Was I too preachy?

[freshie]

I was picking my son up from school today with my little boy in my arms. A woman approached me and told me how badly she wanted a "teacup" yorkie. I didn't say anything just nodded my head. Then she asked if my guy was a teacup and how do you find one. I then told her that there really aren't "teacups" and gave her the teacup education I've learned on YT. She was like "wow thank you for telling me I never knew that" I walked away from the convo feeling good about educating someone but then felt bad like maybe I insulted her? Am I worrying too much?

[pookiebear]

No, that's not being preachy. You did a good thing. I'm sure she was truly appreciative of the info.

[xxmxaxrxyxx]

i don't think you were to preachy...she actually got something out of it...which is a good thing!

[YorkieChick1]

You did what I try to do with people also, educate them!! I think you did well and some people will take it well like that lady did and unfortunately some won't. I've had people thank me and say that they didn't realize their was no such thing as a teacup and I have had others say "Well, my sister has a teacup!!", right after I tell them there isn't any such thing!! Education is the key to helping our furry friends!!

[ARCHIE]

I am sure she appriciated your knowledge. I also thought there was
such a thing as a teacup, before I found YT that is. So keep passing
the info along when given the chance. We'll educate everyone eventually

[melanie daley]

I think you did great! Since my two are both so small I get the teacup thing ALL the time.. Sometimes I just don't say anything cause it happens pretty much everyday, but if someone seems really interested In getting a Yorkie I make sure to educate them, I don't want to see anyone get ripped off and I think it's important to know the basics of the breed before you get one of these amazing little creatures!!!

You did great!!

[Nancy1999]

A neighbor came over last night with his "Teacup Pom." This dog was 4 months old and easily fit in my hand. It didn't weigh a pound and look to be all hair, I had never seen such a small dog, and he used the word Teacup over and over. It just seemed to fit though, and I was certainly not going to tell him there was no such thing. It's only when breeders use this word, you should run the other way. In your case, I think you handled the situation beautifully.

[jadecomputergal]

and she doesn't fit in a teacup. (No, I've never tried to fit her in one. I can just tell by looking.)

I don't think you did anything wrong. I explain all the time to people that "teacup" is just another word for a small example of breed standard, and when they say they want a "teacup" dog, it just means they want a dog on the low-weight end of the breed. One of mine, Tea, turned out to be a "teacup." She's three pounds full grown. She's a gorgeous dog and would have had beautiful puppies, but she's far too small to breed, so I had her spayed at around a year and a half.

Nancy is SO right in saying to be wary of breeders that use this word. A real breeder knows there is no such thing. I don't know why they can't just say it's on the lower-weight end of the breed standard, like "small Yorkie." I guess that just doesn't sound as cute as teacup?

[brunosmom]

Originally Posted by freshie

I was picking my son up from school today with my little boy in my arms. A woman approached me and told me how badly she wanted a "teacup" yorkie. I didn't say anything just nodded my head. Then she asked if my guy was a teacup and how do you find one. I then told her that there really aren't "teacups" and gave her the teacup education I've learned on YT. She was like "wow thank you for telling me I never knew that" I walked away from the convo feeling good about educating someone but then felt bad like maybe I insulted her? Am I worrying too much?

Mabey next time you see her you should tell her to check out Yt!!

[avasmama75]

I must admit, i still dont know about there not being teacup or toy yorkies. Can someone educate me?

[jadecomputergal]

Originally Posted by avasmama75

I must admit, i still dont know about there not being teacup or toy yorkies. Can someone educate me?

Just small. That's all it means. Just a different level of smallness.

[Sunnie]

Originally Posted by avasmama75

I must admit, i still dont know about there not being teacup or toy yorkies. Can someone educate me?

ALL yorkies are TOYS. They are in the TOY group of dogs. Teacup is a word some use to describe an extra small dog. But that description should not be comfused with there being a teacup yorkie. a yorkie is not a teacup, a yorkie is a toy, just the same as a beagle is a hound and a jack russel is a terrier. a yorkie is a toy. beeders that advertise teacup yorkies are using the term teacup to try to make people think they are getting something really special and rare and they charge a much higher price for them. That is wrong and it does not make them ethical in my opinion.

[chattiesmom]

It's always good to take advantage of an opportunity to educate the public about our precious Yorkies. I tell people that the words "teacup, and tiny" when in a sales pitch for yorkies is a HUGE red flag. People use those words in advertising a Yorkie with the hopes of making them seem rare or more valuable. I finish up by saying, Yorkies are Yorkies, some are smaller than others, if some one is trying to sell you a "teacup" Yorkie, run in the opposite direction.

[nancyfancypants]

Another vote for you-were-not-too-preachy. People really do need to be educated, and the more people we educate, the closer those bad breeders are to being out of business!

[Dianezz]

I feel kinda silly ....I did a fair amount of research on Yorkies...all purebreed info, so the word teacup wasnt ever mentioned. I read books...not internet searches..maybe that is why. I also read an AKC check list for breeders to abide by when searching for one. So that is what I followed to purchase my Baby. HOWEVER, I did call a woman who said she had teacups and although I knew of them, IT hadnt been mentioned , so I basically ended the conversation fast. I think I need to do some leaning. I thought teacups were breed to be tiny and were not purebreed. ANd that it was not healthy to the breed to breed tiny ones together. I read 4-7 pounds is the best to aim for ( but of course nature& enviornmnet decide a bit. Our puppy was born to parents of those weights and is a pure breed. Well that little stinker is 16 mos old and has weighed in at 3.3 pounds for 7 months. Now I know there are not teacups, and I was right to run from that "breeder", but I could use some education. I love this site!!!!