While a highly sought after stud can have a big impact on the breed, the chances of it spreading disease like wildfire is pretty remote. Word does get around and the demand for a stud that was producing sick pups would go down really fast.

Now, on the other hand, a miller with a stud and 20+ breeding bitches could produce a ton of sick pups and never give it a second thought.

For the OP's question, there is no pat answer. The simple answer is that it's not as simple as that. I don't think you'll get a true perspective by just asking single questions and expecting single answers. Try to look at the whole picture, get a good understanding of all the aspects of breeding. Then you have to apply it to the dogs you have or the dogs you are seeking. While there are some general 'rules', breeding, like whelping, always has its unique circumstances to be considered.

Good for you

Did she come from a show breeder? Is the $5000 dog from a show kennel? Is he a champion?

I hope you find someone to mentor you. It sounds like you want to do it right. Keep asking questions.

That's just it....there is no simple answer to your question, too many variables to consider to give a simple "yes" or "no" answer.

You started out asking would a bitch over 7lbs be breed worthy? And without initially telling us your breeding background, specifics about your girl, etc. you were given the answer your general type question warranted. Had you initially been more specific with your information, you would have received the more direct and detailed answers that you did get after you provided more information.

I cannot take in that much info in such a short time. How did you start out? Did everyone NOT start out by taking it one step at a time? It'll be another year and a half at least before she is even bred. Please allow me to take this at my own pace without being so harsh on my simple questions.

How can people not understand my posts? Why does it have to be able rocket science to get to 1 single answer?? I CANNOT take in so much info at once! Allow me time to grow and learn! Please! I feel certain that all of you did not learn EVERYTHING in a single day!

Just keep asking questions. There are a lot of knowledgable breeders on here that will answer them. ignore all other posts.

Thank you! I do plan to find out the answers to all of these questions. I bought this puppy from a local person because the owner suddenly died of a heart attack. They needed homes for their dogs, and they needed money fast. So I jumped on it, decided it was a win win situation. I get a new puppy and they get help with their need to find homes quickly, and get money quickly for their funeral expenses.

before now I never even considered a yorkie or breeding a yorkie.

I already had 5 dogs. A yellow lab, a pom and 3 rescue dogs.

So, I got this puppy. I am just at stage 1. I am asking questions. I don't even have a clue what I am going to do. I don't want lectures. It really is as simple as me asking a few questions.

They are doing that, but they are looking for quality people who aren't interested in breeding for profit. This is not an easy thing to do. People fool people all the time. As some have pointed out, there are YTCA members with questionable breeding practices, and it sure sounds like they no longer are breeding for the right reasons if they ever did, that's why the puppy buyer can't be too impatient when looking for their next dog. Don't worry if some breeder is breeding for the wrong reasons, just don't buy from them, but don't use that as an excuse to justify your own breeding program. Look at your own breeding programs and see what you can improve,

I think many breeders could improve their programs by buying an older dog for the purpose of breeding, who has been evaluated by a knowledgeable and trustworthy individual. This can be accomplished by showing, you get a wide range of knowledgeable people, and some of them are trustworthy, so you can learn the truth. The question you should be asking is "Should this dog be bred?" The answer should always be "No" unless he is evaluated by unbiased individuals who will not be making a profit based on the decision.

I felt like it was a single straight forward question. Just keep asking them, there are plenty of people here to support you.

Furthermore, I bought my pup on the day of this man's funeral whiuch was Tuesday, just a few days ago. I went to school with his kids. Initially I was trying to help a family that needed help. I am 44 years old. Not a child. So there you have it.

I very much appreciate the people who understand where I am coming from.

I'm truely sorry that your thread has taken the turn it has and not in anyway educational and most have clouded the whole purpose of your thread, I'm sorry if I have contributed to this in anyway. I know that you are interested in learning the ins and outs of breeding correctly.

There are basics that you will need to pursue in order for you to accomplish this.

To BJH.....thank you for inviting this person to the Roving National, it's a great place for the OP to begin her search for a good mentor. One that is proficient in the breed.

Prancing is different than regular movement/ideal gaiting. If a Yorkie pranced in the ring, the judges likely would not put the dog up.

Prancing, parading, and waltzing are not an ideal gait. These terms are often used here to make light of showing, as if it is nothing more than a beauty pageant.

My post was meant to explain in a small way the importance of showing, which speaks to the entire point of kjcmsw's post: why show people do not offer up their dog's to non-show breeder to breed. Showing is the means of evaluating breeding stock, like it or not.

I'm not being harsh at all. I do understand that everyone learns in their own way. My point is that nothing (such as a slightly over standard girl) is an isolated point. Also, health and temperament have much to do with this. Temperament is very much inherited. Also, did your girl come from a line of free whelpers? Regardless of her size, how about her structure? What are her faults? What are the faults of any prospective stud?

I will say that you are being premature in thinking that you can decide by 16 weeks whether your girl is a good breeding prospect. At that age, you still have very much a puppy and have yet to see the dog that she will become. She may be a little big for her age now but stop growing early or she may shoot on up to 10 + pounds. How about her siblings from past litters? How did they turn out? Keep an eye on her, track her development and always refer to the breed standard.

For reference, a couple of good books are Joan Gordon's The Complete Yorkshire Terrier and Ann Seranne's The Joy of Breeding Your Own Show Dog. You have plenty of time to study before making any decision and these books are a very good starting point.

People understood your post just fine. It's just that they can't say positively yes or positively no. I understand your frustration, but what you see as a simple question really isn't that simple to those who breed Yorkies well. That's because no single aspect of what makes a Yorkie breed-able or not exists in isolation. And if you think things got muddled asking about weight, just wait till you get in to some of the even more confusing areas! ;)

If it were me, I would hold off on getting your little girl spayed until you have a mentor who can help you evaluate her total package. Then you can make an informed decision.


ETA: Oops, Woogie was posting the same time that I was. And as usual, said it much better than I ever could.

Thank you, Woogie. That is all very good advice. I won't rush to have her spayed. I'm a spay and neuter fanatic like most responsible pet owners, that is why I said 16 weeks. I will look for those books at Barnes and Noble.

My daughter bought an older sister. She is 3, same parents. She is 5.5 pounds. While my pup Paisley is already 4 pounds at just 13 weeks.

I have a long way to go and a lot to learn. Thank you all for the help.

Thank you, everyone! I'm not trying to be a "female dog" Its just a bit overwhelming. I appreciate this forum. :)

You might have better luck ordering online, perhaps at Amazon. Although I did find both books at my local library, and I live in the styx.

Thank you! :)

That is the problem, when just in the "thinking about it stage" one does not always know what questions to ask or how to word them.

When I decided to go to college at the age of 34, I went to the administration desk and told them I wanted to go to college. The lady asked me what questions I had. I told her that I didn't even know what questions to ask.

I needed someone to go through it from the very first step. They did not tell me that if Iwas that ignorant that I had no business even thinking about college. They sat down with me and explained every thing. Throughout the meeting, questions came to mind. But when I walked through those doors, I honestly did know even know where to begin.

Therefore: A good response would have been that it is sometimes OK to breed one that is slightly larger but you would have to know more about the dog's history to determine that. And then explaining where she needed to start, and what questions needed to be answered.

Interrogating a person or immediatly telling them that they should not be breeding is not going to get a response of "Oh, OK, I won't breed".

If they want to breed, they are going to breed. Wouldn't it be better that they get good information, from knowledgable breeders, rather than leaving them to get it from just anyone

Making derrogatory comments about non show beeders is only going start an argument and send the OP running for their life.

JeanieK - THANK YOU! :)

How do YOU know that she was ONLY meant to be a pet? You must be extremely knowledgeable to be able to tell that without even seeing her.

JeanieK.....the OP isn't completely new to breeding, as you may have been to college.

This was my first post to the OP, I may have told her not to breed but I did also tell her exactly what you suggested...that some will breed a yorkie over 7lbs, it depends upon the bitch and what she is likely to produce.

Also.....I never mentioned show breeders or non show breeders in this thread. I don't know if this part of your post was referring to me or not, but I've remained neutral on this thread in regards to show breeders/non show breeders, it wasn't really relevant to the question.

As a very strong advocate for rescue dogs then surely you know about the number of yorkies within rescues these days. I would think such a strong advocate of rescue would not consider breeding and would have pet dogs only.

My suggestion to you would be to learn as much as you can and choose your mentors wisely. There are plenty of people that will breed anything that comes there way and you surely don't want to fall in with the category of breeders. Read and learn not only about the breeding but what each breeder stands for regarding their ethics.

There have been some very informative posts regarding your original questions. I hope you move forward with your learning curve and make wise decisions regarding your little one. Best of luck to you and Welcome to YT :)

I don't rescue dogs from shelters. I rescue dogs from the side of the road. Then I put out ALL of the cost in rehab, socializing, medical care and sterilization. I live in the middle of nowhere, where dogs are tossed out of car windows. I am not familiar with the dogs in the shelters.

I'm getting just a little tired of the in your face attitude from a few here.

Maybe it would help to come down off of the high horse and speak to me as an equal rather than as a lesser.

I have the answer I needed. Thank you to those that gave me straight forward easy to understand & sincere replies. You will be the ones that i come to when I need more questions answered. Have a nice weekend! :)

If the shoe doesn't fit, then don't wear it. Those who my post was directed to know exactly who I was posting to.

Your post was very neutral, as they are in most of these threads. Others should follow your lead

I'd like to see the information remain consistent from post to post member to member thread to thread. It would be more helpful to the OPs and it would keep the thread from turning into a battle ground.

I, myself would like to learn more, but I know better than to ask the questions on here because I know how it would go. So I keep reading and looking for answers and eeking every nibble of information that I can from these threads.

I don't understand why so many are so unwilling to educate.

It's like an adolescent asking their parents for information on sex, and simply being told not to do it. the kid is curious and if they are going to do it, just telling them not to is not going to stop them. So why send them off to get their education from other kids rather than answering their questions.

If you* truely want to better the breed, then better the breeders.

*The term You is used collectively, not refrerering to any one particular "you"

Case closed . The OP has left the thread ;)

IF I decide to breed her later on, I'll be looking for a nice male to BUY. Just saying ...

And I really resent that just because I rescue, that doesn't mean I can EVER consider breeding a dog of my own. That is very, very unfair.

Jeanie (and others), thanks again for everything! :)