Description of a Teacup Yorkie

The Yorkshire terrier or Yorkie is one of the most popular toy dog breeds in the world. It is already a very small dog, with an average weight of 5 to 7 lbs., according to "Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds." Yorkies only average a height of 6 to 9 inches tall from the ground to the top of their shoulders. Teacup, teeny, micro-mini or pocket Yorkies are even smaller and lighter than that.

  1. Size

    • An adult teacup Yorkshire terrier weighs about 2 to 4 lbs., according to teacup Yorkie breeding kennel Elvis Yorkshire Terrier. The height is about 5 to 6 inches tall. In order to achieve this goal, breeders of regular Yorkshire terriers pick the smallest puppies in a litter and breed them to achieve equally small or smaller puppies.

    Identification

    • The ideal teacup Yorkie is not only smaller than the regular Yorkie, but also should have shorter legs and a shorter nose, sometimes called "baby doll." Yorkshire terriers of any size have long, silky tan and black or steel-blue hair, pointed ears, a slightly pointed nose that is almost always black and a level spine. Teacup Yorkies may have their tails docked in countries such as the United States and Ireland that still allow the practice. Otherwise, the tail is long, straight and also covered in long, flowing hair.

    Registration

    • Teacup Yorkies cannot be shown in any American Kennel Club-sanctioned dog shows because they are too small for the breed standard. They also cannot be registered with many national kennel clubs, even if both parent dogs were purebred Yorkshire terriers. There is no governing body for teacup Yorkshire breeders, but breeding such tiny dogs is considered controversial. Teacup Yorkies are not considered a separate breed from Yorkshire terriers.

    Health Problems

    • Because they are so small, teacup Yorkies can easily break their bones, die from being stepped or sat on or from a fall out of a person's arms. Female teacup Yorkies are too small to deliver puppies normally and always need a cesarean section. They are also prone to chronic digestive problems and retained milk teeth and tooth loss. Such tiny dogs often die from anesthesia, according to the Yorkshire Terrier Club of America.

    Fun Fact

    • Yorkie puppies of all sizes are often born black and tan, but begin to change into the usual tan and steel blue coloration by the time they are weaned, according to the Yorkshire Terrier Club of America. Sometimes the tan turns into a bright gold, but this is not considered a fault.