Don't mean to open a can of worms but...

[Nancy1999]

Since one of the purposes of Yorkietalk is to help people find good breeders, when someone comes on Yorkietalk, and says they are looking for a teacup, people have responded perhaps too vigorously to the term. They are often told, "there is no such thing." I often think some of the confusion comes from poodles that have three sizes, standard, which is the larger size, miniature and toy, toy being the smallest size, and people just called the toy size, a "teacup". All poodles in the toy category were called a teacup. However, with Yorkies, there are no official different classes, there is only one category and that is toy, and the standard is 7 pounds and below. However, people would think that the word "standard" meant the biggest size, so it was confusing, and many people just started calling any yorkie within the standard range a teacup. Many breeders still use it this way, and many breeders who advertise teacups sell a dog that is even bigger than standard. Other people use the term to mean a size in the lower range of standard, such as below 4 pounds. Again, there is confusion here because some people think if they buy a puppy under 4 pounds it is a teacup, when its adult weight might be over 12 pounds. I don't care for the term because it has no real definition, and means different things to different people. I don't mind when a person uses the term, I just think you should run away from a breeder who uses the term.

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by redvalaria

You know, I agree with a lot of the posters about how teacup is a marketing ploy, teapot, isn't. but I think it is more than that.

Its almost like, on a rap record, an artist can drop the "n word" and no one gets all offended, because a) he is a member of that group, b) he usually isn't using it to cause offense or be a slur and c) its use is not seen as negative within that subsection of the community.

key is C, by the way.

Here at YT, we all are so conscious of the teacup being a misleading term, used by unscrupulous breeders trying to get more money & potentially doing harm to the breed by intentionally breeding overly small dogs. Whereas we can say "teapot", in that rap star way, cause they are OUR dogs, we love them madly and no one is trying to make a big trend out of it.

So....that's my 4 cents (cause I have a teapot and 2cents aren't enough!!)

You said it! That is exactly right!

[Gingergirlsmom]

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

In my experience: The way I've encountered people using the word "teacup" is to brag that they have a tiny and how much money they have and that they can afford it. I live in a neighborhood where there are plenty of snobby, rich, spoiled brats (kids and adults). They use the term to talk down to me and Uni who is "standard" at 5 pounds, but all they are really doing is showing me their ignorance. They sometimes give a look of disgust and say "Wow, she's a big one!"

As for "teapot" it is a joke on the people that have "teacups", just to refer to their being larger than standard, but you don't hear breeders using that word, that's why I'm ok with it.

Wait! Your 5 lbs yorkie is looked down on??? Seriously, I've gotten used to that and barely even notice anymore, but picking on a 5 pounder, that really shows their ignorance. I believe the standard is 7 lbs and under. Geesh.

[QuickSilver]

I agree, I would like to be part of the tea service. However, the word teacup is used in deceptive marketing, so I understand why there is a "double standard." No one advertises that they have extra large "teapot" yorkies for sale. I've had many people on the street ask me if Thor is a teacup yorkie.

[coolbar]

Yorkies are 7lb by standard
Who made the standard?
Original Yorkies the true original ones were much larger
It's all in a name
Make a new name everyone wants it and charge more dollars for it
Yorkies are yorkies

it would seem that we have different outlooks and principles here in the UK

Originally Posted by Gingergirlsmom

I've thought of this myself, but I don't think so. I think, for me, the concern is, that if I start saying "aww, a teacup" I perpetuate the ideal of aiming for the smallest yorkie possible (often regardless of health). Yorkies are small dogs (under 7 lbs) by standard and to aim to have them as small as possible may not be healthy. People with larger yorkies are used to being bashed, belittled, etc., for having dogs that "aren't really yorkies", or "must be silkies", etc (believe me, I've been there), so by using an endearing term like teapot, we are including them and accepting them. But that's just how I look at it. Honestly, if it weren't some of the irresponsible breeding that goes on I wouldn't mind the term teacup at all. Really, as far as I'm concerned, live and let live.

edited to add: If there started to be a trend of people purposefully breeding for teapots, then I'd stop using that term too!

[kezza]

I can't believe people would look down on the larger yorkies...I just don't understand that at all...what is it...snobbery? I know i said I looked for a smaller yorkie...but i wouldn't look down on a larger one( my last yorkie was between 5-6lbs)...and i DID NOT pay more for Pixie...she was the same price as the larger ones. People will look down on the little ones too..yes, they are the so-called runts of the litter but people will use that in a derogatory (sp?) way and say they are pathetic and more prone to sickness which is not ALWAYS the case...I also think they get bashed from those that are jealous because their yorkie got bigger than they would have liked...I know that sounds silly and some won't like me for saying it but i have encountered it many times...it can all get rather tiring sometimes

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by Gingergirlsmom

Wait! Your 5 lbs yorkie is looked down on??? Seriously, I've gotten used to that and barely even notice anymore, but picking on a 5 pounder, that really shows their ignorance. I believe the standard is 7 lbs and under. Geesh.

Yup, just goes to show you that how people from the OC are portrayed on tv is correct.

[Gingergirlsmom]

Originally Posted by coolbar

Yorkies are 7lb by standard
Who made the standard?
Original Yorkies the true original ones were much larger
It's all in a name
Make a new name everyone wants it and charge more dollars for it
Yorkies are yorkies

it would seem that we have different outlooks and principles here in the UK

I'm sorry if I offended you, I'm simply stating the AKC standard as I understand it. I believe it is under 7 lbs. As an owner of two well out of standard yorkies, I do believe that yorkies are yorkies. I guess I don't get your point.

[yorkie mad]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

Since one of the purposes of Yorkietalk is to help people find good breeders, when someone comes on Yorkietalk, and says they are looking for a teacup, people have responded perhaps too vigorously to the term. They are often told, "there is no such thing." I often think some of the confusion comes from poodles that have three sizes, standard, which is the larger size, miniature and toy, toy being the smallest size, and people just called the toy size, a "teacup". All poodles in the toy category were called a teacup. However, with Yorkies, there are no official different classes, there is only one category and that is toy, and the standard is 7 pounds and below. However, people would think that the word "standard" meant the biggest size, so it was confusing, and many people just started calling any yorkie within the standard range a teacup. Many breeders still use it this way, and many breeders who advertise teacups sell a dog that is even bigger than standard. Other people use the term to mean a size in the lower range of standard, such as below 4 pounds. Again, there is confusion here because some people think if they buy a puppy under 4 pounds it is a teacup, when its adult weight might be over 12 pounds. I don't care for the term because it has no real definition, and means different things to different people. I don't mind when a person uses the term, I just think you should run away from a breeder who uses the term.

Hiya Nancy , how are you doing ?
Well Tia is 5lb so she doesn't fit into the tea cup or tea pot category so does that make her a tea bag lol

[coolbar]

What is OC?
excuse my ignorance

[kezza]

Originally Posted by yorkie mad

Hiya Nancy , how are you doing ?
Well Tia is 5lb so she doesn't fit into the tea cup or tea pot category so does that make her a tea bag lol

Teabag! LOL I LOVE that!

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by kezza

I can't believe people would look down on the larger yorkies...I just don't understand that at all...what is it...snobbery? I know i said I looked for a smaller yorkie...but i wouldn't look down on a larger one( my last yorkie was between 5-6lbs)...and i DID NOT pay more for Pixie...she was the same price as the larger ones. People will look down on the little ones too..yes, they are the so-called runts of the litter but people will use that in a derogatory (sp?) way and say they are pathetic and more prone to sickness which is not ALWAYS the case...I also think they get bashed from those that are jealous because their yorkie got bigger than they would have liked...I know that sounds silly and some won't like me for saying it but i have encountered it many times...it can all get rather tiring sometimes

Uni was the runt of her litter, but she turned out fine. Her brothers would not play with her, totally ignored her. BUT I didn't pick Uni b/c she was the runt. In fact, she picked me! We were checking out all the pups and she tried soooooo hard and crawled up into my lap. I said, yup this is our new pup!

[coolbar]

I assume AKC applies in USA

To be perfectly honest I don't know the standard of the kennel club in UK as I just love the little people to death and don't care what they are supposed to be.

Paddy my last rescue was 6lbs a cutie Alfie is about 12lbs and just as cute.

Years ago I kept Jack Russells another favourite breed of mine and they came in all sizes

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by coolbar

What is OC?
excuse my ignorance

Oh, it's Orange County, CA. South and east of Los Angeles county. There was a show here a few years back called "the OC". The show that made Mischa Barton famous, and hasn't done anything since, except get herself admitted into a psych ward.

Oh to add: Also there's the "real housewives of orange county" and a multitude of spinoffs around the country, so it's not just here.

[coolbar]

Heck no, you would have to go a long way to offend me
Alfie just gave me a dirty look

I called him a Tea Urn

Originally Posted by Gingergirlsmom

I'm sorry if I offended you, I'm simply stating the AKC standard as I understand it. I believe it is under 7 lbs. As an owner of two well out of standard yorkies, I do believe that yorkies are yorkies. I guess I don't get your point.