My dog is 10 pounds and absolutely darling. I think most of his weight is his rolly polly little body rather than his height ---but, he's definitely not fat.
When I got my him, I didn't even know anyone who had a Yorkie, but for some reason, lately people have literally been coming out of the woodwork wanting to breed with my dog.
I have never bred dogs and have never had any intention to breed this little dog. In fact, he was neutered the day before yesterday at one year old --- which was my intention all along.
However, even though I wouldn't have bred him - I have given his size and the possibility of breeding him some thought.
What amazes me - is that so many of you here have tiny little Yorkies - weighing 1 1/2, 2, 3, and 4 pounds, and you think they are the cutest, most desirable little things in the world......and many of you are even breeding these little dogs. So - why - if a dog is 2 or 3 pounds over the standard - is it such a problem (if they are being bred to go into loving homes - as pets)? This certainly is a very desirable size for many families with children, other pets, etc.
Sooooooooooooo many people have said to me, "If I ever get a Yorkie, I want the one the size of your dog. He's so darling. He's so cute. His size is just perfect."
AND - what about so many of you who have mixed breeds - Part Yorkie and part another little breed. When you come on YT with your pictures, etc., everyone goes crazy and thinks they are darling and wants one of them. They are darling little pets.
My vet said that it's a misnomer - not absolutely true - that a Yorkie male should be bred to a larger female. He reminded me that with most purebreds, the male is almost always the larger of the two - and sometimes quite a bit so. He said, he has rarely had problems delivering any puppies (of any breed) for this reason.
********** I am very much against breeding very tiny Yorkies and breeding to deliberately get smaller and smaller Yorkies. We all know that this is irresponsible - and we don't even have to go over all the reasons why it is.
But - I think if you have a larger Yorkie and want to breed it - it's your dog, it's your business, and if you want to do it -- go ahead and do it. There is no doubt that you'll have wonderfully healthy little dogs that will be wonderful pets. Look for a dog near the same size as yours - and be sure that you can find good homes for the little puppies you will have.
There are many other faults that a lot of our dogs have other than their size. (I know - because I see all the pictures here on YT). I see dogs that are too small being bred, dogs that aren't healthy being bred, dogs with long backs, roach backs, short legs, bad coats, and every other thing in the world being bred. So - if a good looking, healthy, little Yorkie comes along that is 2 or 3 pounds over the standard - and you want to bred it - why not!!!!!
If you're breeding for show dogs and you're a breed purist - that's one thing -but very few of us have Yorkies of that quality.
Remember - I love my dog's size - and a lot of people want one just like him.
He's a wonderful, happy, healthy, affectionate, playful little pet.
PS: Only because it's interesting - my dog's mother weighed 12 pounds and his father 4 1/2 pounds. He has a brother (from the same litter) that weighs 5 pounds and another that weighs 6 pounds. Go figure!
Carol Jean |