Why My Giant Yorkie Is Better Than Your Teacup Yorkie
79First Thing's First
Just a little disclaimer here. I am not actually saying that other yorkies are not as good as mine, or that there is something wrong with having a small dog. The point I'm trying to get across in this article is simply this: Not all good things fit in a purse or the palm of your hand, and I love my dog despite her abnormally large size! So please, relax, read, and enjoy!
A Yorkie? Really?
I am a proud "mommy" to a Yorkshire Terrier named Ginger. However, Ginger is no ordinary Yorkshire Terrier, in part because this adorable, floppy eared pup weighs a whopping 16lbs! Nowadays, a high demand for "teacup" yorkies coupled with a high selling price, has led to unscrupulous breeding of these precious little dogs. The runt from one litter is often bred with the runt from another in an effort to produce the smallest yorkie possible. These itty bitty dogs, which are often plagued by the most health problems, also fetch the highest price.
My little Ginger loves attention, and boy does she get it, wherever we go! I often find myself bombarded with questions by people we encounter, in an exchange that usually goes something like this:
Admirer: What an adorable little dog!
Me: Thank you!
Admirer: What breed is she?
Me: She's a yorkie.
Admirer: She's awfully big for a yorkie, don't you think? How much does she weigh?
Me: Yep, she's my giant yorkie. She weighs 16 lbs.
Admirer: My friend, family member, etc. has a [insert random hybrid name here] that looks a lot like her.
Me: Yeah... she's just a big yorkie.
I always get a little chuckle out of these people who seem to suggest that my yorkie might not actually be a yorkie at all because of her size. I know she doesn't meet the "breed standards" and thought I don't know many details about her background, I do know that she has two yorkie parents, thereby making her... a yorkie! I adopted her as a pup from someone who didn't want her because she ended up being so big, and not the "designer" dog that they had hoped for. Don't ask me how someone could think that this is a good reason to get rid of their dog, but I happen to love my doggy, so their loss is certainly my gain.
More To Love
I love my Ginger for many reasons. She is loving, loyal, and gregarious. She's a tenacious little terrier who loves her family, loves life, and everything life has to offer. Beyond those things, her size offers certain advantages that a smaller yorkie might not have.
- She's a sturdy little dog. I have a one year old son who, despite my best efforts, likes to manhandle our dogs. I also have a very playful lab/shepherd mix, that weighs nearly 70lbs. Ginger loves to play with both of them, and because of her size she's not as fragile as, say a 2 or 3 pound dog.
- My husband loves her too! My husband was a little leery when I mentioned getting a little dog, and understandably so. He just couldn't see himself walking down the street with a tiny 3lb dog on a dainty pink leash. But with our super-yorkie he can take walks with her without feeling as though his masculinity has been compromised.
- She attracts attention, and despite how it may have seemed at the beginning of this article, I like that. I mean, who wouldn't like hearing people say their dog is cute over and over?
In The End
What I would like people to take away from this is that all dogs deserve love, and a good home. A dog of any size can be a wonderful companion, even if they don't fit into that perfect, cookie cutter standard that you may have wanted to being with. And to me, Ginger just happens to be a perfect example of that!
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If only they came in extra large!!
My friend has 2 small Yorkies and I like them very much.
I have a Yorkie that we call a "Tea Pot" Yorkie. He looks JUST like Ginger (floppy ears and the beautiful blonde coloring), he's not fat in the least, just really big and long. Everyone suggests that he's a mix, but I know he's not, we met his parents when we bought him. I wouldn't trade him for the world, he's the most loving and smart dog I've ever had!! Kudos to you rescuing Ginger from being looked down upon for her size and thanks for the post. :')
I can totally relate. We have a GIANT yorkie as well. He is 20 lbs, but otherwise looks like any other yorkie. I am constantly defending his bloodline. When I got him (12 years ago) I was living in an apartment and needed a small dog. Needless to say, I was shocked when he just kept growing. Now, I wouldn't have him any other way!! He's sturdy and he doesn't have a yappy bark. At times, I think he's a hound dog trapped in a yorkie's body, albeit big body. Glad to hear we're not the only ones. I would love to have another yorkie one day, but I would be devastated if it turned out to be tiny :)
I have a giant Yorkie, too! Despite his 12-pounds, I've got the papers to prove it, but I still get disbelieving looks when I tell people his breed. This always makes me feel as if I need to explain that I know both his parents and - surprise, surprise - he's bigger than both of them.
I have a yorkie name 'SPIKE'and he weights 16 lbs the vet said he is 6 lbs over weight but I love him the way he is its just more to love
I have a yorkie a shes 16 pounds but she very big bigger than yours
I do not yet have a yorkie but want I want one dearly!
Your dog is soooo cute!
my lucy has floppy ears, and weighs 12 pounds I have to defend my yorkie because of her size, I just smile and say " Lucy is just big boned " I love her dearly and she is healthy.
And I was having doubts about Chloe's heritage! The people who gave her to us (after she had 3 litters) told us we could have her "papers" but who needs them for a FREE fixed dog? She's 18.6 lbs. but not fat. She built like a tank -- really solid. Her coat is blue and blond but we don't groom her like an AKC Yorkie. Her back is blue and very wavy. Her coat is soft and the blond is fine as a frog's hair. She jumps like she has springs in her feet and is very tenacious. We never take her outdoors without a leash. Chloe's a one-man dog. Extremely loyal and loving with my husband. (I try not to get involved in her life unless she needs a bath.) She's cute but does as she pleases before she thinks of obeying anyone.
My Yorkie is 18 lbs the Vet says his weight is just fine.What a joy he is.This is comming from a jock,that guys say,never in life would I think ,you would have a lap dog.love the little guy,what a dog!!!!!!
Where do you find Giant Yorkie's?
We own two Yorkies, Father and son. Dad is 7.4 lbs and son is now 6 months old and weights 9.4lbs. The mom is tiny, she weights 6.5lbs. Yes, we love our big furry Yorkie very much!!! As the vet said, "He got the good genes".
Loved your article! I have three yorkies and they were all rescued. They all weigh 13 to 16 pounds and I love them all!
I just lost my big yorkie yesterday, he was hit by a car and I'm devastated. He was 17 lbs and he looks like your dog exactly. I'm trying to find a breeder that has big yorkies like this but it's impossible. I live in Ontario Canada, so if you know anyone up here please let me know oleksaka@gmail.com
I have a large "Lovable" Terrier Yorkie also. Looks just like yours. She is 17 pounds and my daughter and I hear the same comments as you have mentioned. "What is she?"-"that's not a Yorkie", "Shes mixed with something else." I confirmed it with my Vet and he assured me that she is a full bred Terrier Yorkie. We love her sooo much - she is our baby.
I have two yorkies that would be considered to be "Large" yorkies, they both weight 11.2 pounds each. I have had people ask what breed of dog they were and they were very shocked to find out they were yorkies. My family is very proud of our amazing dogs! Our male yorkie Romeo, jumps into my moms car window, my dads truck bed, he also has a habit of running and jumping up you, and into your arms if you have been away from him for too long.(or 5 minutes) My mom and I say we would never trade our yorkies for anything!
your yorkie is so cute , i have a large yorkie too , and he is all blonde and beautiful
Dino, our "yorkasaurus" is 15 lbs and looks so much like your dog. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that dog - he is so gregarious and happy all the time. His older sister is a 4 lb. Yorkie and looks the part. Their parents are 5 lbs Yorkies, it's so interesting our big guy is from such small parents.
my yorkie guaton is 18 pounds!where are you located? maybe they could become the best of friends!
I just wnted to say I really appreciated your article. I have a 15 lb yorkie. He was my sister in laws ex-boyfriends mother's dog. So we took him in when he tried to face the German Shepherd in his home over a piece of sausage and almost lost. He's been my loyal guardian and shadow for the last 6 years.He is very large but a true terrier.I love him.
I have a 12 lb Yorkie who is my baby! His name is Chui short for Chewbakka! He walks around like he's Great Dane. He jumps like he's a Gazelle, and since he's still a puppy he is very rambunctious. I had promised my husband that he would only grow to about 7-8 lbs. His coat has remained black and tan not like most who turn blonde or blue gray. In any case I would not trade him for the world! Thank you for your article, I thought he was odd, not that it really matters. &=).
I loved this article!! I am also an owner to a large Yorkie. He is 6 months and weighs in at 10lbs... His name is Han Solo. I get the " he is large for a Yorkie" and always have to explain how mom and dad are both tiny and his brother is very small ( 4lbs) but he just happens to be different. My husband loves that he is big and our vet tells us all the time. "be happy that he will be larger then others, you will have a lot less health issues" I love my large Yorkie. He is the best! I just need to find him a large girlfriend now :)
I have a giant yorkie that looks JUST LIKE your Ginger and I love him so much! I actually wanted a small yorkie, but was not able to pay for one! I got Toby for a whopping $250 and I am so happy I found him! He has the best personality and I love his size..."teacup" yorkies are SO overrated! :)
I have had to explain to people over and over again that our 16lb Yorkie, Jake, is in fact a Yorkie. I even explain that Yorkies were originally around 20-25lbs and have been inbred repeatedly to make them the small designer breed most people recognize, and they still don't believe me! Our Jake looks a lot like your Ginger, floppy ears and all! Except he is the "blue steel" colour with tan around his head and feet. We just love him, and would never trade him for anything!!
Great article. My wife found it and sent me a link. We have a pure bread, papered Yorkie who's name is "Brutal" (the big prison guard in The Green Mile).
He's right around 12 lb's and we occasionally refer to him as a "Morkie" (mutant yorkie).
He's a fabulous dog. He's active, funny, wicked smart and just an all around great friend and companion and he needs to be bigger than 7 lb's or our Pug or French Bulldog would squash him.
Hi everyone!!
My husband and I are proud parents of two large Yorkies!! Remington weighs in at 21lbs and Sig weighs in at 20lbs. They are not over weight boys in amy way...all muscle!! When we purchased Remy they gave us a deal because he was so large and undesirable...can you believe that? They love to swim, jumping in the pool just like a lab.
There has been several occasions to which their bloodline has been questioned. One person even suggested they were part Airedale. My husband and I get very defensive bc they are our rough and tumble little boys! We have their AKC certificates and I should probably save a pic to my phone to show these naysayers. Lol
I wish Yorkies were breed bigger, we would love to add another to our family. Btw our Remy is not fixed and is a sturdy 21lbs....so if anyone is interested in started the large yorkie revolution please email me!!
Ncmuddngrl@hotmail.com :)
Tirzah Laughs 19 months ago
She is adorable.
I have a large end Papillion and people always ask what she's mixed with. :))