Does Size Really Matter?

[ARCHIE]

Yes, I did research on Yorkies. I bought several books and went on line.
I did not read anywhere about the size! No where! I did not find YT until
AFTER I purchased Buddy. I thought all Yorkies were small. I have had
only rescues in the past. Did not know anything about AKC.
I wanted a sweet, beautiful, healthy Yorkie. That is exactally what I
purchased and what I got. Buddy is 15lbs and perfectly healthy and
beautiful. When I read people here who buy from some breeders and get
sick standard or tiny dogs is makes me ill. I am very fortunate but I did
know what to look for. Color of coat, clear eyes, ears, teeth, gums, docked
tail. All of those were just perfect according to all the books I read.
I delibertely picked him out because he was bigger. I did not want a little
thing that I would step on. They were all around the same age, 4-4/1/2
months. He stood out. He was just adorable. Yes, I paid $1,400.00 for him
and have not been sorry for one minute now that I know the standard is 7lbs
and under. To be perfectly honest, I would have kept looking for a larger
one then even if I knew. The personality, no shedding, beautiful coat,
sweet face and part terrier is exactally what I was looking for.
That is what I bought and I thank heavens everyday he is just perfect
and healthy.
Everyone has personal preferences. A Yorkie is a Yorkie no matter what
the size. A 15lb dog is small. I would put health before size anyday.
If I were to get another I would not buy one that did not get to atleast
10lbs. It seems to me that size lately is becoming the most important
aspect of a Yorkie to some. Somehow health needs to become #1.

However, I will admitt, I had no idea he would reach 15lbs.
I was told around 10-12 which was just perfect for me.

[zoeybear]

I think it is perfectly reasonable to expect your yorkie to conform to the breed standard. Sometimes that doesnt happen. I think most of us love them anyway, big, small, and in between. The size is a personal preference. It matters more to some and less to others. I think we all just want a healthy baby in the end. You are right about the fact that adult size is very unpredictable. You never know for sure what you are going to get, you just love it so much it doesn't matter anymore.

[hha]

Well written Carol...!

[Meggie]

I think to a certain extent that size does matter.
The Kennel Club standard, & I presume the American one too, says "up to 7lb"
and I think the aim at least should be to breed within the standard. I know not all puppies turn out that way, but I think the aim at least should be to try to preserve the breed as it was intended by the people who went to all the trouble to develop this lovely little breed.
There will always be puppies born that grow bigger, bound to happen when there are Clydesdales, Paisleys etc in the ancestry, and these make perfect pets for people who want a more robust little dog. But if you don't consider size then the breed could alter beyond being a toy dog, there are lots you see over here that are as big as my Cairns & wouldn't look out of place being shown in the terrier group.

I suppose I am a bit overly concerned about preserving breeds. This is because my other breed, Skye Terriers which I show & breed, has now been placed on the "Native Breeds At Risk" register at the Kennel Club it is so in danger of dying out. In some recent years there have been less than 50 puppies registered for the whole year, this year only two litters so far.

I know yorkies are more popular so not at risk but, being one of our native breeds here in the North of England, I would hate for them to change beyond recognition.

[Ples]

I did not mean to be harsh and I think this is a wonderful place to ask questions and receive advice. I do it myself. I would think everyone would agree it takes just a little time to find out the basics about a breed, any breed, or any type of animal for that matter, before we buy. There is wonderful information available to everyone about what can be expected from certain breeds. I apologize if I seemed harsh, but I do believe that research before we buy is only common sense.

[BamaFan121s]

I think that it is important to strive for the size/weight that fits the standard in order to preserve a Yorkie as it is defined. You hear alot about it because either 1) Someone who thought they were getting a Yorkie (defined as under 7 pounds) got a 12 pounder--a result of someone NOT striving for that and probably lying to the new owner or 2) You have people dead set on having a 3 pound dog they can tote in their purse easily. Neither set of circumstances are good ones.

For the record, YES, I did research (for years) first on what a "yorkie" should be so that I would know what to look for.

I don't think that 'size' makes the dog any lesser a dog in regards to temperament, behavior, health or any other of the numberous factors. That being said however, I do think it is something that should be somewhat of a focus, just not the ONLY point of focuse to the point that it becomes an obsession.

[Sookie]

I think most responsible breeders with their own line can tell with accuracy how big the puppies will be full grown.

[a_jgonzalez]

Originally Posted by grayxie

and some prefer the little ones just for vanity.

I know what you mean, and I hate it when these snooty people walk around with a dog that looks just sickly, and think this is okay. I have a very thin small yorkie but I didn't purchase him to be small I thought he would be a more average 5 lb..... but I make sure to tell everyone when they come up to me that he is NOT a TEACUP because in all reality these people don't know the breed and there is no such thing.

[Yorkiekids]

I agree. Unless you plan on showing your baby in an AKC show, what difference does it make? They're all extremely loveable.

[Wylie's Mom]

Yes, size can matter. If you're showing or breeding, size does matter.

As a pet, size can matter too. If you have a larger yorkie and want a second one - but you travel - often times people might look for a smaller one as the second yorkie. If a person is "older" (like my mother in law), she wants to make sure that the yorkie is big enough to jump up on furniture, but small enough so that it will be comfortable for her to pick up (so, ideally, in the 4-5 pound range).

So, yes, size can matter - but it certainly doesn't deter how big the love is, bc that always trumps size!

[mizzwanned]

Originally Posted by hha

What is really sad, just makes me downright mad..a couple years ago we went to Myrtle Beach, they were having this dog show where they were judging them all dressed up..This lady had 3 yorkies, I commented on how cute they were..She was holding a very tiny one..I said oh a little pup, she said no, she's a year old and one pound and she's going to have a baby..I said YOU KNOW, THAT CAN KILL HER...She said, well the vet said he will do a c-section on her..I thought to myself, what an idiot..! I have wondered about that poor little yorkie off and on for the last 2 years, wondering if she ever survived having a baby..

That's horible!

[labrown]

Little ones need just as much love as the big ones! It isn't the yorkie's fault what size they end up, and it IS like a cracker jack box. No one can say, they WILL be this size until they are at least 10 months old.

That's like saying to a man, I can't date you because you are too tall! You have no idea what kind of love you might miss out on!

[schldrs]

I asked a question about size yesterday, because I was curious. I didn't want to spend a lot of money on XXS clothes and need XS clothes. I love Harley with all my heart. I also work with computers for a living so it isn't unusual for me to ask "stupid" questions. Sorry if I offended you as it was not my intention.

[labrown]

Originally Posted by schldrs

I also work with computers for a living so it isn't unusual for me to ask "stupid" questions.

[KathyinCali]

I think it is a natural curiosity for new owners and what better place to ask than a room full of Yorkie Lovers

There are as many questions about color on here as far as I can tell....I haven't been on here very long but so far I haven't seen anyone get the opinion that their Yorkie will be bigger and say "OMG I'm going to have to take her/him back"! Maybe there have been but I haven't read it yet.

I think too that many of us (well at least myself) came to YT having a misconception of what is "small". 5-7 lbs. sounded big to me when I got here but after meeting people with 5 lbs. Yorkies they really are "small". My own perception of size has changed since coming here. I have a 3.5 lb 8 month old and hoping she gains another 1/2 lb or so. At this point I'm smitten and don't care how big she ends up...lol