I agree that there is no such thing as a t-cup. wait yes there is a cup you drink t out of lol. :D just kidding. My Yankee is approx 2lb s and is only 5.5 mos old. I am told he should be around three to four lbs full grown but I dont think he will be that big. Mabey if I put two lbs of clothes on him :) Blossom is 3.5-4lbs now and is only seven mos. So you never know on size. I was told by both breeders I bought from would be 5-7 lbs for both dogs. I just dont see it right now. I would not on purpose buy a small dog. I was looking for the breed standard on my dogs so I bought these two dogs thinking they would be in size. Good luck finding good homes for your babies.
Tracy

That was my reasoning behind it, the poop! Small dog=small poop. But I don't want a 2 or 3 lb dog. I think 4-5 lbs is good. But that's just my preference. Now saying that if my dog turned out to be smaller or larger that doesn't mean I would love him less.

From the context, I believe the poster is aware that "teacup" is not a breed. It sounded to me like she was using the term to describe the size of the dog. I suppose she should have put the term in quotation marks to ward off any assumptions. From now on we'll all watch our punctuation more carefully.

To the OP, I understand how this frustrates you but many many people (outside this forum) do not know that the term Teacup is a false advertising scheme or that there is no such thing.

I say this because I was one of those people. I didnt even know what a yorkie looked like. All I know is that one night i was walking down the street I saw an older gentleman walking the smallest dog I ever saw and it was all black and I had nvr seen that before...(mind you I didnt even know yorkies changed colors... I thought it was gonna be all black forever...)

So I got my little baby as a surprise from my bf and she was AKC registered and was from a legit breeder. But once I found this forum it completely opened my eyes to the Yorkie world. I had no idea about LS or luxating patellla or collapsing trachea and mine being only 3 lbs it was more shocking to me.

THANK GOD, my baby is healthy and in good shape but I feel that for every call you get try to inform ppl about the risks of having a smaller pup and the work that is involved. I think that way you will change the way ppl think... even if its only a handful ppl.

I am sorry my post is so long but I just wanted you to know that....

Oh and next time I get another pup trust me it will like 7 or 8 LBS!!! lol

~~Rebecca~~

I get this exact same thing and I say the exact same thing. I tell people there is no such thing as tea cup... she is just a small yorkie...

You know the whole "teacup" thing drives me crazy. Diva weighed 5 lbs pre-pregnancy and Coco weighs 4lbs. For heavens sake, they ARE "tiny". How small do people want dogs to be?? I also own a chocolate lab that is a super big baby at 98lbs. Next to him, Diva and Coco look like hamsters.

All I want is healthy dogs. I don't care what breed it is. I want healthy dogs within the breed standard. I dread Diva having her babies and having to deal with the "uneducated" that want "teacups". I may be tempted to tell them that I raise yorkies, not fine china!!

I know people on her HATE the whole t-cup thing and OK so there is technically "no such thing as a tea-cup" BUT regardless of all of this it is a term used to describe a small sized dog (regardless of the breed)...a dog that is as an adult 2 or 3 lbs people describe it as a tea-cup. No matter how many people on here try to educate people it has become a universal term used to describe a tiny dog and especially to most of the people out there in the world when they see a tiny dog they say "oh look at that teacup dog". You can't educate the whole world and even though it is not right, it has become right. Here is an example (outside of the yorkie world) that BUGS my dad but there is nothing that he can do about it and that is the use of the word peruse...most people use it incorrectly. People say "I was perusing the paper today for a few minutes" or "Oh, I didn't really read that article I just perused it." This is not the correct use of this word...it means to intently study or to thoroughly read but it has become acceptable to use it in the opposite way it was intended and now it is socially acceptable to use it in the incorrect way. I'm just saying...you can't change the whole world and MOST people outside of this website use the word "teacup" to describe an extra small dog. I've never wanted to get into this on here because I know the hate is going to come back to me but people on here jump all over new people when they come on here and use that term....they really mean no harm, they are just describing an extra small dog and in less words everyone knows what they are talking about when they say "teacup" - it's much simplier. I realize that technically there is "no such thing as a teacup"....I'm just saying.

I agree people use the term teacup...to describe size. I hear it repeatedly when someone sees mine...oh, they are HUGE. I have a teacup. My response to that any more is...oh yeah and leaving it at that.

In regards to why people want a tiny yorkie....I believe you need to thank the advertising agencies and celebrities.

I'm pretty much with MyFairLacy on this one. When I get an inquiry for teacup size I tend to dismiss it as not a serious candidate for one of my puppies, even when I do have some that will probably fit that description. If they've done any reading at all they know better than to use that term around a real breeder.

When I began my research into the breed, I had no idea how small a 5 lb Yorkie was. I think it's difficult for people to scale the actual size of the dog by the weight, unless they are more familiar with the breed. I loved the look of the breed too, and actually learned alot on this site before I found Trixie. The breeder said she would probably be under 5 lbs, and I was hoping for a bit larger, for health reasons. I am very happy that she's now just over 4 lbs and is 6 months, so I expect she will reach 5 lbs (yea!).

I agree that someone looking for a very very small dog will not necessarily make a good home. They're most likely looking for an accessory.

I was looking for a sweet lapdog! (yes I dress her and take her places too...can't resist as she's such a great companion).

Hang in there with the good new home search. They'll come along.

If I had puppies to sell, I wouldn't sell to anyone that inquired about a teacup

i agree.. you dont want new owners who ask this question:thumbup:.

:thumbup::thumbup:

Wow, this is a little harsh. :confused:

A lot of people do not know a lot about the breed. We can't expect everyone to know as much as the people on YT do!! ;) But people rarely research the breed before getting one. They want a small breed dog so they think yorkie and they usually choose to get a yorkie BECAUSE they want a SMALL dog. So then they set out on finding the smallest small dog.

It irratates the heck out of me to see teacups and toy yorkies advertised in the paper. You sure know then they do not know what they are talking about when a yorkie is a toy breed to start with. They act like they have something special. Then these poor little babies suffer all kinds of health problems because of the stupidlity of people. Like someone else said earlier, you want something that small go buy a hamster. That was a good one.

This is a good point. Not everyone looking for a "tiny" dog really wants a tiny dog. The term is relative. As you say, the average person can't estimate weight very well. So someone may SAY they want a very tiny dog....but really mean they want a 5-6 lb. dog. As usual, boils down to lots of conversation. :)

It is a little harsh, and could have been phrased less aggressively....although if I try to put myself in the OP's shoes, I can see why it would be aggravating for someone to assume that, as a breeder, I don't know the term teacup doesn't refer to the breed....and say it is scary for me to be breeding. Both posts could have been less provoking.

That's an interesting point. I wonder how many people have actually weighed their Yorkie. I have a postal package scale so I keep an accurate weight on my Trixie as she grows (up to 4.1 lbs now, yea!). She's very small to me. I can't imagine an adult dog smaller than this - it would be very tiny to me.

Shylah, weighs about 6lbs and you wouldn't know it. She has such a delicate bone structure, Brynna, weighs 8lbs, and has a larger bone structure, they are littermates, and we think they are a nice size. It just goes to show that you can get different sizes from the same litter. Just like humans.

My sister takes them to the vet. The last time she took them, the vet tech, said she hadn't seen yorkies that big. :confused: She had a real one at home. She started to inform my sister that real yorkies, don't get above 5lbs and even then that is too big:eek:. Now my sister is not the type to politely ignore such ignorance. :rolleyes:

Needless, to say the vet tech was quite succinctly informed!

Unfortunately it is people who are in these positions, ( that should know better) who perpetuate the problem.

I am very glad that you make sure that your prospective parents are properly informed.

Big or small we love them all.
Best
~Marly

I agree, when they weighed my yorkie and I looked at the growth chart and he's supposed to be around 4-5 lbs when full grown. I was like he's going to be bigger than I thought, but in reality that is very small! He is just a tad over 2lbs now and an XS is big on him! So if he gets to be 5 lbs so what, he'll fit in his clothes better and he can jump on the couch with me, which I'm so excited looking forward to the day he can do that! No I didn't go out searching for a quote "tcup", I just thought that all yorkies were small until I joined YT.

It's true that alot of people don't know alot about the breed. This is another opportunity for us to kindly educate them a bit.

Handle With Care
 

I occasionally have very small puppies, it takes longer for me to place them because of the FBI background check :D I do on the potential new home. I ALWAYS point out to the new mommy that almost every vet procedure is going to be a big deal, involving extra expense. Finding a vet to perform simple anesthesia is only the first step. They will nearly always retain baby teeth and require anesthesia to have them removed at about 8 months, so the hope that everything will be OK begins there. The exceptionally small ones can happen with any size breeding pair, whether it's a gene copying error or simply differences in hormonal response regulating growth stages.

We should handle the uneducated with care because in order to actually educate them, we must show them common courtesy. I've heard it said that "A mind changed against it's will, is of the same opinion still." Very small Yorkies, according to the history I've read, have been prized companions of the affluent since the early days of the breed. The early breeders were likely not attempting to breed that small, given the job they were expected to perform, but genetic anomalies will always capture the attention of the casual observer, and the casual observer will likely be uninformed. It might be unrealistic to expect that to change. IMHO

Peoples want smaller Yorkies and have a chance to make $$$$$$$$$$$$ with the pups they'll produce . They are always looking to have them for cheap , and making abusing prices for the suckers who buy from them .

:thumbup:

i always assumed some people wanted "teacup" or "toy" (i know, i know lol) yorkies and other breeds like that because its so trendy, they just pull a paris hilton and slap it in a designer bag as a status symbol and walk around with their big sunglasses. just sad:p.

I admit that was harsh but I just get sick of the ignorant comments, you don't know me so don't assume anything and maybe if people really pay attention to what they read they wouldn't have to write such dumb comments. I'm sorry but I have been attacked on here a couple of times, so from now on if I feel I'm being attacked I'm not going to act like a victim and get all sad about it or complain, I'm just going to put you in your place and let you have it whether you like it or not.

Um, I don't think there is any reason for the use of the word "dumb", or similar words, in this thread. If folks want to have a discussion, great. But I would respectfully ask that people be respectful. :)

I placed a small girl with someone yesterday. It was only after several phone conversations and exchanging some e-mails with me sending her current pictures. This baby is 2pounds 2ounces at 4 1/2 months but surprisingly sturdy (for her size). Anyway, when she finally saw her in person, her reaction was "OMG, I didn't think she was THAT small!!". The point being that size is relative in someone's mind and when people ask for a 'small' or 'teacup' Yorkie, they may not realize just how small they can be. I feel comfortable with the buyer due to no children in the house and the fact that she is home all day. Also, she was receptive to caring for her properly and believe me, I went into detail about it and also sent her more info via e-mail including the suggestion she join YorkieTalk. I also let new owners know that they can call me ANYTIME and that no question is stupid. I won't place any of my pups, smaller or otherwise, with anyone that doesn't seem to want to take the extra care that a Yorkie requires. It's the only way I can sleep at night without worrying about them. They all will always be my babies even after they've found their forever home. :aimeeyork :animal-pa :animal-pa :animal-pa :animal-pa :) p.s.......here she is

WOW!!! Everyone really wants "teacups". I know when I first started looking last year I wanted one that would get atleast 6 to 7 lbs. Simply because my bf was worried he couldn't handle her..

We now have a 3.75 lbs girl and she's full grown.. she looks so tiny when he holds her but I think it worked out for the best.

I would say that anyone calling about "teacups" simply don't know much about the breed. Then again, I didn't know much about them 6 months ago and have learned so much since them.. I'd encourage you to urge them to read up on the breed, give them some websites to search around on.. (here for example) if they are really interested in your puppies, they will do their part and learn. And the only way to judge that they know their stuff is talking to them or meeting them. Get references...vet references. I would have a hard time selling any.. but that's why i'm not a breeder and will never attempt to be one!! Good luck, I'm sure you'll do great on finding them all loving homes!!!

I personally don't mind the word "teacup", although I am aware that it's not an "official" or different type of yorkie. To me, it just refers to a tiny yorkie, one that will be smaller than what people typically think of (4-7 lbs). If someone uses that term that doesn't immediately turn me away, what matters more to me is if they'll have a good home for my baby. I check their references, read their application, and talk with them several times before one is placed, so whether or not they refer to it as a teacup, mixing bowl, measuring spoon, whatever...doesn't matter to me as long as they provide a loving forever home where the puppy will be happy and well cared for.

Now, back to the original post, it does make me sad that EVERYONE seems to be looking for the smaller ones now. I end up with several smaller puppies, but my moms are all standard size, so I don't per se breed for tinies, but have quite a few. I'm having a much more difficult time placing the babies that are going to be over 4 lbs full grown. Tinies ARE a lot more work, and as Woogie Man mentioned, they really are...TINY...a lot smaller than people think until they see them. I had a lady ask me the other day if a puppy would be alright to be left for 8 hours while they were gone to work. I told her that a standard size would be fine, but not a tiny...you just have to worry about 10Xs more things with the little ones. It used to be that nobody wanted the yorkies OVER standard 7 lbs, now they don't even want the standard size...:( I have no problem toting my 6-7 lb girls around, and they\'re still SMALL.