If you’ve ever wondered what a “teacup Yorkie” or “mini Yorkie” is compared to just a regular Yorkie, the main difference is the weight of the dog.
Before we start, here’s a short video from Dog World on Youtube. Watch this video to learn everything about the size of Teacup Yorkies and this kind of dog breed.
Will Teacup Yorkies Grow Big?
This miniature (mini Yorkie) dogs only weighs around 2-3 pounds when fully grown (usually between 12-18 months of age), compared to the standard Yorkshire Terrier, which is between 4-7 pounds. If you’re not very familiar with Yorkies (or other dogs belonging to the toy group), then you might be surprised to learn that Yorkshire Terriers do not have a “teacup” classification, although many unskilled—and usually unethical—breeders would have you believe otherwise.
Breed Standards of Teacup Yorkies
For a purebred Yorkie, The American Kennel Club requires that the breed standard fall within the range of 4-7 pounds as an adult. Anything outside of this limit generally spells bad news for the dog in terms of health issues. Breeders who advertise “teacup Yorkies” are typically selling dogs that will not exceed 3 pounds and stand no more than 5 or 6 inches tall, which would not be accepted by the AKC.
If the breeder is a reputable one with respected breeding practices, then your Yorkie should fall within the 4-7 pound weight range. That being said, each breeder has their own specific guidelines about how they will respond to a puppy that does not conform to breed standards (which can occur when larger dogs are bred together, or if there is a mixed heritage somewhere in the line)
Breeders who use the tagline “teacup” often just want to charge a higher price for a puppy, but in actuality, you should pay less for this undersized dog because it does not conform to breed standards and will inevitably cost you hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars in vet bills. Online breeders attempt to play on the emotions of buyers with undersized dogs and sometimes charge two or even three times the amount more for these dogs than the standard-size Yorkie.
To ensure that your dog will conform to breed standards, be wary of breeders promising dogs that “have papers” without producing them firsthand. Often, these papers don’t exist, or they are for a registry that is questionable in terms of authenticity. If you are searching for a purebred Yorkie, it’s best to find a reputable breeder approved by the AKC.
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Height and Weight
A teacup Yorkshire terrier is a little dog that averages between 5 and 7 inches in height and 3 to 4 pounds in weight. You may anticipate that your Teacup pup will look precisely the same as an average-sized Yorkie, with the only difference being that it will be smaller.
The skulls of Teacup Yorkie Terriers are spherical and have a short muzzle. As for the Teacup Yorkie’s body, it is small but has a sturdy build. Teacup Yorkies are characterized by having small legs, a medium-length tail, and a tail carriage that is carried somewhat higher than the dog’s back.
Coat colors
The Yorkie teacup breed’s official colors are tan, black, blue, and gold. Additionally, the four major color combinations for Yorkie teacup puppies are as follows:
- Blue with tan
- Black with gold
- Black with tan
- Blue with gold
On the other hand, nonstandard varieties (teacup Yorkies puppies) of the breed could have a combination of brown, cream, and red in their appearance. Usually, the genes determine the colors of a Yorkie passed down from its parents, in addition to the puppy’s age. Impure bloodlines can cause color variances in dogs.
Coat type
The coats of Teacup Yorkies are pretty short and fluffy. They have a lot of fur, and when they aren’t maintained for lengthy periods of time, it might seem scruffy since the fur is coarse like hair. The incredible thing is that Teacup Yorkies do not shed significantly more than other types of dogs. In point of fact, they shed far less than breeds of bigger dogs such as German Shepherds. While Yorkies don’t shed too much, having a pet hair removal tool like the ones from PetLovers will help keep your home clean and tidy.
Estimating the Size of a Teacup Yorkie and Mini Yorkie
If you are concerned that your Yorkie is not the correct size, consult the breeder.
Most breeders are able to give a fairly accurate estimate shortly after the puppy’s birth as to its estimated adult weight. This Toy Yorkie Puppy Growth / Weight Chart gives a fairly accurate estimate of how large a dog will be based on its birth weight.
So before you purchase your pup, be sure to consult a chart like the one above to determine if your dog will fall within the appropriate weight range once he is full-grown.
Under and Over-sized Yorkies (Full Grown Teacup Yorkie)
If your Yorkie is under or oversized based on his age, the first course of action would be to ask your veterinarian if your Yorkie is in good health. It is very easy for toy-breed dogs (especially those that don’t get a lot of exercises) to become overweight. If this is the case, your vet will give you tips (and possibly a recommendation for certain dog food) to get your Yorkie on the right track.
Cute Teacup Yorkie
If, however, your Yorkie is in good health and still over the standard 7 lbs, then it is a possibility that your Yorkie has a mixed heritage somewhere in the line. The first step would be to consult the breeder and express your concerns. Many breeders have health guarantees (although these usually concern the death of the dog in case of genetic disease).
If your Yorkie is undersized, however, there may be severe health issues present. While they seem adorable and cute, Yorkies bred for this dangerously small “teacup” size are vulnerable to birth defects such as a portosystemic shunt (a circulatory problem of the liver) which usually doesn’t present until after 6 months of age—after your breeder is long gone with your cash in hand.
This genetic defect can have symptoms such as the inability to gain weight and vomiting, but it can also lead to symptoms usually associated with liver failures such as seizures, depression, and confusion. Small kidneys may also be an issue with undersized Yorkies, which can lead to kidney stones or even diabetes.
While the health issues listed above are often treatable, they are very expensive to deal with, especially when surgery is required. And speaking of surgery, broken bones are one of the most common injuries that occur in teacup-Yorkie-sized dogs. Since the animal is simply not meant to be that small in size, its fragile bones can often not stand activities that healthy dogs enjoy such as running, jumping, and playing.
How Long Do Teacup Yorkies Live?
When you’re getting a dog as a companion, you have to consider how long it will live. The average lifespan varies for every dog breed.
For Teacup Yorkies, the standard lifetime is around 7 to 10 years. However, your Miniature Yorkie may live as long as 12 or even 14 years. The shortest lifespan for this dog is three years, but the specifics depend on genetic factors.
Often illnesses are transmitted to a puppy from its parents. Depending on the breeding techniques used in consecutive litters, these genetic dispositions may worsen. And ultimately lead to shorter lifespans for your dog. That is why it is vital to know how long your breeder has been in the business and the effort they put into researching medical history and genetics.
But it isn’t always about diseases. Natural traumas also impact your dog’s lifespan. You have to understand that a Teacup Yorkie’s tiny body and smaller limbs make it extremely delicate.
The breed is naturally susceptible to certain diseases regardless of breeding practices. These include hypoglycemia, liver shunts, and dental issues. If you’ve ever wondered “How big will teacup Yorkies grow?” The answer varies depending on these genetic factors.
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However, just because there is a substantial risk doesn’t mean there aren’t steps you can take to prevent these concerns. For example, a special diet with controlled portion sizes can help your Teacup Yorkie avoid blood pressure issues. And regularly brushing their teeth from a young age goes a long way to preventing broken teeth and cavities.
Other illnesses to look out for include a collapsed trachea. If your Yorkie isn’t getting enough airflow, it will show symptoms like chronic coughing. You should take them to the vet immediately because respiratory concerns have serious long-term implications.
Why Do Teacup Yorkies Require Special Care?
Now that we’ve established that Teacup Yorkies are fragile and need extra care, it’s important to understand what you can do to help them. When you bring your tiny dog home, you can’t leave them alone in an open and unusual space. The Teacup Yorkie will quickly become overwhelmed and anxious. Unsure of what to do or how to proceed, they will start barking incessantly.
As a dog parent, it is your job to remain calm and patiently help them move past this phase. The worst thing you can do at this point is to get frustrated or angry. Instead, show them love and affection.
One strategy to make the transition easier for your Teacup Yorkie is to design a small and cozy space it can fit into. Like children, smaller dogs prefer spaces that don’t intimidate them. The height and size of the bed should allow easy access for your puppy.
Another issue to keep in mind is that Teacup Yorkies have incredibly fragile bones. As a result, small mishaps like falling off a sofa, running into a desk, or jerky movements can cause breakage or fractures.
As a pet parent, your Yorkie’s health is your responsibility. That means you need to supervise them constantly. Once your Teacup Yorkie is fully trained, you can leave them unattended for a few minutes at a time in enclosed spaces. But apart from that, you will have to arrange a sitter when you have to go to work or for other engagements.
When you’ve recently acquired a tiny dog, it’s easy to forget how small they are. But a Teacup Yorkie is barely one foot long. They’re also incredibly active and affectionate, so they will try to play with you by pulling on your leg.
A Yorkie may even run toward its owner when they return home. You have to be extremely vigilant and in full control of your response at moments like these. Because accidentally kicking or stepping on your dog can irreparably damage them.
Do You Have an Undersized or an Oversized Teacup Yorkie?
People often want to know, “how big do Yorkies grow”? Even with a Teacup Yorkie, there are specific size standards your dog should meet. If you overfeed your pet or they don’t get enough exercise, they can become overweight. On the other hand, an undersized Teacup Yorkie may not be getting enough nutrition.
In either case, you should take your Miniature Yorkie to a competent vet who will recommend appropriate changes to its diet and exercise. If you have an undersized or oversized Teacup Yorkie, there is no need to panic. Small lifestyle changes can help you get back on track.
Is A Teacup Yorkie a Good Family Dog?
Yes, a Teacup Yorkie is a good family dog. They are loyal, faithful, and highly affectionate, making them wonderful personal companions and terrific family pets. The Yorkie terrier teacup is not a couch potato and does best when given consistent opportunities for exercise. Teacup Yorkies are known for their high levels of devotion, and they take great pleasure in sharing their owners’ laps.
What if Your Teacup Yorkie or Yorkie is Underweight?
There are many reasons why your Yorkie may be underweight. It isn’t always a case of nutrition. In some cases, the weight can indicate underlying health concerns. When breeders make bad selections in parent Yorkies, it can lead to seizures, low blood pressure, heart problems, dental issues, and luxating patella.
The worse a Teacup Yorkie’s health is, the lower its life expectancy becomes. However, most of these problems can be treated with the right medical help. You’ll need a good vet and will have to spend quite a bit on this dog breed. Part of the reason Teacup Yorkies are regarded as an expensive dog breed is because of repeat medical treatments that can be costly.
What Do You Need For A Teacup Yorkie?
Before you get your mini Yorkie, you need to prepare for their arrival. With the right research and information, you can predict and preemptively deal with all concerns. So, let’s discuss all the necessities regarding Teacup Yorkies.
Exercise Requirements
It is critical to ensure that your new Teacup Yorkie puppy gets the appropriate amount of playtime. Inadequate physical activity can result in your dog’s lack of mental stimulation, which makes it more likely that they will engage in mischievous behavior, such as destroying their brand-new toys or scratching the surface of your brand-new carpet. If they consume too much, it might cause problems in their muscles and joints as they get older.
On average, teacup Yorkies have a daily activity need of around 25 to 30 minutes. Do not be deceived by their little size; they like running, playing games, and retrieving the ball just as much as any other dog there is.
Grooming and Shedding
Teacup Yorkies are extremely low-shedding canines, even shedding considerably less than a standard-sized Yorkie because of their much smaller size.
It’s common for low-shedding dogs to have coats that require a lot of grooming, and the Teacup Yorkie is no exception. They share the same coat as the Yorkie, making it challenging and time-consuming to keep their appearance.
In point of fact, due to the dog’s manageable size, grooming a Teacup Yorkie might be an even greater challenge than doing so with a standard Yorkie.
Not to add that Yorkies have lengthy, flowing hair, and because Teacup Yorkies are so small, it is possible for them to trip over their own fur.
If your Teacup Yorkie does, in fact, reveal gloriously long locks, you will have two options: either get it cut or be ready to start a daily combing routine.
Feeding and Diet
Even though they are considered “teacups,” they are still considered “terriers” despite their small size. Terriers are known for their tenacity, boundless energy, fearlessness, and friendliness. The Yorkie breed is not an exception. Young Yorkie puppies are intelligent and inquisitive in everything, and their metabolism allows them to follow that enthusiasm into every nook and corner of the house and yard. Yorkie puppies are smart and curious about everything. To keep up with their high activity level, little dogs need to consume more food than their fair share.
Teacup Yorkies should consume between 0.25 to 0.5 cups of food daily, equivalent to around 180 calories. It is recommended that you divide these calories between two and four meals. However, your Teacup Yorkie’s age and a number of other criteria will determine the specific amount of food it should consume and the number of meals it should have each day.
Known Health Problems
Teacup Yorkies usually suffer from these issues:
- Blindness
- Heart defects
- Patellar luxation
- Seizures
- Respiratory problems
- Collapsing trachea
- Gut problems
- Hypoglycemia
In addition, the procedures that are used for breeding might result in an increased incidence of hepatic shunts in Teacup Yorkies.
Concern About Weak Bones in the Mini Yorkie
A big concern with Teacup Yorkies is their weak bones that are easy to snap and break. That means falling off a high surface, running down the stairs, or jumping off a sofa can damage them irreparably.
The Solution to Yorkie Weak Bones
Since Teacup Yorkies have small and weak knees, they are prone to a bone condition called Patellar Luxation. If you want to avoid poor bone formation as a result of this illness, you should feed your puppy appropriate supplements.
Concern About Yorkie and Mini Yorkie Weak Knees
Since Teacup Yorkies have small and weak knees, they are prone to a bone condition called Patellar Luxation. If you want to avoid poor bone formation as a result of this illness, you should feed your puppy appropriate supplements.
The Solution About Yorkie Weak Knees
One option is the Doggie Dailies Glucosamine, which has nutrients such as glucosamine and chondroitin as well as essential enzymes. Together these active ingredients make your puppy’s joints stronger and can even repair cartilage. With powerful ligaments and reduced inflammation, your Teacup Yorkie can jump around easily and without any pain.
Additionally, since this supplement is available in a soft chew form, you can add it to your dog’s food or feed it to them directly. These yummy nutrients can even make excellent training treats.
Concern About Yorkie Hypoglycemia in the Mini Yorkie
Hypoglycemia occurs when your Teacup Yorkie isn’t eating enough food. Without the proper nutrients, its tiny body will react badly. Symptoms include vomiting, seizures, and even death. So, what do you do if your dog is a fussy eater?
The Solution to Yorkie Hypoglycemia in the Mini Yorkie
This is where you need supplements like the TOMLIN high-calorie nutritional gel that helps your Teacup Yorkie get all the necessary nutrients. How much should you feed them? Experts suggest that 40 calories per pound of weight are the ideal food quantity for tiny dogs. After all, you don’t want to risk overfeeding them because that road leads to obesity.
Can Teacup Yorkies Have Babies?
Since Teacup Yorkies are so popular, you may be wondering if you can breed your dog once it’s older. After all, with these many health risks affecting their day-to-day lives, is it even possible for this breed to have babies?
It is a valid question. A Miniature Yorkie has very fragile bones, so it is dangerous for them to give birth. That is why they have small litters of two to three puppies. Their tiny physical structure prevents them from breeding like other dogs.
As a pet parent, you should not try this at home. Experts recommend getting them spayed as soon as possible.
When it comes to Teacup Yorkies’ birth, professional breeders actually don’t pair these dogs together. Instead, they select the smallest puppies from the litters of regular Yorkies to breed with each other. The result is a puppy that is smaller than either of its parents. The birth process for tiny dogs is complicated, and the mothers need intense medical attention after it is over.
Most births take place at a hospital, so a vet is present at all times. They give the mother Yorkie regular checkups, sometimes multiple times in a single day, as well as supplements and special food. When you’re buying a Teacup Yorkie, make sure your breeder has ethical practices that include reliable health care for the mother Yorkie.
Related Questions
What Is A Teacup Yorkie Price?
The price of a Teacup Yorkie varies from breeder to breeder. Typically you can expect to pay around 1200 to 1500 dollars. The difference often comes down to the specific genetics, ancestry, and breeding practices of the AKC breeder. You should never buy from an unlicensed breeder or a puppy mill since they have unethical practices that harm dogs.
Your first choice should always be to adopt a Yorkie from a rescue or shelter. You have to spend very little money and can give a desperate dog a loving home. But finding Teacup Yorkies in shelters is rare.
Teacup Yorkies VS Normal Yorkie VS Toy Yorkie Size – What’s The Difference?
All Yorkies are toy-sized dogs, which means they weigh less than seven pounds. Within this category, you have Normal and Teacup Yorkies. A typical Yorkie weighs a maximum of 7 pounds and is no longer than 9 inches.
The smallest dogs from these litters are bred together to create Teacup Yorkies. These dogs have an average weight of 2 to 4 pounds, making them miniature dogs in a tiny dog world.
Is A Teacup Yorkie A Good Pet?
Teacup Yorkies are loving and affectionate pets. They require very little space and are fun to be around. While their health issues may seem stressful, the right diet, supplements, and care can easily keep your dog healthy and in good shape.
Conclusion
If you are on the lookout for the tiniest dog available, then the standard Yorkie is probably your best bet: born only weighing a few ounces, even when the Teacup Yorkie is full-grown they rank among one of the smallest breeds of dogs in the world.
A full-grown Yorkie can easily travel in a dog tote carried on your shoulder so you can take your pup around town with you, or if you travel often, they are even small enough to fit a special dog carrier that will slide under the seat in front of you on an airplane.
