Is he a teacup? HELP!!!!!
 

This woman commented on a picture I had posted on Facebook and asked me if Mojo was a teacup. When I told her that there are not teacup Yorkies, she responded with the following message: "I have a teacup Yorkie, she is a year and a half old and is 3.5 pounds. My mom has always had the standard Yorkies ever since we were in HS and ya hers are all about 7 pounds so I know that they don't get big but they do have the tea cups now too. Mine will never get any bigger, but I am looking for a teacup male that is smaller then her or the same size to breed."

I have not yet responded to her because I'd like to think about the most appropriate thing to say. I know there are tons of very intelligent, well spoken, experienced people on Yorkie Talk. Please help me! What is the most effective response to her message? I don't want to anger her, rather I want to educate her so that she comes to understand how irresponsible and dangerous this is.

I've given up trying to educate people about teacups. Most insist on the designation and won't hear otherwise. You might ask her what a teacup is and explain to her that the AKC breed standard for Yorkshire Terrier is 7 pounds and under. Just tell her you're curious what organization recognizes the teacup designation. The Yorkshire Terrier Club of America, Yorkshire Terrier Club of America, specifically DOESN'T recognize it.

But is it really worth it? If someone wants to call their tiny Yorkie a teacup, the only harm is that they probably paid too much for a worthless designation.

JUst tell her all yorkies 7 lbs and under are classified as toys and their is no classification for teacup yorkies under AKC standards and the breed club YTCA standards. Tell her some breeders do classify smaller ones as teacups but that is not accurate and its just a marketing ploy from them to make more money on a smaller yorkie

My biggest fear is that she is looking to breed a 3.5lb female. She was putting out feelers to see if I was interested in providing a stud.

Tell her she is too small to breed, yorkies under 5 lbs shouldnt be bred and she could lose her if she breeds her or need a c-section

OK, here's what I have thus far. This is all from previous posters and basically a copy and paste job from the YTCA website:

"All Yorkies 7 lbs and under are classified as toys and their is no classification for teacup Yorkies under AKC standards and the breed club Yorkshire Terrier Club of America (YTCA) standards. Some breeders do classify smaller ones as teacups but that is not accurate and it’s just a marketing ploy from them to make more money on a smaller Yorkie. Females weighing less than 5 pounds (and less than 2 years old) are considered by most breeders to be unsuitable for breeding. You could actually lose her if you breed her or if she needs a c-section.

Extra tiny dogs are extremely susceptible to both hereditary and non-hereditary health problems, including birth defects that may go undetected for a long time. They also commonly experience diarrhea, vomiting, and require extra and expensive tests prior to routine teeth cleanings and surgeries. Small ones are more likely to have poor reactions to anesthesia and die from it. Tiny dogs are more easily injured by falls, being stepped on and being attacked by other dogs. These health problems nearly always result in large veterinary bills.

I totally understand wanting to breed them. I think they’re the best dogs in the world! My best suggestion would be to spay your baby and start going to dog shows so you could meet and talk to reputable breeders. Hopefully you’ll find a great breeder who could mentor you."

Is this sufficient? I think I should tell her about Yorkie Talk, too.

Yes I think thats good and its good to tell her about YT also

Wow... Even if you did copy and paste most of it, it is a very well thougt out response. I agree with Mike, please don't be offended if someone does not listen. This is something that some people are not willing to let go of. To admit the teacup does not exists means their yorkie is not extra special.

Every yorkie is special. They have unique personalities, and are beautiful little friends and teachers.

Well, I replied to her with my above response and also told her about Yorkie Talk. Thanks so much for the input, everyone! Please keep your fingers crossed! I'll let you know what kind of response I get!

good job:thumbup:

The Yorkshire Terrier standard states not to exceed 7 pounds. However, that is for exhibiting and breeding purposes. The Yorkshire Terrier breed is a Toy breed. It isn't broken down into little segments, some will be smaller and some will be larger, just as in humans....

But, hats off to you.....your response was great.......

What everyone else said about AKC standards, and then include the links to the veterinary recommendations on not breeding dogs under 5 lbs.

There's nothing wrong with ppl having a "tea cup" or a "tea pot" IMHO, I have a "teapot" Yorkie...it's the purposeful downsizing of dogs that are already toys downsized enough from their original breeding in the creation of Yorkies-there are too many health issues to be concerned with, in both the dam and the pups.

The same can be said about breeding dogs to be oversized, you don't really see that with Yorkies though-look at Great Danes-seems all about health to me and expressing health as the concern and such might be better off.

I just posted such to a breeder of teacups, and hope they receive it well. They went on and on about breed improvement and conformity on their web site and then talk about breeding Yorkies under 5 lbs to create teacups.

Maybe enough negative feedback or concern of people will make these breeders think about what they are doing-the health concerns etc. At least one can hope right?

I really like what you said-maybe add veterinary links, and go you bringing them here! YT is about education in all forms-and sharing and fun too.

Here's the response I got:
"Thanks for the info, and yes I know about the dangers w/ the small dogs I would not breed her until she is 3 if I was going to do so. And I will not breed her to anything that is larger then her, that is why I was trying to see if yours was going to be smaller. And that is if I even do breed her. Thanks for the info too."

Obviously, she doesn't get it that it's not just about finding a stud smaller than her dog. :( I hope that she will maybe come to YT or at least start doing some research...

Well she took it well and its got her thinking and thats all you can hope for