WHY does everyone want a "teacup"?????? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

DorkyYorkies · 03-22-2008, 07:57 PM

Ok so my puppies are now 7 weeks old and I have begun the process of trying to find them wonderful new homes. Right now I am just taking calls and letting people look at them if they are interested. The problem I am having is that everyone wants a "teacup". I try to explain to them about the health problems that the little ones tend to have and that "teacup" is just a label. The parents of my puppies are 7 and 8 pounds, which in my opinion is a good healthy weight. There is no guarantee that all of the puppies are going to be the same size as their parents. The fathers on both sides were only 4 pounds, so these pups could still be small. You can't even guarantee that a 3lb male and a 4lb female will produce pups that small. People don't seem to understand this and I don't know how else to put it. How do you all go about finding "quality" homes for your yorkies? I don't want my pups going to just anyone. What do you tell people when they start with the whole "teacup" issue?

yellowmellie · 03-22-2008, 08:03 PM

I would say they are very inexperienced, which means theres a lot more they don't know about yorkies...and therefore should do some more research before actually buying one anyway

When I first started researching this breed, that was one of the first things I learned. I am still learning the ins and outs of yorkies but at least i knew that to begin with.

Have patience!! You will find the right homes for your furbabies!!

chattiesmom · 03-22-2008, 08:04 PM

Most people are uninformed and need to be educated. It is amazing how many people just don't understand. No matter how frustrating, it is up to those of us who know to teach those who don't.

Good luck -- I hope you don't become too frustrated!

a2luckygirl · 03-22-2008, 08:16 PM

Well, I never wanted a "tea cup" When I FIRST started looking- I just looked at the" type of Look, I liked- and price range! but after learning on this site- I started looking for health! and Really- I wanted in the 5-6 # range!
Banjo ended up being bigger, but other than his leg ingury, he is very healthy!
But I have had so many people say-Oh, I'd rather have a real tiny one- Banjo is big!
To me he is not big- he is 9#
I was afraid of stepping on a tiny, tiny one! They are cute, but I am afraid to have one!
But really no matter what the size of one I had, I'd love it- big or small!!

flutterby · 03-22-2008, 08:25 PM

I didn't want little ones either.. I began the search of finding the look I wanted BUT health guarantees, testing, etc had to be right up there with it.. If I saw one that I liked the look of, but no testing, then I moved on.. I'll be honest.. My girls weren't the look I was going for but I liked the look of the parents and I think my girls look even BETTER...

I hope you find good homes for your babies as well.. If I was a breeder and someone called looking for teacups, I wouldn't place a puppy with them because they obviously don't know enough..

GurleyGirl · 03-22-2008, 08:27 PM

Some people just prefer smaller dogs... Most of my yorkies are on the smaller size... just my preference. (plus the poop is smaller!!

)

I am sure you will find great homes for your puppies. Best of luck to you.

MindieRose · 03-23-2008, 04:37 AM

Someone keeps posting on Craigslist here that they want "an itty bitty dog they can dress us and carry around in their purse with them everywhere".

I dont know if its a troll or Paris Hilton.
Thanks to celebs like her, dogs have now become fashion accessories instead of living beings that need to be properly cared for.

hha · 03-23-2008, 05:19 AM

I can't believe they're already 7 weeks old..Have you posted pictures of them lately? I would love to see what they look like now...

francis53 · 03-23-2008, 08:14 AM

Oh, I had the same experience with my last litter. I had an ad in the newspaper and every call I got seemed like was someone looking for one that would grow to be only 3 lbs.

I just politely told them my puppies would probably be a bit bigger than that, you know like a normal yorkie

Just hang in there, you don't want your puppies in a home where their size is the most important thing any way!! It took awhile, but I have found homes for all my girls where they will be much loved whether they stay small or grow to be a bigger yorkie!!
What's really sad, is that someone will promise these people that the dog they sell them will be a "teacup" and them they will be disappointed when it isn't and the poor puppy will end up being rehomed or just not loved

Good luck finding wonderful homes for your puppies! I found homes for mine thru YT where people know better

TeddyandTiffy · 03-23-2008, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DorkyYorkies

Ok so my puppies are now 7 weeks old and I have begun the process of trying to find them wonderful new homes. Right now I am just taking calls and letting people look at them if they are interested. The problem I am having is that everyone wants a "teacup". I try to explain to them about the health problems that the little ones tend to have and that "teacup" is just a label. The parents of my puppies are 7 and 8 pounds, which in my opinion is a good healthy weight. There is no guarantee that all of the puppies are going to be the same size as their parents. The fathers on both sides were only 4 pounds, so these pups could still be small. You can't even guarantee that a 3lb male and a 4lb female will produce pups that small. People don't seem to understand this and I don't know how else to put it. How do you all go about finding "quality" homes for your yorkies? I don't want my pups going to just anyone. What do you tell people when they start with the whole "teacup" issue?

I feel for U Sweetie! Truely I do. I know here in Indiana U can't hardly find a home for Yorkies that aren't the so called "Teacups". I went through 10 puppies this way in 2 litters as our Tiffanie was 10 lbs and Teddy 6.5 lbs. I had the hardest time finding GOOD QUALITY HOMES for our babies...Out of 10 baby Yorkies 2 ONLY 2 ended up being between 8 & 9 lbs. All other 8 are under 7 lbs. 2 aren't even 5 lbs. So no one can say what size Yorkies can grow up to be. U can guess at their size but that is about it. I thought Clyde was going to be a whopper bless his heart he's around 6 lbs. U can't explain to people that have their minds set to the so called "Teacup" babies...It's sad that our babies that are beautiful "Pet Quality" loving dolls are downed due to this! So I went through this with 2 litters and choose not to put no more of my babies through this and I had Tiffanie Spaded and put a stop to her babies being downed and treated like this. All I did was tell the truth and let them take it from there. I did end up giving Sir. Lancealot to my sister & Bonnie to my Cousin due to them being around 8 to 9lbs and not finding them a good home, I'd rather give them to family and know they are well taken care of then try to adopt them out to someone who is head strong on the "Teacups" and come back and be all upset with me due to them being on the larger side when they get older. I hope U find good loving homes for U're dolls and U're in my thoughts! Maybe U could not answer many questions on the phone and tell them to come see them and answer then, maybe seeing them will help U to find good loving homes for them. I know it's hard not to answer questions on the phone but I don't know how to do it. I know when they heard Tiffanies weight being 10 lbs. They more less hung up the phone on me, some didn't even wait to hear Teddys weight or the weights of our other Yorkies. Hugs

txshopper73 · 03-23-2008, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DorkyYorkies

What do you tell people when they start with the whole "teacup" issue?

I tell people that I don't have teacups. My yorkies are the AKC standard which is under 7 lbs. I tell them that if they want a teacup to go to PetSmart and get a hamster. Blunt, yes...but when they go quiet on the phone, that is when I start educating them. I ask them if they have children and their ages....etc.

Good luck!

Louiebug · 03-23-2008, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MindieRose

Someone keeps posting on Craigslist here that they want "an itty bitty dog they can dress us and carry around in their purse with them everywhere".

I dont know if its a troll or Paris Hilton.
Thanks to celebs like her, dogs have now become fashion accessories instead of living beings that need to be properly cared for.

I think this has a lot to do with it. It is fashionable to have a small dog. That is a rediculous reason to get a pet!

If they would just do the research I think any intellegent person would change thier mind.

Nancy1999 · 03-23-2008, 02:58 PM

If you don't mind my asking, why are you breeding the 8-pound dog? While I don't want a teacup or a tiny, I do want a dog standard size. It seems that many on this forum think a dog in the 4-6 lb range is perfect.

MyFairLacy · 03-23-2008, 03:03 PM

If I had puppies to sell, I wouldn't sell to anyone that inquired about a teacup. That automatically shows that they haven't done their research...they don't know enough about the breed yet and should not be buying a dog until they know what they are getting.

DorkyYorkies · 03-23-2008, 03:57 PM

I agree with all of you. These people that are in the mindset of having a 2-3lb dog are just living in a dream world and they don't know what is in store for them if they do end up getting a dog that size. Why have a dog if you are just going to show it off because it's so small? That's NOT a reason to get a dog. People seriously need to get educated before going and putting money and time into something that is another LIFE that they will be responsible for.

I breed the 8 pound female because she has the perfect bone structure for having puppies and I don't see a need to put a smaller female at more of a risk of losing pups or having a c-section, or other complications. This does not mean that she will necessarily produce larger pups. You have to go back in the bloodline and determine these things, and even then it is STILL a guessing game even with a tiny female AND male. There are never any guarantees no matter what. Each puppy is going to be different, just like with children. Anybody that knows anything about yorkies and has done their research will learn that yorkies were not originally these teeny tiny little dogs. Man did this to them by selective breeding and eventually bred them down and made a new "standard". What will it be next- man trying to come up with a way to make the smallest human?

03-22-2008, 07:57 PM	#1
DorkyYorkies Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 206	WHY does everyone want a "teacup"?????? Ok so my puppies are now 7 weeks old and I have begun the process of trying to find them wonderful new homes. Right now I am just taking calls and letting people look at them if they are interested. The problem I am having is that everyone wants a "teacup". I try to explain to them about the health problems that the little ones tend to have and that "teacup" is just a label. The parents of my puppies are 7 and 8 pounds, which in my opinion is a good healthy weight. There is no guarantee that all of the puppies are going to be the same size as their parents. The fathers on both sides were only 4 pounds, so these pups could still be small. You can't even guarantee that a 3lb male and a 4lb female will produce pups that small. People don't seem to understand this and I don't know how else to put it. How do you all go about finding "quality" homes for your yorkies? I don't want my pups going to just anyone. What do you tell people when they start with the whole "teacup" issue?

03-22-2008, 08:03 PM	#2
yellowmellie Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Okinawa, Japan Posts: 289	I would say they are very inexperienced, which means theres a lot more they don't know about yorkies...and therefore should do some more research before actually buying one anyway When I first started researching this breed, that was one of the first things I learned. I am still learning the ins and outs of yorkies but at least i knew that to begin with. Have patience!! You will find the right homes for your furbabies!! __________________ Mommy Melanie and Princess Kaba and Crazy Cleo

03-22-2008, 08:04 PM	#3
chattiesmom Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Alabama Posts: 17,674	Most people are uninformed and need to be educated. It is amazing how many people just don't understand. No matter how frustrating, it is up to those of us who know to teach those who don't. Good luck -- I hope you don't become too frustrated! __________________ Silk Step-In Harnesses www.foxypups.etsy.com

03-22-2008, 08:16 PM	#4
a2luckygirl YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: HASTINGS, NE- 4 NOW!!! Posts: 2,208	Well, I never wanted a "tea cup" When I FIRST started looking- I just looked at the" type of Look, I liked- and price range! but after learning on this site- I started looking for health! and Really- I wanted in the 5-6 # range! Banjo ended up being bigger, but other than his leg ingury, he is very healthy! But I have had so many people say-Oh, I'd rather have a real tiny one- Banjo is big! To me he is not big- he is 9# I was afraid of stepping on a tiny, tiny one! They are cute, but I am afraid to have one! But really no matter what the size of one I had, I'd love it- big or small!! __________________ :I PLAYING....THE BANJO........ AND KISSING MY MOMMY:kiss3

03-22-2008, 08:25 PM	#5
flutterby YT Addict Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 402	I didn't want little ones either.. I began the search of finding the look I wanted BUT health guarantees, testing, etc had to be right up there with it.. If I saw one that I liked the look of, but no testing, then I moved on.. I'll be honest.. My girls weren't the look I was going for but I liked the look of the parents and I think my girls look even BETTER... I hope you find good homes for your babies as well.. If I was a breeder and someone called looking for teacups, I wouldn't place a puppy with them because they obviously don't know enough.. __________________ Kenya - Mommy to Brooklynn , Bailey , Bella (biewer), and Peyton

03-22-2008, 08:27 PM	#6
GurleyGirl YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Scott City, Missouri Posts: 1,879	Some people just prefer smaller dogs... Most of my yorkies are on the smaller size... just my preference. (plus the poop is smaller!! ) I am sure you will find great homes for your puppies. Best of luck to you. __________________ Joanne Gurley's Yorkies

03-23-2008, 04:37 AM	#7
MindieRose Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,280	Someone keeps posting on Craigslist here that they want "an itty bitty dog they can dress us and carry around in their purse with them everywhere". I dont know if its a troll or Paris Hilton. Thanks to celebs like her, dogs have now become fashion accessories instead of living beings that need to be properly cared for. __________________ Proud Mommy of Gavin, Ethan, Morgan, Nia, Olivia, and Kiana and baby #7! Also Mommy to furkids: Cleo ,Lola, Lilly Appletini, and Diesel. and Sunny, Ethan's Golden therapy dog in training.

03-23-2008, 05:19 AM	#8
hha No Longer a Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Seneca, SC Posts: 2,837	I can't believe they're already 7 weeks old..Have you posted pictures of them lately? I would love to see what they look like now...

03-23-2008, 08:14 AM	#9
francis53 Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 714	Oh, I had the same experience with my last litter. I had an ad in the newspaper and every call I got seemed like was someone looking for one that would grow to be only 3 lbs. I just politely told them my puppies would probably be a bit bigger than that, you know like a normal yorkie Just hang in there, you don't want your puppies in a home where their size is the most important thing any way!! It took awhile, but I have found homes for all my girls where they will be much loved whether they stay small or grow to be a bigger yorkie!! What's really sad, is that someone will promise these people that the dog they sell them will be a "teacup" and them they will be disappointed when it isn't and the poor puppy will end up being rehomed or just not loved Good luck finding wonderful homes for your puppies! I found homes for mine thru YT where people know better

03-23-2008, 02:58 PM	#13
Nancy1999 I ♥ Joey & Ralphie! Donating Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 25,396 Blog Entries: 2	If you don't mind my asking, why are you breeding the 8-pound dog? While I don't want a teacup or a tiny, I do want a dog standard size. It seems that many on this forum think a dog in the 4-6 lb range is perfect. __________________ NancyJoey Proud members of the CrAzYcLuB and YAP! ** Just Say No to Puppymills – Join YAP! Yorkshire Terrier Club of America – Breeder Referrals

03-23-2008, 03:03 PM	#14
MyFairLacy Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 11,003	If I had puppies to sell, I wouldn't sell to anyone that inquired about a teacup. That automatically shows that they haven't done their research...they don't know enough about the breed yet and should not be buying a dog until they know what they are getting. __________________ ~Magnifique Yorkies~ Purchasing from backyard breeders, pet shops, and puppymills perpetuates the suffering of other dogs. Educate yourself and buy from reputable breeders or rescue.

03-23-2008, 03:57 PM	#15
DorkyYorkies Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 206	I agree with all of you. These people that are in the mindset of having a 2-3lb dog are just living in a dream world and they don't know what is in store for them if they do end up getting a dog that size. Why have a dog if you are just going to show it off because it's so small? That's NOT a reason to get a dog. People seriously need to get educated before going and putting money and time into something that is another LIFE that they will be responsible for. I breed the 8 pound female because she has the perfect bone structure for having puppies and I don't see a need to put a smaller female at more of a risk of losing pups or having a c-section, or other complications. This does not mean that she will necessarily produce larger pups. You have to go back in the bloodline and determine these things, and even then it is STILL a guessing game even with a tiny female AND male. There are never any guarantees no matter what. Each puppy is going to be different, just like with children. Anybody that knows anything about yorkies and has done their research will learn that yorkies were not originally these teeny tiny little dogs. Man did this to them by selective breeding and eventually bred them down and made a new "standard". What will it be next- man trying to come up with a way to make the smallest human?