female yorkie with long legs
 

I am going to buy a little female yorkie this weekend. The breeders say she has long legs. I was wondering if that will mean that she will be a big yorkie. I've seen both parents. The dad is really small about 3 pounds but the mom is pretty huge. She is about 7 or 8 pounds but she isn't "tall". She's just really pudgy and fat. The breeders said she throws really small pups but at least one of them will be as big as the mom. I've chosen the runt, so does anyone know or think that the runt will be the mom's size?

I would be less concerned with size, and more concerned with the health and disposition of the pup and parents. :) How old is the pup? You can only guess the ultimate size. Double the weight at 12 weeks of age and maybe add a pound. Leg length is not really an indicator, but paw size can point to a pup that will grow larger.

Welcome. It's really hard to tell what size they will end up but the breeder should have some idea of how her lines grow. The only way to be sure of their adult size is to get an adult. How old are the puppies? Make sure she has a good health guarantee also.
When I went to see my Cali for the first time at 6 weeks she was the smallest (runt)of her litter mates and the only one still available. When I went to pick her up 3 weeks later she was the same size as her 2 sisters. She was 1 lb when I got her and full grown she is a little over 5 lbs. She was also very unhealthy. Three of mine have the longer legs and it makes their coat look nice and flowey. Keep us posted.

This is true, sometimes the runts turn out to be the biggest... long legs really aren't an indicator. I have a couple with long legs and they are just more delicately built than the ones with short stocky legs. They don't weigh anymore just kind of willowy all over. The short leg ones are more 'compact'. As the other poster stated, instead of worrying about build, check more for health qualities.

Thanks!
Well the breeders said all their litters have been healthy! They made sure of it. I have a one year health guarantee with them. They said if anything went wrong, they'll refund my money or try to help. And they also said if my pup grows to be over 5 pounds, I can return her. But I doubt I'll return her. By that time I'll probably love her too much no matter what!

A good breeder would never say this. First, a knowledgeable breeder would know that they cannot guarantee size (especially under 5 pounds). Second, a good breeder would never encourage such a shallow attitude toward a pet. A good breeder of Yorkies often turns people away when they place too much emphasis on size.

I hope you have researched this breeder well, and I hope that when and if you bring home a pup that you will be committed to it no matter how big the dog grows.

Great post Maximo :thumbup:

Rizzo is a long legged yorkie, he is tall and long but dainty :rolleyes: he is 5lbs at just over a year old.
His legs were shaved because of his recent neuter, lol, his skinny little chicken legs :)

I agree. I also think the 1 year health guarantee is very misleading. What happens if the dog has a congenital defect show up after one year of ownership? If I was a breeder, I would want to know if any of my dogs were to get sick even after they grew to adulthood. That's a really important fact to know in order to improve my lines. I wouldn't purchase from someone who's attitude toward a dog is the same as toward a toaster. You return a toaster if it doesn't meet your expectations, but you (general you not intended toward anyone) don't return a friend/family you vowed to care for and love for the next 15+ years.

It took me about 2 minutes to fall in love with Nala!!!:D It wouldn't matter what size she is, she is ours. I am beginning to realize just how tiny 5 lbs really is. Our breeder said she would likely be between 4.5 to 5 lbs and I am hoping for at least 5lbs because I just want her to be healthy and in my family for a really long time!!:)

Lucy had super long legs when we brought her home; we used to joke that she looked like a deer :) Didn't matter; we loved her anyway.

But, her coat grew longer and she grew into her legs; and while they certainly aren't little stubs ~ she doesn't look like a deer anymore either.

My Remy is long legged. She is very small boned and danty. I know at first it is easy to get hooked on size, but that is not a good thing. I did not do enough research before I got Remy but I did enough to know that small is not always best. I wanted a pup that small but close to 5 lbs. - that is small!! Remy is almost 4 lbs now at 14 months... but most important of all she is healthy.

I am sorry.. but to even say give the pup back after a year make me shake! I know you said you wouldn't but you do need to come to terms on what you are focusing on. Have healthy expectations

I wish you luck -- do your research!!

My buttons is 5.8 lbs, & my Yogi is 8.2 lbs. Yogi didn't turn out as yorkshirey as I would have liked when I brought him home. He was the smallest in the litter, but he outgrew them here. He has actually changed my way of thinking...give me a 6-8 pounder any day! My vet loves his "healthiness", says he has good knees, etc. He is all Yorkie...just more to love:P I wish more breeders out there weren't so concerned on getting teacup sizes, I much prefer the larger ones now.

I am really getting old now, and have to ask. Why did they shave his front legs for a neuter? Where exactly is his .....located?

:p It's a new technique where they go in through the front legs and......as you know, they sometimes shave for the IV line.

IV line makes sense, but I know you are kidding aobut foing in thru the front legs.....OUCHEROOO

I'd also say health is a bigger issue than size and I'd prefer one bigger and healthy rather than tiny and not.

I've had yorkie a long time first one came into my life over 30 years ago and she was 6lbs.

the 2nd yorkie sally was adopted into our family a few years after when a friend of my moms at work said she and her brother needed a home because the couple had a baby and couldn't care for them.

Turns out our first experience with rescue that husband i hate to say shouldn't have had children by the way he abused those poor dogs for barking.

Sally was 4lbs.

My mom took in another rescue later in life and he was 11lbs.

My binky was larger as well at 10lbs and the sweetest little doll.

If I was to get a puppy I'd be actually looking for one that would at least hit 5lbs versus teenie.

I won't be taking that route because I took in a rescue she's 3.6lbs at 4 years old and her tiny size scares me to death she's so fast. I'm always looking down to see where she is before I take a step.

to give you an idea on how tiny she is about 12inches tall from the floor to the top of her head and her length is almost 12 inches from the tip of her nose.

I am adjusting to her tiny size but I find myself 1000x more protective of her and my nerves are besting tested to the limit.

My son is 17 and like a bull in a china shop when he's in the kitchen and unlike my other yorkie she is curious about him and always wanting to be friends.

he's been around yorkies but I'm always telling him watch the baby make sure you don't step on her

best of luck with your new addition you will love her no matter what trust me on that one

When I first looked for a Yorkie, I wanted a very small dog. But when I called about our Sophie, the owners said the parents were a little larger, never telling me their exact weight. We met them and fell in love right away. The parents were beautiful, looked perfect, but were not purse size. They were active, healthy little guys who liked to play outdoors and be part of the family. Sophie would be at a perfect weight at 7 lbs, but she loves to eat and is slightly over that. She is also very active and loves the outdoors. She has very fine bones, and I would be afraid to have such an active little dog that was much smaller. She is the perfect size. She is nearly 10, and my husband and I are in our late 50's-no children in the home. However, we are now getting our first grandbabies, and I am happy that our furbaby is not extremely delicate. I hope that you enjoy your baby what ever size it is. I fell in love the minute I took Sophie home, and I am even more in love with her today!:)

When I got Bella, I just wanted a healthy puppy. She was right in the middle of the weights of the puppies, the mom had 7 babies, lots to chose from, but I picked her out more due to her personality than for her size. She is now almost a year and just at 4 pounds give or take an ounce or two. When I bought Jett, I bought him for looks, size and health, I wanted one that would be approximately the same size as Bella, and not be able to over power her. Jett will maybe hit 3 to 3 1/2 pounds. I think I have a good match. Don't go on weight alone!!!!!! Its personality when seeing these guys in person that makes all the difference in the world.
(When I picked my Rhodesian Ridgeback, she went and stole a 5.00 bill out of my purse, dug right through it, to find it and ran for the hills. She at that time stole my heart immediately!!!! Hmmmm, now that I think about it I guess I wanted a theif....LOLLOL Strange to think about now 8 years later. :D)

:eyeballpc:eyetearss:eyetearss

She got you good on that one, Steve! :lol tears:lol tears

Now I am a bit gullable, not entirely lost! I do know the part, and where it is located! LOL

That's what they are counting on: sure they'll take her back if she gets over 5# but they are counting on you caring so much about the pup you wouldn't bring her back. But I think it's nice they are concerned that should you not like her you'd bring it back to them rather than just 'rehome' her to any person. At least they are willing to work with you. I think breeders know that the average person looking for a Yorkie would prefer one in the 4/5 pound range and realizes that should the pup get very large that wasn't what the person was looking for (which is the buyer's right). Personally, I couldn't let a dog go after raising it for months -I know no one can 'guarantee' a certain size Yorkie, but if there's the potential for it to be "big" I think a good breeder will be honest with you and let you know.
My first yorkie has long legs and in a full coat and I will admit it flows beautifully. One of her pups has longs legs, but like the other poster they seem so 'willowly' - and she did end up falling and hurting her leg (though has since recovered fine)...her brothers though tall enough are all "boy" - thick muscular legs - very sturdy. I always feel I'm going to break the long legged "runt" (3.5#) whereas the boys I never worried about that. Thus having ended up with a "little" yorkie now if I were looking to buy one I would definitely choose a more sturdy one.

Too many yorkie buyers are concerned with "weight". Better have about ten thousand dollars in reserve.....after the initial cost of probably 2,000.00 or so for your "pet quality" yorkie) for liver shunt surgery and ongoing problems......HAVE F-U-N, sucker!!!!!!

Poppy was the runt and now she weighs 6lbs and I think she has pretty long legs, you can see her in my pictures.

My Sassy has very long legs and she weighs 5 lbs, her brothers that have the same parents,but different litters are bigger. Hobbes weighs 16 lbs and Calvin weighs 8 lbs. The parents weigh 7-8 lbs. So you never know. I love all 4 of mine no matter what size they are.:luvu:

Steve... I think they are picking on you:p

They sure are, but I can take it! Speaking of leg length, I believe my brother and I have the same parents, but his inseam is 36+, and mine is the same as the Hobbits from Lord of the Rings! So it varies. I am glad I was not returned!

everywhere I read about the size of Yorkies, ppl say to double the size at 3 mo. but Daisy was 2.5 lbs until about 8 mo. then 4 lbs. until 1yr. she is now 1 year and 7mo and weights 7.8lbs, she is not fat just long and tall. So I guess I'm just saying the 3 mo rule does not always apply.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

just noticed this thread is from 2011