The smaller the better?

[Pettysmith]

Originally Posted by naturalallure

This is just something I've been turning over in my head... so if it seems random, just don't mind me

So the more I read the more that theory seems to hold as legitimate. Why is that the smaller the baby, the "better" they're considered? Or perhaps not even better, but worth a higher price tag? I'm telling myself it's just a trend (that leads to the whole teacup craze) and there isn't anything better about them... kind of like society's manipulation that the thinner you are, the more beautiful....

I would think the AKC standard of the "picture-perfect" Yorkie (4-7 lbs) would call for the higher prices , and because it tends to be the smaller babies that have more difficulties it'd only make more sense to me that the pricing would be the other way around...

Am I just completely missing something right now?

You couldn't have put it better. It is certainly just a fashion statement. I have two yorkie boys, one is a larger "teapot" if you will. But he has been the healthiest, most personable, sweetest, "little" guy you could ever want. he is 11 years old and I have had all kinds of comments throughout his life, some very rude, all because he is 13 lbs. My other one is 17 months old smaller (6 lbs) and the vote is still out on his personality . I wish people would learn to take them as they are or keep their opinions to themselves. My favorite reply is usually, yes he is a yorkie and they come in all shapes and sizes, just like people do. It usually shuts them up.

[Nancy1999]

A Good breeder never breeds for one trait only, but some greeders do. Whether it's uncommonly small size, or unique colors, or the apple head shape, people need to do more research on why buying a dog, outside the normal, range, isn't a good idea. Lots of people don't even understand what a quality yorkie should look like, so they just think small, must mean beauty.

[mk97]

I paid $1200 for my baby--she was kept by the breeder with the intention of breeding, but she stopped growing at 2.6lbs--she was about 10months old when I got her. I picked her bc I fell in love with her--not bc of her size. I got another for Christmas(same breeder, totally different lines) and she is weighing in at 2.8 lbs and is 7 months old. I didn't intend to have little ones, but I love that they are the size they are. Both are very healthy, spoiled brats!!!

[C C Kent]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

A Good breeder never breeds for one trait only, but some greeders do. Whether it's uncommonly small size, or unique colors, or the apple head shape, people need to do more research on why buying a dog, outside the normal, range, isn't a good idea. Lots of people don't even understand what a quality yorkie should look like, so they just think small, must mean beauty.

Very well stated

Smaller Yorkies are going to happen in any program as a matter of consequence. These smaller Yorkies deserve a great home and should be placed with those who are willing to accept the responsibility. Judging this persons motive is impossible and unnecessary.

[mscat]

My brother told me a while ago that he knows somebody who paid $3500.00 for a tiny yorkie... He also knows a family who has a male Yorkie who looks idenical to Suzi... I have nol idea how much that pup was.. However, Suzi is 7 lbs and was not a huge amount of money. Suzi was already 3lbs at 9 weeks old. that is a heavy weight IMO for that age. LOL, she turned out to be a perfect weight.. this was before I knew much about the Yorkie standard or much about the breed.
The in thing is the smaller the better , however, I would be scared to have such a tiny one at my home. There is so much risk involved in accidents and sometimes their health can be at stake. Suzi is small enough where I can still carry her around everywhere I want to, however big enough that she can jump on couches and beds safely.

[Dara311]

Originally Posted by suzeb29

I've been doing my research since I'm looking for my new furbaby and I would not want a Yorkie under 4lbs. From what I've read they are much more prone to health issues. Some people will charge INSANE amounts of money for a "TEACUP" (which doesn't exist.) And usually puppies that are bred for extremely small size are not bred for extremely good health.

Just my opinion. I'm sure their are many perfectly healthy "teenies" out there. But I don't know that I'd want to take my chances with that.

i agree with you 110%!!!!!!!

[YorkieMom90]

I think some breeders charge more for the tiny ones because they take a lot more care when young. I had to bottle feed one of my very tiny ones for a long time. I am asking a little more for her than her brothers and sisters not because she is "worth" more,but because she will require more care. Also I think it makes people think twice about getting a tiny one when they have to pay a higher price. You would have to be pretty serious about yorkies if you buy one for $3500+! If someone was to buy one for that price then maybe the breeder would know that most likely they were going to be well taken care of...
i don't know...just a thought..

[PrincessDiana]

Originally Posted by YorkieMom90

I think some breeders charge more for the tiny ones because they take a lot more care when young. I had to bottle feed one of my very tiny ones for a long time. I am asking a little more for her than her brothers and sisters not because she is "worth" more,but because she will require more care. Also I think it makes people think twice about getting a tiny one when they have to pay a higher price. You would have to be pretty serious about yorkies if you buy one for $3500+! If someone was to buy one for that price then maybe the breeder would know that most likely they were going to be well taken care of...
i don't know...just a thought..

$3500?!

[Lucia]

I dont think any one size yorkie is better than another - it just comes down to personal preference. I dont agree with breeders advertising 'Teacups' and charging ridiculous prices, but I dont see anything wrong with someone who has educated themselves on the extra care that tinies require wanting to buy one. I went the other way and purposely picked a slightly larger pup, simply because it was a better 'fit' for my home.......at 8lb Twinkle is above standard and would definitely be described as 'pet quality' (which was reflcted in her price) but she is priceless to me. I firmly believe the saying 'each to their own' xxx xxx

[YorkieMom90]

nooooo....i have never ever sold one for 3500 or ever will...i was just making a point. though, i know quite a few breeders who do ask that much for their puppies. and sometimes they do charge more for the small ones. i love all my pups the same no matter the size. i have (2) 3lb. yorkies (1) 4lb. yorkie and (1) 7-8lb. yorkie. i take my little ones with me all the time in their purses and i don't see anything wrong with it. but, not as a fashion statement. they LOVE to go!

[kezza]

Originally Posted by Lucia

I dont think any one size yorkie is better than another - it just comes down to personal preference. I dont agree with breeders advertising 'Teacups' and charging ridiculous prices, but I dont see anything wrong with someone who has educated themselves on the extra care that tinies require wanting to buy one. I went the other way and purposely picked a slightly larger pup, simply because it was a better 'fit' for my home.......at 8lb Twinkle is above standard and would definitely be described as 'pet quality' (which was reflcted in her price) but she is priceless to me. I firmly believe the saying 'each to their own' xxx xxx

Good post Claire!

[annamalyssa]

Originally Posted by kezza

I admitted in my post above that I wanted (and got!) a smaller Yorkie..

See but you said 4-5 lbs that is NOT 1-3 lbs. There is a huge difference there, so for people seeking within the Standard, like yourself, that's great , people seeking BELOW the standard.. now IMO that's not great .

I said myself as well, Gucci was supposed to be 3-4 lbs and I was fine with that too... I just would NEVER have gone lower .. 3 was even way too tiny.... 4 was good.. But now I see how small 5.6 is 4 is even too small for me

[naturalallure]

Originally Posted by Pettysmith

You couldn't have put it better. It is certainly just a fashion statement. I have two yorkie boys, one is a larger "teapot" if you will. But he has been the healthiest, most personable, sweetest, "little" guy you could ever want. he is 11 years old and I have had all kinds of comments throughout his life, some very rude, all because he is 13 lbs. My other one is 17 months old smaller (6 lbs) and the vote is still out on his personality . I wish people would learn to take them as they are or keep their opinions to themselves. My favorite reply is usually, yes he is a yorkie and they come in all shapes and sizes, just like people do. It usually shuts them up.

Hmmm, after reading everyone's comments a fashion statement fits perfectly.... which kind of frightens me because with my first baby everyone wanted to hold her, and babysit her, and do way too much with her when she was sick to the point I felt like people didn't even care about her well-being they just wanted to be seen with her. Of course, things small are cute, but I like the idea of a baby a little on the larger side

IMO isn't that how smaller Yorkies, designer dogs, etc. all became so in demand... being simply fashion statements. Someone mentioned the economics of it and how greeders see that demand and supply it. Yep, it all makes sense now. So sad how our babies become such commodities and accessories

[naturalallure]

Originally Posted by PrincessDiana

$3500?!

IDK, maybe I'm a bit brainwashed or naive, but I feel like a breeder can actually validate as to why their puppies cost as much as $3500. Whether or not a breeder truly breeds out of love for the breed, it is still a "business" so you would want your profits to exceed your costs so you're able to maintain the level of quality you give your program and puppies. If you commit years and years to developing a certain pedigree you know it's worth something (even if the new parent decides not to show). And if you know your puppies are given the absolute best, perhaps in terms of care, nutrition, and food for example, then you want that return somehow. I have no idea how much it costs a true professional and committed breeder to maintain their own babies as well as the baby's babies, but with all of that, while I (somehow looking to adopt) may see a $3500 puppy as absurd and over-priced, I (as the breeder) would know that my puppies were worth that much and those who adopted puppies from me valued those qualities/characteristics and understood they were getting the absolute best.

And that scenario is in disregard of greeders, BYB's, or any of the sort because they obviously show no regard for quality or the sort.

[Fancy_Pants]

I never intended to end up with a smaller yorkie but when I met Fancy I was smitten and she gave me lots of kisses and I just knew she was the one. None of the other yorkies that I met were as sweet as her... She is 17 weeks and still only weighs 2.8 lbs and if she follows the growth chart she might be 3.5 - 4 lbs. When I was looking I was looking at all ages and some were over 7 lbs and would have gotten one of those in a heartbeat if they would have been a fit for my family. I will never tell what I paid for her - noone would ever believe me