a breeder of Tiny yorkies

[shelbysmom]

Originally Posted by feminvstr

so tell me something please...if my average adult size pup is 3.5-5.5 lbs depending on whom Ive bred. Within that breeding I had a female runt for $3000 would anyone of you be interested in paying that amount?? Would any of you bust me for it knowing my top price usually far below that...Would you think any less of me as a breeder if I merely price this puppy for its lack of size, because its what the market will bare!

just curious!!

please answer truthfully

Depends on more than size. If you were referred to me, if you also showed dogs, if you were located in Southern CA, if the pups temperment was what I wanted and I liked the "look" of your dogs I would. I wouldn't go all the way to Oregon to spend what I can spend here.

(you wanted me to be honest right?)

I don't think "showing" dogs makes a breeder more legitimate. It would just be one piece of the puzzle. If you show, then there is a link to you from other breeders. I would definitely consider buying from a breeder that didn't show their dogs but references would be even more important.

I wanted a Yorkie that was small and cute. Everyone's idea of cute is different and my idea of cute is pretty expansive...there are some looks I wouldn't want as my own. I saw several prospective (?) tinies during my search. They ALL looked different and I never walked based on looks. I walked from one b/c the price was ridiculous, walked from one b/c the dog seemed too attached to breeder, walked from another b/c the temperment wasn't what I wanted.

Not sure why we have to explain our desire for a tiny Yorkie. Not all of us are teens looking for the latest fad. My dog is NOT an accessory. In fact I don't even like the attention she brings to me in public! I didn't even think about that part when I got her and it's a little embarrassing sometimes.

[JCarlson2004]

Originally Posted by shelbysmom

Not sure why we have to explain our desire for a tiny Yorkie. Not all of us are teens looking for the latest fad. My dog is NOT an accessory. In fact I don't even like the attention she brings to me in public! I didn't even think about that part when I got her and it's a little embarrassing sometimes.

You are correct. No one has to explain why they want a dog of any size. I'd love to see some pics of your little girl. She sounds precious!

[shelbysmom]

Originally Posted by JCarlson2004

You are correct. No one has to explain why they want a dog of any size. I'd love to see some pics of your little girl. She sounds precious!

Well, this is what happens when I try to take her picture!

[feminvstr]

Originally Posted by shelbysmom

My dog is NOT an accessory. In fact I don't even like the attention she brings to me in public! I didn't even think about that part when I got her and it's a little embarrassing sometimes.

funny you said that I took two with me and a friend to saturdays farmers market about every three steps we were stopped, then off to the Rose Gardens to take a stroll we were mobbed...actually people stopped and asked if they could take pictures of my yorkies and them together..of course I was the photographer lol too funny..Alaska to Florida walking the gardens and act as if seeing Yorkies were the highlight of their trip

amazing what a gravitating breed they are!!!

[JCarlson2004]

Originally Posted by shelbysmom

Well, this is what happens when I try to take her picture!

She's SO cute!! It looks like she's chewing on a string from your shirt! What a sweet little face.

[shelbysmom]

Originally Posted by JCarlson2004

You are correct. No one has to explain why they want a dog of any size. I'd love to see some pics of your little girl. She sounds precious!

But here she is at almost 18 weeks. She just topped 2.5 lbs. yesterday so she is almost on track to make it to 4lbs.

[JCarlson2004]

Originally Posted by shelbysmom

But here she is at almost 18 weeks. She just topped 2.5 lbs. yesterday so she is almost on track to make it to 4lbs.

She really is cute! My Katie will be 1 year old tomorrow - August 5th!! She is 2.6 lbs and just too cute for words.

[Francie]

Originally Posted by red98vett

I liked your post - I'm not saying THIS breeder – but, the breeders I see on the net are capitalizing on smaller sizes....

Your friend sounds great - keeping them up to a year justifies a higher price….and care packages are a wonderful way to ensure a good homecoming - She sounds like she is one of those breeders that really DO love the breed.....I commend her for her care and love for yorkies.

I have a feeling there are so many new breeders out there who don’t go that extra mile with their small yorkies …..how would one even know when a breeder is actually tripling the price of a runt just due to it's size ? Most breeders will not share that information would they ? wouldn't they just say it's smaller therefor more expensive ?

This is a great thread...and I'm learning a lot while I read...but I'm truly puzzled on this "quest" for minaturization of what is originally a small dog to begin with! If one is attracted to the Yorkshire Terrier breed...then you are attracted to ALL the attributes a yorkie was originally bred to possess, including its robust and sturdy physical traits. Its become painfully obvious from reading many of the threads in here and from personal friends with "tinies"...the breeding of Yorkshire Terriers AWAY from the standards set by the AKC has done a huge diservice..not only to the poor pups who have to spend their lives suffering through a myriad of health problems and the unsuspecting owners who deal with the financial and emotional heartbreak, ..but the the Yorkshire breed in itself.

Do I want a 4 pound Yorkshire Terrier with compact body, upright ears, silky coat and sweet face? Absolutely...but more importantly...I want my Yorkie to be the healthy, loving, feisty, in your face, little dog that will be part of my family for the next 15 years. I want it all...am I dreaming? No...I want what is within the STANDARD of the breed!

It is disheartening to go to a website and have to "listen" to the marketing propaganda. And on top of it...have them expect me to believe that I have to pay some outrageous price for some poor inferior, DNA challenged pup.

Perhaps we need to redefine the term "Responsible Breeder".....

Francie

[SoCalyorkiLvr]

Originally Posted by Francie

Do I want a 4 pound Yorkshire Terrier with compact body, upright ears, silky coat and sweet face? Absolutely...but more importantly...I want my Yorkie to be the healthy, loving, feisty, in your face, little dog that will be part of my family for the next 15 years. I want it all...am I dreaming? No...I want what is within the STANDARD of the breed!

Francie~ I am learning a lot as well, but what you have described above is not the "breed standard" as defined by AKC since the standard calls for 5-7 lb as an adult.

Your description is what the average pet lover is looking for. The majority of the tinies have the same great feist, big dog, terrier attitude. In fact, if ask those who own more than one dog, most will tell you that the smallest dog is usually the "alpha" of the pack! That's how it is at my house. lol.

The yorkie was originally bred as a miniaturization of a few other terrier breeds becasue of the need to develop a "ratter" who could fit into the holes and buroughs and pull out their prey and they later wanted a lap dog so they bred smaller and smaller. The "standard" and what is winning in the show ring is gradually changing to since some judges like the smaller yorkies and they are winning in some areas of the country. So this miniaturization has been going on for a while now.

[apaprikao]

When I was looking for a Yorkie, I wanted a small one. (On the other hand...small to me is 4-6lbs. lol) The lady I bought Rika from said that she was the tiniest pup in the litter and she didn't think she was going to be very big. (Granted she wasn't a reputable breeder...nor did she know anything about breeding dogs in general.) When I picked up Rika, she was 6 weeks old and 2lbs. Her brother and sisters were all like 2-3lbs.) I was so happy I had a Yorkie that I didn't care how big she got. Luckily, she did get "big". 11lbs is huge for a Yorkie. But you know what? It's still a small dog. When I get another Yorkie, I'm not going to really care about size. In fact an 8-9 pounder will probably be better since Rika is so big and can play rough. I don't think a 2-3lber would even survive in my house. My *Ferrets* way more than that and I think it's outrageous to have dogs of that size. Anyway...just wanted to throw my thoughts in and I'll stop before I get mean.

[wnalegria]

Originally Posted by Francie

This is a great thread...and I'm learning a lot while I read...but I'm truly puzzled on this "quest" for minaturization of what is originally a small dog to begin with! If one is attracted to the Yorkshire Terrier breed...then you are attracted to ALL the attributes a yorkie was originally bred to possess, including its robust and sturdy physical traits. Its become painfully obvious from reading many of the threads in here and from personal friends with "tinies"...the breeding of Yorkshire Terriers AWAY from the standards set by the AKC has done a huge diservice..not only to the poor pups who have to spend their lives suffering through a myriad of health problems and the unsuspecting owners who deal with the financial and emotional heartbreak, ..but the the Yorkshire breed in itself.

Do I want a 4 pound Yorkshire Terrier with compact body, upright ears, silky coat and sweet face? Absolutely...but more importantly...I want my Yorkie to be the healthy, loving, feisty, in your face, little dog that will be part of my family for the next 15 years. I want it all...am I dreaming? No...I want what is within the STANDARD of the breed!

It is disheartening to go to a website and have to "listen" to the marketing propaganda. And on top of it...have them expect me to believe that I have to pay some outrageous price for some poor inferior, DNA challenged pup.

Perhaps we need to redefine the term "Responsible Breeder".....

Francie

The standard does not state a size that is too small- it states a size too large. So the little ones are still to the standard. Do I like the little ones NO.
I would like to have all my kids atleast 4 1/2 pounds as adults.

My concern with the little ones as well as the puppy who matures to be over 7 pounds is the ignorance of the owner. As a breeder I try hard to match the puppies to the proper home. Some folks do not tell the truth and I have to investigate to make sure that they are not trying to pull the wool over my eyes. The tines do not mix with small children- that is an accident waiting to happen. The tines do not mix with any child who in my viewing is rough and rowdy I am hard pressed to let any puppy go to that type of situation. My 27 year old daughter has pleaded for a puppy or a retired adult- I would no more let her have one then the man in the moon- The girl is never home. She just wants a novelty.


The price of yorkies in some ares are more expensive- just look at the cost of the homes. I guess if you live in a high cost area you will pay what many of us think is a inflated price for the cost or your baby. That explains why I have people from California flying out here for babies.

responsible breeder would be an interesting topic and I bet a lot of disagreements.

[JCarlson2004]

Originally Posted by SoCalyorkiLvr

Your description is what the average pet lover is looking for. The majority of the tinies have the same great feist, big dog, terrier attitude. In fact, if ask those who own more than one dog, most will tell you that the smallest dog is usually the "alpha" of the pack! That's how it is at my house. lol.

That is true with my dogs. Katie is a 2.6 lb dog who thinks she's a 100 lb rotti! She has more spirit than any other dog I've seen and she's not afraid of anyone (which can be a bad thing because she's so itty bitty).

[Ponyup]

Originally Posted by shelbysmom

Well, this is what happens when I try to take her picture!

Same thing happens to me....looks like we have the same camera strap.

[pebblesmama]

"This is just my opinion, it is frustrating dealing with people who preach one way, but do another. I am so sick of hearing "breed standard" from people who then turn around and throw "breed standard" out the window to benifit them.... if you are going to preach it, then follow it... don't use it as an excuse to talk people out of breeding, if you yourself don't follow the standard. By the way "tinies" under 4 lbs are not breed standard, and breeding small dogs to get tinies is also not following the AKC Breed standards. You can't have it both ways...."

Amen! I get so confused sometimes - the people who preach the loudest against tinies are the ones who have the tiniest! I get the feeling that no one but them deserves to have one or can be trusted to care for one. I also worry that by all the "advertising" their tinies get on the forums it does nothing but create desire in people to have them too, which in turn creates a bigger demand, which in turn increases the breeding programs for tinies. I don't know what the answer is but imo it is a serious problem. I breed within the standard and in all my litters the smallest puppy I have ever had is almost 4 lbs. I guess somehow I have escaped the 20% idea. I'm not trying to be critical but it is just so confusing. I worry alot about all the downsizing going on. 95% of the calls I get for Yorkies, the first question is "how small will they be?"
This is a great post - I appreciate learning from all sides of the issue.

[JCarlson2004]

Originally Posted by pebblesmama

I get so confused sometimes - the people who preach the loudest against tinies are the ones who have the tiniest! I get the feeling that no one but them deserves to have one or can be trusted to care for one.

I am against breeding INTENTIONALLY for tinies, yet I own one. Am I a hypocrite? No, I am not. I did NOT want a “tiny” when I searching for a Yorkie. I did not call breeders and ask if they had any tinies available. The day I bought Codie from Quality Canine, I told Cathie (the owner and breeder) that I was interested in purchasing a female Yorkie in a few months so that Codie would have a companion and friend to keep him company during the day. Anyway, a few months later SHE CALLED ME and told me about this 5 month old girl who was 14 ounces. Cathie had held on to Katie for 5 months because she was afraid to sell such a tiny dog – but especially to sell her to the WRONG owners. She knew me personally (because I use to live at my parents house which is 1 block away from her house, so we were neighbors) and she felt that I was responsible enough to take care of Katie. So I agreed to come down and meet Katie. It was love at first sight! I didn’t care if Katie would remain 14 ounces or grow to be an 800 lb gorilla with green hair, I just KNEW that I had to have her!

After having said all that, do I still think that intentionally breeding for tinies is wrong? Absolutely. Was Katie bred to be tiny? No, she was not. She was the ONLY tiny in her litter.