Here is a comprehensive table with essential information about Yorkie (Yorkshire Terrier) puppy weight, including average weight by age, expected adult weight, and feeding guidelines:
Eyes and ears start to open, continued mother's milk
3
10 - 14
0.63 - 0.88
Begins to explore surroundings
4
14 - 18
0.88 - 1.13
Weaning process may start
6
18 - 25
1.13 - 1.56
Fully weaned, eating puppy food
8
25 - 32
1.56 - 2.00
Ready for adoption
10
32 - 40
2.00 - 2.50
Growth rate may slow down slightly
12
40 - 48
2.50 - 3.00
Teething begins, needs chew toys
16
48 - 64
3.00 - 4.00
Continued steady growth
20
64 - 80
4.00 - 5.00
Close to half of expected adult weight
24
80 - 96
5.00 - 6.00
Growth rate slows, approaching adult weight
32
96 - 112
6.00 - 7.00
May reach near adult size
40
112 - 128
7.00 - 8.00
Mostly grown, adult feeding schedule established
Table: Yorkie Puppy Weight Growth Chart (Standard, Miniature, and Teacup)
Age (Weeks)
Teacup Yorkie Weight (kg)
Miniature Yorkie Weight (kg)
Standard Yorkie Weight (kg)
Growth Stage
4
0.20 - 0.34
0.34 - 0.45
0.45 - 0.68
Newborn phase, rapid growth, still dependent on mother
6
0.23 - 0.45
0.45 - 0.68
0.68 - 0.91
Starting to eat solid food, still dependent on mother
8
0.34 - 0.57
0.57 - 0.91
0.91 - 1.14
Fully weaned, socialization period begins
10
0.45 - 0.68
0.68 - 1.02
1.02 - 1.36
Playful behavior, increased coordination
12
0.57 - 0.91
0.91 - 1.36
1.36 - 1.82
Teething stage, early development into independence
16
0.68 - 1.13
1.13 - 1.81
1.81 - 2.27
Half of adult weight reached, rapid growth continues
20
0.79 - 1.36
1.36 - 2.04
2.04 - 2.72
Growth begins to slow, puppy becomes more active
24
0.91 - 1.47
1.47 - 2.27
2.27 - 3.18
Slower growth, focus on building strength and agility
28
1.02 - 1.59
1.59 - 2.50
2.50 - 3.40
Approaching full adult size, final growth phase
36 (9 months)
1.13 - 1.70
1.70 - 2.72
2.72 - 3.63
Full adult size or near full size, behavior stabilizing
52 (1 year)
1.13 - 1.81
1.81 - 2.95
2.95 - 3.63
Reaches full adult weight, mature behavior
Key Information About Yorkie Growth:
1. Types of Yorkies:
Teacup Yorkie: The smallest version of the breed, usually weighing 1.13 kg to 1.8 kg (2.5 to 4 lbs) when fully grown. These tiny Yorkies require special care due to their small size.
Miniature Yorkie: Slightly larger than Teacups, they typically weigh 1.8 kg to 2.7 kg (4 to 6 lbs) as adults.
Standard Yorkie: The largest of the Yorkie types, the standard Yorkie weighs between 2.7 kg and 3.6 kg (6 to 8 lbs) when fully grown.
2. Growth Stages:
0 to 8 Weeks: Newborn Yorkies are very tiny, typically weighing less than 0.45 kg (1 lb). They grow quickly during the first two months and rely on their mother’s milk. By 8 weeks, they are usually ready for adoption.
8 to 16 Weeks: During this period, Yorkie puppies experience a growth spurt and should reach about 40-50% of their adult weight by 16 weeks.
16 to 24 Weeks: Growth continues, but the rate slows down slightly. By 24 weeks, puppies will have reached 60-75% of their adult weight.
6 Months to 1 Year: Between 6 and 12 months, Yorkies approach their adult size. The growth rate slows significantly after 6 months. Most Yorkies reach their final adult weight by 9-12 months.
3. Factors Influencing Growth:
Genetics: The size of the puppy’s parents will heavily influence its final adult size. Puppies from larger parents will likely be larger themselves.
Diet: Proper nutrition is essential for healthy growth. Feeding high-quality puppy food helps support proper development.
Health: Regular vet check-ups are important to catch any potential health issues that could affect growth. Growth abnormalities can sometimes be caused by malnutrition, illness, or parasites.
Feeding Guidelines for Yorkie Puppies:
8 to 12 Weeks: Feed your Yorkie puppy 3-4 meals per day with a high-quality, nutrient-rich puppy food. Small, frequent meals are important due to their tiny stomachs.
3 to 6 Months: Continue feeding 3 small meals per day. The amount of food should gradually increase as they grow.
6 to 12 Months: Reduce the number of meals to 2 times per day as your Yorkie approaches adulthood. At this stage, you may begin transitioning to adult dog food.
1 Year and Older: Adult Yorkies can be fed 2 meals per day of high-quality adult dog food.
Common Growth Milestones:
Teething (3 to 6 Months): Yorkie puppies will begin losing their baby teeth and growing adult teeth. During this period, they may exhibit increased chewing behavior.
Socialization (8 to 16 Weeks): This is a critical period for training and socialization. It’s important to introduce your Yorkie to new people, places, and experiences to help them grow into a well-adjusted adult.
Full Growth (9 to 12 Months): Most Yorkies will have reached their full height and weight by the time they are 9-12 months old. After this, their body will mostly focus on maintaining muscle tone and refining behavior.
Adult Yorkie Weight Guide:
Type
Adult Weight (kg)
Height at Shoulder (cm)
Teacup
1.13 - 1.81
12 - 15 cm
Miniature
1.81 - 2.95
15 - 18 cm
Standard
2.95 - 3.63
18 - 23 cm
Growth Monitoring Tips:
Weighing Your Puppy: Regularly weigh your Yorkie to track their growth progress. Use a pet or kitchen scale to accurately monitor small fluctuations in weight, especially for Teacup Yorkies.
Body Condition Score (BCS): In addition to tracking weight, use the Body Condition Score (BCS) to evaluate if your Yorkie is underweight, at a healthy weight, or overweight. You should be able to feel their ribs without excess fat, but not see them visibly.
Vet Check-ups: Regular vet check-ups are important to ensure that your Yorkie is growing properly. Your vet can also advise you on feeding, vaccinations, and any growth-related issues.
Key Takeaways:
Rapid Early Growth: Yorkie puppies grow quickly in the first 6 months and reach about 60-75% of their adult weight by 6 months.
Full Size by 1 Year: Most Yorkies will have reached their full adult weight and height by their first birthday.
Proper Nutrition: Feeding your Yorkie a high-quality diet that supports healthy growth is essential, especially for smaller Teacup and Miniature Yorkies that have fast metabolisms.
Teacup Yorkies Need Extra Care: Because of their small size, Teacup Yorkies can be more fragile and may require more attention to ensure they are eating properly and growing at a healthy rate.