[topknot]

I do not see what you see Barb, I have only seen one dyed dog in all my years of showing and that was years and years ago. Not bad. I have heard things - but you know what they say - only listen to 1% of what you hear - most is gossip and that is just what it is. It would be hard for me to remember in my mind a color of a yorkie from one show to another with all the yorkies at a show - JMO.

I still consider myself a newbie - but more intermediate. I use to show years ago and then took a break to raise my own family. Now that the kids are grown, I have return to showing/breeding. I first had to catch up on all the new lines and learn where they all came from. A lot of research, and took me years to do! Then I had to also learn how to put in a good topknot and still working on that one. LOL
When I decided to purchase my yorkies to return - you better believe I tried to get the best I could (quality of dog/quality of line and they better be champion sired/damed) and it was not cheap. You cannot take short cuts!! And yes, you have to have them tested and evaluated by experts to make sure of what you have! I should also mention a lot of time invested as well.

You can have all the coat in the world on a dog, but without great stucture and movement (health still being number one) you do not have a worthy dog worth breeding. JMO

I do not like breeding much myself - I get way too worried, but I find it necessary. I only breed after great research and making sure it is the best match with standard always in mind. And I only breed when I am wanting another baby for myself to show. I truly beleive that if you are going to do something - you better make sure it is the best possible (notice I did not say your best - But the best possible). No short cuts here either!! There is way too much at stake. JMO