Teacup Yorkie Guide: Lifespan, Price, Size & More!

Teacup Yorkies are all the rage due to their cute faces and tiny size that is so small they could fit into a designer purse. While it may seem advantageous to own a pocket sized dog that you can take anywhere and doesn’t consume large quantities of food, Teacup Yorkies are predisposed to many health issues that can be debilitating.

If you are interested in Teacup Yorkies keep reading this guide to find out the answers to all your questions about this tiny breed.

Cover Image Credit: @yorkie_puppies_for_adoption22

Table of Contents

What Is A Teacup Yorkie?

Teacup Yorkie are the smallest possible size of Yorkie. Most breeders call the size that is smaller than the Standard Yorkie “teacup” however others call them “micro”, “toy” or “mini”. Teacup Yorkies are made from selecting the smallest Yorkshire Terrier, otherwise known as the runt, from two unrelated litters and breeding them together. This process is continued until they consistently get the “teacup” size.

Unfortunately, the runts often have health issues are defects which is why they are so small to start with. This breeding practice is therefore quite unethical as Teacup Yorkies often inherit health issues or suffer from them due to their exceptionally small size. That’s why there is so much debate about how ethical teacup breeds are. Teacup Yorkies are very fragile due to their tiny frame and like other Teacup breeds are highly susceptible to life threatening health issues.

If you are considering to get one, do thorough research into the health issues Teacup Yorkies face and think twice before purchasing one as there is a lot of debate about how ethical it is to breed and own these teeny-tiny dogs. Often, the Yorkies that are selected for breedings are smaller than normal because of a medical condition or a birth defect, leading to further health risks with each successive generation.

Are Teacup Yorkies Real?

Yes, Teacup Yorkies are real however they are not that common. Not many breeders breed Teacup Yorkies or any teacup sized breeds as there are many concerns about their health and how ethical it is to breed them.

black and tan teacup yorkie — Teacup Yorkie via @kritinapowell101

The Appeal Of Teacup Yorkies

Besides Teacup Yorkies being extremely cute there are a lot of perceived advantages of owning a Teacup dog. Some reasons include:

Teacup Yorkies require less exercise as they have lower energy levels than the larger sizes of the breed.
Teacup Yorkies take up less space so they are highly suited to apartment living.
Teacup Yorkies eat less as they are so small which can keep yearly costs down.
Teacup Yorkies shed less hair than the average Yorkshire Terrier due to their smaller size.

The Disadvantages Of Teacup Yorkies

In more cases than not the disadvantages of owning a Teacup Yorkie outweigh the advantages. This is because:

Teacup Yorkies are at a high risk of developing serious health issues.
Teacup Yorkies have more vet bills over their lives compared to the average dog.
Teacup Yorkies can easily get hurt as they are so fragile.
Teacup Yorkies can not socialize with larger dogs as they are so fragile and are usually also quite fearful.
Teacup Yorkies are more expensive than larger sizes of Yorkshire Terrier.
Teacup Yorkies are not suited to families with children as they can accidentally get hurt.

Teacup Yorkie Characteristics

Teacup Yorkie Characteristics
Size	5 to 6 inches (12.7cm to 15.2cm) tall at the shoulder.
Weight	4 to 7 pounds (1.8kg to 3.2kg).
Temperament	Bold, loving, loyal.
Activity Levels	Low to moderate.
Exercise Requirements	30 minutes per day.
Lifespan	7 to 9 years.
Coat	Single coat.
Eyes	Brown eyes.
Shedding	Light.
Apartment Adaptability	High.
Good with Children	No. Teacup Yorkies are extremely fragile.

Teacup Yorkie Lifespan

Teacup Yorkies have a lifespan of 7 to 9 years. Teacup Yorkies have a very short lifespan because they suffer from many health issues due to their tiny size. They are also highly likely to suffer from a fatal injury as they have very fragile bones and not much muscle mass to support their skeletal system.

Teacup Yorkie Size

Teacup Yorkies get to 5 to 6 inches (12.7cm to 15.2cm) tall at the shoulder and weigh between 4 and 7 pounds (1.8kg to 3.2kg) when fully grown. They are the same size as a Micro, Toy and Mini Yorkie which are the smallest sizes of Yorkshire Terrier.

When Do Teacup Yorkies Stop Growing?

Teacup Yorkies usually get to their full height at 6 months of age. From this time until 9 months they will continue gaining weight and muscle mass. They stop growing at the end of 9 months.

Do Teacup Yorkies Stay Small Forever?

Yes, Teacup Yorkies stay small forever. They are so small as breeders have paired Yorkshire Terrier runts together until they consistently breed the “teacup” size. This breeding practice is quite unethical as they can suffer from many size related health issues which is why you should think twice before adopting one.

Teacup Yorkie Appearance

What Does A Teacup Yorkie Look Like?

Teacup Yorkies are a tiny dog breed that have silky, wavy coats that come in many colors with variations of black, blue, gold and tan markings. Their chests, legs and head are usually tan in color which contrasts with the black or blue markings on the back of their neck down towards their tails. They can also come in other coat colors however these are much rarer. Teacup Yorkies have prominent pointed ears on a small head with a flat top. They also usually have large dark eyes and a brown or black nose.

Black and Tan Teacup Yorkies

Black and Tan Teacup Yorkies have a mainly black coat with tan patches on their snout, ears, legs and paws. They may also have more tan patches on their head. Black and tan is one of the most common coat color combinations.

Black and Gold Teacup Yorkies

Black and Gold Teacup Yorkies look a lot like Black and Tan Yorkies however their non-black patches are much lighter. This is because they have inherited a graying gene which affects their originally tan patches. Black and Gold Teacup Yorkies have a mainly black coat with gold patches on their snout, ears and legs.

Blue and Tan Teacup Yorkie

Blue and Tan Teacup Yorkies have a mainly light grey coat with tan patches. The grey is usually on their back and tail and the tan patches are on their head and legs. Their tails tend to be a darker grey than the rest of their body. Teacup Yorkies get the blue coloration from inheriting the single graying gene which turns their originally black coat the shimmery silver color.

Blue and Gold Teacup Yorkies

Blue and Gold Teacup Yorkies have two copies of the graying gene which dilutes their originally black and tan coat into blue and gold. They have blue fur on their back and gold on their head, ears, snout, legs and paws. Often, their hair is dark at the root and fades towards the tip.

Red Teacup Yorkie

Red Teacup Yorkies have a red and black coat. Most of their back is black and their chest, legs and face appears to be red. It’s not a standard coloration however it is registered by the American Kennel Club (AKC). The genes that cause this coat color combination can also change the texture of their fur to be wiry and stiff. Red Teacup Yorkies are also called red-legged Yorkies.

Parti Teacup Yorkie

A Parti Teacup Yorkie has a white base coat that covers at least 50% of their body with a secondary color marbled through it. In most cases, the second color is black, tan or silver. This coat color comes from a recessive gene and it is recognised by the American Kennel Club.

Silver Teacup Yorkie

Silver Teacup Yorkies (AKA Blue Teacup Yorkies) feature a light grey coat that often features another color like gold or tan. In reality, the coat color is called ‘blue’ but it is very pale with a silver tone hence are often called Silver Yorkies unofficially.

Golden Teacup Yorkie

Golden Teacup Yorkies, also called pure blonde Yorkies, are an extremely rare coat color. They feature a solid gold coat with white marketing on their chest and paws. They look like Blue and Gold Teacup Yorkies however they do not have any silver/blue coloring on them at all.

Chocolate Teacup Yorkie

Chocolate Teacup Yorkies have a fully brown coat. It’s quite a rare coat color as it comes from a recessive b allele. A lot of the time Chocolate Teacup Yorkies are not purebred as other breeds like Dachshunds have been mixed in to get the coat color however you can occasionally find purebred ones. Chocolate Teacup Yorkies are also called Light Brown Teacup Yorkies.

Black Teacup Yorkie

Black Teacup Yorkies do not exist unless another breed has been mixed in. If so, they feature a solid black coat and usually have dark brown eyes and jet black noses.

White Teacup Yorkie

Teacup Yorkies cannot be white unless they are albino. Albinism is an extremely rare condition for Yorkshire Terriers so it is very unlikely that you will find a purebred White Yorkie. If you think that you have found a White Teacup Yorkie, you have more than likely found a White Teacup Yorkie mix as many Yorkie mixes such as Yorkie Poos and Morkies can have solid white coats. You can also get Parti Teacup Yorkies that have large white patches in their coats.

Teacup Yorkie Temperament

Teacup Yorkies are extremely dedicated and loyal to their family. While they are very affectionate with the family they aren’t so friendly towards strangers and other dogs as they are often suspicious of them. This is mainly due to the small size which makes them quite fearful.

Teacup Yorkies can at times display signs of small dog syndrome such as being overly excited, jumping on people, being yappy as well as growling at other people or dogs out of fear. They can also be possessive of food or toys and may snap if someone tries to take it away. Teacup Yorkies are likely to bark and may show signs of aggression around strangers so it is important to train them out of this behavior. This can be trained out of them at a young age through proper socialization and positive reinforcement training.

If barking does become an issue, it’s best to firstly try to retrain your dog out of the habit with positive reinforcement techniques. If this doesn’t work, try distracting them from their barking triggers with toys. Look for boredom-busting dogs toys such as ones you can hide treats inside. Other options include using ultra-sonic sound devices.

Are Teacup Yorkies Smart?

Teacup Yorkies are quite smart. They rank 34th out of 138 dog breeds for obedience and working intelligence. They make a great companion dog because of their ability to comprehend human emotions and know how act to support and comfort their owners.

Do Teacup Yorkies Bark A Lot?

Yes, Teacup Yorkies bark a lot. They have a very bold personality which means they bark at everything from wanting to be fed to warning their owners of an intruder coming onto the property. Teacup Yorkies should go under training to prevent bad barking habits from a very young age.

Are Teacup Yorkies Healthy?

Teacup Yorkies, along with other Teacup breeds, are not very healthy due to their extremely tiny size. They can suffer from health issues such as poor bone density, heart defects, heart murmurs, dental & gum problems, liver shunts, kidney problems, hypoglycaemia, patella luxation, hydrocephalus and seizures etc. They are also very likely to suffer from bone fractures as they have low bone density.

Teacup Yorkie Price

Teacup Yorkies cost between $3000USD and $6000USD. Despite their high risk of suffering from serious health issues due to their small size, they still sell for exorbitant prices as they are a designer dog breed. Another reason why they are so expensive is because there are so few of them in each litter.

When Is A Havanese Full Grown? (Adult Size & Age Grown)

Teacup Yorkie Breeders

If you are looking for a Yorkie breeder, consider PuppySpot where you can use our discount code PUPPY300 for $300 dollars off any dog! Check out the adorable Yorkie puppies that are currently available here!

PuppySpot is a dog adoption website that connects breeders with prospective pet owners. They have a zero tolerance policy for puppy mills which is why they screen every breeder annually! They have placed over 200,000 puppies in homes and offer various trusted, USDA-certified transportation options to deliver your puppy to your home safely! You won’t regret having a look at their Yorkie puppies here as they are so cute!

Teacup Yorkie Shedding

Do Teacup Yorkies Shed?

Teacup Yorkies are light shedders. They have a single coat so they do not undergo heavy seasonal shedding like double coated dog breeds. Teacup Yorkies only shed a few hairs here and there throughout the year, a similar amount to how much hair humans lose yearly.

Are Teacup Yorkies Hypoallergenic?

Teacup Yorkies are classified as a hypoallergenic dog breed as they don’t release much dander (dead skin cells) along with their hair into the environment. People usually have an allergic reason when they come into contact with dander so when a dog doesn’t produce much of it, they are hypoallergenic.

Teacup Yorkie Grooming

Brushing

Teacup Yorkies with a show coat (long hair all the way to the ground) need to be brushed daily to ensure it stays silky smooth and tangle free. They should be brushed with a pin brush, slicker brush and metal tooth comb.

Yorkies that have shorter, trimmed coats do not need to be brushed daily. Many owners opt for this look as it doesn’t require as much maintenance. That being said they should be brushed 2 or more times weekly.

While brushing your Teacup Yorkie make sure you check their skin for ticks, parasites and other health issues.

Washing

Teacup Yorkies are usually washed every three or four weeks, especially ones that have long hair. Teacup Yorkies that have shorter hair don’t need to be bathed so frequently. It is important to not over wash your Yorkie as it can lead to flaky, dry skin.

Haircuts

Teacup Yorkies need haircuts as their hair keeps growing much like human hair. That is why you sometimes see Yorkshire Terriers that have super long hair that reaches the ground. There are many different haircuts to chose from for a Teacup Yorkie. These are some of the most popular Teacup Yorkie Haircuts:

Schnauzer Trim
Puppy Cut
Teddy Bear Cut
Kennel Cut
Show Cut

All of these haircuts can be done at professional dog grooming salons upon request or you can watch some YouTube videos to learn how to do it yourself at home. To save yourself the expense of visiting the dog groomer, you could invest in an at home dog grooming kit.

Clothes & Accessories

As Teacup Yorkies are so small many people dress them up in cute clothes and accessories. You often see Teacup Yorkies with little bows in their hair, especially ones with longer hair. Other people put their Yorkies in cute little dog sweaters.

Teacup Yorkie Training

Are Teacup Yorkies Easy To Train?

Teacup Yorkies are not always easy to train as they can be quite stubborn. Nevertheless, they have the capacity to learn a wide range of tricks as they are quite smart, you just have to be very patient.

Are Teacup Yorkies Hard To Potty Train?

Teacup Yorkies are relatively easy to potty train. The best way to potty train them is to take them outside for 5 to 10 minutes after each meal to the designated toilet spot. Wait outside with your Yorkie until they do their business and once they are finished, reward them with a treat. Repeat the process until they go outside independently.

Teacup Yorkie vs Yorkie

The main difference between a Teacup Yorkie and a Yorkie is size. Standard Yorkies get to 8 to 9 inches (20.3cm to 22.9cm) tall at the shoulder and weigh around 7 pounds (3.2kg) when fully grown. They are the largest size of Yorkshire Terrier. On the other hand, Teacup Yorkies get to 5 to 6 inches (12.7cm to 15.2cm) tall at the shoulder and weigh between 4 and 7 pounds (1.8kg to 3.2kg) when fully grown. Standard Yorkies and Teacup Yorkies have very similar temperaments however Teacup Yorkies may be considered more timid.

	Teacup Yorkie	Standard Yorkie
Height	5 to 6 inches (12.7cm to 15.2cm)	8 to 9 inches (20.3cm to 22.9cm)
Weight	4 to 7 pounds (1.8kg to 3.2kg)	Approx. 7 pounds (3.2kg)

Teacup Yorkie vs Toy Yorkie

A Teacup Yorkie is the same as a Toy Yorkie. Teacup and Toy are interchangeable names given to the same size of Yorkshire Terrier. Some breeders refer to Teacup Yorkies as Toy Yorkies as the teacup size has a bad wrap in the dog breeding industry as they often have lots of health issues. Teacup Yorkies are not smaller than Toy Yorkies.

	Teacup Yorkie	Toy Yorkie
Height	5 to 6 inches (12.7cm to 15.2cm)	5 to 6 inches (12.7cm to 15.2cm)
Weight	4 to 7 pounds (1.8kg to 3.2kg)	4 to 7 pounds (1.8kg to 3.2kg)

Teacup Yorkie Names

Teacup Yorkie Boy Names

Milo
Bear
Jax
Ollie
Blue
Leo
Duke
Buddy
Zeus
Ted

Teacup Yorkie Girl Names

Coco
Bella
Luna
Nala
Sadie
Remi
Millie
Chloe
Hazel
Maya