I am positive EVERYONE here had the same question when they realized her female was possibly pregnant the first time. It doesn't mean ignorance--if anything it means true concern.
I don't agree with you on this statement. If one has begun their breeding journey by obtaining a mentor, studying and gaining as much knowledge prior to their first breeding, this question would have been answered.

Just what IS the purpose of YorkieTalk forums? If it is to solely encourage the responsible breeding of Yorkshire Terriers then a statement bearing that mission should be a popup to read and acknowledge before permission to post is granted. Otherwise you are going to have inane questions being asked over and over.

While YT is an open forum, the one thing members have in common is their passion for the breed, their safety and welfare.

These questions are asked over and over again, there is a library with said information. One only has to perform a search.

Gone out and bought another puppy? Perhaps.

Oh, I definitely agree with you on being prepared for everything. You're right that no two pregnancies are the same. And, yes, I realize that the life of Jorja and her pups are in my hands.

And no, with all of "this" going on I do not believe I can give her all the attention she needs. That's why I have the vet and the "mentorship" (if that's what you want to call it) of a friend who has bred and whelped Yorkies in the past. My ideal situation would be to sit and hold her and stroke her all day long. My ideal situation would be to create a calm and quiet whelping area for her. I will do what I can to the best of my ability with the help from the people (IRL) who have agreed to see us through this. The thing is is that it's taking place a few months before we were planning on it.

Did you ever think someone would just like to "chat" about things like signs of pregnancy? Like, "oh, I didn't think about that" and "no, she hasn't done that yet." Maybe it's just an "opening" for establishing (or trying to) a relationship with other who enjoy the breed.

Then there really is no need for a question/answer posting ability. Maybe all the correct and helpful information should be cataloged and archived and the "chatting" capabilities removed. Perhaps it should just be a library without the reference librarians.

But Mary - that would mean people would actually have to do a search. That is way tooooo much effort/work. It is just easier to make a new post and your reponses pop up. Wow, how nice! Even some people may even give you the link, making it even easier. I feel that we live in a world now where the new generations want everything now and me, me, me. Work,,, what is that. And it is always someone's else fault. Do I aound a bit sarcastic...??? My kids are subject to this too, so I know.

It is amazing, when I wanted to learn about this breed, its standard, breeding, showing, etc... I went out and did the work to find my anwers. I read and observed, and waited to do breeding until I had some knowledge by experts in the field. I asked nicely for their guidance and help and I took their advice to heart.

You have valid points.

Have you gone out and read whelping books yet?? I would not wait and just for your vet and your mentor to tell you what to do? There are some great books out there. Be sure some of the books you get are breed specific. You need to be prepared, because what if your vet is out of town or has his own emergency. They do have another life. I know since my vet one had to go out of town to help his sisiter with her dog when I needed him. And your mentor too, might not be there, especially if it is late or early morning. And that seems to be the most popular time for these bitches to whelp. Do you have all your whelping tools/supplies ready? Do you know what to do if there is a problem? Do you know what problems they can have? Do you have things ready for the pups? There is a lot to do in the next few months and it quickly gets here. Before you know it, she will be having pups.

:yelrotflmIsn't that the truth! Instant access to everything! Don't have to crack open a book and read through every word to sift out the answers you want! Indeed it is a sign of the times in our technologically advanced/interpersonal relationship-defunct world.

My poor kids are subject to it as well...I think everyone is, really!

I'm afraid to ask for guidance here though. Most of the questions I do/did have I found answers to by reading the archived posts, doing the search, checking out books from the public libraries, doing google searches and reading what I can find. Like I said in another reply, if all the questions are answered elsewhere then what's the point of the posting capabilities?

I too share the common thread of enjoying the Yorkie breed. I have never even liked dogs of any kind until my daughter's boyfriend gave her Jett. I fell in love with his precious little face, his furry feet, his soft hair, his intelligent mind, and his tender and gentle heart. He got me hooked on Yorkies! I just thought it would be nice to come here and actually interact with others who share that love for the breed.

I guess I'm of a different opinion. I don't usually chat about such things. If I have questions, I go to my mentor. I usually go to her or my repro vet.

The library was put in place with reference material for all YT members to use. It's a pity that it isn't used.

I just had a thought about your comment, Mary. While it is true that this information can be found all over cyberspace, it might be prudent for the moderators here at YorkieTalk.com to make it a sticky or a mandatory "READ THIS FIRST" type of thing. Here is why:

When one does a google (or any search engine) search for "Yorkshire Terrieres" or "Yorkies" because of the popularity and wealth of information of this site YT.COM comes up as a first result...that's why 1) it's a popular site and 2) there needs to be some kind of disclaimer or warning about asking redundant questions. (I know that in the FAQ section the suggestion of doing a search of threads before posting a question is mentioned..but who really reads the FAQ's before jumping in? Besides that it needs to be "IN YOUR FACE" obvious...not something in and of itself to be searched out.) JMHO

I understand and respect that. I guess I'm more chatty and like to visit...probably to a fault. ;)


Is there a place/way to make the library more user-friendly? More conspicuous? I have no idea how a forum is set up or run...

You need to ask yourself where will your vet or your friend be at 2 A.M. and your girl goes into labor. Better yet, ask yourself where YOU will be at that time.

What I'm seeing is a totally inexperienced person, with a lot on their plate and a too small girl that is likely pregnant. If you you want to see her through this, you have to clear your schedule to be there for her, no matter what else is going on. What you describe as 'ideal' is in fact necessary, along with many other things. And don't think for a minute that it stops when the pups are born. A great many of us have lived on naps for days on end hand feeding pups, have driven ourselves crazy trying to get a picky Mom to eat, fretted over a pup not thriving...the list goes on and on.

I'm unsure why you are asking these questions on this forum if you have a friend that bred Yorkies. Do you not trust their mentorship? The bottom line is that if you are asking such basic questions as that in your other thread, then you are unprepared, despite the people you cited. Time to get cracking on your research and fully understand the depth of dedication involved to not only help whelp this litter but see the pups through to their going to their new homes.

The library is located on the first page of the forum. It's the second link, right under "Yorkie News and Announcements" It's a section unto it's self with some of the best topics stickied for everyone to go to. There are only 2 pages, so it's easy to look through.

Just scroll through it to see if what you need is there.

Here are just a few of the topics there:

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...-answered.html

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...t-breeder.html

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...er-remedy.html


They are good topics that will help you in asking questions of your mentor.

Good points; however, this is the personal opinion (not facts) of one Cindy Moore who is obviously doing her part for the pet population. Kudos to her.

By your standards, perhaps. But again, that is a personal opinion.

Yes. Earlier, when we were considering spaying Jorja we had them both evaluated/examined by the two vets and a breeder who was neither dog's breeder.

Required by whom? Kennel Clubs? I don't care if my yorkies are registered or shown for that matter and I will not be suggesting to anyone who takes one of Jorja's pups that they are so that is a moot point. A good veterinarian (even though not breed-specific in her/his training & education) will be able to diagnose orthopedic, visual, liver, and any other problems. Which neither of these two Yorkies have.

No, a smear was not done in time, much to my chagrin.

Like I said in an earlier reply, it's too bad that this kind of questioning is not done on people before they reproduce. Sheesh!

At times, Christmas, Thangsgiving, Birthdays aren't celebrated; my girls tend to have the audacity of deciding to whelp on these days. The best layed plans go by the wayside.

Sleep????? What's that, especially if a litter needs to be hand raised. When this happens and the pups are lapping on their own, my husband and I look at each other and wonder how we got through it without divorcing. Taking shifts for napping as well as caring for the dam and other dogs.

I know. When you fall so hard for those precious little faces and tender hearts you know it's going to be up and down!


You know, that thought did cross my mind when I first suspected she might be pregnant.