I've read that dogs that are very quickly bred down to have very short muzzles in just a few generations have terrible dental problems and while I don't know if that is true, it sounds believable. Don't really short muzzles interfere with correct breathing and a functional "dog" nose? You all are right - those dogs look pop-eyed, wall-eyed and hydrocephalic and have anything but that keen-eyed terrier look.
I personally saw one of those very tiny under 2 lb. grown Yorkie ultra "teacup" dogs at one breeders place and it slunk across the floor like a pelt of fur with no legs. It didn't look or move like a dog as its legs seemed dwarfed and the little thing was shaking - terrified. What I could see of its little face as it struggled to get under furniture showed a muzzle about the size of a thimble. It was one of the worst things I've ever seen and I got away from that house as fast as I could. Poor little dog. I only hope somehow it had a good life as God knows it deserved better than that. Oh, and of course, that breeder did not have mom or dad there!!! Next day I was at a show breeder's home in Dallas with lovely kennels, a beautiful mom and dad there in the room, looking at one of her 5 mo. old chunky little pet quality Yorkshire Terrier beauties that strode around like a little athlete, charming me with loads of Yorkie attitude with this lady giving me a Secret Service type interview and I just marveled at the difference in the two worlds. If only people wouldn't buy from those disreputable breeders and brokers, they would have to go out of business. I don't mean to suggest we all need to buy from show breeders or any thing even remotely like that but that is where I found myself that next day and the dichotomy in the pups was striking. |