Baby Doll Face
 

Hey YT
I'm just wondering about the Yorkies that they call baby doll faces. :confused: They actually have the cutest faces but why are there faces so different? Is it a genic problem? Do they have more health problems then the standard? Why are they usually so much smaller and why are they so expensive ( I seen one being sold online for $4500.00 :eek:) I know a lot questions but I would love to own one, one day (no time soon). Are there any books or web sites I can check out so I can do more reserch? Thanks in advance on any info! :)

It is a marketing ploy to get more for the yorkie. You can find yorkies in alot of litters that fit the description of baby doll face that breeders arent marketing them as that and they arent selling them at outrageous prices either

I hear them referred to as "teddy bear" faces as well. It's true...just cute terms used to sell them....chloe has a teddy bear face...it's round and her eyes and nose are portioned in a way that gives her that look, but she's not a special Yorkie that's bread for that.......it's like any other dog you choose out of a litter, choose it for the face, and for the coat you like best.....

Does that mean the same thing as 'apple headed?' I have read that a lot and they are so pricey!

Apple headed is actually a concerning thing to have that can be a sign of hydrocephalis

Oh my! That is scary! I'm glad I didn't purchase our baby from anyone like that. Those that were apple headed that I saw were up to $4000!!! That is outrageous and then you have a pup that might have a serious health problem. That is scary!!!!

It is scary and we have had members on here purchase them and they end up having hydrocephalis which is basically a death sentence. All you can do is do your best to keep them going and give them the best life you can for the short time they are here. It is sader than sad

My Roxie has a teddy bear face, and she is by no means any smaller than any other Yorkie. At 7.5 pounds, she is actually bigger than the 4 other Yorkies in our neighborhood.

I do love that her face is so cute...but it sure does help her get away with a lot of nonsense...LOL.

Teddy bear, baby doll, hello kitty (yes, even that!), teacup, micro, etc, the list goes on and on. Any breeder who would use any of these type of words are just trying to get you for more money. A reputable breeder would never use terms like that.

Also off colors, such as chocolate or red, marketed as rare colors, and sold for more, when in reality it is off standard, and if anything should be less money and should be s/n.

:thumbup:
See Yorkshire Terrier Club of America Code of Ethics #8 Under Code of Ethics: Use of Terms.

The smaller nose yorkies can have problem with their teeth. Teeth care will need to be kept up and checked very often, especially as they become older - 3 years and up. This is one thing that one needs to be aware of if purchasing a pup with smaller muzzle. We do not want yorkies to get too small in the face/muzzle, since it can cause problems - such as breathing, bites, teeth care, and also problem in whelping (ex. other breeds that have short face/muzzles). The standard is there and written with great care in mind for the breed.

I don't think everyone who uses the term "doll face" is referring to an exceptionally small dog or being irresponsible. For instance, Cody is coming from a very reputable breeder who breeds only for show. (They only sell those pups that they decide not to show for whatever reason. For example, Cody is actually show quality, but they have no need for him for showing, so he is coming to us as a pet.)

Anyway, the point. The breeder describes him as having a doll face. These breeders are recognized by the YTCA and have been discussed on these boards as good breeders. They're not inflating the price or anything. It just happens to be the kind of face the little guy has. He is totally to YT standards though and is 100% show quality. As such he is also within the show weight range (Cody is expected to weigh in at a healthy 6 pounds).

Anyway, my point... it's a real thing that has been massively misused by irresponsible folks. However, not everyone who uses the term is bad by default. Best to take a look at the actual dogs, the environment in which they're being raised, the breeders themselves, and the price they're asking.

ETA - If the dogs are exceptionally small or priced at $4500? Yeah, those aren't the good breeders.

It's usually in the Chihuahua breed that has apple heads. Their little heads are as round as a ball.

My Azrael has the look of a teddy bear and we affectionately call her "tedders". I love the look, but it isn't something that is bred for and should never be sold for any more.

This was a very interesting post to read. I had never heard of any of Baby Face or Apple Head before. I am glad I have been lucky enough to find local breeders who are really great and treat their Yorkies like family.

My other dog used to get the Teddy Bear haircut when she got groomed, but that was the only time I ever heard that term regarding dogs.

My pups have super cute faces regardless if there is a special name for them or not. I am just happy they are both healthy.

Thanks for an interesting post.

I agree to an extent. I think most people call a yorkie with a shorter muzzle baby doll. It's the breeders who use the term to entice people I have qualms with.

On another note, show breeders that have pups they think wouldn't be a show prospect sell those. If they are a show prospect they wouldn't sell them, they would show them. But there have been many times I've heard that a breeder sold one they didn't think would be a show prospect, only later to see them a bit older and change their mind. :p

When I was first looking at breeders, I found some who referred to some of their pups as having an "apple head", it simply refers to a round head like a ball and isn't enlarged which could be indicative of hydrocephalus. One breeder guaranteed that all puppies with apple heads would be very small. I agree, these terms are used for selling the pups, usually to say the puppies will be small.