Yorkies have a reputation for being tiny little divas — the perfect purse dog or lap companion. The Yorkshire Terrier standard is 4–7 pounds, with the much-hyped “teacup Yorkie” coming in at under 4 pounds. Most people imagine them as delicate little fluff balls you can scoop up with one hand.
But imagine the shock when someone meets a 15-pound Yorkie. Their eyes widen. “That’s a Yorkie?! No way!”
Why Are Some Yorkies So Big?
The answer often comes down to breeding. Careless breeding practices, especially from puppy mills, can produce Yorkies that are not truly purebred. Over generations, the lines mix, and while the pups look every bit like Yorkies, their size can grow well beyond the standard.
These bigger Yorkies aren’t “bad dogs” — far from it! They’re usually still mostly Yorkie in personality and appearance, just with a little extra heft. But if size matters to you (say, because you want a small dog that’s easy to travel with), you’ll want to buy from a reputable breeder who adheres to AKC standards.
The Rescue Angle
Unfortunately, many people buy Yorkies expecting a tiny dog and then abandon them once they grow larger than expected. It’s heartbreaking. Rescues are full of wonderful, lovable Yorkies that just happen to be on the bigger side.
I have a friend who rescued a 15-pound Yorkie, and guess what? Other than her size, she was 100% Yorkie — the sass, the loyalty, the love, the silky hair. And my friend loved her every bit as much as if she had been a “perfectly sized” Yorkie.
The Bottom Line
If you want a Yorkie that sticks to the standard, do your homework and buy from a breeder you trust. But if you’re open-hearted, don’t overlook the bigger ones in rescues. Whether 4 pounds or 15 pounds, Yorkies have giant personalities in tiny (or tiny-ish!) bodies.
At the end of the day, it’s not the number on the scale that matters — it’s the love they give.