[Corfield]

In the UK 1 in every 2 enquiries are for "Teacup Yorkies".

It is buyers that are most responsible for what breeders do because they create the demand.

There is only so much you can do to educate a cretin hell bent on buying a weak puppy to meet their fantasies.

OFC this doesn't excuse unethical breeders, but it is not difficult to do a bit of research and not visit a breeder who is clearly trying to market something thats not remotely in line with breed standards.

Obviously there is a lot of variation within a breed and unless you are buying a dog capable of being shown (in which case expect to need to do a lot more homework and pay a lot more for it) it doesn't do well to expect a dog that is a carbon copy of published breed standards.

It is easy to sell to morons (you just tell them what they want to hear) and there are plenty of "Teacup Yorkie" buyers that end up with dogs the size of Spaniels or large vet bills.

I had one person tell me their "Teacup Yorkie" died very young but all she and her husband could talk about was how great it was they could fit him in their pocket. They didn't react kindly to me telling them they were responsible for that dogs suffering and we here trying to buy another.