A Yorkshire terrier, also known as a yorkie, is an affectionate and small dog breed, making it a good choice for a home pet. However, Yorkshire terrier females tend to be smaller than their male counterparts. So, how much is a female Yorkshire terrier supposed to weigh?
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How Much Is a Female Yorkshire Terrier Supposed to Weigh?
Adult female Yorkshire terriers are supposed to weigh four to seven pounds. The small weight is due to their small average size of eight to nine inches.
However, it is not uncommon to find female yorkies weighing up to nine pounds like their male counterparts, and so you should only consider your female yorkie overweight if it weighs 10 pounds or more.
Although you can find female teacup yorkies weighing as little as two pounds with a standing height of four to five inches, regular Yorkshire terrier females are considered underweight if they weigh less than four pounds.
What if My Female Yorkshire Terrier Is Overweight?
Unlike the males, female yorkies are more prone to gaining weight after a change in diet, exercise level, or overall lifestyle.
Female yorkies also tend to gain weight from 15% to around 25% during breeding and pregnancy, depending on the number of puppies they carry. Some of the factors that might make your female yorkie to be overweight include:
Poor Physical Exercises
Yorkies are generally energetic dogs, and they need regular exercise to help them burn calories and expend excessive energy levels. Lack of enough exercise leads to a build-up of fat that makes a female yorkie fatigued, making the dog even more unwilling to exercise.
As a result, fat builds up even more quickly, making the dog obese. The best way to control this is to engage your dog in rigorous exercises such as long walks, jogging, or hiking. However, it is not advisable to engage your female yorkie in rigorous exercise when it is heavily pregnant.
Bad Nutrition
Like it is in humans, diet and nutrition directly impact your yorkie’s overall health and weight. For instance, giving your yorkie food rich in calories, such as sugary treats and foods with high-fat content, will eventually lead to weight gain.
Keep in mind that many human foods are rich in calories and fats, and feeding your female yorkie with a mix of dog food and human food can lead to a significant increase in weight gain.
If you’re on a tight budget and have to feed your dog with human food, it’s advisable to mix only a small proportion of low-calorie human food with dog food.
Bad Feeding Habits
Apart from the diet, bad feeding habits can make your female yorkie gain excessive weight. In most cases, dogs don’t have a feeling of satisfaction and don’t have self-control over the amount of food they eat. That means your yorkie will continue eating as long as there is food.
If you’re a new dog owner, it is advisable to contact your vet to help you determine the amount of food you should give your female yorkie, depending on the age and whether it’s pregnant or nursing.
Keep in mind that disruptions in eating patterns can make the body of a yorkie lose food control, leading to excessive intake of calories. Therefore, it is advisable to maintain a consistent pattern on when to feed and give treats.
Can the Weight of a Female Yorkie Affect Its Health?
Considering that yorkies are small dogs, they are sensitive, and excessive weight gain will significantly impact their overall health and lifespan. Some of the health complications associated with overweight in yorkies include:
- Respiratory problems
- Canine diabetes
- Arthritis and joint problems
- Heart strain
- Kidney disease
On the other hand, you don’t want your dog to lose too much weight as there are some health issues that result from excessive weight loss. Unless your dog is underweight due to breeding and genetics, you can expect your yorkie to have the following health complications.
- Dental issues
- Hypoglycemia
- Brittle bones
- Weak immune system
- Stunted livers and stunted growth
Related Questions
Can I Know How Big My Female Yorkie Puppy Will Get?
Yes, you can predict the weight of an adult female yorkie by multiplying the weight of an eight-week-old puppy by three. However, this will only be an estimation as the actual weight will depend on other factors such as feeding habits, diet, and health conditions.
Can Genetics Affect the Weight of My Female Yorkie?
Yes, genetics directly affects the weight of your yorkie as the weight and size will mainly depend on the genes. That means you can use your dog’s family history to predict the future size and weight of your puppies.
Final Thoughts
Female Yorkshire terriers are relatively smaller and lighter than their male counterparts. However, their weight can significantly increase during pregnancy, depending on the number of puppies they carry. Keep a check on the weight of your female yorkie, as excessive weight gain or weight loss can lead to health complications.
