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Last Updated on November 9, 2023 by Scott Allen

Predicting Adult Size of a Yorkie Puppy

Predicting Adult Size of a Yorkie Puppy

Getting a new Yorkie puppy is an exciting time!

As a proud new owner, one of the common questions is “What size will my Yorkie be when fully grown?”

While it’s impossible to predict exact size, there are some helpful guidelines you can use to estimate the adult size of your Yorkie puppy.

Factors That Influence Adult Size

Several key factors impact the eventual size of a Yorkie:

Genetics

The most significant influence is genetics. Yorkies inherit size genes from their parents. Generally, a Yorkie puppy will be within the same size range as the parents. If the parents are on the smaller or larger end of the breed standard, the puppy likely will be too.

Nutrition

Proper nutrition is crucial for a growing puppy. Make sure your Yorkie puppy eats a high-quality puppy food and gets the right amount of calories for growth. Underfeeding or overfeeding can affect size.

Health

Any health issues that impact growth, like orthopedic problems, chronic illnesses, or parasites can alter a puppy’s size. A healthy Yorkie will reach their optimal adult size.

Spay/Neuter Age

Early spay/neuter may cause subtle differences in growth patterns. Yorkies fixed before 6 months old may end up slightly taller than those fixed later.

Yorkie Growth Stages

Tracking your Yorkie’s growth week-by-week and month-by-month can help you ensure they are developing properly. Here are the typical growth stages:

8-12 Weeks

  • Weight: 1.5-2 pounds
  • Height: 2-5 inches
  • Rapid growth
  • Baby teeth start coming in

3-4 Months

  • Weight: 2-2.5 pounds
  • Height: 3-7 inches
  • Growth starts slowing
  • Adult teeth come in

6-9 Months

  • Weight: 3-3.5 pounds
  • Height: 5-9 inches
  • Reaches close to adult size
  • Growth continues slowing

12 Months

  • Weight: 4 pounds
  • Height: 7-9 inches
  • Fully grown adult size
  • Growth plates close

Adult Size Standards

The breed standard for a full-grown Yorkie set by the American Kennel Club is:

  • Height: 8-9 inches at the shoulder
  • Weight: 4-7 pounds

However, many pet Yorkies grow slightly outside this range. Yorkies under 4 pounds are considered “teacup” size. Yorkies over 7 pounds are still purebred if they conform to the breed’s appearance standards otherwise.

Methods to Predict Adult Weight

While the exact adult weight can’t be known in advance, there are some simple formulas breeders use to estimate it:

8-Week Weight Formula

Take the puppy’s weight at 8 weeks and multiply by 3. This gives a rough estimate of adult weight.

For example, a 3 pound puppy at 8 weeks would be estimated to weigh 9 pounds as an adult (3 x 3 = 9).

12-Week Weight Formula

Take the puppy’s weight at 12 weeks and double it to estimate adult weight.

For example, a 2 pound puppy at 12 weeks would be estimated to weigh 4 pounds full grown (2 x 2 = 4).

These formulas provide a ballpark figure but aren’t always precise. The most accurate predictions use all available information – the puppy’s weight, parents’ sizes, and breeder’s expertise.

Questions to Ask the Breeder

When choosing your Yorkie puppy, ask the breeder these questions to get insight into the expected adult size:

  • How big are the parents? Bigger parents usually produce bigger puppies.
  • Are the parents within the breed’s size standard? Dogs closer to the standard often produce pups that stay within the standard.
  • How big were previous litters from the same parents? This helps gauge size consistency.
  • Does your experience with this bloodline indicate the puppies will be standard or outside the standard size? Reputable breeders know their lines well.
  • Does the puppy’s weight and paw size seem proportional to littermates? Comparing to siblings gives clues to size.

The Bottom Line

While the exact adult size can’t be guaranteed, asking the right questions and tracking growth patterns will give you a good idea of what to expect. Be prepared to love your Yorkie at any size! Their huge personality always shines through, no matter how small the package.

References

[1] https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/yorkshire-terrier/

[2] https://www.hillspet.com/dog-care/dog-breeds/yorkshire-terrier

[3] https://www.petmd.com/dog/breeds/c_dg_yorkshire_terrier

[4] https://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/yorkshireterriers.html

[5] https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/search/breeds-a-to-z/breeds/toy/yorkshire-terrier/

Citations:
[1] https://www.yorkieinfocenter.com/yorkie-growth-chart
[2] https://spiritdogtraining.com/growth-chart-calculator/yorkie/
[3] https://moringayorkieterriers.weebly.com/yorkie-growth-chart.html
[4] https://www.yorkieinfocenter.com/yorkie-size
[5] https://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/general-yorkshire-terrier-discussion/141101-how-accurate-yorkie-growth-chart.html
[6] https://thedogtale.com/yorkie-growth-chart/
[7] https://www.caninejournal.com/how-big-will-my-puppy-get/
[8] https://theyorkietimes.com/yorkie-sizes
[9] https://yorkieguide.com/yorkie-growth-chart/
[10] https://www.evermoreyorkies.com/growthchart
[11] https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/breed/yorkshire-terrier
[12] https://www.raisedrightpets.com/blog/how-much-should-a-yorkie-weigh/
[13] https://designeryorkies.com/weight-chart/
[14] https://premierpups.com/blogs/yorkie-size-guide
[15] https://www.thetechedvocate.org/how-big-will-my-yorkie-get-calculator/
[16] https://www.loveyourdog.com/yorkie-growth-chart/
[17] https://iheartdogs.com/male-female-yorkie-weights-heights-by-age/
[18] https://www.yorkiepassion.com/yorkshire-terrier-growth-chart/
[19] https://blog.tryfi.com/yorkie-full-grown/
[20] http://www.puppyweights.com/yorkshire-terrier/304/
[21] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yorkshire_Terrier
[22] https://www.hepper.com/yorkie-weight-chart/