectionately known as a Yorkie, originated in 19th-century England where they played a crucial role as rat catchers in clothing mills. Despite their diminutive stature, they possess larger-than-life personalities and are characterised by their fearless and confident disposition.

Yorkshire Terriers are small but leave a striking impression with their silky coats, showcasing the breed's distinctive blue and tan colouration, their bright, expressive eyes and their spirited, affectionate nature.

These little companions excel at being just that – companions. They are adept at providing affection and comfort, making them well-suited for a variety of households. Their adaptable nature means they can comfortably thrive in various living environments, from snug apartments to more spacious homes, rendering them a versatile choice for many families.

Common diseases and conditions of Yorkshire Terriers

Portosystemic shunt (PSS): this is a congenital condition where blood flow bypasses the liver, affecting its ability to detoxify the blood. Symptoms may include stunted growth, confusion and seizures.
Luxating patella: this occurs when the kneecap dislocates from its normal position, causing pain and lameness. It's a common issue in small breeds like Yorkshire Terriers.
Tracheal collapse: this is a progressive condition where the cartilage in the windpipe weakens, leading to coughing and breathing difficulties, especially during exercise or excitement.
Hypoglycaemia: Yorkies are prone to low blood sugar, especially as puppies. This can lead to weakness, tremors and even seizures if not addressed promptly.
Legg-Calve-Perthes disease: this is a degenerative condition of the hip joint that affects small breeds like Yorkies. It leads to pain and limping.
Dental issues: Due to their small size, Yorkies are prone to dental problems like tooth decay and gum disease.

Breed-specific issues:

Yorkshire Terriers, while spirited and affectionate, can have their challenges. Their boldness can sometimes border on stubbornness, requiring patient and consistent training. Due to their small size, they may develop “small dog syndrome” if not properly disciplined, which can lead to behavioural issues. These dogs can be reserved around strangers, so early socialisation is crucial to prevent excessive shyness or fearfulness. Additionally, their high intelligence can lead to boredom if not mentally engaged, potentially resulting in excessive barking or destructive behaviours. It's important for owners to provide ample mental stimulation to keep them content and well-adjusted.

How much does pet insurance cost for a Yorkshire Terrier?

There are many factors that can influence the cost of pet insurance for your Yorkshire Terrier, including the following:

Age: the older your dog is, the more pet insurance is likely to cost. This is because older dogs tend to have more physical health conditions and illnesses due to age, and so present a higher insurance risk.
Type of insurance you choose: there are three basic types of pet insurance available in Australia; accident-only, accident and illness, and comprehensive insurance. An accident-only policy is the cheapest type of insurance available, with comprehensive coverage costing the most.
The policy annual limit: each pet insurance policy has an annual limit, which is the maximum amount that will be paid out on the policy in one financial year. Annual limits range from around $10,000 up to $25,000 or more.
Sub limits: in addition to an annual limit, there may also be sub limits that apply to the policy, for example a $300 sub limit for consultation fees, or a $5,000 limit for cruciate ligament conditions.
Benefit percentage: pet insurance may not cover 100% of the cost of your vet bill. Instead, it may pay a percentage of the total bill. This can range from 50% for cheaper policies up to 90% for top-of-the-range cover.
Excess amount: this is the amount you’ll need to pay out-of-pocket each time you make a claim on your policy. Some pet insurance policies do not come with an excess amount, while others do.
Any add-ons you choose: it’s possible to add on more cover options to a basic policy, such as emergency boarding fees, routine care and dental care. These add-ons extend the scope of your pet insurance, but do increase the overall cost of the policy.
Discounts: some insurers offer discounts of between 5% and 15% if you have multiple pets insured together, if you pay your premium annually, or if you bundle your pet insurance with other forms of insurance with the same company.

Types of pet insurance you can choose from

Accident-only

This is the most basic type of pet insurance, covering costs for accidental injuries such as car accidents, poisoning, burns, fractures, snake and spider bites, but not illnesses and other conditions.

Accident and illness

This type of insurance provides cover for accidental injuries as well as illnesses like cancer, gastrointestinal problems and eye, ear and skin conditions, but not routine care for your pet.

Comprehensive

This offers the highest level of protection, covering accident and illness and potentially routine care such as vaccinations, dental care, worm and flea treatments and microchipping.

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Common questions about Yorkshire Terriers

Are Yorkshire Terriers hypoallergenic?

Yes – Yorkshire Terriers are generally considered hypoallergenic. They have hair instead of fur, which means they shed less and produce fewer allergenic dander particles. However, no dog breed is completely hypoallergenic, so individuals with severe allergies should spend time with a Yorkie before bringing one into their home.

Do Yorkshire Terriers have a strong prey drive?

Yes – Yorkshire Terriers have a moderate to strong prey drive. They were originally bred for hunting small rodents, which can influence their behaviour around small animals. It's important to supervise them around smaller pets and to provide proper training and socialisation.

Do Yorkshire Terriers bark a lot?

Yes – Yorkshire Terriers are known for their tendency to bark. They have a keen sense of alertness and may bark to alert their owners of anything they find unusual or interesting. Proper training and socialisation can help manage their barking tendencies.

Are Yorkshire Terriers easy to train?

Yorkshire Terriers are intelligent and can be trained effectively, but they can also be a bit stubborn at times. Consistent, positive reinforcement-based training methods work best. Early socialisation and basic obedience training are crucial to ensure they grow up to be well-adjusted and well-behaved dogs.

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Disclaimer and important things you should know

Quantum Savvy Pty Ltd (ABN 78 660 493 194) trades as Savvy and operates as an Authorised Credit Representative 541339 of Australian Credit Licence 414426 (AFAS Group Pty Ltd, ABN 12 134 138 686). We are one of Australia’s leading financial comparison sites and have been helping Australians make savvy decisions when it comes to their money for over a decade.

We’re partnered with lenders, insurers and other financial institutions who compensate us for business initiated through our website. We earn a commission each time a customer chooses or buys a product advertised on our site, which you can find out more about here, as well as in our credit guide for asset finance. It’s also crucial to read the terms and conditions, Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or credit guide of our partners before signing up for your chosen product. However, the compensation we receive doesn’t impact the content written and published on our website, as our writing team exercises full editorial independence.

For more information about us and how we conduct our business, you can read our privacy policy and terms of use.