A dog owner’s guide to the adorable, pint-sized Teacup Yorkie - K9 Web (2024)

Last Updated on April 14, 2023

Did you know that the Yorkshire Terrier can be more adorbs? If not, then we would like you to meet the Teacup Yorkie!

Teacup Yorkshire Terriers may be worthy of being called the “forever puppy,” but don’t let their sweet faces deceive you. There’s more to this teacup-sized pooch than their size.

We know you want one, so keep reading and get all the facts about this little dog.

The Teacup Yorkie at a Glance

We’ve put together a table below to give you a quick overview of the Teacup Yorkie.

Origin: Is the Teacup Yorkie real?

You bet they are! These Teacup Yorkies are the smaller version of the Standard Yorkshire Terrier. They’re precisely the same kind of dog, but they just differ in size.

It is said that the Yorkshire Terrier breed originated in England during the early 1900s, while the teacup versions were first seen around the 20th century. Their original history may be unknown, but a Paisley Terrier named Huddersfield Ben is widely acknowledged as the father of the breed.

Although they’re the same breed, only the standard-sized Yorkie is recognized by the American Kennel Club.

This is due to the background of breeding to get extremely small versions of dogs. Miniature and Teacup variations are more susceptible to a lot of health issues, hence a shorter lifespan.

There are no known Teacup Terrier Yorkies that are registered with the AKC as any purebred dog that falls outside of the breed standard is considered improperly bred.

Since we’re already talking about the size, let’s move on to the physical traits of the Teacup Yorkie.

Wondering What a Teacup Yorkie Looks Like?

As we mentioned earlier, this Teacup doesn’t fall under the Regular Yorkshire Terrier’s breed standard.

Teacup Yorkies have the same features as Standard Terrier Yorkies. They have a flat-top head, small ears that can sometimes be erect and V-shaped or a bit floppy, dark eyes, and a short muzzle. Their compact body ends with a tail that is docked up to medium-length, just proportionate to their size.

But some Yorkshire Terriers, both Toy- and Teacup-sized, can have hazel or blue eyes, just like this pretty lil fella.

Height and weight: do Teacup Yorkies still grow?

A full-grown Teacup Yorkshire Terrier has an average height of 5 to 7 inches (13 to 18 cm) and will not exceed a weight of 2 to 4 pounds(1 to 2 kg). So you can expect this furbaby to stay small forever, even after they turn 1, which is their age of maturity!

Did you know that the smallest working dog in the world is a tiny Yorkshire Terrier named Lucy from New Jersey? She weighs 2 ½ pounds (1.1 kg) and works as a therapy dog, which is perfect because her teacup size cuteness will lift everyone’s mood.

Some people call this tiny variety as a micro teacup. But don’t mistake them for regular Yorkshire Terriers, because the standard-sized Yorkies are already classified as “Toy Dogs” and hold that title to themselves.

For reference or comparison, a Yorkshire Terrier’s breed standard size is 7 to 8 inches (18 to 20 cm) tall and a weight that won’t exceed 7 pounds (3 kg).

Teacup Yorkies are suitable for all types of houses – thanks to their size and exercise requirements. But that also means that they’re recommended for homes where they’re the only pet. They’re fragile creatures that can easily get injured.

The glossy hair & fetching colors of Teacup Yorkshire Terriers

A Teacup Terrier Yorkie has the same coat and color as a recognized Yorkshire. They have silky, fine hair that’s covering their body. It’s straight and moderately long, but the traditional long, flowing look may not be suitable for the tinier version. We’ll talk more about it on grooming.

When it comes to their color, Teacup Yorkie puppies can be born in different shades and patterns and change once they’re matured.

As per the breed standard, they should be born with black and tan, all tan, and dark steel blue. But since Teacup Yorkies aren’t recognized or registered, they’re available in other colors like black and gold, blue and gold, blue and tan, merle, as well as parti (black, white, and tan).

If you’re wondering if the Teacup Yorkshire Terrier is also a shedder like the standard version, we have good news. Some may say they’re hypoallergenic, but we want to stick to the term low-shedding. They shed way less than regular Yorkies, which may be excellent for allergy-sufferers who wish to have this little pooch.

Don’t miss: Guide to Yorkie colors

Temperament: Are Teacup Yorkies good pets?

The answer to that question will all depend on how a dog owner looks at it. After all, each canine has its own decent qualities and quirks.

For my fellow paw parents with small breeds, we’re all aware that most of them display Small Dog Syndrome, also known as the Napoleon Complex. And Yorkies aren’t an exemption.

Teacup Yorkshire Terriers tend to have big characters, and they aren’t aware that it’s too enormous for their size.

Although the undesirable “small dog” behavior is learned and not because of their breed or size, it can get mixed up with their natural personality. Since they’re witty fidos, expect that they can also be bossy and stubborn. We recommend this for owners with experience of handling intelligent pets.

And since Teacup Yorkies feel like they can take on anyone and anything, it’s our job to protect them.

You should keep your tiny friend away from bigger dogs as they’re rowdier during playtime and may unintentionally hurt your small doggo – same thing with toddlers and little kids. If you have children in your home, teach them how to pat your Yorkie gently. Overall, they’re more suitable in an all-adult home that can give all the attention and love they need.

Oh, there’s barking, too! While they may have a small voice, Teacup Yorkies tend to excessively bark at absolutely everything! They’re occasionally snappy and neurotic, but it’s only because they can get incredibly nervous. It’s nothing that early socialization can’t fix.

Don’t take our word for it, watch this video and see how smart Teacup or Miniature Yorkies are. Tiny Misa is definitely packed with amazing tricks inside that minuscule body!

Aside from basic training like obedience, potty, and socialization, you also have to teach your petite pet the command to stay out of your way to avoid her from getting underfoot. Not a lot of people know this term, but it frequently happens with small dog breeds and their owners.

These Tiny Pups Need Special Care

Just because your four-legged pal is tiny doesn’t mean she needs less care. In fact, most miniaturized varieties require special overall maintenance.

Here are tips on how to take care of Teacup Yorkies.

Grooming and Styling your Teacup Yorkshire Terrier

Cleaning up this little fur angel is quite reasonable – a monthly bath (or when needed), daily teeth brushing, bi-weekly nail cutting, and weekly checking and cleaning of ears.

Your main task with a Teacup Yorkie is grooming its hair. It should be brushed every day using a soft brush and a wide-toothed comb. Doing this will help clear out tangled before they turn into knots.

These are the usual steps for taking care of this Terrier’s coat, but as we mentioned earlier, a long-haired style may not work for its teacup version because of their size and the additional weight. This is why most people who own this variety keep their Yorkie short-coated.

Don’t brush your Yorkshire Terrier’s hair when it’s dry! It will be an unpleasant experience, and she’ll try to fight you during sessions. Lightly mist your pet’s fur to avoid hair-pulling or -breaking.

Keep the hair of your Teacup Yorkie’s ear flaps trimmed (front and back) in an inverted V-shaped. The excess weight of fur can cause droopy ears.

Here’s a groomer’s video guide on how to groom or trim a Yorkie’s face and ears. It might be a little long, but it’s worth it since she mentions some tricks if your Teacup Yorkie is hesitant about letting you cut the hair on her face:

What do Teacup Yorkies eat?

In general, Yorkshire Terriers should be fed high-quality dry kibbles that are formulated especially for toy breeds, while considering their age, activity level, as well as health.

For the amount of food for Teacups, a cup, or about 400 calories that are divided into four to five meals throughout the day, is sufficient.

The smaller the dog is, the more sensitive stomachs they have. Be mindful of what your pet eats and how much because it can affect their behavior.

Does a Teacup Yorkie even need exercise?

Of course, they do! No matter the size or breed, your pet will need to work out to keep from gaining too much weight and having pent up energy.

It’s not much of a chore when it comes to this doggo. Twenty minutes of daily exercise is enough for those small, stubby legs.

Since it won’t take up a lot of your time, walks can be substituted through play such as hide and seek. If you have a knack for building things, why not make a simple obstacle course with tunnels made of cans, blankets, or even chairs.

Health: What is the life expectancy of a Teacup Yorkie?

We said earlier that producing toy and teacup sizes of regular breeds aren’t doing those dogs a favor. We can consider health their biggest drawback as it will shorten their lifespan from a regular Yorkshire Terrier with up to 20 years, to a longevity range of 7 to 12 yearsfor teacups.

Depending on their lineage, as well as their overall health and care, some get to live for a few extra years.

With health problems, let’s start with a question that most people ask: Why does my Teacup Yorkie shake?

Few different factors can cause shaking in Yorkies. First is because of the weather. Unlike other breeds, the Yorkshire Terrier doesn’t have an undercoat, making them sensitive to sudden changes in temperature.

Keep them warm cozy after baths, as well as during the rainy and winter season. If it’s too hot, avoid the outdoors when the sun is at its peak, especially during summer.

If you did all that and your Teacup Yorkie is still shaking, it may not be climate-related. It may be due to emotion, such as separation anxiety or overexcitement.

Lastly, it can be a medical condition that’s common to their breed (especially during birth to 4 months) that causes them to shake, which is called hypoglycemia. It happens when they have a quick drop of blood sugar because of the lack of nutrients, stress, or that pup was simply the runt of the litter.

Yorkshire Terriers who have hypoglycemia would also show other symptoms like drowsiness, fatigue, or seizures. If the shaking happens and they’re vomiting or other unusual signs, your dog needs immediate medical attention.

Other illnesses or diseases that Teacup Yorkies may have are:

• Nutrition absorption issues
• Patellar luxation because of their small bones
• Retinal atrophy, which has no cure and can cause the dog to go blind
• Dental issues
• Collapsed trachea
• Breaking bones
• Liver shunts
• Skin sores
• Heart problems
• Open fontanel

How much is a Teacup Yorkie puppy?

Teacup Yorkies generally only have 1-2 puppies per litter, and birthing is risky, which is an acceptable reason why they’re expensive. The average price range for a Yorkshire Terrier within breed standards is about $800-$1000. For Teacup Terrier Yorkies, a puppy can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000!

The amount that breeders ask from potential puppy buyers is based on factors such as parents or breeding stocks that are top of the line or with superior pedigree, location, medical examinations spent, and in some cases, even training and transportation.

It is quite challenging to breed small varieties of Yorkshire Terriers. So if you find a Teacup Yorkie puppy less than $500, there’s a big chance that they’re backyard or non-reputable breeders.

Because of their popularity, some people have started breeding mini Yorkies to make a buck, but they aren’t working to produce healthy, stable dogs.

Always ask to meet the breeder, the pup, as well as its parents and littermates. Observe their environment and the interaction between the current owner and his or her canines. Aside from researching and asking questions, request to see the health documents of the paw family.

Teacup Yorkie breeders

Is your heart set on buying a Teacup Yorkshire Terrier puppy? Then let us help you start your search with these websites or breeders or kennels that have available pups. They might be even near you!

1. TeaCups Puppies and Boutique (Davie, FL)
2. Elvis Yorkshire Terrier (Ironton, MO)
3. Texas Tiny Yorkies (Abilene, TX)

Teacup Yorkie adoption & rescues

Adopting Standard and Teacup Yorkies are easier on the pocket as the cost is usually around $400. It’s just to cover expenses like care, vaccinations, and sometimes, even training.

You can consider adopting since many dogs are waiting to be saved and are hoping for a forever home. They can be Teacup Yorkshire Terriers, purebreds, and crossbreeds, with different ages and sizes, too.

Aside from checking a local shelter near you, you can also take a look at rescue sites like Save a Yorkie Rescue and United Yorkie Rescue.

Other amazing Yorkie mixes

Yorkshire Terriers are admired by canine lovers all over the world. They were mixed with a few cute purebreds that resulted in these delightful designer dogs with a size that ranges from toy to miniature.

Yorkie and Poodle mix (Yorkie Doodle or Yorkiepoo)

Yorkie and Chihuahua Mix (Chorkie)

Yorkie and Pomeranian Mix (Yorkie-Pom)

They may not be very tiny like the Teacup Yorkie, yet they’re less delicate to handle. And if you want to see other seemingly pint-sized breeds that are compared to our star doggo, you can check if you’d prefer a Shih Tzu, a Maltese, or maybe a Pomeranian! They may differ in looks and temperament, but they all fall under the category of “cuteness overload”!

The Teacup Yorkie May Be Your New Best Friend

For such a petite pooch, the teacup Yorkie can be a lot. They may be snappy and vocal, but they’re also smart and loving. Even with a small size, proud breeds are best to live with experienced owners.

Teacup Yorkies may not require a lot of space and exercise, but they are best suited for homes with no children and other dogs.

From their outsized personality to their above-average health needs, they may not be the easiest dog to keep around, but the enormous amount of love they’ll give you makes it all worth it.

Miniature breeds like these come with great responsibility. Are you up for it? What do you think about Teacup Yorkies? Tell us about your tiny pal!

Further reading: Similarly sized breeds to the Teacup Yorkie

• Teacup Pomeranian
• Teacup Maltese
• Teacup Poodle
• Teacup Chihuahua

Reference

• https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/truth-about-teacup-dogs
• https://www.huffpost.com/entry/tiny-yorkshire-terrier-lucy_n_1199689
• http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/teach-your-dog-to-move-out-of-the-way
• https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/hydrocephalus-in-toy-breed-puppies