[my2boyz]

Both of my boys are right at 4 pounds and they have never had any seizures, low blood sugar issues or any other health problems to date. I agree...small does not = unhealthy. I also agree that the shelters are plenty full of larger Yorkies who were tossed aside because of their size. But, the truth is...you could tattoo the standard on the forehead of every person who has a Yorkie and there would still be those who ignore it and do what they want to do.

Originally Posted by JiggityJig

This is my issue with purposefully breeding larger yorkies. Sashajade, you say things are different in the UK, so maybe you don't understand how things are over HERE. The shelters are FULL of absolutely adorable larger-sized yorkies that exceeded what the owner was wanting when they purchased a puppy. Mostly BECAUSE of people breeding non-standard dogs.

(Would you or I or any of the dog-lovers here "get rid" of our dog just because it turned out "too big"? Obviously not, and that's horrific. But it happens.)

In all due respect, I really don't understand the one-woman crusade you seem to be trying to conduct to change the breed standard. I agree with this:



I don't understand why people get so huffy when you suggest this. Silkies are WONDERFUL little dogs, and share that fabulous "terrier" personality with yorkies.

I also agree that if I was going to change the yorkie standard, it would be to specify the healthy 4-7 lb range.

That said, I own a very tiny yorkie myself. Believe me, I did NOT set out to acquire a "tiny", and I positively do NOT defend the breeders who are deliberately trying to achieve the micro-sizes. However, Mazie has had absolutely NO health problems, and despite living in previously unideal conditions, she has NEVER had a seizure or any sort of blood-sugar issues. She weighs less than three lbs. I do wish she'd gain at least a lb, but the vet has repeatedly assured that she is completely healthy as-is, and healthier than the dogs he sees that are OVER-weight.

Small doesn't always equal unhealthy, and large doesn't always equal healthy. It has a lot more to do with the way they were bred, and the lines they come from. Kiki's breeder consistently produces dogs in the 4-7 lb range (she is very anti-tiny), and she has never had any sort of congenital health problems in her dogs. And here in the US, we do find that the breeders who care enough to put the health of the dogs first (over money) ARE the ones who are attempting to breed to the standard.

The standard doesn't produce unhealthy dogs. Unscrupulous breeders produce unhealthy dogs.