In recent years, toy dog breeds such as the Teacup Yorkie have seen an increase in popularity. I have always wondered just how different they are from traditional Yorkshire Terriers.
What exactly is a Teacup Yorkie? Teacup Yorkies are typically lighter than 4 pounds in weight and 7 inches in size. It is almost half the size of a traditional Yorkie. Apart from the difference in sizes, Teacup Yorkies are identical to a typical Yorkie breed.
In our guide, we will discuss how Teacup Yorkshire Terriers are different from the traditional Yorkies. We will also talk about the common health problems that a Teacup Yorkie could face because of its miniature build.
Let’s start by going through the Teacup Yorkie breed in greater detail.
What Size Is A Teacup Yorkie? Can They Really Fit Into A Teacup?
The Teacup Yorkie is a standard Yorkie that has been carefully bred to be of a significantly smaller size than the standard Yorkie when fully matured. Unlike the Biewer Yorkie, which is a completely different breed from the Yorkshire Terrier, or the Parti Yorkie, which has some genetic differences, the Teacup Yorkie is exactly what the traditional Yorkie is.
It’s good to note that the term “Teacup” is not recognized by any kennel club, and therefore, there are no official regulations as to the size of a Teacup Yorkie.
Size Of Teacup Yorkies
Unofficially, however, a fully grown Teacup Yorkie (about 12 to 18 months of age) should weigh between 2 to 4 pounds. The height of a Teacup Yorkie stands at about 5 to 6 inches.
Any Yorkie bigger than that is considered to be a Standard Yorkie, rather than a Teacup. Therefore, the Teacup Yorkie is actually the smallest breed of Yorkies.
Breeding Of Teacup Yorkies
While it is possible for Teacup Yorkies to occur naturally, in most cases, Teacup Yorkie breeders achieve such small Yorkie sizes by deliberately breeding undersized Yorkies in order to produce even smaller litter.
They Can Fit Into A Teacup
Due to their small size, Teacup Yorkies can actually fit inside a teacup, which is why this term is used to describe them. You can hold a Teacup Yorkie on your palm, and you can even fit your beloved Teacup Yorkie inside your purse when going out for dinner or a picnic.
Teacup Yorkie Appearance
The head of the Teacup Yorkie is a bit large in proportion to the body, which makes Teacups such adorable animals to look at. They have V-shaped ears, a medium-sized, proportioned muzzle, and a medium-length tail.
What Is The Difference Between A Teacup Yorkie And A Regular Yorkie?
Technically, Teacup Yorkies are not a different breed from traditional Yorkshire Terriers. The only difference between them and traditional Yorkies is their tiny size and stature. In other words, Teacup Yorkies are small Yorkshire Terriers weighing less than 4 pounds.
Delicate And Fragile
That said, however, there are some differences between Teacup Yorkies and Standard Yorkies. First, due to their small size, Teacup Yorkies are highly delicate and fragile. They need more specialized care than Standard Yorkies. Little mistakes when caring for them can easily lead to injuries and health complications.
Puppyish Looks
In terms of appearance, Teacup Yorkies look a bit premature – they look more like puppies, even when fully grown – compared to Standard Yorkies. However, this puppyish look is what makes them so cute and adorable.
Similar Colors As Regular Yorkies
Other than the premature, puppyish appearance, Teacup Yorkies do not look so different from regular Yorkies. Just like regular Yorkies, Teacup Yorkies come in a wide variety of colors. Some common colors in Yorkies are black and tan, blue and tan, black and gold, and blue and gold.
Silky, Glossy Coats
The coats of Teacup Yorkies are also similar to those of Standard Yorkies. Their coats are silky, fine, and glossy. Like Standard Yorkies, the fur of Teacup Yorkies grows quite fast, so it usually requires regular trimming.
More Playful
When it comes to temperament, most owners find that Teacup Yorkies tend to be a lot more playful than Standard Yorkies. They are also quite bold and confident, despite their small size. However, training them is a lot more challenging compared to training regular Yorkies.
Why Teacup Dogs Are Bad? The Health Problems Of The Teacup Yorkie
While the tiny size of Teacup Yorkies makes them cute and adorable, it also makes them quite fragile and vulnerable to various health issues.
Fragile Bones
Due to their tiny size, their bones are quite fragile and can easily get broken when your Teacup Yorkie falls or even jumps from high places, like a chair or a table. They are also very prone to the occurrence of the luxating patella (slipped kneecaps) and hip dysplasia (slipping of the hip joint out of its socket).
Get Cold Easily
The small size of Teacup Yorkies also means that they tend to get cold easily, and therefore, you need to take extra care to keep them warm. One of the best ways to do this is to get them a sweater, such as this Dog Fashion Bee Dog Sweater. The Dog Fashion Bee Dog Sweater is a high quality, hand knitted that is warm and comfortable and also looks very cute on your furry friend.
Blood Sugar Problems
Teacup Yorkies also experience rapid drops in blood sugar levels, and therefore, they need to be fed regularly. You also need to make sure that you are feeding them the right food. Otherwise, they might not get all the necessary nutrients.
To ensure proper nutrition for your Teacup Yorkie, we recommend Wellness Complete Health Toy Breed Dog Food. This food provides your tiny furry companion with balanced nutrition from natural ingredients and is specifically made for toy breeds.
Other Health Problems
Other health problems among Teacup Yorkies include incontinence and bladder problems, skin-related issues, liver shunts, heart disease, especially when your Teacup Yorkie is stressed, and respiratory problems.
Teacup Yorkie Lifespan
So, with all these health problems, how long do Teacup Yorkies live?
Teacup Yorkies have a lifespan of about 7 to 10 years, when properly cared for. This is a bit shorter compared to the lifespan of regular Yorkies, which can live for up to 15 years. In some cases, Teacup Yorkies do not live to see their fourth birthday.
Teacup Yorkies Are Hypoallergenic
Despite their health perils, Teacup Yorkies are hypoallergenic, which means that they do not shed their fur. This makes them Teacup Yorkies the perfect pets for people with allergies.
Are Teacup Yorkies Good Pets? Some Considerations Before Getting A Teacup Yorkie
Teacup Yorkies are awesome pets. They are adorable, intelligent, and playful, and you will definitely enjoy having one around.
Owing to their health perils, however, there are some considerations you need to keep in mind before getting a Teacup Yorkie.
They Require Safe Play Area
Due to the high level of playfulness, your Teacup Yorkie might have the tendency to move around aimlessly, which makes them prone to injuries in case they fall off things like chairs or tables. To prevent your Teacup Yorkie from injuring itself, you should provide an enclosed area for the safety of a small pet. The Ruff ‘n Ruffus Portable Pet Playpen is a good option.
The Ruff ‘n Ruffus Portable Pet Playpen is safe and secure for your tiny canine buddy. It consists of soft sided walls that creates a roomy, superior design. It is portable and lightweight in case you need to carry it when traveling, and can be easily folded for storage.
Not Ideal For Children And Other Pets
Teacup Yorkies can even be injured when playing with children or other pets. This means that they are not ideal for families with small children or bigger pets.
They Require A Harness
After buying your tiny, adorable Yorkie, you might be eager to take it out for a walk. If you need to do this, do not use a collar on them. A collar can easily break their fragile neck or lead to a collapsed trachea. Instead of a dog collar, you should use a small dog harness on your Teacup Yorkie.
Do Teacup Yorkies Bark A Lot?
Another popular concern for people looking to buy a Teacup Yorkies is whether Teacup Yorkies bark a lot. Like regular Yorkies, Teacup Yorkies are very bold and highly territorial, and therefore, they tend to bark a lot, even at the smallest noise. If you feel that your Teacup Yorkie is barking too much, you can calm the pooch down by giving it a treat or giving it a toy to play with.
How Much Would A Teacup Yorkie Cost?
If you are looking for Teacup Yorkie puppies for sale or a Teacup Yorkie for adoption, it is natural that you will be concerned about their cost, both the cost of buying and the cost of caring for one. So, how much does a Teacup Yorkie cost?
In an ideal world, Teacup Yorkies should not cost any more than regular Yorkies, because they are not a separate breed. The Teacup Yorkie is just a tiny version of the Standard Yorkie. If anything, Teacup Yorkies should be cheaper than Standard Yorkshire Terriers, considering the health problems they come with.
High Demand For Teacup Yorkies
Unfortunately, we do not live in an ideal world, and breeders have realized that there is a lot of demand for Teacup Yorkies, despite their downsides. Therefore, a lot of breeders today use the tiny size of Teacup Yorkies as a selling point to drive their prices higher. Actually, the smaller the dog, the more you should expect to pay for it.
You may be able to get a Teacup Yorkie for free from a rescue nearby, but the chance of them happening is very slim.
Generally, buying a Teacup Yorkie will cost you anywhere between $1,200 and $2,000, and sometimes even more. If you want to purchase a Teacup Yorkie with a guarantee on its health and lifespan, you might need to fork out even more money to have the breeder sign guarantee papers for you.
Vet Bills
On top of the high cost of purchase, you should also set some money aside to cater for the vet bills for your pooch, which can also be quite high depending on the overall health of your Teacup Yorkie.
Related Questions
Can Teacup Yorkies Have Babies? Yes. Teacup Yorkies can have babies. However, it is not advisable to breed your Teacup Yorkie. Due to their small size and fragile health, delivering the babies can have a huge toll on the mother, sometimes even resulting in the death of both the mother and the litter. Usually, before the full pregnancy period is over and the fetus has yet to fully mature, the mother dog will undergo a cesarean section to extract the puppy in an attempt to keep both the mum and child safe.
How Smart Are Teacup Yorkies? Like regular Yorkshire Terriers, Teacup Yorkies are very smart and intelligent dogs. They are fast learners who will quickly learn new tricks and pick up new commands. However, due to their high level of intelligence, they can get bored quickly, which means you need to provide them with things to keep them occupied, such as toys.
What Is The Best Teacup Puppy To Get? If you are looking for a Teacup puppy, the best Teacup puppy you should get is the Teacup Yorkie. Not only are they cute and adorable, but they are also quite energetic and playful, which means you are unlikely to ever get bored with them. The fact that they are smart and intelligent is also a huge plus.
