Mardelin, Misty, and Pat....

[nuts4yorkies]

You all are VERY knowledgeable and what I read from you is very helpful about this breed. At what age should a pup be evaluated? They change so much from young pups to mature dogs. I did have my pups totally evaluated by a reputable vet and she did all of the tests that were mentioned in some of these posts and threads here. Both dogs came back with a clean bill of health and no background of c-section, liver shunt disease, or anything else. One thing of my concern now after reading all of your information is the quality of the coat of my female. She has a "thicker" soft more than silky coat, but I do keep them in puppy cuts (I don't know if it would be different if I let it grow out?) My male clearly has a silkier coat than Missy. He is the blue and gold color and Missy is black and tan. Which color is more desirable in the breed?

Thanks for your time and knowledge!!!

Leanne

[Ladyhawk]

Well I'm not Misty, Mardelin, or Pat but I can answer some of your questions. I first evaluate my pups at 8 weeks old. I have an experienced breeder/handler go over any pup I may be interested in keeping to show and breed. What you're looking for in coat is blue and gold silk. It should have a texture that is similar to human hair. If your female has not broken coat (gone from black to blue) by 12 monthes old it's doubtful that she will. Softs coats are not usually the right color because they can't reflect light properly because the texture is wrong. If your looking to breed or show you may want to think about having both dogs evaluated by a judge or experienced breeder/handler. You may find that your gal will have to be replaced if you want to breed for proper coat texture. Are her parent's the proper coat texture? Waht about her grandparents? Alot of times the texture will skip a generation and come from the grandparent. Study the lines of your dogs and the breed standard to make an informed decision. Good luck!

[nuts4yorkies]

Thanks for the info and guidance. So the only way to tell on a coat is the parents, grandparents etc...?? There is no way to tell when they are pups? I saw both parents of my girl and they where both silky blue/gold coats. Her coat then could have come from a grand or greatgrand dam/sire? So then it would be considered a recessive gene that can skip a generation? Thanks again for your time.

Leanne

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by nuts4yorkies

You all are VERY knowledgeable and what I read from you is very helpful about this breed. At what age should a pup be evaluated? They change so much from young pups to mature dogs. I did have my pups totally evaluated by a reputable vet and she did all of the tests that were mentioned in some of these posts and threads here. Both dogs came back with a clean bill of health and no background of c-section, liver shunt disease, or anything else. One thing of my concern now after reading all of your information is the quality of the coat of my female. She has a "thicker" soft more than silky coat, but I do keep them in puppy cuts (I don't know if it would be different if I let it grow out?) My male clearly has a silkier coat than Missy. He is the blue and gold color and Missy is black and tan. Which color is more desirable in the breed?

Thanks for your time and knowledge!!!

Leanne

I begin looking and only looking at them at 8 weeks....just for personality....

I watch them throughout their growing period, watching for structure, movement, fearlessness, etc....but, never really making the first decision until 4 or 5 months....final decision is when I take them in the ring...

[tegamom1]

Originally Posted by nuts4yorkies

You all are VERY knowledgeable and what I read from you is very helpful about this breed. At what age should a pup be evaluated? They change so much from young pups to mature dogs. I did have my pups totally evaluated by a reputable vet and she did all of the tests that were mentioned in some of these posts and threads here. Both dogs came back with a clean bill of health and no background of c-section, liver shunt disease, or anything else. One thing of my concern now after reading all of your information is the quality of the coat of my female. She has a "thicker" soft more than silky coat, but I do keep them in puppy cuts (I don't know if it would be different if I let it grow out?) My male clearly has a silkier coat than Missy. He is the blue and gold color and Missy is black and tan. Which color is more desirable in the breed?

Thanks for your time and knowledge!!!

Leanne

Are your pups a good representations of the breed? Generally, puppies are evaluated by show breeders, starting at birth and continuing on till 6 months of age. How old are your pups? You might try going to YTCA,org. There you will find many answers to your questions regarding the standard for color etc. I'm sure it would help if you could post pictures of you pups. Also, are you interested in showing or breeding? What lines are your puppies out of? All this will make it much easier for people to help. Glad to see you seem to be interested in starting out the right way. Good luck.

[nuts4yorkies]

I've been bad about taking more pics of my dogs, here is a candid snapshot of Missy at around 1 year. Here ears aren't clipped, so appear larger than they really are. It's not a good side shot of her back, but she has a very straight line not roached or higher in the rump. Her teeth are good!! She was 6lbs last time we weighed her at 2years.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by nuts4yorkies

I've been bad about taking more pics of my dogs, here is a candid snapshot of Missy at around 1 year. Here ears aren't clipped, so appear larger than they really are. It's not a good side shot of her back, but she has a very straight line not roached or higher in the rump. Her teeth are good!! She was 6lbs last time we weighed her at 2years.

If you're looking to breed there is much more than the desired color to take into consideration.....Please do a search on other threads....much to learn on breeding and the responsibilities it entails.

[BamaFan121s]

Firstly, thank you for the compliement and kudos for doing your research FIRST as so many do not, it seems.

It is never too early to start having them evaluated. Try to find someone in your area who is expericed w/ the breed to guide you. At an early age, you can't tell for certain if the dog will be breed quality, but having someone help you and point out what to watch for and how the dog matures and changes as it grows is going to be a big benefit to you in the long run!
Ideally, you want a dog with rich gold and a steel blue coat. Sometimes breeders will introduce the darker colored black and tan to bring back some of the rich color if it starts to get 'washed' looking.
Regardless to if they end up being breed quality (which should be determined at 18mo-2yrs), assume at this point that they are where caring for them...diet, excercise, etc are concerned. Especially if you think that you would like to show them. Don't wait until you find out they are of excellent quality to start this!
Try to get as much history on the lines as you can. You definately seem to be heading in the right direction as far as having them screened health wise! At this point, a well seasoned breeder and an excellent vet are going to be your best friends on your quest.

[nuts4yorkies]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

If you're looking to breed there is much more than the desired color to take into consideration.....Please do a search on other threads....much to learn on breeding and the responsibilities it entails.

Thank you Mardelin.....I do understand the responsibility in regards to breeding. Not only to not pass on undersireable traits of the breed, but also to start with a healthy dam and sire, understand the $$$ and risks involved and be willing to take those risks, possible c-sections, the care of the bitch and pups before, during and after they are born etc...etc.... I am a horse breeder as well and have cameras in my barns monitering them day and night from my house and on the internet while I am at work. I am willing and do take time off of work to care for the animals when they are foaling/whelping and am prepared beyond belief. I would never breed an animal (horse or dog) that had genetic health issues, this is why I had my dogs entirely looked over and tested for liver disease...had their knees and hips examined and xray'd, discussed with the breeder any previous c-sections performed on the dam and granddam. I might however breed a dog that has a lesser quality of a coat than desired. I know that some proffesionals/judges/breeders out there will disagree with this. I am not breeding "show" quality dogs.....but I will breed high quality "pet" animals. If I get a show quality pup from one of my litters than that is icing on the cake. I however am not experienced enough to be the judge of that. I do know however that neither one of my dogs carries a gene or represents a physical/health defect that would compromise the dogs quality of life or longevity. This is the reason for my question about the hair coat. If this is the only thing I have to worry about my dogs passing on, then I feel like I am ahead of the game

[YorkieRose]

Missy looks to have a soft coat...her eyes are a very warm pinkish color. Be sure to breed her to a B/G silk male of a good pedigree to give you the best chance at quality pups. Lets see your male...

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by nuts4yorkies

Thank you Mardelin.....I do understand the responsibility in regards to breeding. Not only to not pass on undersireable traits of the breed, but also to start with a healthy dam and sire, understand the $$$ and risks involved and be willing to take those risks, possible c-sections, the care of the bitch and pups before, during and after they are born etc...etc.... I am a horse breeder as well and have cameras in my barns monitering them day and night from my house and on the internet while I am at work. I am willing and do take time off of work to care for the animals when they are foaling/whelping and am prepared beyond belief. I would never breed an animal (horse or dog) that had genetic health issues, this is why I had my dogs entirely looked over and tested for liver disease...had their knees and hips examined and xray'd, discussed with the breeder any previous c-sections performed on the dam and granddam. I might however breed a dog that has a lesser quality of a coat than desired. I know that some proffesionals/judges/breeders out there will disagree with this. I am not breeding "show" quality dogs.....but I will breed high quality "pet" animals. If I get a show quality pup from one of my litters than that is icing on the cake. I however am not experienced enough to be the judge of that. I do know however that neither one of my dogs carries a gene or represents a physical/health defect that would compromise the dogs quality of life or longevity. This is the reason for my question about the hair coat. If this is the only thing I have to worry about my dogs passing on, then I feel like I am ahead of the game

That's great then.... However, you do know that there is no genetic marker to date that identifies whether your breeders are clear of shunt.....That is still in the making.

So, until your eye becomes experienced in your taste of a good representation of the breed, then it would be best to rely on your dogs being evaluated by an experienced breeder/exhibitor/handler or judge or all if you can.

Because the breed is comprised of so many breeds...the coat is a crap shoot. I have seen a breeding produce litter mates; 1 soft, 1 silk; 1 light, 1 dark....and this would be coming from well established lines.....

[nuts4yorkies]

Originally Posted by nuts4yorkies

Thank you Mardelin.....I do understand the responsibility in regards to breeding. Not only to not pass on undersireable traits of the breed, but also to start with a healthy dam and sire, understand the $$$ and risks involved and be willing to take those risks, possible c-sections, the care of the bitch and pups before, during and after they are born etc...etc.... I am a horse breeder as well and have cameras in my barns monitering them day and night from my house and on the internet while I am at work. I am willing and do take time off of work to care for the animals when they are foaling/whelping and am prepared beyond belief. I would never breed an animal (horse or dog) that had genetic health issues, this is why I had my dogs entirely looked over and tested for liver disease...had their knees and hips examined and xray'd, discussed with the breeder any previous c-sections performed on the dam and granddam. I might however breed a dog that has a lesser quality of a coat than desired. I know that some proffesionals/judges/breeders out there will disagree with this. I am not breeding "show" quality dogs.....but I will breed high quality "pet" animals. If I get a show quality pup from one of my litters than that is icing on the cake. I however am not experienced enough to be the judge of that. I do know however that neither one of my dogs carries a gene or represents a physical/health defect that would compromise the dogs quality of life or longevity. This is the reason for my question about the hair coat. If this is the only thing I have to worry about my dogs passing on, then I feel like I am ahead of the game

I forgot to mention their personalities and dispositions.....let me say it this way....if I have a FABULOUS stallion, but his disposition is mean or aggressive in any way....I don't care how well he represents the QH or Paint breed, I will have him gelded in a heartbeat.....I won't tolerate or pass on bad dispositions any more than I would undesirable physical traits. I hope that I am not coming off in a negative way......I guess I just want to be understood as a responsible person wanting to breed for the right reasons not "just because I think it would be fun" to have a litter of pups. I can't stand it in the horse world when people want to breed their mare because they want to have a baby to raise because it would be "so much fun"!!!! The horse has crooked legs and terrible conformation etc......and I try and explain to them that it is much more involved than just "having a baby horse" and ask why they would want to pass this trait on!!! I didn't start off with the best breeding stock of horses.....but I learned more and more through showing etc....of what I wanted my breeding stock to be and worked towards those goals. I now have two (I breed for quality not quanity) beautfiul mares with outstanding pedigrees that produce incredible offspring. I hope to do this with my Yorkies as well.

[nuts4yorkies]

Originally Posted by YorkieRose

Missy looks to have a soft coat...her eyes are a very warm pinkish color. Be sure to breed her to a B/G silk male of a good pedigree to give you the best chance at quality pups. Lets see your male...

Missy's eyes are actually very dark brown....I think it was the camera that gave her the red eye and I tried to fix it with photo fix and it then made them pinkish, but they are really dark. I am trying to get a photo of my male. He is however much lighter in color with a very silky coat, so maybe the cross will work :-)

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by nuts4yorkies

I forgot to mention their personalities and dispositions.....let me say it this way....if I have a FABULOUS stallion, but his disposition is mean or aggressive in any way....I don't care how well he represents the QH or Paint breed, I will have him gelded in a heartbeat.....I won't tolerate or pass on bad dispositions any more than I would undesirable physical traits. I hope that I am not coming off in a negative way......I guess I just want to be understood as a responsible person wanting to breed for the right reasons not "just because I think it would be fun" to have a litter of pups. I can't stand it in the horse world when people want to breed their mare because they want to have a baby to raise because it would be "so much fun"!!!! The horse has crooked legs and terrible conformation etc......and I try and explain to them that it is much more involved than just "having a baby horse" and ask why they would want to pass this trait on!!! I didn't start off with the best breeding stock of horses.....but I learned more and more through showing etc....of what I wanted my breeding stock to be and worked towards those goals. I now have two (I breed for quality not quanity) beautfiul mares with outstanding pedigrees that produce incredible offspring. I hope to do this with my Yorkies as well.

No, you aren't coming off negative....but, you are giving more information now, which helps with letting us know where you're coming from.

There are temperament tests that can be done on your dogs.....but, as you know there are so many components that make up a pups personality....some inherited, some environmental, socialization, etc.

[nuts4yorkies]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

That's great then.... However, you do know that there is no genetic marker to date that identifies whether your breeders are clear of shunt.....That is still in the making.

So, until your eye becomes experienced in your taste of a good representation of the breed, then it would be best to rely on your dogs being evaluated by an experienced breeder/exhibitor/handler or judge or all if you can.

Because the breed is comprised of so many breeds...the coat is a crap shoot. I have seen a breeding produce litter mates; 1 soft, 1 silk; 1 light, 1 dark....and this would be coming from well established lines.....

Yes....I guess I should say that they were tested for liver disease and that there is no history of liver shunt disease in their bloodline.