Overview | Bluegrass Blessings Exotic Yorkies

🐾 A Quick Overview of the Yorkshire Terrier 🐾

Yorkshire Terrier Sizes

Yorkshire Terriers — or Yorkies — may be small, but their hearts are huge! Depending on their genetics and breeding, Yorkies can come in a few adorable sizes.

Standard Yorkie (AKC Standard)

Weight: Up to 7 lbs (3.2 kg)
Height: About 7–8 inches (18–20 cm) at the shoulder
Length: Around 8–9 inches (20–23 cm) from chest to rump

Teacup or Mini Yorkie

Weight: About 2–4 lbs (0.9–1.8 kg)
Height: Around 5–6 inches (13–15 cm)
- ⚠️ “Teacup” Yorkies aren’t officially recognized by the AKC. They’re irresistibly tiny, but they require special care since they can be more fragile and prone to health issues.

Larger (Pet-Bred) Yorkie

Weight: Usually 8–10 lbs (3.6–4.5 kg) or more
Height: About 8–9 inches (20–23 cm)
- These Yorkies are still small, but often a bit sturdier and heartier than their teacup cousins — perfect for active families.
- Even the biggest Yorkie can fit comfortably in your lap — yet they carry themselves with the confidence of a much larger dog!

Silky vs. Cotton Coat Yorkies

Silky Coat Yorkies: Fine, straight, shiny, and smooth to the touch (true to AKC standard)
Cotton Coat Yorkies: Fluffier, softer, and often wavy — less shiny but extra cuddly
🌷 Cotton coats are common in pet-bred Yorkies and require frequent brushing.

Color Variations

Yorkies coat colors often change as they grow. Common variations including exotic Yorkies (merle pattern has been bred into the breed) are as follows:

Traditional Blue & Tan: Classic show color pattern
Black & Gold or Black & Tan: Often seen in younger Yorkies
KB Black: Black without tan
Parti Yorkie: White, black, and tan coat — giving a piebald or spotted appearance
Chocolate Yorkie: Rich brown with tan highlights
Chocolate Parti: Majority white with chocolate pattern
Platinum: Majority white without much pattern
KB Chocolate & Bitter (Dark) Chocolate : Dark chocolate without tan
Blonde or Golden Yorkie: Light gold to cream coat — rare and eye-catching
Blonde Chocolate or Blonde Chocolate Parti: Chocolate nose with gold to cream coat or Chocolate nose with majority white and cream pattern coat
- These color variations are all Yorkies, just with different genetics.

There are also Exotic variations which have been bred into the Yorkshire Terrier breed.

Merle which is color dilution can also exist in most of these color variations but blonde masks it.

Temperament

Yorkies are intelligent, energetic, and bold. Despite their tiny size, they have big personalities and love to be the center of attention.

Lifespan

With proper care, they can live anywhere from 12 to 15 years or longer.

Activity Level

They're quite active, playful, and enjoy exploring their environment, though their small size means they don’t need as much exercise as larger breeds.

Socialization

Yorkies can be somewhat protective and may be wary of strangers but are generally affectionate with family members.

Diet

A balanced diet, tailored to their small size and energy level, is essential. Many owners opt for small-breed-specific dog food.

Perfect for :

Yorkshire Terriers are great for:
Apartments: Their small size and moderate activity level make them ideal for apartment living.
Active Singles & Couples: They love interaction and will bond closely with their owners, making them excellent companions.
Families with Older Children: They may not be the best choice for very young children due to their delicate size, but they thrive in a stable home environment.
In short, Yorkies are lively, affectionate little dogs who thrive with proper care, attention, and regular grooming. Their big hearts make them wonderful companions!