I'm a newbie who some probably feel has been doling out some criticism. From my point of view, and what I've seen so far, there is an unrealistic expectation on this forum that everyone should get along. Now, I understand being respectful even when one doesn't agree with someone, but the reality is, we all have emotions. We also hold different beliefs and values, and I don't see anything wrong with a good debate so long as it enlightens (in other words, without name calling or personal attacks). Some belief systems and values carry high emotions with them, and I think it's unreasonable to expect everyone to express those beliefs with a candy sweet tone and disclaimers ("I don't mean to offend you, but...").
I am a busy person and find it easier to cut down on words when I'm trying to get a long point across. Sometimes that comes across sounding rude or critical, and it's one of those things you have to be careful when you read. I also don't feel bad if my opinion offends others, so long as I haven't made a personal attack on them ("you're a bad person because..."). I care about people, but I also recognize that while I'm taking my time to word things so someone doesn't get offended, their Yorkie(s) may be suffering or are at risk to suffer shortly. I can't stand that, so I'm gonna say what I need to say quickly and be to the point about it.
Calling people on practices that harm Yorkies will always come across as offensive because people caught doing wrong are going to be defensive. You can't expect things to be buddy-buddy when that goes down.
I think several of you have taken things wrong, too, about your Yorkies being insufficient because you don't show them or they are pet quality. Yorkies are Yorkies. I would bet that all of us here love all Yorkies, regardless of lineage. Someone telling you that you can't show or breed or that your breeder obviously didn't care about quality isn't a diss on you, it's just stating a fact or opinion. I don't tell people they shouldn't show or breed because I think their dogs are inferior to mine (which is a joke because I'm right there with the pet-quality Yorkies
), I tell them that for valid reasons that are not personal!
I've done almost everything wrong with my Yorkie. Bought her from a pet store, didn't know how to train her. Now I am educating myself and learning how to prevent others from making the same mistakes. I don't want you guys buying irresponsible bred Yorkies because I've been through the health problems with mine! And I don't want you breeding irresponsibly because I've been at the other end of that before! I just don't want others to make the same mistakes, and have the dogs suffering for it. And the Yorkshire Terrier breed is suffering for it.
So that's my .02.