Please Help Me!

[pamelakay]

Hi everyone! I need help with my puppy search, I am having so much trouble making a decision right now! I'm sorry this post is long,but I hope a lot of you will please read it and help me. I found the cutest yorkie who was born March 3 (so he's 13 weeks old) and weighs about 1 lb 5 oz now (breeder even took out a scale and weighed puppy in front of me..granted, he may be a couple ounces bigger or smaller..the puppy wouldn't really stay on the scale for too long haha). Anyway, the breeder said he'd probably get to be about 3 lbs. I never really have cared for small size, and am well aware of the risks that come along with smaller puppies (which is why I am having such a hard time deciding to get this puppy).

Anyway, the breeder seemed very credible and was very good at mentioning all the risks and benefits that come along with a smaller yorkie. He was not shy about giving me extensive info about how smaller puppies can have a hard time with medical problems and was not trying to sell off the pup as a "teacup" or anything like that. Also, the price is incredible...$700 for his pups! So I know he wasn't trying to sell off a "runt" for like $2000, as I see so many breeders try to do =( Anyway, I need help making a decision! The breeder seems to be taking care of this puppy very well and I had a long talk with him about everything. The puppy has been doing great...he is eating well and when I interacted with him he was so playful, outgoing, and did not shy away or look lethargic (which is something I was told I should look for..especially in smaller puppies). He was doing everything a puppy should do. The breeder also said that during his vet checks, the puppy has no problems so far and all is well.

I am having trouble because I am concerned of all the things I've read about the smaller yorkies. Does anyone here have an adult around 3-4 lbs or a puppy who will get to be only that big? I just need someone to clear my mind. I know we can't predict if a puppy will have problems down the road, but as of right now...that is my situation: the puppy is healthy, interacting well, eating right, and is at a great price. I'm just concerned of his size and wonder if it is inevitable that the puppy will get sick or will have some congenital problem. Am I just setting myself up for heartache? Any advice would be so helpful. I have done so much homework and research and don't want to set myself up for heartache. My boyfriend and I have been talking and it seems I should just get the puppy and take care of him to the best of my ability and things should be okay...because right now, he is the perfect puppy and so cute and wonderful and he is healthy. Am I over-worrying? What do you think of my situation? Should I adopt this puppy and give him a good loving home (cause of course, that's all I want. I am most concerned for the dog's welfare and life and just want him to continue being healthy and okay). Any help to ease my mind would be most appreciated. Thanks guys!

[Tippy_Luvver]

i have a miniature yorkie, she turned to in march and weighs 2-3 pounds...the only thing that happened that was kinda major was that she had TWO ROWS OF TEETH! so she had to get a row pullled out. and if u have a tea cup/miniature and for sum reason it needs surgery it is difficult to find a vet that will actually do surgery cuz of all the risks of when they are in that sleeping stage (forgot what its called)...umm...hope this helps...keep us updated and gud luck

[LuvMyPrinceKobi]

I don't have one that little, but MANY members do, so I'm sure a few of them will see this. Good luck on the search for your puppy!! And of course....be sure to post pics when you get him/her

[jvwheeler]

Pamela,
Welcome to Yorkie Talk!

Yes, little yorkies can get sick. But so can big ones. There are special things to watch for that the smaller they are the more prone to have the issues they are, but illness isn't just about the size.

But little ones need to fit your life style. Do you have young children? Or do you spend a lot of time with young children? Little ones can be hurt very, very easily and children can unintentially hurt them.

I don't have young children, but I still like "teapots" or larger yorkies because I am not always graceful. I have a flight of stairs, and I wanted my baby to be able to go outside and play rough and tumble.

I too am looking at getting a new yorkie, but am making sure that it is going to be in the 6# plus category.

The question is really does your life style fit the needs of a little baby. So the short answer to your question.

No it is not inevitable that the baby will be sick or have some type of congenital issue.

And does the breeder offer a health guarantee?

Janelle

[pamelakay]

Thanks for the responses so far everyone I appreciate it.

Janelle, (that's my little sister's name btw! ) I live on my own in my own apartment so there are no kids to worry about at all. I definitely know a yorkie will fit my lifestyle, and the size of this yorkie is perfect. A bigger size would be perfect too. I have nothing against sizes, I'm just concerned with the risks.

Another great thing about this particular puppy I found is that it does come with a 1 year guarantee. The breeder says we'll have a contract in which he will replace my puppy for any life threatening conditions he may have.

I think hearing from anyone who has a yorkie in the 3-4lb range will help me feel better. Also, I keep telling myself that any puppy can be at risk..even the bigger yorkies.

If anyone else has more reassurance to give me, or suggestions to get the puppy or not, i'd appreciate it! =) Thanks again!

[rhiannon80]

Just follow your heart! There is never any guarantees when it comes to size. All breeds and all sizes have health risks! I would think if it was going to have breathing or blood sugar problems that they would be there already, this I do not know for sure. I all pups that range from 2.5 lbs to 11 lbs! All have been healthy with no problems! I wish you luck! Plus regaurdless you need to ask yourself do you have the funds to support this baby? They can be just as expensive as skin babies sometimes!

[njoydaride]

Originally Posted by rhiannon80

Just follow your heart! There is never any guarantees when it comes to size. All breeds and all sizes have health risks! I would think if it was going to have breathing or blood sugar problems that they would be there already, this I do not know for sure. I all pups that range from 2.5 lbs to 11 lbs! All have been healthy with no problems! I wish you luck! Plus regaurdless you need to ask yourself do you have the funds to support this baby? They can be just as expensive as skin babies sometimes!

ITA. I would follow your heart. If you feel that this baby is the one for you, go for it. I haven't gotten a yorkie of my own yet, but if I were to get one at that size, I would really keep a close eye on him for signs of hypoglycemia and make sure he's eating. Will you be able to keep an eye on him for the first couple weeks or have somebody check up on him time to time?

[CO_yorkie_momma]

Puppies will get sick whether they are 3 lbs or 6 lbs. You dont know in advance and especially since it is healthy now. You just need to make the choice to do your best by it no matter what happens in the future. The one point I would make is a 3 lb puppy doesnt have alot of weight to lose if it does start feeling bad and wont eat and that is a risk. It is a bit scarier when they are so small to start with, not that a 6 lb dog has a lot to lose either. So extra care needs to be taken to make sure it eats well. Good luck and I am sure you will make the best decision for you.

[Doodlebug]

Hi, welcome to YT. I applaud you for taking the time to think this out and make the right decision and also seek advise from other yorkie owners.

I recently met someone who had a 10 yr old 3-lb yorkie and said she was healthy as a horse and never sick a day. I think it probably depends on the breeder and quality of the dogs he/she is breeding.

I have a 13 lb yorkie and I have had several people tell me she is the cutest yorkie they have ever seen. A girl at Petsmart told me yesterday that she is out looking for a yorkie that is Daisy's size because she thinks Daisy is so beautiful. I am so happy with my "big girl", but if it was me I don't think I would be comfortable with one that tiny, I would be afraid I would step on it.

[Yorkieluv]

Go with your instincts If you feel that this puppy is right for you, then you should go for it. As long as the puppy as healthy and playful and happy
Just keep in mind (and it sounds like you are) that it's not only that these smaller dogs are sick more often than bigger dogs, it's that you also have to be more careful with Everything. If a tiny dog eats something it's not supposed to, it will take a bigger toll on his body than a bigger dog. If you step on this dog accidentally, it could hurt him easier than a bigger dog. A dog that size should not be jumping on and off the couch or bed. He/she is likely to break a leg easier by doing that. You will need to get doggie stairs for the couches and bed...
I have a 3.6 lb maltese who is 11 months old and she is very healthy, but I'm very careful with her. We shuffle our feet when we walk and we have to look behind us before we take a step back because she's always at our feet. We have stairs for her to get up/down from the couch and bed.
And we also have an 11lb yorkie who is 3yrs old He weighed 1lb 2 oz when we got him 12-13 weeks old and he was very sick, but we didn't know it at first... He was diagnosed with liver shunt/mvd when he was around 9 months old.
Make sure and take the puppy to the vet the day that you get him or the very next day. Have the vet check for luxating patellas, open fontanel, fecal test, etc.
Good luck and let us know if you do get the puppy
We would love to see pictures

[diggy4]

Bella was teeny teeny tiny...there are no scales or anyway to predict your yorkies final size. Bellas parents were a lot bigger than she is....and at 10 weeks she was just over a pound so very close in size to the one you seen. She ended up 5.5 pounds. There is no saying she is gonna be 3-4 pounds. Thats maybe what she should be considering parents.

My dad is 5-6 my mom is 5-6 my sister is 5-0 and im 5-9 go figure. I would not be afraid of a 3-4 pound dog anyway thats a relatively common size. I think your fine on this one especially since the breeder does not seem to be hiding anything,

[lisatodd]

many members here have small ones. half have had problems and the other half have not. it is really hard to say. it depends on the puppy

[MaxwellHouse]

Did you get to meet the puppies parents? My first yorkie was 1.5 pounds at 12 weeks and ended up 7.7 as his ideal weight, lived 12 years. Did have two rows of teeth that had to be dealt with. But I went with my heart and he was the best purchase I had ever made in my life.

Maxwell's father was 3.5 pounds (mother was 7.5).

Sounds like you are conscientious, more than a lot of people. You'll make the right decision.

[LoveMyGirlz]

I have 3 yorkies. My oldest is 5 lbs....had some eating problems in the 1st year, and she still has these "problems" but I finally figured her out and know what to do for her.
My second is 9 months old now. NEVER had an issue with her yet! Nothing! She's perfect and is about 4.4 lbs now.
My 3rd is my tiny. She is 5 months and was last weighed at 1.15 oz. Breeder said she never had any issues, full of energy, good eater, etc. She was fine at her new home until maybe 1 or 2 weeks here. I hospitalized her because she was vomiting all night and wouldn't eat. She went hypoglycemic and was pretty bad.
All I can say is, she is much more needy than the other two, at least so far in her young age. I worry about her 24/7 and I can barely run to the store without wondering if she is ok and eating while I'm gone!! She isn't eating as well as she was at first. I'm finding I have to hand feed her (and the others) to get her to eat. She is the only one I worry about though, because I know she has to eat at least every 5 hours.
I love her to death and wouldn't trade her in...but I've often wondered if I made the right choice for ME in getting one so small. It really hinders what I plan during the day and at night because I wont leave her for any length of time. So if you work all day, maybe you can check in with her at lunch? If you have much of a social life, I wouldn't be comfortable leaving for a long period of time. Maybe when Gemma is older, she will be able to be left without me worrying so much? I hope! She is definately a cuddler though-moreso than any of them!
My friend also got a tiny one at the same time as I did. She has to get up every 4 hours to feed her! She's had some issues with her as well...
So....if you think you have the time, I think you know what you're in for, based on what you've said!

[Sethowner]

What is that saying???
Better to have loved then not be loved...sounds like this baby would be loved. We all would like to have a guarantee (sp) on alot of things but sometimes we do not get it. Get the baby and love the He** out of it