Yorkies are supposed to be small, right? So If you have a surprisingly big Yorkie you’re likely wondering why…
This article explains why your Yorkie may be larger than usual, typical Yorkie sizes, and more. Let’s get into it.
3 Reasons Why Some Yorkies Are Bigger Than Usual!
Mixed genetics, selective breeding, or dietary habits explains why some Yorkies grow to be bigger than usual.
Let’s cover the 3 common reasons that explain most instances of XL Yorkies:
- Mixed genetics
- Selective breeding
- Dietary habits
1. Mixed genetics
Not all dogs have clearly visible mixed genetics! It’s more than possible that somewhere down the bloodline of your Yorkie, some crossbreeding has happened.
If the bloodline contains any genes from larger dogs, this can certainly impact the overall size of subsequent litters for quite some time.
In some cases, genes may skip generations before showing themselves. If you aren’t 100% that your Yorkie is purebred, then it’s worth considering a doggy DNA test kit.
2. Selective breeding
Selective breeding can impact various physical attributes, including overall size, fur style, color, and even eye color.
You’ve likely heard of Teacup Yorkies: Well, they aren’t a separate breed at all! They are the result of selective breeding: Breeding together only the smallest of Yorkies to continuously produce smaller and smaller offspring.
The same can happen the other way around too. So if your Yorkie has come from a family of only large Yorkies, then this would explain their bigger size.
3. Dietary habits
Is your Yorkie actually big, or just fat?
If your Yorkie is wider than they should be, then this is typically down to their diet (as well as their lifestyle habits).
If your Yorkie eats too many treats and table scraps in addition to their regular food, then this will, of course, lead to weight gain.
It can also happen to Yorkies that are consistently inactive.
How Big Are Yorkies Supposed To Be?
According to the AKC breed standard of the Yorkshire Terrier, their average size is 7-8 inches in height with a weight of around 4-7 pounds.
- Males may be on the upper end of the height around 6-8 inches and 5-7 pounds in weight.
- Females may be on the lower end at around 5-7 inches in height and 3-5 pounds in weight.
If your Yorkie is clearly above these averages then you can safely say they are larger than what’s typical for this breed.
Yorkie Puppy Growth Timeline
Let’s run through the growth timeline for Yorkie pups. Like most breeds, a rapid growth spurt typically happens during 3-6 months before gradually slowing down.
Average Yorkshire Terrier weight:
- Average Yorkie weight at 2 months is: 20-22 ounces (1.2 – 1.3 lbs)
- Average Yorkie weight at 4 months is: 38-42 ounces (2.3 – 2.6 lbs)
- Average Yorkie weight at 6 months is: 50-52 ounces (3.1 – 3.3 lbs)
- Average Yorkie weight at 8 months is: 57-59 ounces (3.5 – 3.7 lbs)
- Average Yorkie weight at 12 months is: 62-70 ounces (3.8 – 4.3 lbs)
- Average Yorkie weight at 24 months is: 62-110 ounces (3.8 – 7 lbs)
Many Yorkis will continue to add muscle mass between 1 and 2 years, which explains the potential for a bigger and heavier Yorkie by the 2 year mark.
But keep in mind not all Yorkies will reach 110 ounces (7lbs).
Should You Be Concerned If Your Yorkie Is Big & Heavy?
Assuming your Yorkie is consuming a healthy high quality diet, receiving sufficient physical exercise every day and has no existing health issues, then their size is irrelevant.
Whether your Yorkie is particularly small or large, assuming they are happy, mobile and in good health, then there’s no reason to be concerned.
If your Yorkie is short (but very wide) then this may indicate they are obese. In this case, this would be an issue and both their diet, lifestyle, and current health will need to be checked.
While diet (calorie consumption) and activity levels explain most weight gain, in some cases, health issues like hypothyroidism or diabetes may be the underlying cause…
This is why it’s crucial to keep up to date with bi-yearly health checks. Veterinarians are most qualified to spot potential problems before they become serious health issues.
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What Are Giant Yorkies?
Giant Yorkies are those considered to be at least 9 inches in height and over 10 lbs in weight.
And yes, many Yorkies are coming in at this size!
Assuming they are not obese and are in good health, then these “giant” Yorkies may actually be fitter than their smaller siblings!
But as explained before, these XL Yorkies are not a separate breed, they are almost always caused by either mixed genetics or selective breeding.
What’s The Biggest Yorkie Ever?
It’s likely that not all big Yorkies are officially documented, but there has been at least one documentated at 15lbs and 11 inches in height.
This is certainly considered a “giant” Yorkie, and as of now, we aren’t sure if there has been any bigger.
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What Age Is a Yorkie Fully Grown?
While most Yorkies stop growing between 12-18 months, some Yorkies may still bulk out and add muscle mass up to 24 months, albeit rare.
When a Yorkie stops growing depends on their genetics, diet, and overall lifestyle.
Yorkies that have a high-quality diet and are very active will likely add more muscle mass for longer than other Yorkies that are more inactive.
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