Yorkshire Terrier: How Many Sizes Do They Come In?

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

People often wonder, Yorkshire terrier: how many sizes do they come in? Are they limited to small sizes or do you have multiple sizes? Well, here’s the answer you’ve been looking for.

Yorkshire Terrier: How Many Sizes Do They Come In?

Contrary to what most people know about these cute dogs. Yorkshire Terriers come in multiple sizes. Not only that, medium size Yorkshire terriers are more common than small ones.

Two cute terrier with match red checkered

The average or standard size should weigh around 7 pounds or 3.17 kilograms maximum. However, Yorkshire terriers now come in various sizes due to the breeders breeding efforts. To make them look cuter and more desirable for the market.

It affects the dog’s health and life span over time.

Different Sizes of Yorkshire Terriers

Despite the popularity of Yorkshire terriers being one of the many small dog breeds, people love to take care of them. To change their average size, they breed it to a different type of dog. Here is a list of the yorkie breed different sizes:

  • Average or toy breed: The average size can be considered a small yorkie breed next to Pomeranians, Chihuahuas, and Pugs. Yorkshire terriers with average size usually weigh around 7 pounds maximum with 6 and 9 inches in height. It is the accepted standard by the American Kennel Club (AKC).
  • Large size: Yorkshire terriers can also exceed the 7 pounds maximum without crossbreeding. Litters can differ in size, which can cause them to be larger than normal. It can be around 8-10 pounds maximum.
  • Larger than normal size: This size was due to cross-breeding, but there are rare instances of registered purebred Yorkies growing into larger than normal sizes due to a possible breed mixed into the bloodline more than 5 generations back.
  • Mini size: Yorkies between the toy group and teacup size are called mini size. It weighs around 3-7 pounds.
  • Teacup: The most controversial size is called teacup size. Teacup size Yorkies weigh no more than 3 pounds with a height less than 5 to 6 inches to the shoulder. This size has a significantly shorter life span and was not accepted to be a registered purebred under the American Kennel Club.

Comparing Yorkie With Other Small Dog Breeds

Dog Breed Weight Height
Yorkie 4 to 7 pounds 6 to 9 inches
Chihuahua 2 to 6 pounds 6 to 9 inches
Pomeranian 3 to 7 pounds 8 to 11 inches
Pug 13 to 20 pounds 12 to 14 inches

Things to Know Before Choosing Between Sizes

Taking care of dogs particularly breeds like Yorkshire terriers requires a lot of responsibility, patience, time, effort, and love. Thus, understanding all about them is necessary not just for them but you to know whether this yorkie breed and breed size is appropriate for your lifestyle as well as your current living conditions.

Two Yorkshire terriers sitting on a chair

Different Necessities

Each dog is different, especially when it comes to their necessities and needs. Some similarities like a regular visit to the vets and food they can and cannot eat. There are still some things that need to be taken into account.

Some of the main examples would be their daily food intake, space, and appropriate living conditions.

For instance, bigger Yorkshire terriers should have a more adjusted diet that can supply enough vitamins, nutrients, and carbohydrates to protect them against common diseases. Of course, small Yorkies should be fed according to their needed portions. Also, the Yorkies’ advisable space and living conditions differ depending on their sizes too.

Health Risks and Problems

Yorkshire terriers, in general, are vulnerable to various diseases such as hypoglycemia, pancreatitis, retinal dysplasia, and other genetic diseases known in their breed. However, a Yorkie with a teacup size is even more fragile than the other Yorkie sizes. Other Yorkies can be a product of inbreeding or intentional breeding of the ‘runt’ among the litter of puppies.

These runs are the result of inbreeding to produce a tiny dog.
However, some of these puppies are often premature. That is why some Yorkies only have 7-9 years in their lifespan compared to the estimated 10-13 years lifespan of average size Yorkies.

Here are the most common diseases Yorkies suffer from:

  • Heart problems
  • Respiratory problems
  • Seizures
  • Digestive problems
  • Bone breakage due to fragile bones
  • Weaker immune system

Additionally, you should watch your Yorkies for other disease like heartworm disease.

Availability and Responsibility

Given that different sizes require different treatment, diet, levels of exercise, and supervision, it is vital to weigh in your availability and responsibility before finally deciding what size you prefer. You should be able to give time, effort, and love to your Yorkies for them to live longer.

Being responsible means giving time for their needs when it comes to their daily walk and exercise particularly among large-size Yorkies.

Little baby terrier on a tea cup

Related Questions

How Many Types of Yorkshire Terriers Are There?

Yorkshire is the only type of Yorkie that officially exists. However, there are a lot of dog breeds that can be quite similar to Yorkshire terriers when it comes to their coat and color, especially in the Terrier group. Despite that, those kinds of breeds are only mismarked or mixed from the original one.

What Is the Smallest Yorkshire?

The teacup Yorkie is the smallest Yorkshire in the Terrier group. This weighs no more than 3 pounds and is significantly smaller than the average Yorkie size. The teacup Yorkie is known for having a shorter life span of 7-9 years compared to the average 10-13 years of the breed’s lifespan.

What Is the Biggest Type of Yorkie?

The biggest type of Yorkie is the Giant Yorkie. It can grow over 9 inches in height and over 7 pounds in weight. They are rare since they’re not part of the breed standard.

Conclusion

Yorkshire terriers, contrary to the people’s belief in this breed, have different varieties of sizes caused by either genetic DNA that can be traced back from their previous generations or human breeding efforts. Thus, it is necessary to understand the different necessities and needs of Yorkies depending on their sizes.