Breed guide
Yorkshire Terrier Breeding Guide: Litter Size, Whelping, Puppy Weights and Health Testing
Updated September 6, 2026 · 6 min read · By the BreedBloom team
Yorkshire Terriers produce the smallest neonates in this library. Hypoglycemia, chilling and a dam too small to whelp are the recurring risks; a responsible program keeps breeding bitches at the larger end of the standard.
Yorkshire Terrier at a glance
Typical litter size
2–5 puppies (average around 3)
Birth weight
3–5 oz (85–140 g)
Adult weight
4–7 lb (2–3 kg)
Gestation
About 63 days from ovulation (57–72 from breeding)
Whelping
Dystocia risk is real in a dam under 5 lb; many breeders section tiny bitches. Never breed a bitch under about 5 lb.
Breeding and whelping notes
Newborns of 3–4 oz can crash from hypoglycemia within hours of missing a feed; check nursing every two hours the first days.
Portosystemic (liver) shunts are over-represented; bile-acid testing of breeding stock and awareness in puppies (small size, poor growth, dullness after meals) is prudent.
"Teacup" is marketing, not a variety; do not select for extreme smallness.
Open fontanels are common in tiny puppies; note them and warn families about head protection.
Health testing before breeding
•
Patellas: OFA
•
Eyes: annual CAER exam
•
Liver shunt awareness: bile acids on breeding stock in many programs
•
DNA: PLL (primary lens luxation) in some lines
•
Cardiac exam
Keep the paperwork attached
Test results are only useful when they travel with the dog. Keep certificate numbers and dates on each dog's record and include copies in every go-home packet.
Tracking a Yorkshire Terrier litter
Enter the ovulation or tie date and BreedBloom builds the Yorkshire Terrier litter timeline: ultrasound window, X-ray count reminder, temperature checks, the day 3–16 ENS/ESI schedule, deworming and vaccination tasks, and per-puppy weight curves you can compare against the whole litter. Families follow along in the BloomPetz portal, and the go-home packet is assembled from the same records.
About these figures
Figures on this page are typical ranges drawn from breed club and veterinary references; individual lines vary. Confirm health-testing requirements with your breed's parent club, and whelping plans with your reproductive veterinarian.
Frequently asked questions
How many puppies do Yorkies have?
Typically 2–5, average around 3.
How much does a Yorkie puppy weigh at birth?
Usually 3–5 oz (85–140 g). Puppies this small need twice-daily weights and vigilance for hypoglycemia.
Run your program on BreedBloom
Dogs, litters, puppy weights, ENS/ESI tasks, waitlists, contracts and go-home packets in one connected record, with a family portal built in. Free for up to 3 dogs.
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