Ideal Weight for a Yorkshire Terrier: Chart by Sex and Age
A healthy Yorkshire Terrier weighs no more than 7 lb, typically 4-7 lb. Because the dog is so small and its long coat conceals the body, weigh it regularly and feel for the ribs to catch weight gain early.
Yorkshire Terrier ideal weight by sex
| Sex | Ideal weight (lb) | Ideal weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|
| Female | 4-7 lb | 1.8-3.2 kg |
| Male | 4-7 lb | 1.8-3.2 kg |
Size class: toy. Weight-gain risk for this breed: Moderate.
Why the number matters less than body condition
A weight chart is a starting range, not a verdict. Two healthy Yorkshire Terriers can sit pounds apart depending on frame and height, so the reliable test is body condition: can you feel the ribs with a light press, and is there a waist when you look down from above?
The Yorkshire Terrier standard is blunt about size, stating only that weight must not exceed seven pounds, with healthy adults usually between about four and seven. On such a tiny dog a single extra pound is a large fraction of body mass, so precision matters. The long, floor-length coat hides the body almost entirely, making a hands-on check the only reliable way to judge condition.
Check your Yorkshire Terrier's body condition from a photo
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Check my dog's body condition →Weight-related health risks in the Yorkshire Terrier
Toy size brings its own orthopedic and airway fragilities to the Yorkshire Terrier: luxating patellas, where the kneecap slips from its groove, and tracheal collapse, signaled by a honking cough, both worsen when a dog is overweight. Yorkies are also prone to portosystemic liver shunts and to severe early dental disease, with one study finding periodontitis in nearly all young Yorkshires. A lean frame eases pressure on a delicate windpipe and joints.
Rough daily calories across the Yorkshire Terrier's ideal range
| Body weight | Maintenance (kcal/day) | Weight-loss target (kcal/day) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 lb (1.8 kg) | 175 kcal | 88 kcal |
| 5.5 lb (2.5 kg) | 222 kcal | 111 kcal |
| 7 lb (3.2 kg) | 266 kcal | 133 kcal |
Orientative only, for a spayed/neutered adult, using resting energy (RER = 70 × kg^0.75) and AAHA/WSAVA maintenance factors; weight loss follows the AAHA rule of 0.80 × RER of the target weight. For your dog's number, use the dog calorie calculator and see the full methodology. Confirm any weight-loss plan with your veterinarian.
Sources
- AKC Official Yorkshire Terrier Breed Standard
- Yorkshire Terrier health (patellar luxation, tracheal collapse, liver shunt), Wikipedia
Last updated 2026-07-22.
Related
This chart is a general guide, not a diagnosis. Sudden weight change, a distended belly, or any health concern warrants a veterinary exam. The right target for an individual Yorkshire Terrier is set with your vet.