Teacup Yorkie | Facts, Size, Health & Care Guide (With Pictures) (2024)

Small dogs like the teacup Yorkie are convenient to bring during travel, walks, and other adventures. They are also easier to care for compared to bigger and heavier dogs.

However, the teacup Yorkshire Terrier breed is prone to have a long list of health issues.

One of the reasons teacup Yorkie puppies are so inclined to have health problems is the method they are bred.

Are you interested to know more about the charming teacup Yorkie? This helpful guide will help you better understand this breed and how to care for them.

What Is a Teacup Yorkie?

The teacup Yorkie is a purebred Yorkshire Terrier, only a lot smaller. In comparison to a standard Yorkie, this tiny pooch weighs at least four pounds less. This is because breeders intentionally breed runts of a litter to produce pups smaller than the conventional size.

If you look at pictures of the regular Yorkie and a teacup Yorkie side by side, you wouldn’t tell any notable differences besides the size.

Besides the physical features, both breeds also share many similar characteristics in terms of personality. Both standard Yorkies and teacup Yorkies are playful buddies.

Despite being such a small dog, the teacup Yorkie is like a ball of energy and is more active than the regular breed. Thus, do not be too surprised when you find them jumping and running around all day.

Teacup Yorkie Size and Weight

The teacup Yorkie lives up to its name, standing about 5 to 6 inches tall. In terms of body mass, teacup Yorkies typically weigh only between 2 and 4 pounds.

For comparison, the standard Yorkshire Terrier stands at about 8 to 9 inches, so the teacup version is around three inches smaller.

Even though there is a difference in size, both breeds are considered toy-sized dogs as they normally weigh under seven pounds.

If you were wondering when they will stop growing, both a male and female Yorkie would be fully grown within a year. From months 9 to 10 months, you will observe your pooch exhibit only a slight size increase.

If you want to learn more about how big the teacup Yorkie can grow, check out this video:

Teacup Yorkie Appearance

Besides being absolutely adorable and having the obvious small teacup size, teacup Yorkies have several other distinct features.

You will notice that they have small heads that are flat on the top.Their ears are also something you will notice right away, having a pointy v-shape. This trait can also be observed among Corgis and Chihuahuas.

The breed also varies in color, but teacup Yorkies typically exhibit mixtures of black and tan, black and gold, and blue and tan. However, the rarest color of this breed is the parti color.

This is ultimately a beautiful mix of white, tan, and blue. The “blue” description is used lightly, as this is not the color you see in the sky.Instead, it is a grayish hue that can appear both blue and silver under different lighting.

Meanwhile, some may even sport a solid coat color like chocolate or brown.

Moreover, teacup Yorkshire Terriers typically exhibit a medium-sized muzzle. All these traits so far are consistent with the regular counterpart of toy Yorkies.

Basically, the teacup Yorkie is just the miniature version of the typical Yorkshire Terrier, so you can expect them to look very much identical.

How Do Breeders Produce Teacup Yorkies?

Did you know that some teacup dogs are naturally bred? These dogs can be described as runt puppies or dogs smaller than their siblings. However, some of these runt puppies grow to be regular-sized Yorkies.

The teacup Yorkie puppy can also be the outcome of the mating of two undersized Yorkies.

To further understand the teacup Yorkie, let us look at this run-down on how this pooch is bred.

Breeding Runts Together

The runts of the litter are significantly smaller puppies and grow at a slower rate than their littermates.

You may initially think that these puppies were just naturally made fun-sized. However, they earned this name not only because they are smaller but also weaker than their siblings.

But what is the cause of having small litter? The American Kennel Club says that the most common cause is breeding at an inopportune or wrong period.

Additionally, teacup Yorkies like this usually develop in the middle of their mother’s uterus. Since they are the furthest from the mother’s blood supply, these puppies receive fewer nutrients.

Besides that, other possible culprits include the health conditions of the mother of the pooch, like hypothyroidism and uterine infection.

Dwarfism in Dogs

Another reason why we have teacup breeds is the condition called dwarfism. Like other animals, dogs can also experience a significant lack of hormones, causing them to be smaller.

Some symptoms of this condition include having their head larger than usual, crooked teeth, and abnormal growth of the joints.

While dwarfism is not entirely harmful to the pooch’s health, it can result in a life expectancy of fewer than ten years.

However, there is still hope for pet owners out there. If you carefully and properly care for your teacup Yorkie, you can increase their life expectancy and help them live healthier lives.

Are Teacup Yorkies Recognized by Kennel Clubs?

No, canine organizations like the American Kennel Club do not recognize teacup Yorkies. For one, the teacup Yorkie is not classified as a legitimate breed.

The terms teacup Yorkie, micro Yorkie, or even toy Yorkie were all coined to describe their small stature.

And while they are purebred Yorkies, they are still too small to be under the same category as the Yorkshire Terrier.

Furthermore, due to the unethical practices that breeders do to produce these pooches, teacup Yorkies are considered an anomaly to many.

Teacup Yorkie Lifespan and Health Issues

The typical teacup Yorkie lifespan is only 7 to 9 years. Like other toy breeds, the average lifespan of this teacup dog is significantly lower than its regular-sized version.

Their short life expectancy is because of the health and other genetic issues that they carry.

The following are some of the most prevalent health problems that the teacup Yorkie encounters:

• Hypoglycemia: This is when your dog has low blood sugar. Some common causes of hypoglycemia include inflammation in the liver, excessive exercise, and parasites in the intestines. The cold environment can also contribute to this.
• Collapsing Trachea: A dog with a collapsed trachea will have short bursts of respiratory distress. This problem is not exclusive to toy breeds. Moreover, this condition will worsen over time as the tracheal support degrades.
• Heart Failure: According to the AKC, heart failure frequently caused by valvular disease is one of the leading causes of mortality in tiny breeds. Furthermore, only a veterinarian can diagnose and then personalize the treatment to the dog’s specific needs.
• Pancreatitis: This condition occurs when a dog’s pancreas becomes inflamed. Some culprits of pancreatitis in dogs include a high-fat diet, obesity, and diabetes.

There are always ways to prevent your pooch from getting sick. This includes serving them good food, ensuring they have enough exercise, and paying attention to their needs.

Although some health conditions can naturally occur more prevalently in teacup breeds, breeding techniques can also raise health problems.

Therefore, it is your responsibility as a fur parent to find ethical and reputable breeders for these tiny dogs.

Teacup Yorkie Temperament and Personality

Yes, the teacup Yorkie is the perfect addition to families with kids. For one, the tiny teacup is known to be highly affectionate and loving.

This breed also does not mind having other dogs as company, as they are generally peaceful with others.

Although they have tiny hearts, their affection is enough for you, your children, and all members of the family. However, if you have small kids around, make sure that they are careful around these dogs since they are fragile.

Considering that this adorable pup is not afraid to show their love, they will not hesitate to bark excessively. With them inside the home, you will definitely know if you have some visitors.

Furthermore, like all the other Yorkshire Terriers, mini Yorkies are also impressively intelligent. Therefore, you can have some fun teaching them tricks.

However, because they are clever, they can sometimes become bold. Nevertheless, you can count on them to be loyal and fantastic companions.

How to Take Care of Your Teacup Yorkie

Having a very small dog does not mean fewer responsibilities. Being a parent will always come with duties to raise a healthy, content, and comfortable pup.

That said, below are some helpful tips for taking care of a teacup Yorkie:

Feeding and Diet

Compared to large dog breeds, this tiny pooch cannot ingest a lot of food at once. You will need to feed them several times a day.

A good rule of thumb is to feed them at least every four to five hours. That means they will need to be given food more than twice a day.

Regular-sized Yorkshire Terriers are recommended to consume between ¼ and ½ cups of food. For your teacup Yorkie, you will need to feed less than that.

Treats can also be beneficial for your teacup Yorkie. Especially if you plan on training them at home, having some packs of tasty snacks will come in handy.

To keep them healthy and in good shape, give them the best dog treats available in the market. You can also feed them crackers every once in a while.

Cleaning and Grooming

You will quickly find that this charming breed has a stunning silky coat. Therefore, you will need to put some effort into maintaining that.

Make sure you brush their fur regularly to avoid knots. You should also bathe them once every two to four weeks.

If you want to keep their hair short or at a specific length, you can either trim them yourself or bring them to a professional groomer every four to six weeks.

Another priority when it comes to cleaning and grooming these tiny canines is oral health. Make it a point to brush them every day, as this breed is also prone to periodontal disease.

There are petite-sized dog toothbrushes available on the market specifically for small breeds like the mini Yorkie.

Trimming their nails is also necessary to keep them well-groomed, and this should be done every two to three months.

Since this pooch is active and loves to play around, you should buy some grooming wipes to remove all the dirt and foul odor.

Training and Exercise

Yorkies are said to be one of the easiest dogs to train. Not only due to their intelligence but also because they are confident.

Furthermore, training your dog is not only done for the sake of seeing cool tricks. This is to help them have adequate mental stimulation and improve their overall well-being.

While training your dog can be accomplished at any age, the younger, the better.

Especially if you are planning to take them to dog classes, early dog training exposes your pup to other canines and dog-loving adults outside of the confines of your house.

This will help them socialize and meet other pets and people. Therefore, you will need to either learn how to train your teacup Yorkie or seek help from professionals.

As for exercise, considering their size, you will not have to take them on long and extensive walks.

However, you will still have to take them out at least once daily. You should also highly consider bringing them to dog parks.

How Much Does a Teacup Yorkie Cost? Puppy Prices & Expenses

The typical price of a teacup Yorkie is between $1,000 and $3,000. This is significantly expensive, considering they are known to have health issues.

However, online breeders aim to exploit consumers who are ignorant that teacup Yorkies are not a legitimate dog breed, charging upwards of $2,500 to $5,000 for these little pups.

Before bringing a teacup Yorkie home, you should first be aware of the initial cost of owning one.

Here is a summary of the initial cost of owning a teacup Yorkie:

These expenses are merely the initial expenses you need to spend on before bringing your puppy home.

Therefore, it includes all the non-negotiables, such as food, beds, dog license, and other supplies.

As you can tell, vet visits and appointments are hefty. Therefore, you must acquire pet insurance. This will help you in reducing the overall cost of veterinary care.

Furthermore, the costs will not be limited to those mentioned above. The total amount you will be spending on your pooch will ultimately depend on their age, size, and needs.

Places to Find Teacup Yorkie Puppies for Sale and Adoption

Considering the number of unethical backyard breeders out there, searching for a reputable breeder can be challenging.

Therefore, you should first be familiar with reliable breeders to ensure you are getting a quality teacup Yorkie puppy.

Here is a short list of some teacup Yorkie breeders that offer quality puppies:

• Jeff’s Yorkies and Boutique – This breeder has been in operation for 15 years. They socialize, train, and feed their pets responsibly. With their help, you will be bringing home a happy, healthy, and well-trained teacup Yorkie puppy.
• Country Yorkies – All teacup Yorkie pups on this 100-acre farm in southeast Ohio have been vet-checked and are up to date on vaccines and wormings. Most importantly, they come with a genetic health guarantee.
• Goldie’s Yorkies – Goldie’s Yorkies’ primary purpose is to raise healthy puppies who will find happy and loving homes throughout the United States. They ensure that all puppies are accustomed to a high level of human interaction and love.

Aside from searching for a good breeder, you also have the choice to adopt a teacup Yorkie from rescues and shelters. This will help homeless teacup Yorkies to find better and forever homes.

Here is a list of some rescue centers where you may find a teacup Yorkie available for adoption:

• Save A Yorkie Rescue – This organization began way back in January 2002. Since then, they have saved over 2,500 Yorkies. Save A Yorkie Rescue also invites volunteers who want to offer a temporary home for homeless Yorkies that have been either rescued or dropped off at shelters.
• Yorkie Rescue Of America – This is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to saving and rehabilitating all homeless Yorkies in America. They do not focus on teacups. Rather, they make sure to find homes for all types of Yorkies.
• Yorkie Rescue Houston – Helping dogs since 2015, Yorkie Rescue Houston aims to reduce unwanted, homeless, and abandoned Yorkies around the area. Furthermore, they also extend their arms to other small dogs who need their help.

You may also check out our Yorkie breeders affiliated with the AKC to see if they produce this tiny pooch. Contacting teacup Yorkie owners can also lead you to a specialized breeder.

Pros and Cons of Owning a Teacup Yorkie

As with all the other breeds, owning a teacup Yorkie has both advantages and disadvantages. Knowing what these are will help you understand what you are signing yourself up for and manage your expectations.

Here is a list of some pros of owning a teacup Yorkie:

• It is less expensive to feed them. Since teacup Yorkies do not need to consume large amounts of food, you will not need to buy dog food frequently.
• Smaller dogs do not require bigger homes. If you live in an apartment with limited space, these dogs are perfect for you. Not only do they not require much room to move in, but they will not take much bed space too!
• Teacup Yorkies are entertaining. Do not underestimate the ability of this breed to entertain you. Looking at them is enough to brighten your day, but their outgoing and sometimes spunky attitude will never bore you.
• They love following you around. While some owners are not quite comfortable having their pooch follow them around their home, some absolutely live for this. Teacup Yorkies are nothing short of clingy, so you need to be used to seeing them everywhere.

Below are some cons of owning a teacup Yorkie:

• Teacup Yorkies have serious health issues. Having your pet go through a health problem is not only tough for the dog but also for the fur parent. Besides the emotional strain this causes, it can also bring you issues heavy on the wallet.
• They can be territorial. Some pooches can be very feisty and will do anything to protect their owners. This can be challenging to deal with if you live with a lot of people.
• These dogs can be expensive to groom. Even though they have less hair than a regular dog, it will take a lot of money to style them and keep them looking polished.

All breeds come with their pros and cons. Knowing them beforehand will significantly help you determine if the canine is for you or not.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Teacup Yorkies Shed?

Luckily, teacup Yorkies are not known to be heavy shedders. They only shed very little hair, which is the same as the regular-sized Yorkshire Terriers.

Therefore, they are perfect for dog owners who do not want to be collecting piles of fur around the home.

Are Teacup Yorkies Hypoallergenic?

Yes! Since they shed significantly less than other dogs, teacup Yorkies are great for dog lovers who suffer from dog allergies. Having hypoallergenic dogs ultimately means having dogs with either thinner or non-existent undercoats.

Do Teacup Yorkies Bark a Lot?

Yes, teacup Yorkies are known to be very vocal. Once they detect an unfamiliar noise or catch a glimpse of a visitor, they will not be afraid to bark as loud as their small vocal cords can.

Do Teacup Yorkies Stay Small?

Yes. Once they reach their maximum height of about five to six inches, teacup Yorkies will stay that way.

Since they remain small, it is crucial that you become used to their fragile stature. You should also learn how to care for their tiny bodies and make sure to serve the necessary vitamins and minerals to strengthen them over time.

Final Thoughts

The teacup Yorkie has a face that will not fail to catch the hearts of even the most callous people.Not only do they look charming, but they also have lovely personalities. Their loyalty and affection are something you will want to have beside you at all times.

As one of the most active dogs, they love to run around and play with you, so you need to learn a lot of games for playtime.

However, some see this small size as a disadvantage. Since they are more fragile, they are more prone to injuries.

Also, many breeders breed unhealthy teacup puppies. Therefore, it is imperative that you do your part in finding an ethical breeder if you plan on having a teacup Yorkie.

Will you consider owning a teacup Yorkie? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.