Do Teacup Yorkies Shed? (Here’s What You Need to Know)

Imagine taking everything you know and love about the Yorkshire Terrier (aka Yorkie) and shrinking it down into a teeny-tiny dog. Well, that’s the Teacup Yorkie!

But while this handheld dog is super cute, how much does it shed?

Teacup Yorkies are very low-shedding dogs, even shedding somewhat less than a full-sized Yorkie since they’re so much smaller. That said, grooming this dog can be challenging due to its size and coat type, so it’s not ideal if you’re looking for a dog with a low-maintenance coat.

If you want to learn everything about Teacup Yorkie shedding, you’ve come to the right place. Ahead, I’ll show you what you need to know about its shedding and discuss grooming a Teacup Yorkie. I’ll also discuss whether or not this miniature breed is hypoallergenic.

Guide to Teacup Yorkie Shedding

If you want a low-shedding dog, the Teacup Yorkie fits that description.

This isn’t a crossbreed; rather, the Teacup Yorkie is just a miniaturized version of the regular Yorkshire Terrier. So it’s still a purebred canine.

Full-sized Yorkies (which are small enough as it is) are so low-shedding that they’ve even been declared non-shedding.

Of course, that’s not exactly true.

Every dog with hair sheds, but with the Yorkie, it’s quite minimal.

One of the reasons for the low shedding is that the Yorkie is single-coated. With no double-layered coat, you won’t have to worry about your dog shedding ahead of the winter and summer every year. That’s weeks of headache-inducing fur cleanup you can avoid.

Teacup Yorkies are single-coated as well. And on top of that, the Teacup Yorkie has the benefit of being smaller. The smaller the dog, the less surface area it has, which means less fur on the dog to come off.

How much less does a Teacup Yorkie shed than a standard-sized Yorkie?

Well, a regular-sized Yorkie is seven to nine inches and weighs two to seven pounds. A Teacup Yorkie is five to seven inches and weighs two to four pounds.

The size difference isn’t so overly stark that a Teacup Yorkie will shed significantly less than a full-sized Yorkie. That said, the Teacup Yorkie would still be the lower shedding between the two canines.

Grooming Your Teacup Yorkie

Many low-shedding dogs have high-maintenance coats, and the full-sized Yorkie is no different.

As for the Teacup Yorkie, they have the same type of coat as the Yorkie, so grooming them can be very time-consuming.

In fact, grooming a Teacup Yorkie can be even more challenging than a regular Yorkie due to the dog’s handheld size.

Not to mention, Yorkies have long, flowing hair, and this can see the Teacup Yorkie trip over its own fur, given how small it is.

So if your Teacup Yorkie does display luxuriously long locks, you’ll have two choices: get it trimmed or prepare for a daily brushing routine.

The Teacup Yorkie’s silky soft fur is prone to tangles, mats, and knots, all of which can hurt your dog quite a bit. Fortunately, regular brushing will combat most knots and mats.

For the ones you miss, you can use your fingers to pull the knots out deftly and gently.

What kind of brush should you use for a Teacup Yorkie?

Wide-toothed metal combs are usually the tool of choice for grooming a regular Yorkie, but that comb will overwhelm a Teacup Yorkie’s small stature.

As such, it’s best to use a brush designed for small dogs (i.e., toy and mini breeds). This way, brushing your Teacup Yorkie isn’t an uncomfortable experience for them, and you’re more likely to get a better result in less time.

Why is brushing so important?

Regular brushing, although tedious, can benefit your Teacup Yorkie in several ways:

• First, you’re spreading skin oils across the dog’s miniature body to prevent dryness and itchiness (that then leads to scratching and shedding).
• Second, you’re controlling shedding by pulling out dead fur before your Teacup Yorkie sheds it herself.
• And third, your Teacup Yorkie’s fur will look glossy and beautiful.

Another facet of grooming the Teacup Yorkie is trimming. Should you decide to leave the fur on for longer, this mini dog will need regular haircuts to control its hair length.

It’s a lot more common to see the Teacup Yorkie with an adorable and youthful puppy cut. Why not, considering that this dog’s size makes it a forever puppy, right?

You can’t go wrong when trimming hair for a puppy cut. Even if the cut is a little uneven or shaggy, your Teacup Yorkie will still look as cute as a button.

And this YouTube clip I found shows how to trim your Teacup Yorkie:

If you want a perfect haircut for your Teacup Yorkie every time, then you can always bring your little dog to a professional groomer. But as you will see in the above video, it’s not that difficult o do it yourself, as long as you use the right tools and go about it carefully.

What about bathing?

Teacup Yorkies need baths about as often as regular-sized Yorkies, which is about every two to four weeks.

It’s best to bathe your Teacup Yorkie in the sink rather than the bathtub. Always wash your pup with dog-friendly shampoo (like these) and reduce the amount you’d typically use.

After the bath, rinse your Teacup Yorkie thoroughly, avoiding getting water in the face or ears. And don’t towel-dry the dog after their bath, especially if your Teacup Yorkie has longer fur, as that’s a great way to cause knots and tangles.

Instead, provided it’s not freezing cold, let your dog air-dry.

Are Teacup Yorkies Hypoallergenic?

The Teacup Yorkie is often touted as “hypoallergenic.” And if you have an allergy sufferer in the house, this may be one of the reasons you’re considering adopting one.

But is it true? Is a Teacup Yorkie hypoallergenic?

Unfortunately, no dog is truly hypoallergenic because most pet-related allergies arise from a dog’s dander (dead skin) – not from the dog’s hair. And since all dogs have skin, a hypoallergenic dog may reduce allergy symptoms but not completely remove them.

That said, low-shedding dogs are often considered “hypoallergenic” since they have a low rate of shedding. This is because dander attaches itself to a dog’s hair, which can float around the home when the dog molts. So the less hair a dog sheds, the less dander will float around.

And as mentioned, Teacup Yorkies shed very little (even less than a regular Yorkie, given their size). So, while Teacup Yorkies can still cause allergies in some people, they are about as “hypoallergenic” as you can get.

Should You Adopt a Teacup Yorkie?

Are you still thinking about whether or not you should adopt a Teacup Yorkie?

If so, this section might help you decide.

The Teacup Yorkie is a miniaturized version of the regularly-sized Yorkshire Terrier. As I mentioned earlier, a Teacup Yorkie is still a purebred Yorkie, just even smaller.

As a designer dog, the Teacup Yorkie has one job: look cute. Fortunately, it’s a job this teeny-tiny dog excels at!

Teacup Yorkies are super people-oriented and love being around human companions. Their affection knows no bounds, and they will bask in all the attention you have time to give them (which hopefully is a lot!).

Although you maybe wouldn’t think so, the Teacup Yorkie has some bravado. This dog is so brazen that she often thinks she’s five times bigger than she really is.

The Teacup Yorkie is perfect for small dwelling situations such as a studio apartment, a condo, or a tiny home. Any home is going to be spacious for this mini dog.

If anything, I would say that maybe those in very large homes would want to rethink getting a Teacup Yorkie. The pup is so tiny that you could lose her!

How do they interact with other pets?

Yorkies are generally welcoming of other canines in the house.

That said, I would strongly caution against a dog that’s much bigger than your Teacup Yorkie. The other dog could get too playful and possibly hurt your mini pup.

Even cats might be too big for a Teacup Yorkie. Cats have prey drives, and they could perceive your new four-legged friend as their next catch!

As for kids, regular-sized Yorkies aren’t particularly great around children, as they can be impatient, attention-seeking, and snippy. And Teacup Yorkies are even less well-suited for children, as kids could use the dog as a plaything and be too rough.

However, older kids who understand that the Teacup Yorkie is a small, fragile dog are the best companions for this prissy pup.

Conclusion

The Teacup Yorkie is a very small version of the Yorkshire Terrier. Not only is the Teacup Yorkie’s rate of shedding very low, but it’s so small you’ll hardly notice any loose hair.

When it comes to grooming, though, finding a brush that suits this small dog’s size can be a challenge, as will containing its long locks. And that’s why some parents opt to have their Teacup Yorkie trimmed, as this can reduce the time it takes to keep their coat in good shape.

Although the Teacup Yorkie is a tiny dog, it has a huge heart and was bred to love people, so this could be just the companion you’ve been looking for!