How to avoid buying a teacup Yorkie

[alaskayorkie]

I ran across this video on youtube and don't know quite what to think of it. It comes off as an honest attempt to steer people toward reputable breeders, but you've got to wonder about their motivation when they tell you there's a responsible way to buy a teacup.

I went off on them, lol.

Note: For anyone who likes calling their Yorkie a teacup, I've honestly got nothing against that. Just don't breed them as tinies and don't advertise them as teacups. It's unethical.

YouTube - Teacup Yorkie - How To Avoid Buying A...

[karren]

[JeanieK]

Well his advice is the same advise that everyone should use for buying any dog. But one cannot help but think he has an ulterior motive.

[Nancy1999]

I think we might be fighting a losing battle on eliminating the "teacup" word; too many people use it for "smaller" dog. Since there is officially no such thing, the definition ranges from anything under 10 lbs, to only those dogs less than 3 pounds. I've read posts written by YorkieTalk members who swear their 8-pound Yorkie is an official "teacup" because the breeder said so.

Other than not informing people that this is not a real category, or giving any sort of definition for teacup, the video did have some great suggestion for buying a dog, and I can't argue with any of them.

1. Meet the breeder in person, don't buy over the Internet.
2. Call the breeder, and get references.
3. See the kennels, resist the temptation to buy the first time.
4. Ask to see license and veterinary records. (I'm not sure a small breeder needs a license, but they should be open to showing vet records.)
5. After you buy the dog, make an appointment with vet ASAP to check out puppy.

[alaskayorkie]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

I think we might be fighting a losing battle on eliminating the "teacup" word; too many people use it for "smaller" dog. Since there is officially no such thing, the definition ranges from anything under 10 lbs, to only those dogs less than 3 pounds. I've read posts written by YorkieTalk members who swear their 8-pound Yorkie is an official "teacup" because the breeder said so.

Other than not informing people that this is not a real category, or giving any sort of definition for teacup, the video did have some great suggestion for buying a dog, and I can't argue with any of them.

1. Meet the breeder in person, don't buy over the Internet.
2. Call the breeder, and get references.
3. See the kennels, resist the temptation to buy the first time.
4. Ask to see license and veterinary records. (I'm not sure a small breeder needs a license, but they should be open to showing vet records.)
5. After you buy the dog, make an appointment with vet ASAP to check out puppy.

Yeah, I agree with you. There really was so good information there. But I still don't think people should be encouraged to buy or breed tiny Yorkies, and this video accomplishes both.

[betsi]

So how big do you consider a teacup yorkie to be? Four pounds or less? Three pounds or less? Just curious

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by betsi

So how big do you consider a teacup yorkie to be? Four pounds or less? Three pounds or less? Just curious

Lol, this word was used so often in the 50's and 60's by little old ladies with blue hair and pink poodles, it was just a nickname for any dog that was in the "toy" group, to differentiate it from the bigger dogs classified as miniatures. I just can't believe the new generation has embraced this word so fondly. Since all Yorkies are in the "toy" group, any Yorkie that was within standard theoretically could be considered a teacup, however it usually refers to a dog under 4 pounds, but since I don't use the word, I have no definition on it's proper usage. If a breeder uses the word, it's a huge red flag, and I would avoid that breeder at all costs.

[alaskayorkie]

Originally Posted by betsi

So how big do you consider a teacup yorkie to be? Four pounds or less? Three pounds or less? Just curious

You'd have to ask someone who acknowledges a teacup that question. There is no guideline. Everyone I've asked that question just says it's a small Yorkie. Well, all Yorkies are small. 7 pounds is small. If the AKC wanted to call all Yorkies teacups, I'd be fine with that.

But if you're asking how small do I think is more prone to health defects because of it, I'd say 3 pounds and under. And that's just a personal belief. I've met a 1 1/2 pounder who was healthy as a horse and adorable, so I'm not saying they are all sickly or that I wouldn't love one if I had one that size. I just don't like people breeding for that size, and I don't like the exorbitant prices being charged for potentially sickly dogs.

[betsi]

I'm from the older generation, too! I just wondered what you guys thought. In my opinion, I think under the 3 1/2 lb range. There are so many people here that talk about "not buying a teacup", but nobody ever says specifically what that size is.
My little boy is 5 lbs at one year. If he was any smaller than that, I'm afraid he might get broken,lol!

[DejaVu]

I think this video could be very informative to someone looking to get a yorkie, I really didnt see anything off just because he called them teacups. I see it as a way to describe s tiny dog, I dont agree that some breeders take this term and run with it as a marketing scheme, but I dont feel offended by someone calling a dog a teacup.

[Smarty Bones]

Originally Posted by alaskayorkie

You'd have to ask someone who acknowledges a teacup that question. There is no guideline. Everyone I've asked that question just says it's a small Yorkie. Well, all Yorkies are small. 7 pounds is small. If the AKC wanted to call all Yorkies teacups, I'd be fine with that.

But if you're asking how small do I think is more prone to health defects because of it, I'd say 3 pounds and under. And that's just a personal belief. I've met a 1 1/2 pounder who was healthy as a horse and adorable, so I'm not saying they are all sickly or that I wouldn't love one if I had one that size. I just don't like people breeding for that size, and I don't like the exorbitant prices being charged for potentially sickly dogs.

[alaskayorkie]

Originally Posted by DejaVu

I think this video could be very informative to someone looking to get a yorkie, I really didnt see anything off just because he called them teacups. I see it as a way to describe s tiny dog, I dont agree that some breeders take this term and run with it as a marketing scheme, but I dont feel offended by someone calling a dog a teacup.

Yeah, I'm with you on that. It bugs me a little when people call their dogs teacups because someone unfamiliar with Yorkies might go out looking for a teacup because they like the dog. Then they run into the breeders who use it as a marketing scheme.

My nephew and niece own a teacup, btw. Well, that's what they say.

I wonder what happens when a teacup gets fat? Does it become an ordinary Yorkie?

[Breezeaway]

It becomes a "Little" Teapot.

[gerry]

I was wondering the same thing If you fatten up a teacup yorkie does it then become a regular size yorkie?

[GeorgiaOnMyMind]

Originally Posted by Breezeaway

It becomes a "Little" Teapot.

oh my..... I laughed out loud at that..... That was really cute