If you are not a dog enthusiast, you will not believe or imagine that a dog can be so small to fit into a teacup or your palm perfectly. Dogs are adorable creatures, but they are almost irresistible when very small and portable. The Teacup Yorkie is a friendly and lovely dog that does this.
The Teacup Yorkie, also known as the Teacup Yorkshire Terrier, is a pure Yorkshire Terrier breed but smaller and it is one of the rarest breeds. Although the American Kennel Club does not officially recognize the Teacup Yorkie, it is still very popular and in high demand.
Teacup Yorkies come in various colors, but the most predominant colors are blue and gold, black and gold, blue and tan, as well as black and tan.
Teacup Yorkie
If you have seen a Yorkshire Terrier before, you might not be able to list out a lot of differences between it and a Teacup Yorkshire Terrier. The major thing to distinguish them is their size – Teacup Yorkies are relatively smaller. The American Kennel Club does not recognize the Teacup Yorkshire; they only recognize the Yorkie Terrier.
By the time Teacup Yorkies are fully matured, they have an average height between 5 to 7 inches with a weight not exceeding 7 pounds. They have a round skull with a short muzzle. Although a small-sized dog, the Teacup Yorkie is bold, confident, and quite stubborn, like the Yorkshire Terriers.
Teacup Yorkie needs a lot of care and should not be left alone for a long time. They tend to have separation anxiety when left alone, which could lead to them being destructive. If you need to be away from them for an extended time, you can hire a dog sitter or take them to a dog care center.
For feeding, Teacup Yorkies do not require a lot food. They eat just a minimal amount in a siting. However, the more you feed your dog, the higher the chances of ingesting more food.
If your dog is not eating properly, you should ask a veterinarian for guidance and advice on how best to feed your Teacup Yorkie, as it might be caused by a health issue.
Teacup Yorkies are susceptible to cold. For puppies between 4 to 8 weeks old, you should not bathe them. Instead, use a damp towel to clean their body and dry the fur thoroughly. You should not take your Teacup Yorkie out during winter.
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Teacup Yorkie Health Challenges
You should be careful with this dog breed, as they have certain health challenges. Understanding these challenges would help you properly care for, and breed your dogs effectively. Some of the health challenges are;
Periodontal Disease:
Teacup Yorkies are prone to having a dental disease called periodontal. This happens when food and bacteria build up along their gums, forming a plaque that slowly forms into tartar. So, it is imperative that you brush your Teacup Yorkie’s teeth daily to avoid this disease.
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Brittle bones:
Teacup Yorkies have very fragile bones. You have to be very careful when handling and dealing with them. Any careless or unintentional drop could be fatal to them. They should not be placed on surfaces that they could easily slide and fall off. Also, ensure that children do not carry or play with them to avoid getting your Teacup Yorkie injured.
Also, Fontanels are normal for newborns. It is a soft spot between the bones of the skull where the bones are not entirely formed. Fontanels are expected to close up within six weeks after birth.
However, in Teacup Yorkies, this sometimes takes longer than six weeks or might not even close at all, leaving a hole in the brain of your dog. So, unless necessary, you should avoid touching your Teacup Yorkshire’s head.
Luxating Patella:
This condition occurs when the Patella (kneecap) gets dislocated. This can be easily noticed when your dog starts walking in a different style than usual. You could observe the dog for a few days to see if it starts to walk normally again. However, ensure you see a vet if it persists, as this can be quite painful for your Teacup Yorkshire.
How Much Does A Teacup Yorkie Dog Cost?
The price of a Teacup Yorkie varies. Where you purchase the Teacup Yorkie pup also determines its price. Teacup Yorkies cost between $1000 to $3000. However, some breeders may sell theirs for a higher price, up to $5000. For a Teacup Yorkie sold higher than this, it means it is from a bloodline of show-winning Teacup Yorkies.
Various dog breeds are also available for adoption from either a breeder or an adoption center. The best option, however, is to buy a Teacup Yorkie from a responsible breeder since these dogs are delicate and fragile.
You should be careful and abstain from breeders who advertise their Teacup Yorkshire. Due to Teacup Yorkies health consequences and fragility, responsible and ethical breeders would not go about advertising these dogs as a designer breed.
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How Big Do Teacup Yorkies Get?
The difference between a Teacup Yorkshire at birth and fully grown is not usually much. They tend to have about 2 to 3 inches in height at birth while weighing 2 pounds for the first 12 weeks of growth. When fully grown, between 12 to 18 months old, the Teacup Yorkie usually weighs around 2 to 4 pounds and can grow to be about 5 to 7 inches tall.
Is The Teacup Yorkie A Good Dog?
Teacup Yorkies are great dogs; they are easy to train, smart, and respond positively to training. Although they will be stubborn at first, they will be comfortable and yield with time. The most effective strategy for training Teacup Yorkies is positive reinforcement; punishing them makes them stubborn and unyielding.
Punishing them also causes behavioral dysfunctions in Teacup Yorkie; it is best to praise the dog when it is obedient and give it treats (natural and high-quality). You should start training your Teacup Yorkie from an early stage; the pup should learn obedience and socialization.
The Terrier gene in Teacup Yorkie will allow them to display aggression to other dogs and unfamiliar people, but this can be avoided if the dog has learned to socialize while it was a puppy. It would help if you exposed the pup to people and other dogs after being vaccinated.
Although one of the smallest dogs, Teacup Yorkie often acts like they are large dogs, appearing more frightening than they are. Like all small dogs, Teacup Yorkies are playful and full of energy. They require daily exercise to be fit and remain in shape; remember, they were originally bred to hunt rats.
The temptation to hold your Teacup Yorkie all day will come, but this is not recommended; your Yorkie should not spend all day lying on your lap. It would be best if you exercised regularly, and you must also know that being smaller, what you would consider a short walk is a long walk for them.
Teacup Yorkies can be picky with food; they will likely choose a tasty meal over nutritious, healthy meals. This is oftn the result of giving the dog too many treats, making it difficult to switch food. So, it is essential only to give your dog treats when it deserves them and in small quantities.
Final Thoughts
Despite being one of the smallest dog breeds worldwide, the Teacup Yorkie is still a fun and great pet to have. They are adorable and the perfect house dog to have; although they tend to display aggression once in a while, they can still be trained. Teacup Yorkies are sensitive and delicate, and you must treat them as such.
Additional reading:
Shawn Manaher is a serial entrepreneur but when he isn’t working, he loves dogs. He’s owned different pets over the years, and always gives a part of his heart to each pet.
