The teacup Yorkie or Toy Yorkie is the same breed as the Yorkshire Terrier but smaller. Find out if they make good pets, their needs and how to care for them.
Teacup Yorkie is similar to the regular breed Yorkie which is also known as Toy Yorkie or Yorkshire Terrier, but in a smaller version.
In other words, it's not a different breed, but a subcategory of smaller size.
Appearance
Teacup Yorkies have small but expressive eyes, however they don’t pop out like other Yorkie breeds.
Their coat color is usually black, brown, or gold and has a smooth, silky texture. It’s rare but possible, to have a coat with shades of blue and silver.
For you puppy to be considered pure-breed, it's important to have one of the above coat colors.
How breeders produce teacup Yorkies?
Occasionally a birth of a Teacup Yorkie can happen naturally.
However, it is more common to be produced by specialized breeders. They usually mate two undersized Yorkies in order to give birth to an even smaller sized puppy.
This is a dangerous procedure for both mother dog and her puppies because it can affect their health and even their lifespan.
That's why we don't recommend buying teacup Yorkies. A regular-sized Yorkshire Terrier will be just as good of a companion.
Size and weight
A regular full-grown Yorkshire Terrier can’t be more than 9 inches and it usually weights under 7 pounds.
Because Teacup Yorkie isn’t a recognized breed, there are no standard size specifications for its height and weight. Generally speaking, a puppy that is smaller than a regular Yorkie is a Teacup Yorkie.
So, the answer to the most common question “Can a teacup yorkie fit in a cup?”, is Yes!
Lifespan
Many people ask how long do Teacup Yorkies live.
Regular sized Yorkies can live between 14 to 16 years but Teacup Yorkies tend to live around 7 to 9 years. This is probably because of their selective breeding, and the risks and health problems that are related to that.
Temperament, personality and trainability
Teacup Yorkies are small dogs but with a BIG personality!
They are considered great companions because they make strong bonds with their pet parent, like to get attention and feel love and care.
It takes some time though until they feel comfortable, but after this adaptive period they become inseparable with their owners.
However this can create isolation distress, especially when they are alone for a long time. That's why it is important to start socializing them from young age in order to avoid destructive behaviors.
Teacup Yorkie’s personality is active, playful and energetic. They like games and of course you should expect a lot of licking as it’s a part of their enthusiasm.
They are not aggressive but they usually like to bark to show their dynamic character, despite their tiny appearance! Their bark may sound louder than you expect.
Trainability
Teacup Yorkies are very clever dogs and are always interested in learning new things, but they can also be very stubborn something that can make their training a bit difficult.
As always early socialization and training from a young age are very important. Try to introduce them to many different people, dogs and other pets, but be careful when they are around bigger animals because they can get injured due their small size.
After arriving to their new home, start the training slowly until they get used to their new place. Do not pressure the dogs or punish them! The best method is to give them a good praise or a little treat after their well-done behavior.
Another thing you should keep in mind is to not hold them very often, but rather let them interact with their environment as this will lead to better socialization.
Summarizing, be patient with your puppies. Go with their personality, needs and preferences and your cute Yorkie will not let you down!
Check this article from thedogtale.com for How to Potty Train a Yorkie Puppy
How to Care for a Teacup Yorkie
Diet
Teacup Yorkies is advisable to be fed every 4 hours with attention to the food portions. The amount of 40 calories per pound of weight it’s a good strategy.
Talk with your vet and try to find food for small dogs specially designed to keep their nutrient requirements to the desirable levels and to protect their stomach and liver which is a bit sensitive. However, they are quite selective with their food.
They are not much flexible for different meal choices, so it’s advisable to feed them with the right amount of nutrients (protein, vitamins, minerals etc.) from day one! Vitamins are essential for the maintenance of a healthy immune system, bones, teeth and skin.
Also try to remember that carbs cause tummy issues so its preferred not to be consumed in high amounts.
For more information, check this article about the best dog food for teacup Yorkshire Terrier from yorkshireterrier.dog
Grooming
Teacup Yorkies don’t have that much hair and therefore they shed less. Although, a trimming routine especially at summer period will be a nice idea because their fur grows up fast.
A daily fur brushing can help with the removal of extra dirt and maximize the time between each bath.
And as for bathing, it is suggested to be done once or twice a month.
If you are not up to or you don’t have much time to trim properly the fur, focus on the hair on ears and feet as it keeps the dog healthier.
Also, don’t forget about your dog’s nails length and their daily teeth brush routine.
Can you walk a teacup yorkie?
Teacup Yorkies like walks and exploring new environments. In addition, a walk can keep your puppy fit and help it get its daily exercise. Although, you should choose easy paths and less dangerous roads to keep your Yorkie safer.
Is it best for experienced or new dog owners?
A Teacup Yorkie can easily get handled because of its tiny size. However, it has a multifaceted personality and it needs caring time and a specialized training in order to achieve its best level of good behavior. It's a good choice for new dog owners, as long as they have a lot of free time.
It’s always advisable to get proper help from an expert if you face difficulties as a new owner. Because, after all, it’s a priority to have a well-going common life with your puppy, and none of you to be stressed or uncared.
How much does a Teacup Yorkie cost?
Are you wondering what do you need to know, to buy a Teacup Yorkie?
The preferable age for buying a Teacup Yorkie is at the 6th month of its life. This is a safe time to determine if the puppy is healthy and doesn’t have any growing issues.
Because Teacup Yorkies are rare they're more expensive than normal Yorkshire Terrier puppies.
If you are interested in buying one, it can cost you between $1,000-$3,000.
It’s important to ensure the Teacup Yorkie’s best health status in order to save money in the long term by avoiding health problems and vet costs.
That’s why, if you decide to get a Teacup Yorkie it is advisable to buy it from a trustworthy breeder.
Teacup yorkie vs miniature/toy size
They are the same! There isn’t an actual difference between Teacup and Miniature/Toy size Yorkies. There was a wrong impression that Teacup Yorkies were smaller than Miniature ones but actually Teacup is another characteristic name for Miniature Yorkie.
Health problems
Unfortunately, Teacup Yorkies are prone to many health risks that usually occur due to their significantly small size and their selective breeding.
Some of the most common are mentioned below and knowing them will help you be aware of your dog’s needs and sensitivities.
Sensitive to anesthesia: They are sensitive to anesthesia and to count the correct dosage is quite difficult. That’s the reason why pet parents should visit only specialized veterinarians.
Dental diseases: Their small mouth can cause overcrowded teeth that slowly lead to gum infections. Treatment is necessary to be immediate in order to avoid extensive damage to major organs, from bacteria which have entered the bloodstream.
Hypoglycemia: This situation can occur when there is low sugar level in the blood. It’s important for the dog to be fed in small and frequent meals as to maintain sugar level up to normal through the day because they don’t have the muscle mass to store energy.
Hypoplasia: Teacup Yorkies are prone to hypoplasia. This situation can happen when the skeletal structure is not formed correctly. That may lead to spinal cord damage, accompanied with great pain.
Injury accidents: The small size can be the major factor to cause an injury to Teacup Yorkies. They are not as resilient as other dogs and even an “innocent” bump may be very serious.
Obesity: Low calorie control can occur obesity which is combined with a variety of health problems. A small weight gain (e.g. 1lbs) can be critical for a dog of that low weight range.
Tracheal collapse: Its quite common at small dogs to suffer from tracheal collapse. This happens from the slow weakness of the trachea. The use of leashes can be one of the most important factors to cause this injury. The breathing becomes more difficult, causing prolonged cough that may be fatal. You may use a dog’s soft harness. It will also help your dog to feel more freely at its movements and enjoy much more your walk!
yorkieguidemow says
Great information!