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A hereditary basis for congenital portosystemic shunts (PSS) in Yorkshire terriers was explored through record and pedigree analysis and a breeding trial. From 1980-2001, records of 1227236 dogs were included in the Veterinary Medical Database (VMDB). Of these, 16537 were Yorkshire terriers. The odds ratio for PSS in Yorkshire terriers was 35.9 times greater than for all other breeds combined. Wright's coefficient of inbreeding was approximately twice as high for Yorkshire terriers with PSS as compared to normal members of the breed (<i>P</i>=0.09). No common ancestors significant to the PSS group were found. Two affected Yorkshire terriers were bred and produced 2 normal puppies. Congenital PSS appears to be hereditary in Yorkshire terriers. However, the mechanism of inheritance still has to be elucidated.
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