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SnowWa · 12-16-2005, 03:58 AM

I am a little confused as far as breeding goes.

I believe in improving and maintaining the standards of every breed, and am becoming more familiar with many of you who are serious breeders. You have a real passion for breeding. You select and purchase very fine animals, breed them carefully, care for them wonderfully, and whelp litters that are as near the Yorkie standards as possible. You strive for perfection.

And there are people (not breeders in the true sense of the word) who have a pet Yorkie or two (average animals) breed them, care for them very well, and sell them to many of us who are dying to have a Yorkie for a pet.

I am describing two very different types of breeders. One who has the understanding, education, and passion to strive for the very best. The other who loves their pet(s), breeds them, and sends them off to loving homes to be pets.

I believe there is something inherently difficult in breeding Yorkies. I have yet to see a breed that varies as much as the Yorkie. The AKC weight standard is 5 to 7 lbs, and I have seen Yorkies from 2 to 14 pounds. The standard for coloring is especially confusing - but apart from the standard, look at all the different colors there are. This has nothing to do with the standards, but the way different people maintain their Yorkies (haircuts especially) can cause them to look like totally different breeds.

And - leave it to the Yorkie to be loved and adored no matter what size, shape, color, or haircut it has.

Price?? Should we talk about price when we talk about breeders. I think so. There certainly is usually a difference in the quality of puppies that are produced by the serious breeders compared to the backyard (I hate this term) breeders. So, for those of us who care about the difference, we should be willing to pay more for higher quality Yorkies. (I didn't say more loveable - they are all adorable and loveable.) I just mean higher quality in terms of meeting the standards of the breed.

I have stated before that I have the cutest little guy, but I wouldn't breed him. I think he has too many faults. He may get too big, his ears may be too large. His legs might be a little too long, and his coat leaves a lot to be desired. Of course, all my friends say, "Why don't you breed him?" Well - you and I know why. But he is perfect for me because I wanted a pet.

I suppose this happens with all breeds. So many people want their dogs bred and want to have a litter of puppies. But even with the best intentions and wonderful care, and a lot of love, I don't suppose this is always a good thing.

But -- if only the very professional breeders bred dogs, I think they would be too expensive for most people, and there wouldn't be enough to go around.
We can't all have or want a show dog. Most of us want a pet.

I think my post makes no sense at all. I'm not even sure what I'm trying to ask. I guess I am just asking about Yorkies and who should be breeding them. I wonder how some of you feel about this.

I am not talking about puppy mills, bad breeders, or anything like that. We all know where we stand there. I am referring more to the two types of caring breeders that I have mentioned above. Is it acceptable to breed "pet quality" Yorkies. Can this hurt the breed in the long run.

Carol Jean

12-16-2005, 03:58 AM	#1
SnowWa YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: USA Posts: 2,992	Who should breed Yorkies? I am a little confused as far as breeding goes. I believe in improving and maintaining the standards of every breed, and am becoming more familiar with many of you who are serious breeders. You have a real passion for breeding. You select and purchase very fine animals, breed them carefully, care for them wonderfully, and whelp litters that are as near the Yorkie standards as possible. You strive for perfection. And there are people (not breeders in the true sense of the word) who have a pet Yorkie or two (average animals) breed them, care for them very well, and sell them to many of us who are dying to have a Yorkie for a pet. I am describing two very different types of breeders. One who has the understanding, education, and passion to strive for the very best. The other who loves their pet(s), breeds them, and sends them off to loving homes to be pets. I believe there is something inherently difficult in breeding Yorkies. I have yet to see a breed that varies as much as the Yorkie. The AKC weight standard is 5 to 7 lbs, and I have seen Yorkies from 2 to 14 pounds. The standard for coloring is especially confusing - but apart from the standard, look at all the different colors there are. This has nothing to do with the standards, but the way different people maintain their Yorkies (haircuts especially) can cause them to look like totally different breeds. And - leave it to the Yorkie to be loved and adored no matter what size, shape, color, or haircut it has. Price?? Should we talk about price when we talk about breeders. I think so. There certainly is usually a difference in the quality of puppies that are produced by the serious breeders compared to the backyard (I hate this term) breeders. So, for those of us who care about the difference, we should be willing to pay more for higher quality Yorkies. (I didn't say more loveable - they are all adorable and loveable.) I just mean higher quality in terms of meeting the standards of the breed. I have stated before that I have the cutest little guy, but I wouldn't breed him. I think he has too many faults. He may get too big, his ears may be too large. His legs might be a little too long, and his coat leaves a lot to be desired. Of course, all my friends say, "Why don't you breed him?" Well - you and I know why. But he is perfect for me because I wanted a pet. I suppose this happens with all breeds. So many people want their dogs bred and want to have a litter of puppies. But even with the best intentions and wonderful care, and a lot of love, I don't suppose this is always a good thing. But -- if only the very professional breeders bred dogs, I think they would be too expensive for most people, and there wouldn't be enough to go around. We can't all have or want a show dog. Most of us want a pet. I think my post makes no sense at all. I'm not even sure what I'm trying to ask. I guess I am just asking about Yorkies and who should be breeding them. I wonder how some of you feel about this. I am not talking about puppy mills, bad breeders, or anything like that. We all know where we stand there. I am referring more to the two types of caring breeders that I have mentioned above. Is it acceptable to breed "pet quality" Yorkies. Can this hurt the breed in the long run. Carol Jean __________________ http://tinypic.com/ipxhmb.jpg A Yorkie is worth a thousand words.