| Teacup Yorkies developed from breeding standard | | | | Yorkie should not appear frail. |
| sized toy group Yorkshire Terriers. In some breedings | | | | The backline should be level with the height at the front |
| one or more of the litter would be well below the | | | | shoulders being the same as the height at the hips. |
| minimum weight range, and these smaller puppies | | | | Legs and feet |
| became popular as novelty type dogs. | | | | Both the front and rear legs should be straight with no |
| The Teacup Yorkie is so named because with their | | | | turning in or out when viewed from the front or back. |
| small size they were, even as adults, often able to fit | | | | Teacup Yorkies should look comparable to standard |
| into a teacup. Originally ethical and reputable Yorkie | | | | Yorkie dogs. |
| breeders simply kept these small dogs as pet quality, | | | | The back legs can have a moderate bend at the stifle |
| neutering or spaying them to prevent them from | | | | when viewed from the side. |
| reproducing. | | | | The feet should be round and the toenails will be black. |
| Yorkie breeders typically will not use any female | | | | Tail |
| Yorkies in breeding programs if they have a mature | | | | The tail of a Teacup Yorkie is docked to a medium |
| weight of less than five pounds, since there is an | | | | length and is carried just a bit higher than the level of |
| increased likelihood of pregnancy complications and the | | | | the back. |
| chance of producing very small and possibly unhealthy | | | | |
| puppies. | | | | Coat |
| Some Yorkie breeders saw potential market for the | | | | One of the most important features of the Teacup |
| very smallest of these Yorkie dogs and started to | | | | Yorkie is its distinctive long coat. The coat should be |
| attempt to breed for smaller and smaller sizes. While | | | | very shiny and glossy and very fine textured. |
| originally there were serious concerns with the health | | | | The coat should extend to the ground and should be |
| of these miniature Yorkies, more complete breeding | | | | absolutely straight and not curly or wavy. |
| programs that are based on developing healthy | | | | |
| Teacup Yorkies are now available. These is still a | | | | Color |
| great deal of controversy within Yorkie breeders as to | | | | Puppies are born with black and tan coloration and |
| the ethical breeding of these tiny Yorkie dogs, and | | | | possible mixing of the dark hairs in the tan. |
| new owners need to be aware of this issue. | | | | As they mature the dark hairs will be shed, and they |
| The basic physical attributes that a health Teacup | | | | should not have any mixing of colors between the |
| Yorkie puppy or adult dog should have include: | | | | body and head colors at maturity. |
| Head | | | | The body will be a blue color, that is to be steel blue, |
| The Teacup Yorkie should have a flat skull on the top, | | | | not silver-blue and can have no mixing of the tan |
| with no dome, and the muzzle should be short rather | | | | colors in it. |
| than long. | | | | In addition the Teacup Yorkie should have: |
| The bite can be either scissor or level, but there should | | | | An alert, intelligent expression and should be aware of |
| be no overbite or underbite. The nose and lips should | | | | his or her surroundings. |
| be black and the eyes should be medium in size and | | | | Eyes, ears and nose that are free from any signs of |
| dark in color. | | | | discharge of any kind. |
| The ears are V-shaped and carried erect. They should | | | | Well developed and strong legs and body. |
| not be too far apart on the skull, and should | | | | Teacup Yorkies should be well coordinated in their |
| accentuate the Teacup Yorkies face. | | | | movements and should not appear lame or limping. |
| Headfall | | | | Teacup Yorkies should not have any foul odor in the |
| Headfall refers to the long hair on the head of the | | | | mouth as this can be a sign of dental problems and |
| Teacup Yorkie. It should be a rich golden tan and be | | | | digestive issues. |
| darker at the sides of the head, ears, and muzzle. | | | | Overall the Teacup Yorkie should be a moderately |
| The tan color should not extend down the back of the | | | | energetic puppy or dog that is active and alert. |
| neck; rather this should be the darker body color. | | | | If they appear withdrawn, timid or aggressive this can |
| Chest and legs | | | | be a sign that they are unhealthy or have a poor or |
| The chest and legs should be the golden tan color, and | | | | difficult temperament. |
| should be rich looking and not faded or washed out. | | | | Talk to various Yorkie breeders before you decide on |
| The chest should be proportionate to the length of the | | | | a Teacup Yorkie and make sure you know as much |
| body and should not be overly narrow. | | | | as you can about how to select a healthy Teacup |
| Body | | | | Yorkie. |
| The body is rather short and very flat. The Teacup | | | | |