"Giant" or "Teacup" Yorkies?

"GIANT" YORKIES

The American Kennel Club (AKC) does not recognize the terms “Giant” Yorkies or “Teacup” Yorkies, although many breeders and customers use those descriptions to describe what they are interested in. “Giant” Yorkies are oversized Yorkshire Terriers that weigh between 8 and 15 pounds, and sometimes more, well above the official AKC breed standard of under 7 pounds. They are not a separate breed, nor are they mixed breeds, but rather purebred “throwbacks” or genetic anomalies, resulting from larger ancestors in their lineage. In other words, they are what the original Yorkshire Terrier’s size once was. The term "throwback" means the atavism -- the reappearance of traits from earlier generations.

Giant Yorkies typically weigh from 8 to 15 pounds, with a solid, big-boned frame rather than fat. These Giant Yorkies are taller than the standard 7 to 9 inches, often measuring over a foot tall. DNA tests often confirm these dogs are 100% purebred Yorkshire Terriers, inheriting recessive genes of the larger size from past generations. 

Owners and breeders note that larger Yorkies are often physically more robust, less fragile, and less prone to some of the delicate joint and toy-breed injuries common in tiny 3-pound “teacup” Yorkies. They share a similar long lifespan with standard Yorkies, often living between 13 to 16 years with proper veterinary care. Because they easily look chunky  if overfed, keeping them at a lean, healthy weight is very important. This prevents added stress on their joints and organs, like the heart and pancreas. Giant Yorkies retain the bold, playful, and alert terrier personality. Their larger and sturdier build makes them a safer companion for households with active children, reducing the risk of accidental injury during rough play.

"TEACUP" YORKIES

The “Teacup” Yorkie is a miniature Yorkshire Terrier which has been bred down to be significantly smaller than normal. Teacup Yorkshire Terriers usually weigh between 2 and 4 pounds, but can weigh up to 7. 

Over the past decade, even smaller mini, micro or ‘teacup’ versions of these breeds have become increasingly popular. Unfortunately, these extra tiny pups can have some size-related health issues, like fragile bones, bladder problems, and more.

Many Yorkies weigh a bit more than the standard but are still, relatively speaking, tiny dogs. When an already small toy breed like the Yorkshire Terrier is miniaturized, it becomes a very small dog indeed. Some mini Yorkies are so small that they can fit inside of a teacup, which is where the term comes from. These dogs are likely to weigh between two and four pounds.

Teacup Yorkshire Terriers are not a new or separate breed of dog. If the mini Yorkie puppies you have your eye on are pedigree, they are registered as Yorkshire Terriers — the same as any regular-size Yorkshire Terrier.

Teacup dogs are not restricted to the Yorkshire Terrier breed; other toy breeds have been miniaturized too. This makes a lot of people unhappy and some people quite angry. If you are thinking of buying a teacup puppy, you should probably know why micro Yorkie dogs and other teacup dogs are controversial.

Not just because you may find yourself the target of criticism for your choice of puppy. But because it is important to be aware of the challenges and downsides of miniaturizing dogs before you decide to own one. 

 You’ll find people scouring the internet for ever smaller versions of the teacup Yorkie. You may even see people offering micro teacup Yorkies for sale. Presumably, these are even smaller. There is no official standard for these terms, so the people who breed and sell tiny dogs use them however they choose. Just how small can we make our canine friend while maintaining the qualities that make him a living, breathing, barking, tail-wagging dog? Have we reached the limit yet? Or can we go further? These are some of the questions that must pass through the minds of those involved in breeding miniature dogs. And is there a downside to this process? Is it possible that this miniaturization experiment that we are carrying out on dogs could be harmful to the dogs?

The questions many people ask are: Is miniaturization harmful? Should we be making tiny dog breeds even tinier? These are tough questions. Our instinct when we see something unbelievably cute and attractive is to dismiss the negative and focus on the benefits and the appeal. And there are benefits to owning a very tiny dog. 

Smaller dogs are more portable and more manageable. They take up less space, shed less hair and generally have less impact on a home than a big dog. A dog that can sit on your lap, or in your purse, is a convenient friend, while at the same time retaining that dog personality that we love so much. But, it’s important to recognize that you don’t need to buy a miniature or teacup dog to get these benefits. Many small toy dogs meet all these criteria. And there is a point when the disadvantages of tiny start to outweigh the benefits. If you have set your heart on a teacup Yorkie, please read on. It’s important to be well informed, especially if you choose to go ahead and get a teacup Yorkshire Terrier.

The list of health problems caused by miniaturizing our four-legged friends is sadly rather long. It includes heart, liver, bone and brain problems, low blood sugar and psychological issues. A teacup puppy’s tiny heart is more prone to defects and diseases than those of a larger dog. When we make body parts smaller, they don’t always work well. This is true of the mini Yorkie’s organs, particularly its heart and liver.

In addition, many teacup dogs are created using suspect breeding processes. This further increases the chances of a teacup puppy having serious health issues. While the life expectancy for a Yorkshire Terrier is 11-15 years, life expectancy for a teacup Yorkie is shorter. It may be as short as 7-9 years.

When we mess with the proportions that God intended, things can go wrong. Teacup puppies can suffer from brain inflammation or a buildup of fluid inside the skull. Teacup dog skulls may also have soft spots in them, like the fontanelle in a human baby. But unlike a human infant, the soft spot on a tiny dog’s head never closes. This makes them permanently vulnerable to injury and brain damage. Teacup puppies suffer the added problems of poor bone health. Not just in the skull, but throughout the body. This means that they are more prone to fractures if they fall or are injured.

A number of studies show mental or psychological health in dogs is linked to size. Psychology Today has produced an interesting report on this topic. Being a small dog in a big world is probably quite stressful, so it is perhaps not surprising that tiny dogs have more than their share of emotional problems.

Before you decide to go ahead and bring home a teacup Yorkie, you should think about what’s involved in caring for such a tiny dog. Because your puppy’s bones are fragile, it’s vital that he doesn’t fall or get stepped on. You’ll need to prevent him from jumping on and off of high (to him) surfaces or playing with small children. You’ll also need to be sure that you or someone else is around to feed him frequently. Hourly is not too often for some tiny dogs. They are not able to process enough food to keep their blood-sugar level stable unless they are fed often. You’ll also need to accept that your tiny friend may be difficult, if not impossible, to house train. Bladder problems such as incontinence are common in teacup dogs, and it is hard to potty train a dog with such a tiny bladder.

Poor breeding practices are a contributing factor in teacup dog health issues. The reason is simple. To get a smaller than average dog, you have to breed smaller than average dogs. And in many cases, the smallest dog in a litter is less healthy than its larger littermates. Instead of selecting dogs that will make the healthiest parents, some breeders select the smallest dogs without regard for health problems they might be inflicting on the next generation. The reason, of course, is money. In pursuit of the tiniest puppies to sell to those clamoring for teacup dogs, some breeders disregard health and think only of the money the puppies will fetch. Reputable breeders are not willing to compromise the health of their Yorkshire Terriers in order to satisfy the demand for tiny dogs. And demand is unfortunately high. That means teacup puppy breeders can charge a lot of money for their pups. 

Many of the above problems occur to some extent already in toy breeds. Buying a puppy that is even smaller increases the risk of them happening to your dog. Finding a healthy teacup puppy is a challenge; one that many veterinary experts would describe as impossible. We don’t yet have the means to miniaturize a truly perfect dog.

Ultimately, the truth is that if you want a miniature dog, you are going to have to accept that it will also be a less healthy dog. And a less healthy dog can bring risk and heartache. 

I personally have not, and will not, breed a tiny female in order to create offspring as small as possible. I would much rather produce healthy puppies that will hopefully live a good, long life. I feel it is irresponsible as a breeder to do that, and I’m fully aware not every breeder feels the same way. It ultimately becomes your decision as the buyer, to choose the right puppy for you and your family. I am always just a text or call away for any questions you may have, in order to make an educated and informed decision.