There are many misconceptions about Yorkie size. One of the consistently asked questions is, “how tall is a Yorkshire Terrier?” Many dog owners worry that their dog is too tiny or too big compared to other dogs.
Quick Navigation
How Tall Is a Yorkshire Terrier?
The Yorkshire Terrier is a medium-sized dog with an overall length of 12-15.5 inches, a standing height of 10.5-13 inches. The Yorkie is a very expressive dog with a significantly bigger personality despite its diminutive stature.
Male Yorkshire Terriers have a withers height of 8 to 9 inches and 7 to 12 pounds. Female Yorkshire Terriers have a withers height of 7 to 8 inches and 4 to 7 pounds.
Sizes for Different Yorkie Breeds
Although Yorkshire Terriers are among the smallest of dogs, they have different breed variations with different sizes. The following are some of the common Yorkshire Terrier breeds and their average sizes.
Height and Weight of Yorkie Breeds
| Yorkie Breed | Average Height | Average Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 7 to 8 inches | 4 to 7 pounds |
| Giant | 9 inches | 7 to 14 pounds |
| Teacups | 6 to 8 inches | Less than 4 pounds |
| Black | 7 to 8 inches | 7 pounds |
| Designer | 6 to 9 inches | 8 to 15 pounds |
| Mismarked | 9 inches | 6 to 14 pounds |
| Biewer | 8 inches | 2 to 6 pounds |
| Parti | 7 to 8 inches | 4 to 7 pounds |
Giant Yorkshire Terriers (Big/Large)
Yorkshire Terriers over 9 inches tall and weighing over 7 pounds (if not obese) are Giant Yorkies. Some owners have 14-pound dogs that are physically slim and in good health. Although this is not the breed standard, these dogs are generally healthy and more nutritious than their smaller counterparts.
Teacups (Small)
Teacup Yorkshire Terriers weigh less than 4 pounds and reach a height of 6 to 8 inches when fully grown. It would help if you did your investigation on the breeder before obtaining a Teacup Yorkie.
Inbreeding can cause various health problems, and it will be costly and inconvenient for you and your dog in the long run. Breeders should prioritize health over appearances when breeding. Be wary of advertisements for “Teacup Yorkie puppies for sale,” as the breeder may not have the most excellent intentions.
Due to biological health concerns and selective breeding, some toy sizes appear “tiny.” Consequently, their bones are prone to fracture. The Tea cup size is not recognized by the American Kennel Club or any other respectable kennel as a recognized variation of the breed or as a different variety.
Black Yorkshire Terriers
Black Yorkshire Terriers are rare types of terriers that are black in color. Usually, these dogs are not purebred Yorkshire Terriers, as there are no purebred Yorkies with an entirely black color.
Adult male and female Black Yorkshire Terriers weigh relatively the same, up to 7 pounds. However, males are slightly bigger than their female counterparts, with a height of about 8 inches for the male and 7 inches for the female. These dogs have a lifespan of about 14 to 16 years.
Designer Yorkshire Terriers
Designer Yorkshire Terriers, also known as hybrid dog breeds, are breeds that are developed by breeding two different dog breeds to get a cross with aesthetically pleasing looks. A Chorkie is an example of a Designer Terrier, a cross between a Chihuahua and a Yorkshire Terrier.
A full-grown Chorkie measures 6 to 9 inches and weighs 8 to 15 pounds. Like the Teacup Terriers, the Chorkie has a lifespan of 13 to 15 years.
Chorkie puppies are small in size, weighing not more than 4 pounds and measuring up to 6 inches. Generally, the Chorkie Designer Terriers have fewer health issues, a quality that makes them maintain their sizes and weight.
Mismarked Yorkshire Terriers
Mismarked Yorkshire Terriers are dog breeds that are generally out of the AKC regulations for breed markings. Blue and tan, back and tan, blue and gold, and black and gold are the recognized markings for a purebred Yorkshire Terrier.
A full-grown mismark has a standing height of up to 9 inches and around 6 to 14 pounds. Usually, a mismarked Yorkshire Terrier lives 11 to 15 years and maintains this height throughout its lifespan. However, some mismarked Yorkshire Breeds have a different bone structure that may affect the size of the dog.
Biewer Yorkshire Terriers
A Biewer Terrier is scientifically rated as a purebred Yorkshire Terrier. Biewer terriers are generally small and categorized as a member of the toy terrier group. Usually, Biewer terriers have a standing height of not more than 8 inches and weigh 2 to 6 pounds.
However, the Biewer Terrier is prone to diseases that sometimes affect the size of the dog. Legg-Calve-Perthes syndrome is an example of a health disorder that affects the Biewer terriers and might result in lameness if not well managed.
Parti Yorkshire Terrier
The Parti Yorkshire Terriers are purebred Terriers that appear in different coat coloring. The Parti terrier is a little larger than the Teacup Yorkshires, weighing somewhere between 4 to 7 pounds and measuring about 7 to 8 inches.
Being a purebred Yorkie, the Parti Terriers are prone to all the health issues common to the Yorkshire Terriers, such as Legg-Calve-Perthes syndrome, which may affect their growth and size.
The Standard Yorkshire Terrier
Although the standard Yorkshire terrier is one of the smallest dog breeds in the world, it’s still larger than the teacup version. The standard Yorkshire Terrier comes with different coat coloring, namely: tan, gold, black and blue color. A full-grown standard Yorkie weighs 4 to 7 pounds and measures 7 to 8 inches.
Since Terriers are built small they may be affected by diseases like Blount’s disease, which comes as a limp or knee pain and later develops into a serious condition like lameness.
What Makes Yorkshire Terriers Larger Than Average?
Once in a while, a purebred Yorkshire Terrier may emerge that is much larger than expected. So, how is this possible?
- In many circumstances, the lineage will contain a combination of breeds. If a Yorkie is a recognized purebred, this may seem unlikely. However, a dog must have a three-generation ancestry to be regarded as purebred. Breeders could have mixed another breed in the past 5, 10, or more generations.
- Another likelihood is an unintentional pairing, which may be ruled out by DNA testing. In many circumstances, DNA testing is optional. In some cases, though, it is required. This pairing is common for often used sires, foreign dogs, and when random assessment visits to breeding kennels are undertaken.
- Breeders are on the honor system when giving out parents information in this circumstance because there is no DNA testing. Due to dishonesty or honest mistakes, the sire indicated on the register may not be accurate.
- A female dog might be impregnated by two separate dogs simultaneously. In some instances, a female Yorkie mate with both the intended male Yorkie and a different breed dog, with only the Yorkie identified as a sire. In such cases, the pups are mixed and may be larger than anticipated.
- Excess weight might also cause a Yorkie to be larger than usual. While this is not a common occurrence with this breed, any dog can gain weight. Therefore, if a Yorkshire Terrier weighs more than 10 pounds, it might be overweight and should be examined by a veterinarian.
Related Questions
Are Yorkshire Terriers the Smallest Dog?
While Standard Yorkshire Terriers aren’t the smallest, Miniature and Teacup Yorkshire Terriers are among the smallest dogs in the world. These Yorkies weigh less than four pounds.
Do Yorkies Have Long Bodies?
Yorkies don’t have long bodies. Instead, their bodies are longer than tall.
Why Are Yorkies So Small?
Some Yorkies are because some breeders purposely bred them down to produce less than the Standard Yorkshire Terriers. In some cases, they may be under or over the recommended weight or size.
Final Thoughts
You now have a good understanding of Yorkshire sizes and where your dog fits. You might have a dog that is an exception in terms of size. It doesn’t matter if they’re on the lower or more extensive part of the spectrum, as long as they’re healthy and happy.
