In general, toy dogs are very small canine companions. They're purposefully bred at a small weight and height, and their appearances hardly differ from their larger counterparts (if they even exist). The Yorkshire Terrier (a.k.a. Yorkie) for example, is the smaller version of the larger terrier. It's so small in fact, people often carry their Yorkies around in a purse or large pocket (better known as a dog carrier). Because they belong to the toy dog group, Yorkshire Terriers are therefore sometimes referred to as toy Yorkies.

Toy Yorkie Terriers Are Just As Determined As Their Larger Breeds

What makes the toy Yorkie peculiarly entertaining is that despite its small size, it acts like the larger terrier. Yorkies are just as territorial as bigger dogs and they like to chase after prey that's smaller (and sometimes, bigger) than they are. Their high-pitched barks are quite comical to us, but to the pups from whence they come, they're important messages that require our immediate attention. For such tiny little things, Toy Yorkies demand as much respect as a gown pit bill or Doberman Pinscher.

The AKC Gives Toy Yorkshires The Thumbs Up

The AKC recognizes the Yorkie as a toy dog and it accompanies the Chihuahua, English Toy Spaniel, Italian greyhound, Maltese, Miniature Pincher, Pekinese, Pug, and the Shih Tzu toy dogs -- right along with the toy Silky Terrier and the toy Fox Terrier. But it differs from the toy Poodle for example, in that the Poodle is a dog whose varieties can fit in one of three classes: standard, miniature, and toy.

Miniature and Teacup Yorkies Are Not Toy Terrier Standards

There is no standard or miniature class for Yorkies. All Yorkies belong to one class: the toy dog class, but we can certainly understand the confusion surrounding miniature Yorkies or even teacup Yorkies. Miniature and teacup Yorkies are underweight (and unhealthy) dogs often sold as highly valuable pets. Only unscrupulous breeders promote and sell miniature or teacup Yorkies despite numerous health cautions and the AKC's refusal to recognize them.

How Does the Toy Yorkshire Terrier Breed Looks Like

Just so you know, Yorkies sport a long, black and tan coat of straight and silky hair. (Yorkies that sport the puppy cut, lack the long coat.) Left untrimmed, their hair will grow past their little legs, and their entire coats are black from the backs of their necks down to the tip of their tails. The hair on the Yorkie head, chest, and legs is tan or "gold."
In addition, Yorkies that conform to the breed standard are no less than five pounds and no more than seven pounds in weight. Things like long muzzles, pink noses, blue eyes, or droopy ears are defects and they either indicate a problem with the dog, or they indicate a non-purebred.