[FlDebra]

Many vets give generic information that they try to apply to all dogs. Toy breeds like the yorkie do NOT fall into the generic category. Yorkie pups NEED to stay with mom & siblings until at least 12 weeks and hopefully be at least 2 pounds. That gives them time to learn the many things mom teaches. Puppies can survive if you sell them at 8 weeks, but they are certainly at more risk and are not getting the best start in life socially and emotionally either. We see the posts so often of new owners who got their pups at 8 weeks writing about problems like food intolerances, biting, excessive barking or whining, sometimes crying through the night, timid, fearful, more difficult to house train and socialize with other dogs. They are generally NOT nearly as happy and adaptable as a pup who was allowed the 12-16 weeks recommended for yorkie pups to stay with mom and siblings. They learn from the group dynamic as well as mom. If you have already let them go to new homes, nothing to be done except store this information away for possible future situations. If you have them still at home, pls keep them the recommended 12-16 weeks.

I talked color and weight with you on the other thread that was closed. I do not see you getting AKC registration for you CKC girl. AKC only registers if both parents were AKC registered and the breeder was in good standing at the time the litter was born. I find it doubtful that any breeder would only register CKC if she had a chance to register AKC -- as it is the parent breed club and much preferred over CKC. I would not both registering with CKC -- it is just throwing your good money to a for-profit registry that came about because many commercial breeders did not want to follow the rules set forth by the AKC or were actually banned from AKC for not following rules (things like listing the wrong parents on litter registration forms and failing AKC inspections. Better to not register at all than to contribute to any of the for-profit registries. AKC is the only non-profit. Registering with them is an investment as well as contributing to their education programs, DNA testing, and putting your dogs in the Yorkshire Terrier History. There are many other benefits to AKC registration, but I won't go in detail as I do not think you are going to get that.

I got you email -- thank you too! I think I have covered everything except the ears. I am still unsure how old your pups actually are -- maybe it would be good to list their DOB. If they are 8 weeks now or if they will be the first week of February, it is too early to worry about their ears. It is not unusual for them not to stand til close to the 12 week mark. All of the puppies I have had did have their ears up by 10 weeks, but some are different. I have read some of the more experienced breeders say not to worry about taping the ears until 16 weeks. So, they could come up on their own by then. If not, there are some detailed explanations about taping of the ears on here. Ask then, if it is needed, and I will look it up for you.

Glad your mom has made it through this time with no worse problem than the C-section. I would have her spayed as soon as the doc says it is safe. I would neuter your male NOW. No reason for him to wait. I would also have a spay/neuter clause in your sales contract. It is best to keep them until you can ensure their spay and neutering but most do not want to keep that long, so putting it in your contract is the next best thing. Adding a refundable deposit motivates the new owners to make sure to follow up and actually do the spay/neuter. You just have them pay an extra amount of $$, set it aside, and they get it back as soon as they show the receipt from the vet. You really do not want dogs this large continuing to breed. The yorkshire terrier standard is up to 7 pounds. So, breeding so far above the standard is really not ethical. It is the future that will be unduly endangered. As I explained in the other thread, a small female may result from your breeding. If she is allowed to breed, she may wind up with some VERY large pups that could cause even more problems than your girl experienced. This danger continues on through each generation if the females make it at all. Same with the males, if they are used for stud -- big surprises could result and a small female be put at greater risk again. Remember, this is how your two wound up being so large, even though you saw normal sized parents. Those surprises can turn up several generations down the line. So -- spay & neuter all concerned here.

I do wish you well that Izzy beats the odds, and winds up within standard. I know I would have been disappointed if mine had turned out out of any standard, including size. But I couldn't have helped loving them JUST AS MUCH, just as you have yours. In fact, my very first yorkie was a wavy haired beauty -- if massive waviness was in our standard she would have aced it but .... unfortunately I was looking for the straight, silky hair written in the standard. I just spayed her and fortunate for me -- she did possess the most prominent and beloved trait I have seen from Yorkies -- being a LOVING dog! Good luck with the pups!