Puppy Love - 196

We got a new puppy!

If there's one thing I said I would never do, it's getting a dog. However, the moment I saw Nimoy, I knew I had to have him. This episode is the story of our teacup Yorkie. Dan and Paul from the Cosmic Pizza Podcast join Shawn for a lively discussion about pets.

Teacup Yorkie is a smaller version of the same pure breed Yorkie, also known as Toy Yorkie or Micro Yorkshire Terrier. It’s a tiny dog breed at about 5 to 7 inches tall, weighing between 2 to 4 pounds. The average lifespan of the Teacup Yorkie is around 12 years.

First things first, there isn’t an official definition for Teacup Yorkies. However, breeders strive to produce pups that’ll weigh no more than 4 lbs (1.8 kg) once they reach their full ‘adult’ weight after a year.

This is considerably less than standard Yorkshire Terriers. On average, these weigh 7 lbs (3.1 kg); making the size difference between the two fairly substantial.

Teacup Yorkies require special care and attention. In light of that, here are a few pieces of advice to help steer you in the right direction:

1. You need to monitor your puppy very carefully. Particularly within the first two weeks of getting him. It’s essential that you make a special effort to note how much he eats, drinks, whether he has enough energy to play, and how regularly he goes to the toilet. Teacup Yorkies suffer from hypoglycemia so any changes to the above could be an indicator that a fatal seizure is imminent.
2. Don’t allow your Teacup Yorkie access to the entirety of your house straight away. Instead, designate a specific room where they’ll feel warm and comfortable. It’s best for them to adjust to their new surroundings gradually, so he doesn’t get too overwhelmed. Teacup Yorkies are easily panicked, be sure to ease them in.
3. Offer him a comfortable, cozy bed he can climb on and off of easily. It’s of paramount importance your Toy Yorkshire Terrier pup isn’t forced to jump to reach his sleeping area. Their bones are fragile and easily break, the last thing you want is a nasty accident. This also means you shouldn’t leave him alone with furniture he could jump from, i.e., a chair or a sofa.
4. Keep your eyes peeled. These dogs are incredibly small, so they’re easy to trip over and accidentally kick if you don’t see them coming. Take particular care when walking around your home.
5. If your Teacup Yorkie is between 4 to 8 weeks old, you shouldn’t bath him. Instead, use baby wipes or a damp towel to clean him gently. After you’ve washed your pup, dry him thoroughly. This is vital because they get very cold, quickly. This can be dangerous as well as uncomfortable for your puppy.
6. Teacup Yorkies hardly shed so their coats are super easy to maintain and they considered “hypoallergenic”

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