Many people are unaware of the differences between a standard Yorkie and a Tea Cup Yorkie. If you’re leaning towards getting a Tea Cup Yorkie as a pet, you probably have some questions regarding their health and characteristics. However, the most common question about Tea Cup Yorkies is related to their size. As the name suggests, miniature Yorkies are rather small, so you should take your time and figure out whether this dog breed is right for you.
But how tiny are these dogs exactly? Well, keep reading to learn the details.
Tea Cup Yorkie Size
Tea Cup Yorkies are so small that they can fit on the palm of your hand with room to spare. When born, Tea Cup Yorkies weigh one to two pounds and are two to three inches long. In most cases, you’ll notice that Tea Cup Yorkies weigh around two to four pounds when they are fully grown. Tea Cup Yorkies are considered fully grown when they are 12 to 18 months old.
To compare, standard Yorkshire terriers weigh four to eight pounds when fully grown and are eight to nine inches long, so you can say that a Tea Cup Yorkie is twice as small as a regular Yorkie.
Yet, some owners believe their Yorkie is smaller or bigger than it should be. Remember that Yorkies are inconsistent in size, meaning you might not get what you’re expecting — this stands for both purebred Yorkies and Tea Cup ones.
Calculate Your Yorkie’s Size
Although this formula is not exact, it can give you an approximate number when it comes to your puppy’s adult size. What you need to do is take their weight at three months old, double it, and then add half a pound.
The formula should look like this:
(Puppy weight at three months x 2) + 0.5 lbs = Estimated adult Tea Cup Yorkie weight in pounds.
This is a handy formula to have if you’re wondering how big your Yorkie will grow up to be. For example, a baby Yorkie weighing two pounds will likely be around four and a half pounds when grown.
You can also get a good picture of how big your Yorkie will grow to be by its paw size. The bigger the paw, the bigger the dog.
AKC Regulations and Health
Chances are you’re unfamiliar with American Kennel Club regulations. In that case, you should note that the AKC does not recognize Tea Cup Yorkies as a classification of Yorkshire terriers due to unhealthy breeding practices. However, that does not diminish the fact that these miniature dogs are closely related to purebred Yorkshires.
Since they are tiny, they often have health problems. If you opt for a Tea Cup Yorkie, you should be prepared for frequent vet visits. Tea Cup Yorkies are often more susceptible to digestive issues, collapsed trachea, and other serious health risks. On top of that, miniature Yorkies have a shorter life span compared to regular-sized Yorkies. They typically live around seven years, while purebred Yorkies can live up to 15 years.
READ ALSO: 15 Reasons Why Yorkies (Yorkshire Terrier) Are the Best Dog Breed as a Pet
Another thing that you should keep in mind is that a Tea Cup Yorkie can only have a few puppies per litter due to its size. Typically, a grown miniature Yorkie will have two babies per litter, but complications can occur because of their health problems.
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