The teacup Yorkie is an extremely small version of what is already a toy dog. The standard Yorkshire terrier should weigh no more than 7 pounds. Teacup Yorkies, which result from breeding the runts of a litter, may weigh as little as 1 1/2 pounds. Generally, small dogs experience longer lifespans than large dogs. However, the extremely small size of teacup Yorkies presents health complications leading to a shortened life span.
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Health and Breeding
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Teacup Yorkies are difficult to breed. When a dog weighs less than 3 1/2 pounds, the risk of a female experiencing cardiac arrest while giving birth increases. Many dogs below this weight class do not survive giving birth to their pups. In toy breeds, dogs are considered able to breed if they weigh at least 5 pounds.
Development of Size
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Yorkshire terriers were initially developed to kill rats in mines and cotton mills. Owners wanted dogs small enough to carry in their pockets. The smallest members of a litter became the most coveted. Teacup breeders specialize in creating Yorkshire terriers that weigh between 2 and 4 pounds. Because small sizes often result in health problems, research teacup Yorkie breeders carefully and request health records for the puppy's mother and father.
Common Health Issues of Teacup Yorkies
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Although there are many healthy teacup Yorkies, some high health risks exist. A teacup dog will not have the reserve that a larger dog would. At any sign of illness or infection, you need to take a teacup yorkie to a vet immediately. Teacup yorkies also are prone to suffer from hypoglycemic shock. You can prevent this by making sure the yorkie takes regular naps and eats regular meals. Teacup Yorkies are prone to birth defects, including ones you don't notice immediately such as malformed kidneys.
Caring for a Teacup Yorkie
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Take some unusual precautions when caring for a teacup Yorkie. A teacup puppy's bones are small and fragile. Avoid letting a teacup Yorkie up on furniture because a fall may be fatal. Keep house plants out of reach; the more than 700 poisonous house plants can be more lethal for small dogs than large dogs. Teacup Yorkies also may need to have their baby teeth professionally removed.
Life Expectancy
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With proper care and nutrition, a teacup Yorkie can live five to seven years. Standard Yorkshire terriers have an average life expectancy of 12 to 15 years, with some living up to 20 years. Because teacup Yorkies are not an AKC-recognized breed, there is no reliable average for life expectancy. Some of the smaller teacup Yorkies, weighing in at less than 2 pounds, may live only three or four years. Make the decision to purchase a teacup Yorkie with the awareness that much more attention is necessary to maintain a healthy puppy.
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