20 pounds is definitely too much… even for ‘giant’ gene Yorkies. While some folks do end up with Yorkies that are genetically predisposed to be a bit taller than others, these dogs typically weigh in a range of 12 to 15 pounds.
So, if your Yorkie is at the 20-pound mark, then it’s time for a strict diet and a whole lot of exercise. As far as the dieting, your vet can help you with a daily calorie regimen and an automatic feeder will help to ensure that you are only giving them the recommended amounts.
During this time, keep snacks healthy, such as chopped carrot sticks or approved fruits, and keep them at a minimum. Being overweight puts your dog at risk for diabetes, kidney disease, skin conditions and more, so you want to get a handle on this as soon as possible!
For the remainder of this article, we’re going to answer popular questions about Yorkies and their weight. Read on to find out how to calculate your dog’s adult weight, how to tell when your little one is overweight, and more. Let’s take a look at the Yorkie weight information that you need to know!
Table of Contents
- Can Yorkies weigh 11 pounds?
- What is overweight for a Yorkie?
- How much does the biggest Yorkie weigh?
- How heavy should a Yorkie be?
- How big will my Yorkie get when they are fully grown?
- What does an overweight Yorkie look like?
- How much should a Yorkie eat daily?
- What is the average size of a Yorkie?
- How much do small Yorkie’s weigh?
- Are automatic feeders good for dieting Yorkies?
Can Yorkies weigh 11 pounds?
They can, but unless your Yorkie is a mix, then they are getting ‘a little big for their britches’. A healthy adult Yorkie will typically weight closer to 7 pounds. Obesity in Yorkies can come with a number of health issues, so you should consider putting your little one on a diet and your vet can definitely help.
Being overweight will put them at risk for diabetes and other conditions, so it’s important to get a handle on this issue now!
What is overweight for a Yorkie?
If your Yorkie weighs 10 pounds or more, then it’s definitely time for a diet. Granted, some Yorkies are taller than others –they can’t all be ‘teacups’ – but at 10 pounds you definitely want to take notice. A diet and an improved exercise schedule should definitely be called for at this time.
How much does the biggest Yorkie weigh?
While they are uncommon, there are ‘giant’ Yorkies that weigh up to 14 pounds and yet still seem to be in perfect health. This doesn’t happen often, however, and it’s easy to tell yourself that your little one is just taller than most Yorkies.
For their health, you should get your vet’s opinion on their weight and follow their instructions. If your Yorkie’s weight is ignored, it can serious lower their expected lifespan, and you don’t want your little one to become ill. So, schedule a checkup and see what your vet thinks – it can’t hurt and can extend your dog’s life!
How heavy should a Yorkie be?
Your Yorkie should ideally weigh no more than 4 to 7 pounds, depending on whether they are a standard or a teacup variety of Yorkie. If they are beyond this range, you won’t be able to enter them into shows, but more importantly it can start to impact their health.
Aside from diabetes, an overweight Yorkie is also at risk for the following conditions:
- Skin disorders
- Arthritis
- Kidney disease
- Respiratory distress
- Certain cancers
Remember – these little dogs, however brave and animated, are still quite fragile. So help your dog to stay in the best shape possible so that you can enjoy many happy years and adventures together.
How big will my Yorkie get when they are fully grown?
To calculate your Yorkie’s estimated size in pounds as an adult, you need to weigh them at 3 months of age. Take this number and double it, adding half a pound to your total. So, for instance:
‘Mork from York’ the Yorkie pup weighs 2 pounds at 3 months of age. Doubling this number to 4 and adding .5 pounds gives us an estimated weight of 4.5 pounds when fully grown.’
By 6 to 8 months of age, you’ll know if this estimate was accurate, but barring overeating or a surprise growth spurt from ‘giant’ genes present in some Yorkies, this method provides a fairly accurate approximation of your dog’s adult weight.
What does an overweight Yorkie look like?
Oddly enough, if you can see a distinctive waist, then your Yorkie is probably underweight. When it becomes barely visible, however, then it’s time to weigh your dog. While 7 to 8 pounds is generally going to be okay, anything more than this might well warrant a diet and a little more playtime in the park every day.
Don’t worry, your little one will lose weight quickly – these dogs have fairly advanced metabolisms until they start getting up in years, but you definitely want to start a healthy regimen for your dog before their weight becomes a risk to their health.
How much should a Yorkie eat daily?
In general, depending on your Yorkie’s size and age, an adult Yorkie should eat ¼ to ½ cup of food per day, served twice a day. This comes out to around 200 calories. Puppies, on the other hand, are growing and need a little more.
As such, target around 250 calories per day and break it down into 3 servings during the day. This will help to keep your little one fueled.
What is the average size of a Yorkie?
It can vary a lot, but for a ballpark figure, most Yorkies will measure close to 8 or 9 inches at their shoulders and weigh somewhere in the neighborhood of 4 to 6 pounds.
Again, it’s going to vary a bit, with Teacups and ‘giant’ Yorkies occasionally going below or above this estimate, but this gives you a basic idea of what to expect.
How much do small Yorkie’s weigh?
While a standard Yorkie tops-out at a healthy 7 pounds, Teacup varieties are definitely a different story. These little guys and gals will sometimes have adult weights of a mere 2 to 3 pounds that you really have to see to believe.
By 6 to 8 months of age, if you have a Teacup, then you will see it for yourself. These dogs are bred to be tiny and to stay that way, so be extra careful walking around the house when they are up and about and keep a sharp eye out for them to be sure that your little one stays safe.
Are automatic feeders good for dieting Yorkies?
The hardest part of helping your Yorkie diet is those mournful looks or outright begging tactics that they’ll employ when you are pouring their food or eating something that they want (which means basically when you are eating ANYTHING).
An automatic feeder can help both of you, by only dispensing specific amounts of food that you’ve preset at the times that you want it available. That way, you can enforce your Yorkies diet and if you have to, hide when you want a snack for yourself!
They’ll get their vet recommended daily regimen and the diet will be enforced mechanically, which is a whole lot easier than pouring it yourself and getting those looks!
My name is Ken and I’m one of the staff writers at Petloverguy.com. I’ve cared for pets most of my life starting with hamsters, turtles, and snakes. Then moving up to parakeets, guinea pigs, and even ducks.
I currently live with two yorkies and a chihuahua mix.
