Yorkies in the UK compared with Yorkies in the US.

[Franceen]

My little Tootsy was a little under 7lbs when I got her (at 3 yrs old). When I took her for her first vet visit, the vet said she was underweight and could feel her ribs too easily. She wanted her to put on 2 to 3 pounds. She now weighs just over 9lbs and has actually grown a lot, as well as fattened up a bit. She looks so much healthier. Her coat is better, too. I wondered if the previous owners had kept her at the standard weight because it was considered the right weight for the breed and for Showing? This concerns me.

I just don't understand this thing about the size of a Yorkie. I am not a show person - not really my interest, so keeping her to a show size would not be an issue. But it seems to be more than just the Show size. People want that cute puppy look forever without really considering what health problems may arise as a result. Isn't this a bit immature? I feel we should enjoy our dogs as puppies and then as adults. It is a dangerous fashion too, IMHO. I actually feel more relaxed about Tootsy's new size, she looks so healthy and is much stronger too. The increase in strength was really noticeable. She can wriggle out of your arms in no time now, if she wants too! Not so good when you are trying to groom, brush her teeth etc!! Also, I now would feel a little less worried if she needed surgery etc. My baby's health and longevity means SO much more to me than looking like a cute puppy. I think she looks cute as anything, anyway, but now some people comment on her size in a derogatory way!!?? Before when she was smaller and underweight everyone commented on how cute she was, it now seems to some people, that she is now too big to be a proper Yorkie and somehow this isn't good??? HUH?!! What is this craziness!!?? My dog is beautiful, healthy and adorable.

I certainly don't mean to offend anyone, so please don't take offense. I would hate that, as it is not meant. A tiny puppy must be SO difficult to resist and thinking of possible health problems must vanish from your mind!! I do understand that - I really do. I just feel that perhaps we should start to think a little more about a dog's ultimate health than their size? I believe the original Yorkie was a far bigger dog, so why isn't it being judged for it's original breed size? When did it change, I wonder? Eg. if someone started breeding smaller and smaller German Shepherds would they change the standard then? Just my thoughts and opinions and please remember I am not, not, not meaning to offend. I think the people on this forum are the greatest.

Luv

Franceen xx

[midnightmist]

I Loved my larger than life yorkies too.When I had them I was a busy working Mum.All yorkie just bigger.I had them both for 16 years with never an illness between them.Just big enough to take the knocks and spills of life with a young child.Ellie is my seventh yorkie,Two were mine,two I fostered for a while,one I rescued ,and one I adopted as she wasn't wanted.I can honestly say I loved every one of them,big or small.See them here http://www.myspace.com/yorkie_luvr

[Kbsqueff]

Originally Posted by Franceen

My little Tootsy was a little under 7lbs when I got her (at 3 yrs old). When I took her for her first vet visit, the vet said she was underweight and could feel her ribs too easily. She wanted her to put on 2 to 3 pounds. She now weighs just over 9lbs and has actually grown a lot, as well as fattened up a bit. She looks so much healthier. Her coat is better, too. I wondered if the previous owners had kept her at the standard weight because it was considered the right weight for the breed and for Showing? This concerns me.

I just don't understand this thing about the size of a Yorkie. I am not a show person - not really my interest, so keeping her to a show size would not be an issue. But it seems to be more than just the Show size. People want that cute puppy look forever without really considering what health problems may arise as a result. Isn't this a bit immature? I feel we should enjoy our dogs as puppies and then as adults. It is a dangerous fashion too, IMHO. I actually feel more relaxed about Tootsy's new size, she looks so healthy and is much stronger too. The increase in strength was really noticeable. She can wriggle out of your arms in no time now, if she wants too! Not so good when you are trying to groom, brush her teeth etc!! Also, I now would feel a little less worried if she needed surgery etc. My baby's health and longevity means SO much more to me than looking like a cute puppy. I think she looks cute as anything, anyway, but now some people comment on her size in a derogatory way!!?? Before when she was smaller and underweight everyone commented on how cute she was, it now seems to some people, that she is now too big to be a proper Yorkie and somehow this isn't good??? HUH?!! What is this craziness!!?? My dog is beautiful, healthy and adorable.

I certainly don't mean to offend anyone, so please don't take offense. I would hate that, as it is not meant. A tiny puppy must be SO difficult to resist and thinking of possible health problems must vanish from your mind!! I do understand that - I really do. I just feel that perhaps we should start to think a little more about a dog's ultimate health than their size? I believe the original Yorkie was a far bigger dog, so why isn't it being judged for it's original breed size? When did it change, I wonder? Eg. if someone started breeding smaller and smaller German Shepherds would they change the standard then? Just my thoughts and opinions and please remember I am not, not, not meaning to offend. I think the people on this forum are the greatest.

Luv

Franceen xx

No offence taken... And I know where you coming from... some ppl seem to live in a neverending contest of "who has the most tiny pup" and don't give a s**t about the pups health and well being as long as they can brag around how tiny it is This is totally ridiculous IMO.
When I got my furbabies I wasn't concerned about their sizes, I just wanted they were healthy, and thank goodness they don't have major health issues.

[kezza]

My Pixie is turning out to be a bit smaller than i expected! (about 3lbs) I wanted around 4+ pounds in weight..when i first enquired about pixie the breeder warned me she would be a smaller yorkie and her words were.."do not expect to be more than 4lbs"...I chose to take her on..she came from a VERY good breeder with years of experience...she is very happy and healthy and boisterous!!! with a very good apetite! I hope she stays this way

[Lorrie]

I've had Yorkies ranging from WELL over 7lbs to as small as 2.5 lbs. The tiniest one was rescued from a puppy farm where she was being used to breed the smallest Yorkies they could get. She was also being mated with other breeds - it was the beginning of the designer dog craze, I guess .

She was in a terrible state when I got her at about two years of age - terribly matted coat, almost blind and partially deaf (probably, through inbreeding for tiny size). She had shed-loads of other quite serious health issues yet lived to 14 years of age and could play rough and tumble just as good as the big, bigger and biggest ones.

Oh yes and she loved to bark her little head off. No difference there then

[Kbsqueff]

Girl, you're so commendable for choosing to save this little furbaby who couldn't defend herself, and give her a chance to know what love is...

It' always a pleasure to meet ppl like you!!!

[Lorrie]

Hey nooooo... praise is due to the tiniest, bravest dog with the biggest heart I have ever met. It was a privilege to be owned by her.

Thank you very much for the "Girl" bit though... it's been a while since anyone has called me that

[Franceen]

I applaud you, Lorrie, for saving that little dog. You would have saved her whether she was big or small, I'm sure. Kezza, you went for a good breeder who, by 'warning' you she was going to be small, says a lot about her. She obviously did not deliberately set out to 'create' a very tiny dog. This is totally different from people who go out and search for the tiniest pup for fashion sake and thereby create a market for these tiny dogs. I am so pleased she is healthy and happy and hope she stays that way, too. I am sure some of these little ones live healthy lives, but it is certainly not always the case compared to an 'average' size Yorkie. The risks are just greater.

Luv
Franceen xx

[Kbsqueff]

Lorrie... IMO, girls will always be girls, no matter the age...

[sashajade]

Ive always used the words toy, miniature and standard as they seem to make the most sense, you get an idea of the size that's been spoken about.
Ive always had the larger sized and brandi my rescue is about 16 pound the largest of them all.
sasha RIP was the smallest at about 9 pound but she should of been about 6 for her size but after having 2 kids you cant blame her for putting on a few pounds now can you

[Kelltia]

This is an interesting thread, as I have grown up in the states, with my Mother breeding yorkies, and have just moved to Ireland. The following is from the Yorkshire Terrier Club of America:


If you are interested in purchasing a tiny Yorkie, sometimes called a Teacup,
Micro Mini, Teenie, or any other name that means "extra small", there are
several things you should consider. The YTCA's Code of Ethics precludes the
use of the words "teacup", "tiny specialists", doll faced, or similar terminology by its members, and for good reason.

All breeders may occasionally have an unusually small Yorkie (hopefully healthy), though no responsible breeder breeds for this trait. Many breeders prefer a general weight range of 4-7 four pounds believing that size retains desired Toy qualities while maintaining optimum health. The Yorkie Standard states weight "must not exceed seven pounds" and as a prospective pet owner you should realize that even at 7 pounds, the Yorkie is still a small dog. (Females weighing less than 5 pounds are considered by most breeders to be unsuitable for breeding.)

Special circumstances often come with extra tiny dogs. They are extremely
susceptible to both hereditary and non-hereditary health problems, including
birth defects that may go undetected for a long time. Other common
problems may include, but are not limited to, diarrhea, vomiting, along with
extra and expensive tests prior to routine teeth cleanings and surgeries.
Small ones are more likely to have poor reactions to anesthesia and die from
it. Tiny dogs are more easily injured by falls, being stepped on and being
attacked by other dogs. These health problems nearly always result in
large veterinary bills.

Please take this into consideration and make purchasing a healthy pet your top priority, not size. The "novelty" is certainly not worth the pain, heartbreak, or extra expense. Remember, all Yorkies are comparatively small. The most important thing is finding a healthy puppy that will grow into a healthy adult, especially since you looking at an 11 to 15 year commitment with your Yorkie.

There is much information on our website. Please take the time to study it
before buying a puppy. We wish you the best of luck.

[Gormonisyorkies]

Originally Posted by kezza

Yes thats true...my breeder shows at Crufts and all over the country..she sold me my little girl because she would be too small to breed and show...she said the judges tend to not like them to be on the small side...my Pixie is about 3 pounds..her brother was alot larger though and she kept him for breeding.

What was the breeder's name,I was at crufts this year and enjoyed watching the yorkies on show.