Should Breeders Belong to the YTCA?
 

Someone just posted on another thread that breeders are ethically obligated to uphold the "breed standard" as set forth by the YTCA just as an attorney has to abide by the rules and ethics set forth by their State Bar Association.

The trouble I see with that analogy is that attorneys have to be members of their State Bar to practice law in their states. Most breeders are not members of the YTCA.

Why are not all breeders members of the YTCA if the breed standard is the only acceptable ethical rule for reputable yorkie breeding? Should this be a requirement and if it is not then why is not okay to leave yorkies tails undocked if that is your choice and breed chocolates, partis and tri-colors, etc?

I am not a breeder but I am a consumer and a companion pet owner and a yorkie breed fancier.

My this is a hard one.... In some ways I think yes as YTCA has certain ethics and breeding practices, health testing.... that are required to be a member. I think all breeders should be held up to some standard to protect the breed we all love.

But then I also say no, as we have breeders on YT and all over who are not members of the YTCA who are still responsible and ethical breeders. Should they not be allowed to breed just because they are not YTCA members? I think they should be able to still breed and not be a member and I don't not see anything wrong with it as long as their breeding practices are ethical.

The standard is the written genetic map for breeders to be able to continue to breed what the essence of the Yorkshire Terrier is. It was basically made prior to the existence of the YTCA. Its not necessary to belong to the club to understand the importance of the written standard for the breed.


The temperament of the Yorkshire Terrier is described in the standard right in its name. If your educated in dogs (as you should be for breeding) you know that even though its classified as a toy, it should have the temperament of a terrier. This is a feisty, confident, arrogant, playful, stubborn, vermin hunter.
This is why in the description its states the head should be carried high with self importance.

The tail was docked so to avoid injury to the thin area when pulling it from a hole or place with a catch in its mouth. It should be medium length because that's what a hand would comfortably grab hold of. Current times lends itself to lean toward undocked tails in some places.

As far as looks goes in the standard. If a Yorkie is unsound it doesn't move properly. An unsound dog will not get the correct structure, movement, muscle tone, or be strong enough to handle the show circuit. This is where breeding quality is judged. Thats what they were created for. If your dog is of breeding quality as compared to the standard, not just a beauty show. Although I will admit IMO its now more of a sport than it was originally intended.

These things and more are important to pass on to future generations to keep the Yorkshire Terrier what it is, and should be.


As for off colors and such I have no problem with them being a variety, but not change the standard as it is now to include them all together.

Me and another member went to a YTCA club meeting this weekend and had a great time. These people are so welcoming and friendly and giving. They have beautiful dogs with great temperament. Not that breeders that are not YTCA don't but you just see the difference in the breeding. Having said that I don't believe that breeders HAVE to be part of the YTCA to breed but I think there should be some kind of organization that will more closely monitor breeders and their practices. I know YTCA concentrates more on the show dog breeding but maybe if there was another organization focused on just breeding healthy happy pets, I would hope ALL breeders would be required to join. JMO

:yeahthat: :p

Ytca
 

VainChick are you sure it was YTCA meeting? They are only held in NY in Feb. If I am not mistaken. If this has changed I missed it. In fact you can not attend a meeting unless you are a member or being put up for membership.

Perhaps, it was a regional Yorkie club..I am a member of the YTC of the Nations Capitol and plan to join the Gold Coast here in Florida..you may attend regional meetings in some areas to meet people in hopes to join.

The standard existed long before any clubs...I perfer NOT to belong to clubs..but felt pressured to join when I started showing.

Yes it was YTCA of northern California and another YT member and I were welcomed as guests in hopes of becoming members of the regional division. None the less their yorkies were still beautiful whether part of the NY main club or a regional. There were puppies and adults and they were all just perfect. I'm with Pink martini on this one. I think breeders should be part of an organization like that, for the love of the breed. If it's just for profit and not for the love of the dog, I don't think they have any business breeding any dogs.

Got ya..
 

I see...it was the other way around where I lived..sorry, you are most certainly correct.

It's ok :D They had the most beautiful yorkies by the dozen. The YT member and I just had jaws to the ground at how well tempermented they were and just how structurally beautiful they were. Just amazed.

Pardon me if I am confused, but by my reading I think those of us who consider ourselves "hobby breeders" would not be welcomed in YTCA. They seem to be saying we do not care about breed standards and such. They do not condone breeding "in the home." I notice also on their web site they have drawn up a letter to formally oppose PAWS. It seems to be their stand is that they take care of their own by having their own rescue organizations. PAWS would take care of (and save)yorkies that do not fit the breed standard and would thus weaken the breed.
Perhaps I am reading more into it than is there but anyone can read what they say at: www.ytca.org

Jeanne

The reason they probably wouldn't be welcomed (hobby breeders) is because the standard isn't kept up the way it's supposed to with a yorkie. JIMO. Too many hobby breeders do it for profit (not generalizing but there's too many of those kinds). The YTCA prides itself in their regulations and great looking yorkies as a result of great and CAREFUL breeding.

TOUGH SUBJECT! but i have to agree with vainchick5 and pinkmartini! took the words right outta me mouth ;)

That's a good point and what I have heard also. The YTCA members make it difficult to become a member and they "protect" their club. It is my opinion that most, not all, hobby breeders care just as much about the breed and their dogs as the show breeders and that most, but not all, show breeders, care about the breed AND the dogs. There are bad apples in both barrels so to speak, but to say "all hobby breeders" care only about money is not accurate and is unfair.

Showing dogs is a hobby and if you are not making money when you breed (as most on here would argue that show breeders don't), then, by definition, you are a "hobby" breeder so these YTCA members who show and breed are hobby breeders too.

clubs
 

Few Yorkie clubs ask non show breeders to join.
I can not recall more then one or two in 20 yrs who did not show..but they had good friends who wanted them in the club.

Here, in Florida I am told the Gold Coast club is very open to pet owners..but not pet breeders. My first meeting is Wednesday and I am going to ask more questions as I have a non-showing, pet lover, friend who wants to join.

I would be curious to hear what they say. Thanks Pat.

If you want to be a member , you have to be sponsored by 2 members .

Took the words right out of my mouth.

I am 100% with you . Peoples should breed for the better of the breed .

So should chocolates and reds and partis and tri-colors NOT be bred?

kathy-very well said
I was thinking the same thing. I know that you can have, breed, and love Quarter Horses and not be in the AQHA, but if you want to show you have to join, but they don't have any rules about who can join you just have to pay a membership fee. I don't think hobby breeders are necessarily just in it to make money. They probably fell in love with a pet and thought others would like one like there pet or like to have pups around. However, if they don't at least follow the standard somewhat the dogs they end up with will be hard to disifer as yorkies. The most important thing is that when you buy a yorkie you want to be able to tell someone that it is a yorkie and not have that person go "really are you sure".

club
 

Terri Shumsky left the club..I admired her alot..she told me you do not have to be a member to achieve your goal in Yorkies. I am pro club memebership, but would not lose any sleep if I couldn't get in..anyway, like Groucho Marx used to say.."I would not want to be a part of any club who wanted me for a member".. I love that LOL

You forgot "or do they think its cruel".

Sorry, but I had to say it since I saw the cutest min pin yesterday with huge floppy ears and a long tail like a mouse's.

:thumbup:

I agree. And I missed you!!! Glad you're back! :D

Vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
 

Oh, Villette we missed you so much!
Welcome Home...

Welcome back Villette...we all missed you and had funny stories that you'll have to catch up on...for example...my princesses butt crack breath from bully sticks..yup yup..lots of funny stuff.