Many questions come to mind when thinking about a Yorkie. One inquiry people have is, “what is the average weight of an adult Teacup Yorkshire Terrier?” In this blog post, I will answer this question and tell you more about adult Teacup Yorkies.
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What Is the Average Weight of an Adult Teacup Yorkshire Terrier?
The average weight of an adult Teacup Yorkshire Terrier ranges anywhere from 1 to 3 pounds; however, this can vary depending on their diet and lifestyle.
A healthy Teacup Yorkie will always have a lean build and show no signs of obesity; otherwise, there may be other underlying health issues.
The best way to ensure your pet stays on track is by consulting with your vet before making any changes to their diet. They are called “Teacup” Terriers because they are the smallest Terrier breed and not because they have been bred to be tiny.
Characteristics of Teacup Yorkshire Terriers
A Yorkie is a diminutive pooch that needs love just like any other pup, but some are born with shorter muzzles and elongated snouts. They’re also more likely than others to be used for breeding because their physical features make them perfect candidates in the show ring.
If you’re looking for a small dog, it’s important that the breeders are legitimate and reputable. Avoid any breeder who claims to specialize in Teacups or Yorkies under 12 inches tall, they might just be selling toy breeds.
- Yorkies come in all shapes and sizes, but the Teacup Yorkie is a myth. The American Kennel Club (AKC) does not recognize this breed of dog as legitimate because they are too small to be considered an actual Yorkshire Terrier. Anyone who tells you otherwise or indicates otherwise knows nothing about dogs.
- A Yorkie weighing 3 pounds or less requires extra attention. Yorkies are known for their small size, but extra-tiny ones have an increased risk of health problems and congenital anomalies. (such as a portosystemic shunt or small kidneys — which you will notice later).
- Tiny Yorkies are born every time, but only in exceptional circumstances will extra small puppies be put on display. The standard specifies a weight range of 4 – 7 pounds and competent breeders should only produce puppies in that size because it’s important to keep up with your pup’s growth rate.
- Yorkies are small but that doesn’t make them any less valuable. Healthy, standard size should cost more than a tiny one while Teacup yorkies exist as well and can be found at cheaper prices because they don’t meet some of the criteria for being considered “small.”
How to Know if a Teacup Yorkshire Terrier Is the Right Weight
If you’re having problems weighing your dog, you can do a visual examination of them. If your dog’s fur prevents you from doing this examination, it would be best to use your hand to check if there are any physical indicators.
These indicators will help you tell if your Teacup has the standard weight or not. Swipe your finger along your dog’s spine and check for their pelvic bone to finish this assessment. A protruding pelvic bone and prominent vertebrae indicate that your dog is underweight.
When your dog is at its proper weight, you should be able to feel a thin layer of fat between its skin and bones. It will be challenging to feel the bones through your pet’s fat if the dog is overweight.
How to Inspect Your Yorkshire Terrier’s Body Mass
Examining your Teacup Yorkshire Terrier’s body mass can save you a lot of money since you will know how to deal with the issue of undersize or oversize before the situation gets out of hand.
- Take a look at your canine from behind as you direct your gaze down its rib cage and waist. If it’s underweight, that sharp inward curve should be significantly smaller than normal – meaning there is less weight on their frames or they’ve lost muscle mass.
- To determine if a canine is healthy, look at its belly. A sloping abdomen from the rib cage means that it has a healthy weight and little body fat; whereas an upturned stomach with no visible line separating ribs signifies too much food consumption or lack of activity in puppyhood.
- In addition, put your palm on the side of your dog’s skin, on its ribcage. You should feel every rib without seeing them. Your dog is underweight if you are able to see their ribs. Whenever you can’t feel its ribs, it is most likely overweight or requires more workouts.
Weight Comparison With a Regular Yorkie
Age | Yorkshire Terrier Ideal Weight | Teacup Yorkshire Terrier General Weight |
---|---|---|
Birth | 0.16 pound to 0.31 pound | 0.16 pound to 0.31 pound |
8 weeks | 0.75 pound to 2.13 pound | 0.75 pound to 1 pound |
12 weeks | 1 to 2.5 pounds | 0.75 to 1.25 pounds |
20 weeks | 1.5 to 4 pounds | 0.75 to 2.5 pounds |
Adult | 3 to 7 pounds | 1 to 3 pounds |
How to Help an Oversized Teacup Yorkie Lose Weight
If your vet says your Yorkie needs to shed a few pounds, there are several things you can do to help them start living a healthy lifestyle. At first, changing your dog’s schedule will be a gradual and challenging process; however, with persistence, you should see results.
- Change your dog’s calorie intake to begin their weight loss journey. Your veterinarian may advise you to shift to a lower-calorie dog diet. Give your Yorkie a dish with half of their new meal and half of their old meal for a week or two before changing their diet completely.
- You can gradually incorporate exercise and walks into your dog’s daily routine. If your dog has been used to an inactive lifestyle, you must start carefully. You don’t want your dog to dislike going for walks or playing in the yard.
Related Questions
Can a Teacup Yorkshire Terrier Have Babies?
Yes, a Teacup Yorkshire Terrier can have babies. Teacup Yorkies produce 3-5 Yorkie puppies per litter in good health.
Are Teacup Yorkshire Terriers Hard to Take Care Of?
Yes, Teacup Yorkshire Terriers are hard to take care of. They require a lot of attention and care, whether choosing the correct diet or selecting the best grooming product.
How Much Should a Teacup Yorkie Eat?
A Teacup Yorkie should eat 1/4 to 1/2 cups daily. For puppies, you would have to feed them 3 to 4 meals a day. For adults, 2 meals a day.
Conclusion
If you’ve been looking for the perfect breed of dog, and don’t want to deal with a large animal that takes up space, then the Teacup Yorkshire Terrier is an ideal choice weighing only three pounds. However, they require just as much love and attention as any other pet.