OldieIn some small breeds the rings of cartilage that hold the windpipe open weaken with age, so the trachea flattens when the dog breathes in or coughs. The result is a dry, honking cough set off by excitement, pulling on a collar, drinking, or hot weather. Small breeds carry the airway risk in the population data: in practices in England the Yorkshire Terrier, the breed most associated with tracheal collapse, had about twice the odds of an upper respiratory tract disorder compared with the control breed1.
A cough in an older small dog has other possible causes, including heart disease and laryngeal problems, so the vet will listen to the chest and usually take X-rays before settling on the diagnosis2. A senior with a new cough, faster breathing at rest or blue gums should be seen promptly.
Day to day, a harness instead of a collar, a lean body weight, cool rooms, and calm handling reduce coughing fits. Medication can quiet the cough and inflammation, and for severe cases a stent placed inside the trachea is an option2.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Your vet knows your dog.
Sources
- Epidemiological associations between brachycephaly and upper respiratory tract disorders in dogs attending veterinary practices in England (O'Neill DG et al.). Canine Genetics and Epidemiology 2:10, 2015 (peer reviewed). Accessed 2026-09-22.
- Laryngeal Paralysis in Dogs and Cats. Merck Veterinary Manual. Accessed 2026-09-22.