Agreed! :thumbup: And the point that many are ultra selective about aquiring a quality representation of the breed, to me, is a very POSTIVE thing.

Not to mention that due to the popularity of the breed, there is an abunance of Yorkies for sale these days.

This is where having interested parties and a waiting list BEFORE breeding comes in handy.

Where is Hastings? Canada?

That may in fact be the case, but you will be hard pressed to convince a prospective owner to gamble with their money that way. Someone who is stringently looking for a dog that meets the standard will not likely be willing to take the chance. Also, as you mentioned, you don't know how big they will be as adults and will not guarantee that, which is understandabe, but not convincing to would-be owners if they have the option of working with a more experienced breeder who would have a better indication of how their pups will develop.
You do have several factors working against you.:(

The economy is bad right now and the market is flooded with people breeding pet quality or poorly breed Yorkies. When so many people (puppymills, etc)breed pet quality yorkies and sell them at low costs which doesn't even cover expenses for reputable breeders it does change the selling market all over. Puppymills make their money from mass producing a bunch of puppies rather then selling one good quality healthy puppy. It's these low prices from mass producing that just makes the market bad. Since you are new to breeding you may need to advertise them elsewhere to establish yourself.

Your right about people wanting tinies these days. I personally am appaulled at how many calls I receive from people wanting hamster sized yorkies. I breed to the standard size and occassionally I do get one thats tiny, but I keep them longer and make sure I place them in proper homes. The fact that your breeding to standard is a good start IMO. Keep your chin up and make sure you find those babies the best homes you can...Good luck!

I am not so picky! I have been looking for a little girl. Are you in Hastings, Ne? Could you send me pics? I have a little boy Norm we lost his sister(Saint Bernard) in Sept. He is lonely and he is the only puppies his mom ever had. We got him from my mother in law who has since passed and we love him very much. Please get back to me, I cant wait to see them. I will see where you live, I am kind of worried about shipping pets. Maybe your close enough to drive.

I was thinking Hastings Minnesota? IDK!

I'm in hastings nebraska and I have posted pics of them in the gen. discussion forum. Any my opinion is, anyone that guarantees their dogs size is taking on something that I don't want to.. There is no way, ever, to know how big a pup will be when it gets to adulthood. You can guess... and go by parents sizes, but I would never guarantee something that isn't a for sure thing.. And as far as their ears, I know people want dogs that are "breed standard" but there are alot who don't care.. I don't care either way.. I don't show my dogs and never have any intention on doing so and that's all that's good for. I didn't shave their ears when they were pups because I didn't know you were supposed to. However, I did shave the ones I was going to keep and their ears were up in two days.. So, I guess I will just wait until someone comes along that loves them for who they are and not what their ears look like. ( didn't shave others ears because didn't want them to go to new homes looking silly)

I think you will sell your puppies and I dont think they are gonna be too big. You double the weight at 12 weeks that would make them 6lbs. Thats not big My girl is that weight and I like that weight. Just be patient some good buyers will come around

That's not true. Reputable breeders know their lines and carefully breed to produce puppies as close to the standard as possible. A reputable breeder can predict pretty accurately what a puppy's adult size will be. She will know if her lines grow quickly and stop growing early or grow into their second year.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
That was what I was trying to point out.

Well, maybe you guys are right. All I know is that I have heard from different people on here that the growth chart isn't accurate, that they can either have growth spurts or slow down on growing, and that they can also have genes from ancestors that can make them get bigger than expected.. I don't know.. I just feel like a 6 lb dog whether it's on the higher end of standard or not is still standard, and it's not very big... Many people on here have also told me that it's not healthy to breed a 2-3 lb female and that pups that small can have health problems.. So, I don't know what to believe or what not to believe.. I've had experienced breeders tell me different things on several occasions.

You are right. That's why knowing your lines (your dogs' ancestors) is so important to predicting adult weight. We get members here all the time who buy puppies from byb's or hobby breeders and end up with a 12 pound Yorkie even though the parents were half that size. You have to know the gene pool to predict adult size, temperament and future health of your puppies.

i am not trying to sound mean but just wanted to say if you are breeding to make money...its not going to happen...trust me...i think i am in serious debt from breeding...hehe

and don't worry about them only be 13 weeks...just take your time....

i had a litter of Maltese back in July of last year....still have the female until last week...she finally found her forever home in NY....she is being shipped tomorrow morning...and she is almost 7 months...

i love my furbutts so i don't rush things...if its meant to be then it will happen...good luck and keep us posted!

You are right on that...I agree with you. 6 lbs is a healthy size, standard Yorkie, IMO. :)

I'm definately not breeding to make money. I did think it would be a little easier to sell them than it has been, but with the vet bills, food, etc. I wouldn't be making much if anything from them.

Shaving the hair off on the top 1/3 of the ear is part of the grooming standard. They will not look silly, and will help the ears stand.
I know some say they don't care about standard, but it is actually the "breed standard" that gives the look of the Yorkie we all fell in love with, even if you don't Show. Showing is not all that the breed standard is good for, pet homes deserve a well bred Yorkie too!
Good luck finding homes for your babies, I'm sure the economy hasn't helped!

:thumbup::thumbup:

The breed standard is a blueprint of how a Yorkie is supposed to look, a "recipe" if you will. If you don't follow a recipe exactly to make a cake, it won't turn out the way it is supposed to.

This article was written by a Maltese breeder, but explains it well:

Maltese Show Dog Versus Maltese Pet.....What is the difference?

Fantastic article and well said!!

I am sorry to hear you are having a hard time selling your babies. I think that holds true for a lot of breeders these days. Once the Amish and everybody and their mother decided to go into the dog breeding business I think customers just don't no who to trust so they look for the smallest at the cheapest price. I am sure the right people will come along to purchase your babies. Maybe it is in the way you are advertising and where. Good Luck I have 2 litters I am getting ready to advertise myself and I no things have really changed in the last 5 years. My phone use to ring off the hook now you get a few calls and it doesn't matter if you have the cutest and heathiest its all about the price. SO sad!

Screen potential buyers
 

I have just had a litter of pups. They are 2 weeks old. I have placed ads to sell them I have gotten a lot of inquiries. However, I do not want to place a yorkie even though this person is willing to "PAY" for it with small children in the home. I rescued a Pom a few years back from a home with two boys that were 2 & 4 they would pick this puppy up around the neck I just cringed. I can't see placing an innocent baby in this sort of home. I know there are people that have well behaved children and try to teach them about animals the other concern is children at that age are not as aware of a small dog around them when they are busting the door open to get to the bathroom, for that matter many adults are not either.

I suppose I am screening potential buyers for the well being of the pet. I have made several people angry because I would not take a deposit for a dog for that very situation.

There are those that want the tiny yorkies...They are completely unaware of the health problems that can arise with one that is very small. Most of them don't even realize that they can't be placed on a couch, bed, etc and be left alone they are like infants, with a toddler behavior, I can just go right off the edge it will be fun....If someone wants to say can I get the dog for $100 because I can't afford it but I want one that is only going to be 2 lbs. There is no way they can afford medical bills should they arrive from one that small.

I will keep the puppies if I can't find someone that will be good to them. I love the breed. I suppose if I was just breeding for money I wouldn't care who gets them.

Is there any one that puts guidelines out as to what the perspective buyer must have or not have?????

When I bought my two it was the eyes of my female that attracted me.. The second one was brought back to the breeder because they didn't want him. I don't see how someone could not have wanted him.

I also prefer not to place my puppies in homes with toddlers but I do make exceptions. If the prospective buyer has had small dogs before and is knowledgeable about how to care for them then I will make an exception. If someone calls that wants to buy a puppy for their 3 year old child and they have never owned a small house dog then I say no. You also have to consider the age and the size of the puppy. I think the bigger yorkies fair much better around children than the small ones that will be under 5 lbs grown.

I also have a problem selling a puppy to someone that works all day and the puppy would be left alone for 8 to 10 hours. If a person works but can come home at lunch or have a spouse come home during the day to check on the puppy then I have no problem with that. The biggest problem is getting prospective buyers to be completely honest with their home situations. Many prospective buyers just tell you what they think you want to ear.

[QUOTE=bjh;2477383]I also prefer not to place my puppies in homes with toddlers but I do make exceptions. If the prospective buyer has had small dogs before and is knowledgeable about how to care for them then I will make an exception. If someone calls that wants to buy a puppy for their 3 year old child and they have never owned a small house dog then I say no. You also have to consider the age and the size of the puppy. I think the bigger yorkies fair much better around children than the small ones that will be under 5 lbs grown.

I also have a problem selling a puppy to someone that works all day and the puppy would be left alone for 8 to 10 hours. If a person works but can come home at lunch or have a spouse come home during the day to check on the puppy then I have no problem with that. QUOTE]

The biggest problem is getting prospective buyers to be completely honest with their home situations. Many prospective buyers just tell you what they think you want to ear.[/
would you consider asking the buyer if you could meet at their house? just curious...

I agree it is the economy. One potential buyer strung me along for a week and finanally said she bought a Yorkie for 300 dollars and I told her she gets what she pays for. It just so happens my vet knew her and I ask the vet how she was getting along with her new pup. The vet started carrying on about how sick this pup was, kennel cough, demodex,worms, etc. It was undernourished. I never did get the name of who sold the pup to this lady,, but I sure would like to know. I am sure this lady will incur more vet bills than what she would have paid for one of mine. I agree about reputation of the breeder. My vet reccomends me every chance she gets and lets me post my litters at her office. I have business cards that I give out to all my customers and I have gotten business off satisfied customers. But all that takes time, dog breeding is a long term business, a lifetime commitment. "All a breeder has of value is their reputation."

try the internet
 

Puppy find is a good site and you can have people pay the shipping of $250.00 or $300.00 depending on what airline you use. You can find good homes for your puppies still. If you have a ditigal camara and a computer. Dress up the scenery and you can do well. Go and look there and see what you think.