Should I say something or keep my mouth shut?

[baby03]

Good luck to you!! I hope you are able to work something out w/ your breeder. Never hurts to ask!

[daisysis]

We bought 2 ..same parents... They look nothing alike the female has cotton coat 7 bls very dark color, small head, the guy 12lbs long legs, wire coat, very light color and large head. but very lovable and not aa mean bone in them. so good luck

[topknot]

I have also seen where the smallest of the litter grew to be the largest and visa versa. So it is very hard to judge completely what size they would grow to be honestly. I guess she just thought you saw him and liked him and took him home. He is really cute! There is just no guarantee what size they will grow up to be. As for the ears - you sometimes have to keep the hair off the ear - shave them - while they are teething. Sometimes even tape them during this time to help them stand. But he is cute - down ears or not.
T.

[stellablu]

T - We had the groomer shave the tips of his ears when he was little, but without luck. It wasn't that big of a deal...you couldn't look at him and honestly think something was wrong with him...he's a cuddly furball with or without ears that stand. I have seen the runt of the litter turn out to be the largest, as well. I just figured since those other breeders were so confident that they could guess by the time they're ready to go to their homes, that all breeders would/should be able to do the same. Either way, she has the right to know that she has 18 lb offspring bouncing around out there...so any adjustments in breeding may be changed, if need be.

[topknot]

stellablu - Besides shaving, the ears would have needed tapping to. It is just so hard for them to go through teething - it takes a lot out of them and ears will flop. But if not supported when they need it (and not all pups will need taping) the muscle gets a fold in it and may never stand again. Like I said - he is veryyyyy cute - your pup - even with down ears. I have also know of people tapping the ears down on purpose, since they like this look too.

Size - some of us can estimate the finish size of our pups, but that is only with many years of breeders our own dogs and knowing the dogs we bred. It is anyones's guess when you have not seen a litter before from the same parents. And like I said - no breeder will guarantee the adult weight of their pups or shouldn't because it can change. Just like our own kids - we have no real idea their weight when grown - not unless you can read that crystal ball. LOL
But great idea to let the breeder know. I had one pup that grew to be 12 pounds as an adult - I knew he was going to be big, just looking at his paws, but was a surprise since mom was 4.75 pounds and sire was 5 pounds. I gave him away free to a friend of mine with 2 older kids (12 and 10). He was the perfect gift for them and now I think they live just for this dog. She brought him to work at the beginning of the year and you can tell how much he is loved. Yes, way out of standard, but had no clue when I did the breeding. Funny thing - all the others in the litter are 2 at 4 pounds and 1 at 3 pounds and then him at 12 pounds. He is a little chunky too, but cute. Go figure though! I am very careful with my breedings and he was the only stud I had at home then and I do not let them outside off the porch (second story up with closed off exit/entrance from yard). It just happens - the different sizes at times. You can do a repeat breeding too and get differerent sizes then than what you got before too. Crazy genetics.
T.

[BamaFan121s]

Originally Posted by Saleswman

Remember, they too are breeding to meet the "standard", which is as you know.....4-7 lbs.

BTW, standard is "up to 7 lbs" 4-7 lbs may be the average, but it is not the standard.
Not that it really matters here, just thought I'd mention that.

[Saleswman]

Originally Posted by BamaFan121s

BTW, standard is "up to 7 lbs" 4-7 lbs may be the average, but it is not the standard.
Not that it really matters here, just thought I'd mention that.

We can be specific here......per AKC...




Yorkshire Terrier Breed Standard
Toy Group

General Appearance
That of a long-haired toy terrier whose blue and tan coat is parted on the face and from the base of the skull to the end of the tail and hangs evenly and quite straight down each side of body. The body is neat, compact and well proportioned. The dog's high head carriage and confident manner should give the appearance of vigor and self-importance.

Head
Small and rather flat on top, the skull not too prominent or round, the muzzle not too long, with the bite neither undershot nor overshot and teeth sound. Either scissors bite or level bite is acceptable. The nose is black. Eyes are medium in size and not too prominent; dark in color and sparkling with a sharp, intelligent expression. Eye rims are dark. Ears are small, V-shaped, carried erect and set not too far apart.

Body
Well proportioned and very compact. The back is rather short, the back line level, with height at shoulder the same as at the rump.

Legs and Feet
Forelegs should be straight, elbows neither in nor out. Hind legs straight when viewed from behind, but stifles are moderately bent when viewed from the sides. Feet are round with black toenails. Dewclaws, if any, are generally removed from the hind legs. Dewclaws on the forelegs may be removed.

Tail
Docked to a medium length and carried slightly higher than the level of the back.

Coat
Quality, texture and quantity of coat are of prime importance. Hair is glossy, fine and silky in texture. Coat on the body is moderately long and perfectly straight (not wavy). It may be trimmed to floor length to give ease of movement and a neater appearance, if desired. The fall on the head is long, tied with one bow in center of head or parted in the middle and tied with two bows. Hair on muzzle is very long. Hair should be trimmed short on tips of ears and may be trimmed on feet to give them a neat appearance.

Colors
Puppies are born black and tan and are normally darker in body color, showing an intermingling of black hair in the tan until they are matured. Color of hair on body and richness of tan on head and legs are of prime importance in adult dogs, to which the following color requirements apply:

Blue: Is a dark steel-blue, not a silver-blue and not mingled with fawn, bronzy or black hairs.

Tan: All tan hair is darker at the roots than in the middle, shading to still lighter tan at the tips. There should be no sooty or black hair intermingled with any of the tan.

Color on Body
The blue extends over the body from back of neck to root of tail. Hair on tail is a darker blue, especially at end of tail.

Headfall
A rich golden tan, deeper in color at sides of head, at ear roots and on the muzzle, with ears a deep rich tan. Tan color should not extend down on back of neck.

Chest and Legs
A bright, rich tan, not extending above the elbow on the forelegs nor above the stifle on the hind legs.

Weight
Must not exceed seven pounds.

Approved April 12, 1966


Feel free to edit this if you would like....

[BamaFan121s]

Not really sure what that was all about? Sorry if I somehow offended you...? I'm not really sure what you're expecting...'feel free to edit this?'

[Saleswman]

Just what I said.......this may be written other places differently, and can be stated differently by others.....

We are saying the same thing......but, most of the time it is considered "the breed standard."

Its somantics.....is all.

[JESSY_RN2B]

I doesn't hurt to ask..........you may be surprised. Good luck!

[sassypup]

I too would express my concerns to this breeder but then go to another breeder who can better suit your needs.

[rox626]

I believe you posted earlier in this thread that you started working with him to be around your little pets when he was seven weeks old? Is that when you brought him home? Just the fact that the breeder let you bring home such a young puppy doesn't show that she's very responsible. It sounds like he's a great dog but young puppies should stay with the rest of the litter a few more weeks even if Mom isn't feeding them.

This breeder really can't be blamed for his size if he was that young when you got him. As you already know the smallest can become the biggest and vice versa. The younger they are, the harder it is to predict it. I hope you let us know how the rest of the story turns out.

[stellablu]

He was born November 6th, and I brought him home January 9th. I went to visit him twice before bringing him home. Once with my then boyfriend and daughter when he was five weeks old, second with one of my rats and daughter at about seven weeks old, third time was to pick-up. So, it was nine weeks, which isn't much more than seven.

I'll keep everyone updated.

[sweetsophia]

Originally Posted by stellablu

A more humane option to culling it.

WHAT!@#%* Is that even an option?

[stellablu]

Originally Posted by sweetsophia

WHAT!@#%* Is that even an option?

Not for anyone I know, or care to know. It's an option you hear about with puppy mills or completely insane breeders. I am quite sure it is still practiced, and quite often, out there. I remember my parents being friends with a dog breeder and in South Carolina at that time, they were quite casual about culling livestock, as well as breeding stock. She mentioned destroying puppies that were not meeting the color or disposition that she expected from the breed. My mom understood farm life, but found this lady's option completely repulsive. They ended their friendship quietly and never spoke with her again, both of my parents being animal lovers new that spaying/neutering that puppy was much more humane than ending their lives, for what...a few black hairs in the wrong place? I can't remember what breed it was (my parents bred papillons and beagles, one dedicated to each breed) and they socialized with other breeders for tips in breeding, conformation, and such. My parents are true animal lovers and just couldn't fathom this behavior coming from a person who truly cared for her dogs. If I remember correctly, this woman also bred Paso Finos like my dad and she had a horse put down because the mare failed to reproduce on a few tries.

I didn't mean to suggest it was a trait I'd expect from a breeder, but I would not be surprised to see it in the hobby/trade these days.