Tiny Breeds? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Caittie · 03-30-2009, 11:18 AM

There seems to be a lot of "hub-bub" out there in regards to the so called "Tea Cup" and "Tiny", "Mini" Yorkies. We are due to pick up our first baby girl this coming weekend, and I've recently gotten a little "freaked out" about what is being said in regards to risks with the "tiny" breeds and "Liver Stints". Do I really need to be all that concerned, or is it just the same as with any pet, treat them well, and keep them healthy? We are told that she will probably only be 3lbs when full grown. We love the idea of having a "tiny" baby to love, but are we biting off more than we can chew? Is a large investment to be having to deal with nothing but heart aches.

Onni · 03-30-2009, 11:27 AM

I have a 3.5 pound Yorkie (just turned 1 year old) and she is very healthy and happy. I think if you get her from a good breeder and you take care of her with love, good diet and regular vet checks you should have a wonderful little fur baby.

Oh ...and congratulations on your new fur baby girl!

txrosegirl · 03-30-2009, 11:36 AM

congrats on your new baby!

i have pretty tiny kids (all below 4 lbs and 1 who is a little over 2lbs)

other than watching them like a hawk and not letting them jump off furniture, they are VERY healthy (per my vet) and hearty...in fact my tiny one is probably the most hearty of them all - nothing fazes her and she seems to think she is a 100lb dog

Nancy1999 · 03-30-2009, 11:38 AM

It depends why the dog is tiny. Some dogs are tiny because of genetics and are perfectly healthy, some are tiny because they have an illness such as liver shunt that makes it difficult for them to grow. You also need to be careful whom you buy from. People that purposely breed for tines are apt to be breeding for that quality only and don't look at other features, they are also likely to not give the mother proper nutrition in the hopes of producing smaller pups. Some breeders say that their dogs are tiny, but sell them at 8 weeks, instead of the recommended 12 weeks, and the dogs will be larger than expected. The best way to find a healthy small dog is to find a breeder that breeds to standard, and tell her you interested in a smaller dog. Remember, that a good breeder won't use a female dog under 4 pounds in her breeding program anyway, so a tiny female has to be sold as a pet. Also, make sure you really know what a three-pound dog looks like, that is really small, and will need extra precautions to ensure its safety.

LilMissy · 03-30-2009, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Onni

I have a 3.5 pound Yorkie (just turned 1 year old) and she is very healthy and happy. I think if you get her from a good breeder and you take care of her with love, good diet and regular vet checks you should have a wonderful little fur baby.

Oh ...and congratulations on your new fur baby girl!

What Onni said

I would just watch the jumping. Missy broke her leg already (she's a tiny) and it was VERY expensive to fix. Besides that, she's healthy!

So no jumping off beds, couches, and watch the slippery linoleum.

Yorkielove1 · 03-30-2009, 11:44 AM

Yes i agree with Nancy. That is exactly what happened with Bella. I bought her at 6 weeks old and was told she would be a "teacup". Knowing now what i know about the term "teacup" i find this disturbing. Bella is now 7 lbs.. but i have been told she sold Bella to me so early so she would look extra small..

I dont understand why everyone thinks smaller is better. I dont think this is the case at all. Although i have heard that smaller dogs have more health problems. The only reason i would think they would have more health problems is because you would have to watch them much more carefully. More likely to get stepped on i suppose....

Ladymom · 03-30-2009, 11:45 AM

Liver shunts are a real concern in Yorkies as they are 36 times more likely to have a liver shunt than all other breeds combined. Just read the Health and Sick sections and you will see how many of our members are dealing with liver shunts and MVD. Surgery to correct shunts runs into the thousands, not to mention all the expensive tests to diagnose liver disease.

It is very important to only buy a Yorkie puppy from a breeder who is aware of hereditary liver shunts in Yorkies and is doing everything possible to make sure she is not producing puppies with a shunt. Ask your breeder if both parents had bile acids tests to check liver function before breeding.

What kind of genetic guarantee does your breeder give? All Yorkie puppies should have a bile acids test once they reach 20 weeks old. What will your breeder do if your puppy is found to have a shunt? Will she help with the vet bills?

chachi · 03-30-2009, 11:45 AM

Not all tinies have health problems but you have to be more careful with them because of possible injuries. I saw the cutest tiny this weekend at Petco. I would like to have one later on when My daughter is older

LilMissy · 03-30-2009, 12:41 PM

Quote:

I dont understand why everyone thinks smaller is better. I dont think this is the case at all.

I don't understand why smaller is better either. What I look for in a Yorkie is personality, a nice coat, and a cute little face. Otherwise they could be 4lbs or 20. It's all the same to me!

Caittie · 03-30-2009, 01:43 PM

Wow! Thank you everyone for your rapid responses. I did not mean to portray I only want or were after a "Tiny" in particular. We just love the breed period, and want a loving lil' cuddly.

Obviously though, we were more attracted to getting the smallest we could - for our own reasoning. Sounds as if it is just a chance one takes (disease wise) and pray that all will be well. Think all the so called "horror stories" were getting a bit overwhelming for me is all. Again, I greatly appreciate the encouragement and positive responses.

bcrass2 · 03-30-2009, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caittie

Wow! Thank you everyone for your rapid responses. I did not mean to portray I only want or were after a "Tiny" in particular. We just love the breed period, and want a loving lil' cuddly.

Obviously though, we were more attracted to getting the smallest we could - for our own reasoning. Sounds as if it is just a chance one takes (disease wise) and pray that all will be well. Think all the so called "horror stories" were getting a bit overwhelming for me is all. Again, I greatly appreciate the encouragement and positive responses.

It's also a good idea to put a bell on her so you know when she's under foot. My yorkies are just babies 4months and 7months. I have learned to walk dragging my feet (my mother would turn over in her grave)! Good luck and congratulations on your new baby

Nancy1999 · 03-30-2009, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caittie

Wow! Thank you everyone for your rapid responses. I did not mean to portray I only want or were after a "Tiny" in particular. We just love the breed period, and want a loving lil' cuddly.

Obviously though, we were more attracted to getting the smallest we could - for our own reasoning. Sounds as if it is just a chance one takes (disease wise) and pray that all will be well. Think all the so called "horror stories" were getting a bit overwhelming for me is all. Again, I greatly appreciate the encouragement and positive responses.

I think you have the best odds of getting a healthy tiny, is if you get one in the four pound range, this would mean it would weight about 2 pounds at 12 weeks or 21 ounces at 8 weeks. As a rule of thumb, you double the 12 week weight and triple the 8 week weight. Best of luck!

BLowry · 03-30-2009, 02:19 PM

ALL breeds come with different issues...whether they are big or "tiny". Like everyone has already said...just make sure you are buying from a reputable breeder that knows her/his stuff. You can buy a healthy pup and end up with a sick one...you just never know. The breeder I bought from didn't use studs that had liver shunts in the background. She was breeding for healthy puppies...

Good Luck! and make sure you post lots of pics!!

03-30-2009, 11:18 AM	#1
Caittie YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: WA Posts: 2	Tiny Breeds? There seems to be a lot of "hub-bub" out there in regards to the so called "Tea Cup" and "Tiny", "Mini" Yorkies. We are due to pick up our first baby girl this coming weekend, and I've recently gotten a little "freaked out" about what is being said in regards to risks with the "tiny" breeds and "Liver Stints". Do I really need to be all that concerned, or is it just the same as with any pet, treat them well, and keep them healthy? We are told that she will probably only be 3lbs when full grown. We love the idea of having a "tiny" baby to love, but are we biting off more than we can chew? Is a large investment to be having to deal with nothing but heart aches.

03-30-2009, 11:27 AM	#2
Onni YT Addict Join Date: May 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 433	I have a 3.5 pound Yorkie (just turned 1 year old) and she is very healthy and happy. I think if you get her from a good breeder and you take care of her with love, good diet and regular vet checks you should have a wonderful little fur baby. Oh ...and congratulations on your new fur baby girl! __________________ Tracye - Onni's, Bonnie Blue, and Bella's MoM Got Food? - http://www.gano.shelfreliance.com

03-30-2009, 11:36 AM	#3
txrosegirl owned by my monkeys Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: far north dallas, texas Posts: 1,866	congrats on your new baby! i have pretty tiny kids (all below 4 lbs and 1 who is a little over 2lbs) other than watching them like a hawk and not letting them jump off furniture, they are VERY healthy (per my vet) and hearty...in fact my tiny one is probably the most hearty of them all - nothing fazes her and she seems to think she is a 100lb dog __________________ lyn ~ miss buffey, sir bentley and baby bree ~ RIP sweet gino - mommy will always love you please click to give FREE food - the animal rescue site

03-30-2009, 11:38 AM	#4
Nancy1999 I ♥ Joey & Ralphie! Donating Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 25,396 Blog Entries: 2	It depends why the dog is tiny. Some dogs are tiny because of genetics and are perfectly healthy, some are tiny because they have an illness such as liver shunt that makes it difficult for them to grow. You also need to be careful whom you buy from. People that purposely breed for tines are apt to be breeding for that quality only and don't look at other features, they are also likely to not give the mother proper nutrition in the hopes of producing smaller pups. Some breeders say that their dogs are tiny, but sell them at 8 weeks, instead of the recommended 12 weeks, and the dogs will be larger than expected. The best way to find a healthy small dog is to find a breeder that breeds to standard, and tell her you interested in a smaller dog. Remember, that a good breeder won't use a female dog under 4 pounds in her breeding program anyway, so a tiny female has to be sold as a pet. Also, make sure you really know what a three-pound dog looks like, that is really small, and will need extra precautions to ensure its safety. __________________ NancyJoey Proud members of the CrAzYcLuB and YAP! ** Just Say No to Puppymills – Join YAP! Yorkshire Terrier Club of America – Breeder Referrals Last edited by Nancy1999; 03-30-2009 at 11:40 AM.

03-30-2009, 11:44 AM	#6
Yorkielove1 Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: glendale AZ Posts: 790 Blog Entries: 2	Yes i agree with Nancy. That is exactly what happened with Bella. I bought her at 6 weeks old and was told she would be a "teacup". Knowing now what i know about the term "teacup" i find this disturbing. Bella is now 7 lbs.. but i have been told she sold Bella to me so early so she would look extra small.. I dont understand why everyone thinks smaller is better. I dont think this is the case at all. Although i have heard that smaller dogs have more health problems. The only reason i would think they would have more health problems is because you would have to watch them much more carefully. More likely to get stepped on i suppose.... __________________ Princess Isabella & Courtney http://meandbella.blogspot.com

03-30-2009, 11:45 AM	#7
Ladymom Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 8,317	Liver shunts are a real concern in Yorkies as they are 36 times more likely to have a liver shunt than all other breeds combined. Just read the Health and Sick sections and you will see how many of our members are dealing with liver shunts and MVD. Surgery to correct shunts runs into the thousands, not to mention all the expensive tests to diagnose liver disease. It is very important to only buy a Yorkie puppy from a breeder who is aware of hereditary liver shunts in Yorkies and is doing everything possible to make sure she is not producing puppies with a shunt. Ask your breeder if both parents had bile acids tests to check liver function before breeding. What kind of genetic guarantee does your breeder give? All Yorkie puppies should have a bile acids test once they reach 20 weeks old. What will your breeder do if your puppy is found to have a shunt? Will she help with the vet bills? __________________ http://www.myladysdogbows.com/ http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref...6213341?ref=nf

03-30-2009, 11:45 AM	#8
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 37,147	Not all tinies have health problems but you have to be more careful with them because of possible injuries. I saw the cutest tiny this weekend at Petco. I would like to have one later on when My daughter is older __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

03-30-2009, 01:43 PM	#10
Caittie YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: WA Posts: 2	Wow! Thank you everyone for your rapid responses. I did not mean to portray I only want or were after a "Tiny" in particular. We just love the breed period, and want a loving lil' cuddly. Obviously though, we were more attracted to getting the smallest we could - for our own reasoning. Sounds as if it is just a chance one takes (disease wise) and pray that all will be well. Think all the so called "horror stories" were getting a bit overwhelming for me is all. Again, I greatly appreciate the encouragement and positive responses.

03-30-2009, 02:19 PM	#13
BLowry My furkids Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 4,625 Blog Entries: 1	ALL breeds come with different issues...whether they are big or "tiny". Like everyone has already said...just make sure you are buying from a reputable breeder that knows her/his stuff. You can buy a healthy pup and end up with a sick one...you just never know. The breeder I bought from didn't use studs that had liver shunts in the background. She was breeding for healthy puppies... Good Luck! and make sure you post lots of pics!! __________________ Brenda