 I stand corrected
[QUOTE=SoCalyorkiLvr]Francie~ I am learning a lot as well, but what you have described above is not the "breed standard" as defined by AKC since the standard calls for 5-7 lb as an adult.
Your description is what the average pet lover is looking for. The majority of the tinies have the same great feist, big dog, terrier attitude. In fact, if ask those who own more than one dog, most will tell you that the smallest dog is usually the "alpha" of the pack! That's how it is at my house. lol.
The yorkie was originally bred as a miniaturization of a few other terrier breeds becasue of the need to develop a "ratter" who could fit into the holes and buroughs and pull out their prey and they later wanted a lap dog so they bred smaller and smaller. The "standard" and what is winning in the show ring is gradually changing to since some judges like the smaller yorkies and they are winning in some areas of the country. So this miniaturization has been going on for a while now.[/QUOTE
I stand corrected....forgive my misprint...I was referring to the AKC standard which IS 5-7 pounds.
I'm confused then...if the AKC "standard" represents the "Best attributes" of the breed...doesn't that include health? The ethical question I posed in my post basically refers to this..At what point can we "tinker" with the DNA of the Yorkshire Terrier (or any breed for that matter) without sacrificing the health of the dog? And the bottom line is that we HAVE sacrificed the health of these breeds. We can cloak it....we can give all sorts of reasons why we want a tiny tiny dog...or...we can even say that we dont NEED to give a reason and absolve us of all accountability But the bottom line is...by breeding and/or buying these tinies...we are part of the problem.
And quite frankly...some "high five" by some misdirected ( not to mention politically motivated )Judge is no reason to perpetuate the damage we have done to this breed.
Francie |