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How Much Is A Teacup Yorkie?

How Much Is A Teacup Yorkie?

Teacup Yorkies may be tiny but they have adorable personalities. They are not only confident and bold but also very protective over their families. Their smaller statures also mean that they’ll take up less of your living space. They also don’t consume a lot of food, making your life with them easy.

Welcoming a Teacup Yorkie in your home is, without a doubt, an exhilarating experience but you don’t have to spend an arm and leg to own one. If you are thinking of getting a Teacup Yorkie to share your home and life, you should understand how much one costs to avoid Teacup Yorkie price exaggerations and potential scams. To keep you updated, here is everything you need to know about the cost of a Teacup Yorkie.

What is a Teacup Yorkie?

A Teacup is a term that is often used to refer to small versions of popular dog breeds. Besides, being small, teacups, micro-dogs, or pocket-sized dogs also weigh less than the standard weight for a particular breed. On average, a healthy Yorkie weighs 3-7 lbs. A Teacup Yorkie weighs less than this standard—between 1 and 4 pounds.

Apart from size and weight, Teacup Yorkies are much like other Yorkies. They have black button noses, short muzzles, and medium-sized eyes. Their bodies are also compact and well proportioned.

To learn more about these amazing dogs, diet, care, grooming, diet, etc, get a Teacup Yorkie care guide book. We recommend these two:

Factors That Determine the Prices of Teacup Yorkies

Before we delve deeper into the cost of a Teacup Yorkie, it is important to understand some of the important factors that dictate the price of these tiny breeds.

Generally, you are likely to pay less or more for a Teacup Yorkie due to the following factors:

  • Heritage: Teacup Yorkies bred from AKC-certified purebred Yorkshire Terries will cost you more than those from breeders without such certifications. Teacup Yorkies bred from AKC champions or other expensive Yorkies also attract higher price points due to the reputation of their parents—their prices can go up to $10,000.
  • Gender: Female Teacup Yorkies cost more than males due to the prospect of breeding. For Teacup Yorkies from the same litter, expect to pay $300-500 more for a female. However, some breeders, especially those who require spay/neuter contracts, may charge you the same amount for males and females.
  • Coat: Like other dog breeds, Teacup Yorkies with coarser, unattractive coats are less expensive while those with glossy and fine-textured coats tend to cost more.
  • Breeder Location: If you are buying a Teacup Yorkie from another state and there is a need to transport the puppy by air, expect the logistics costs to be transferred to you. Even if it is a driving distance, some breeders will still determine the final price based on the mileage. Expect to pay between $200 and $1000 to cater for transportation costs, insurance, other fees like health certificates and crates if your breeder of choice is a significant distance away.
  • Application Fees:  Some breeders will also require you to pay a non-refundable deposit of between $200 and $300 for application or commitment.

How much is a Teacup Yorkie?

So, how much does Teacup Yorkie cost? Well, based on the above factors, the price range for these beautiful, little animals is vast. Depending on the breeder you decide to purchase from, expect to pay between $900 and $10,000. However, when you are buying from a certified AKC breeder, the price will range between $1,200 and $2000, which is a reasonable price.

Any price above $2000 may be prices of Teacup Yorkies bred from AKC champion parents or those with other impressive reputations. If the dog is not from dog show champion parents but he or she is still highly-priced, watch out for the breeder because he/she may be seeking to get more money than what the breed is worth.

On the flip side, any price that is below $900-$1200 may imply that you are buying a dog from a non-reputable breeder. A Teacup Yorkie is a delicate dog breed, so it is not safe to purchase from a breeder without proper credentials otherwise you risk getting a dog with a wide range of dangerous health issues.

All in all, it is not advisable to pay upwards of $2500-$5000 for these undersized dogs because they don’t conform to breed standards and will cost you a lot of dollars in vet bills. There are high chances that a dog who is less than 4lbs is inbred, which means there is no genetic variation and you will be dealing with physical mutations, suppressed immune systems, and a range of behavioral issues. Due to these health risks, a Teacup Yorkie may not also be your companion for long. The life expectancy of a standard Yorkshire terrier is 12-16 years. For a Teacup Yorkie, however, life expectancy drops to 7-9 years!

Tips To Avoid Being Ripped Off When Buying a Teacup Yorkie

  • AKC registered Teacup Yorkie puppies are the best. As a result, they are undoubtedly one of the most expensive Teacup Yorkies in the market. However, this doesn’t mean that you cannot find a healthy canine companion that’s not as expensive as an AKC-certified purebred.
  • While reputable AKC breeders will charge you between $1200 and $2000, backyard breeders charge on the lower side and are always more willing to negotiate if they feel that they are likely to make a sale. This is one way of spotting them.  
  • Considering that Teacup Yorkies are prone to several health issues, it is vital to get a healthy puppy. Accordingly, paying a little more upfront makes more economical sense as it saves you more money in terms of veterinary bills.
  • Avoid buying puppies before 8-9 weeks of age. Puppies need to learn essential skills from their parents as well as socialize with their littermates before eight weeks to avoid problematic behaviors.
  • Breeding any type of teacup breed is not only risky but also requires special knowledge. To ensure that you are purchasing a puppy from a reputable breeder, ask if you can see the parents of the dog. If they can’t allow this, there are high chances that they are not trustworthy. A chance to see the parents of a puppy you plan to purchase will help you figure out the temperament that your Teacup Yorkie may have later in life. Remember that puppies with low-quality maternal care are more likely to manifest problematic behaviors. If possible, a genuine breeder should be ready to provide health certificates of the parents to be certain that there are no genetic health issues that have been passed to the puppy you plan to purchase.

Final Thoughts

Teacup Yorkies come in small packages, but they pack amazing personalities, making them one of the most popular dogs out there. Accordingly, when you are in the market for a Teacup puppy, you will immediately discover that these tiny beauties are expensive breeds. However, this doesn’t mean that you have to break the bank or get ripped off by unscrupulous breeders to own one. As long as you keep the tips we’ve covered on this post in mind, you will avoid price exaggerations and keep you and your wallet happy.

Last Updated on May 12, 2021 by

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