[gemy]

I too read the Op;s thread as wanting to educate and not to complain. Owners of tiny breeds and at the other end of the spectrum the very large breeds have some similar but also different responsibilities.


The OP also did not state she xpenned her dogs all day. Only when necessary - a sensible precaution.


Should a tiny dog get exercised daily? Of course age appropriate - and in an environment that will be as safe for the dog as possible.


And dogs sometimes don't know their limits. Well at least neither of the breeds I own do. My dogs will over exercise (if I allow it) because it is something they love to do. Swim retrieve over and over again. Ready to go for a hike? Sure Mom - love to do it. I had one dog literally retrieve so much on pavement he abraded the skin off one of his paw pads. My lesson learnt.


My 6lb Yorkie swims and dock jumps. But I don't want him jumping off furniture - in fact I don't want him on my furniture. Although he is allowed to be on my recliner with me.


My Yorkie is crated at night for his safety - as we own 2 large breed dogs with poor night vision. Some one breaks into our home at night I don't want my Yorkie trampled as my guard dogs do their duty.


And Yorkies are at risk around most dogs - as most dogs are very much larger than they are. One pick up and shake of the dogs neck from a bigger dog can seriously maim a Yorkie. Good grief I had a 3 pack of coyotes circling my large dog and myself one day when I was in a park training with my big boy. A coyote would make short work of a Yorkie!


No dogs large or small should repetitively be jumping off heights that are high for them onto slippery surfaces - it quite simply is not good for their joints. Stairs are a different issue and for all breeds no stairs until at least 3 months old - there is at least one study that speaks to this. For some Yorkies with short legs and you have steep stairs - they physically may not safely do stairs!


And finally there is no shame in being a show breeder - why should there be?