I have to say that I agree with hunniebunnie and some others on here. The terms 'miniature', 'teacup', 'teaspoon' and all these other silly words are actually doing the breed a lot of damage from what I can make out. I don't think it's simply just another way of referring to the breed and that people should be allowed to use them willy-nilly. It's being used very specifically by both unscrupulous breeders and irresponsible buyers to define a specific size. This is having a huge impact on the health and quality of the breed
The reason I got Badger was because my girlfriend in Boston had the most gorgeous Yorkie that she referred to as a 'miniature' (he landed up six pounds full grown). When I came back to the UK, I called the Yorkshire Terrier Club here and received one hell of a dressing down from the Secretary of the club who told me in no uncertain terms that there was no such thing and that she was constantly having to put up with people calling for breeders of tiny Yorkies. Both the Kennel Club here and the YTC will not register breeders who breed from bitches under 4 pounds. My vet told me as well that they are getting an increasing number of young girls coming in with tiny yorkies that have got terrible health problems. The breeder I got him from told me that she had what they call a 'tiny'. She said they were rare and she was asked for them occasionally but she wouldn't breed them specifically. I spoke to a very good breeder in Yorkshire who told me that he gave away puppies that he felt were going to be under five pounds because in his 40 odd years of experience they were 'no good'
So I don't think it's as easy as just saying people should just call them whatever they like because they have a right to. The breed is being very negatively affected by this drive for what are nothing more than purse accessories. We are often stopped by young girls in the street who say they want one to carry around in a handbag and 'dress up'. I don't agree with that at all |