The Yorkshire terrier or “Yorkie” may look like a teddy bear, but beyond all that adorable fluff is an energetic pup with a larger-than-life attitude. They’re feisty, brave, and not afraid to challenge any dog (or vacuum) that stands in their way.
While they can be stubborn at times, they’re very loyal and see their owner as their whole world. They’ll also show their love through heaps of affection.
Most Yorkies reach 7 to 8 inches tall and weigh around 7 pounds. However, some Yorkies, often nicknamed “Teacup Yorkies,” stand a lot smaller than this.
Today, we’ll explain what exactly a Teacup Yorkie is and in what ways they differ from standard Yorkies. We’ll also provide a quick overview of the Yorkie’s main traits, including their personality, exercise needs, and appearance.
Teacup Yorkie vs Yorkshire Terrier: What’s the Difference?
A Teacup Yorkie is a Yorkshire terrier who is smaller than the average-sized Yorkie. Most Teacup Yorkies only stand up to 7 inches tall at the withers and weigh under 4 pounds, with males and females being similar in size.
Teacup Yorkie: Potential Health Concerns
While Teacup Yorkies can be “undersized” naturally, in most instances, their smaller-than-average statures are caused by breeders mixing the runts of litters together.
This breeding practice often brings with it increased health complications, including:
- Hypoglycemia: Refers to low blood sugar levels. Symptoms include lethargy, appetite loss, nausea, weakness, and in more serious cases, tremors, seizures, and coma. Hypoglycemia can be fatal if left untreated. You can help prevent hypoglycemia by feeding your Teacup Yorkie small but frequent meals throughout the day.
- Dental issues: Teacup Yorkies have much smaller jaws than standard Yorkies, which can cause their teeth to become overcrowded (and much more likely to trap dirt, debris, and food). This makes them more prone to dental complications such as dental disease and tooth loss.
- Tracheal collapse: Tracheal collapse is a condition where the cartilage rings of the trachea weaken over time and eventually deteriorate. The telltale symptom of trachea collapse is a honking cough, though other symptoms include exercise intolerance, retching, and labored breathing. Treatment depends on severity, but severe cases will often require surgical intervention.
- Liver shunts: A liver shunt is an abnormal blood vessel that causes blood to bypass the liver instead of going through it. Symptoms include seizures, excessive urination, increased thirst, nausea, disorientation, circling, and staring at walls. Liver shunts can be treated with medication and surgery.
- Physical injuries: Teacup Yorkies have extremely fragile, delicate bodies, meaning they’re prone to injuries during rough play and exercise.
If you wish to adopt a Teacup Yorkie, it’s extremely important that you use a responsible breeder. You should also take them to regular vet checkups, feed them high-quality, nutritious food, and avoid boisterous play.
Adopting a Teacup Yorkie: Breed Overview
The Teacup Yorkie is a wonderful companion who is sure to bring plenty of fun and affection into your home. However, they aren’t the right choice for every household. They need an owner who can match their lively personality and fulfill all their care needs.
- Trainability: Teacup Yorkies are intelligent, but their stubbornness does make them more difficult to train than other breeds. They’ll do best with a family who can devote lots of time to their training every day. However, this doesn’t mean they aren’t trainable. With some patience, a Teacup Yorkie can even be trained to be a psychiatric service dog, something they can excel at thanks to their affection and devotion to their human.
- Exercise Needs: Most Teacup Yorkies need around 30 minutes of exercise daily. These fun-loving pups will enjoy practically any activity that allows them to expel their energy and bond with you. However, make sure to avoid any activities that can put their bodies at risk of physical injuries.
- Grooming needs: Teacup Yorkies have silky, long coats and require a good brush two to three times a week. Their fur should also be trimmed monthly to keep it at a manageable, non-irritating length.
Is a Teacup Yorkie Right for Me?
You may have your heart set on a Teacup Yorkie, but it’s important to consider their care needs and whether their personality aligns with your lifestyle.
A Teacup Yorkie is a great match if you want a spritely, energetic pup and can dedicate plenty of time to their training. However, you may want to consider another breed if you’re not prepared to monitor their health closely or groom them regularly.
