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Teacup Yorkies
Teacup yorkies are not, as some people think, a separate breed of Yorkshire Terrier. Instead, teacup yorkies are smaller than normal versions of these dogs. Normally, yorkies weight between four and seven pounds as adults. Teacup yorkies generally weigh less than four pounds. In all other ways, they are identical to other yorkies.
While many potential owners love the idea of owning a miniature version of an already tiny dog, there are risks involved with owning teacup yorkies. All yorkies are delicate creatures. They have small bones which can easily break. In fact, yorkies can be seriously injured simply by jumping off your couch! With teacup yorkies, these dangers are magnified.
 Teacup yorkies also face additional risks. For example, their mouths are often too small so their teeth do not develop normally. Their internal organs may also have trouble squeezing into such a small body and working correctly. The reason is that yorkies just weren't meant to be that small.
If you absolutely must have one of these teacup yorkies, then you also need to realize that there not all breeders will be honest with you. As puppies, it is nearly impossible to tell the difference between teacup yorkies and standard yorkies. You can end up paying over $1000 for an ordinary yorkie even though that was not what was promised. Since teacup yorkies are fragile, you also need to make sure the parents are in good health. A sickly mother or father is likely to produce a puppy with health problems and a shorter life expectancy.
Teacup yorkies are not recognized as a separate breed. Both the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the Kennel Club (British) view teacup yorkies as ordinary yorkies even though they are somewhat smaller in size. Since there is no weight minimum in the Yorkshire Terrier breed standard on either side of the Atlantic, teacup yorkies can participate in dog shows.
Before deciding on teacup yorkies, you need to take into consideration a few things. First, teacup yorkies are not good for homes with young or active children. Even regular-sized yorkies can be accidentally injured or worse by a well-meaning but too rough child. Second, many yorkies of all varieties have difficulties with separation anxiety. When left alone, teacup yorkies can engage in destructive biting. Others will bark until they are hoarse, defecate in areas they should not, and cause other types of damage. If you can't spend a great deal of time with your dog, then you may to rethink purchasing teacup yorkies.
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