Yorkie size????

[KimMee's Mom]

I can relate to the size issue. My KimMee is 4lbs and 3 ozs, having recently gained weight at 16 months, she feels sturdier at this weight. She stayed at 3 1/2 lbs for about a year. The only thing I can say is we are walking more and I switched her to more people food as in, I cook meat for her. I am always worried about her jumping off the bed or couch and getting stepped on! I have stepped on her myself. I also fret over her little neck!!! I never use a collar, only harnesses. When I get another Yorkie, I want it to be over 6 lbs. I thought she would be bigger as her mom was 7 lbs and her dad 5lbs. There may be hope for Mignon to get bigger yet!!!!!!!

[diva pup]

Thanks, I still have some hope. I hope that she might gain a little when she gets spayed and exercise is always good for building stronger muscles,tendons and ligaments.

Of course then I have the added worry of hawks and owls so she has to go on a leash LOL!!!

[Sugar's Mom]

Originally Posted by SnowWa

Am I wrong -- or are too many people putting too much emphasis on their dog's weight --- wanting a tiny tiny little dog.

I just read a post where a girl said her dog might end up being 6 or 7 pounds -and be a real teaPot - she said. Isn't this a very desirable and healthy weight for a little Yorkie? Hardly a teaPot!

So many breeders are trying to breed smaller and smaller dogs - because they are in demand. Is this good for the breed? (I know that good, reputable breeders do not do this.) But breeders in it for only the money do.

Ads are advertising that the dogs will be "very very small." And, "very small dogs" cost more because they are worth more.

I have recently seen a lot of teenagers hanging out at the mall with tiny tiny little dogs in their purses showing them off - letting everyone handle them, etc. When have these little things last eaten or had water. How long have they been dragged around the mall? Where else have they been taken this same day? (And, some of the ones I have seen in the mall are very young puppies....only a couple of months old.)

Unfortunately, I think that "very small dogs" have become a status symbol. And, as we might expect - because it only takes money to buy them, a lot of people who have no clue how to care for them are among the ones who have them. Even kids! I would think that some of these kid's parents might at least know better. These little puppies should be at home in a warm, quiet, little bed with food and water, sleeping and playing with a person they love nearby.

Didn't I read somewhere that a reputable breeder wouldn't breed a female less than 5 pounds?

Isn't the AKC standard 5 to 7 pounds?

I really don't like to hear people brag about their tiny tiny little Yorkies or hear them being disappointed because there beautiful little Yorkie may weigh 10 pounds or more.

Boy -- I do know a lot of you have the larger little Yorkies and just love them to death. You are the ones that know what having a pet is all about.

Carol Jean

PS: When I say that I hope my Yorkie stays small - I am thinking 10 pounds or less. But if he ends up weighing more - that's the way it goes. I love him to pieces.

This was my post you were referring to when you said," I just read a post where a girl said her dog might end up being 6 or 7 pounds -and be a real teaPot - she said. Isn't this a very desirable and healthy weight for a little Yorkie? Hardly a teaPot!" first it was an inside joke and if you had been on here when I first joined you would understand why it was a joke. I thought I was buying a very small yorkie and he only weighed nine ounces at eight weeks so since both parents were small, I thought he would be small also. The "teapot' comment was made in reference to others calling their large yorkies, "teapots' when people come on here nearly every day wanting "teacups'. We know there is no such thing.

Next, I was not looking for a 'status symbol" when I bought my baby. I live in very rural kentucky and most people around here don't even know what or yorkie looks like nor do they have the money to buy it. FYI, my yorkie was purchased by my husband for our thirty sisth wedding anniversary. he knew that I had wanted one all my life. Also, FYI, I don't care if my baby makes a "tea kettle'. I almost lost him Thanksgiving and struggled for two or three days just to keep him alive but even before that, from the moment I laid eyes on him, he has been my baby no matter what. So there!!!!!!!!
You have the rest of the story as paul Harvey would say.

[chachi]

Originally Posted by Sugar's Mom

This was my post you were referring to when you said," I just read a post where a girl said her dog might end up being 6 or 7 pounds -and be a real teaPot - she said. Isn't this a very desirable and healthy weight for a little Yorkie? Hardly a teaPot!" first it was an inside joke and if you had been on here when I first joined you would understand why it was a joke. I thought I was buying a very small yorkie and he only weighed nine ounces at eight weeks so since both parents were small, I thought he would be small also. The "teapot' comment was made in reference to others calling their large yorkies, "teapots' when people come on here nearly every day wanting "teacups'. We know there is no such thing.

Next, I was not looking for a 'status symbol" when I bought my baby. I live in very rural kentucky and most people around here don't even know what or yorkie looks like nor do they have the money to buy it. FYI, my yorkie was purchased by my husband for our thirty sisth wedding anniversary. he knew that I had wanted one all my life. Also, FYI, I don't care if my baby makes a "tea kettle'. I almost lost him Thanksgiving and struggled for two or three days just to keep him alive but even before that, from the moment I laid eyes on him, he has been my baby no matter what. So there!!!!!!!!
You have the rest of the story as paul Harvey would say.

I wouldnt let it bother you Sugars mom. I read your post and I knew you were just having fun when you posted he could be a teapot. I dont understand why some people on here have so many problems with small yorkies but there are alot of poeple on here with them so they really just need to get over it. I think small yorkies are adorable.

[megan_kat22]

I have two "chubbys" - as I call them. Tucker weighs roughly 11lbs., and Tripp 9lbs.. I love them to death, and with all the health concerns we've experienced with them (liver shunt, collapsed trachea, heartworms from before adoption, etc.) I cannot imagine what the medical issues would be with a Yorkshire Terrier 1/4 or even one half their size! I agree with Stewie's mom and Alaska Yorkie, I love the regular/larger Yorkies with the big dog attitude. Sometimes I catch myself wishing my babies were 5-6lbs. so they could come everywhere with me, but honestly I don't think it would be fair. They are very rough and tumble, love run and play, and I think their size fits them perfectly

[shelbysmom]

Originally Posted by chachi

I wouldnt let it bother you Sugars mom. I read your post and I knew you were just having fun when you posted he could be a teapot. I dont understand why some people on here have so many problems with small yorkies but there are alot of poeple on here with them so they really just need to get over it. I think small yorkies are adorable.

I agree, even though I know I should keep my mouth shut b/c I don't really know anything.

I wish everyone could just be happy with the dog they have. WE shouldn't assume that big = good and healthy, small = bad and not healthy. I think it's pretty cool that such a fantastic breed of dog is not one size fits all. In my opinion tiny dogs do not belong in teen's purses OR running around the feet of small children but that doesn't mean there aren't legitimate reasons for other people wanting them.

A tiny dog is so much fun at my stage in life. I had the big dogs when the kids were small. Now the kids are big and the dog is small.

[chachi]

Well I just think we dont say anything about people who want a dog who is over the standard do why are there things said about people who want dogs under the standard. They are all yorkies. I just dont buy into the theory that people want dogs for status symbols. They want a smaller dog because it is little and cute. Just the same as someone picks the yorkie breed because they are a smaller breed and cute.

[DazzlinYT]

Any breeder who is not breeding to try to achieve the YT standard doesn't need to be breeding, period. If they are trying to breed "tinies" on purpose, that is a problem. Yes sometimes they are as healthy as Yorkies within the standard, but just as often they are not. The point of breeding is to try to produce something better than both father and mother and try to achieve the standard. A 2 pound dog is not it. JMHO. I have from 3.5 lbs to 6.5 lbs (all within standard) and I can honestly say my 3.5 lb dog has to have special attention as far as feeding is concerned, we have to make sure he doesn't get hurt by the other dogs when they go outside, he could easily jump off something and break a leg... yes he fits in my purse, and yes it's cute.. but I am praying for the day that he will fill out (he is a late bloomer) and hit around 4 lbs and be more sturdy so that I dont have to worry so much. I am showing him, and I can honestly say he is the smallest dog in the ring at every show we've entered. I will be GLAD for the day he hits 4 lbs, and fills out, then he can do more than practice, he can WIN! Why anyone would want anything smaller than that I have no idea.. Why encourage breeders to breed AWAY from the standard? Don't we already have enough poor quality yorkies in the world? Lets encourage QUALITY! Which means not supporting the purposeful breeding of TINIES.

[megan_kat22]

Originally Posted by megan_kat22

with all the health concerns we've experienced with them (liver shunt, collapsed trachea, heartworms from before adoption, etc.) I cannot imagine what the medical issues would be with a Yorkshire Terrier 1/4 or even one half their size!

By this I did not mean smaller Yorkies were worse or anything like that, just that liver shunt occurs more with smaller ones, and collapsed trachea is more of an issue to prevent. I understand that smaller dogs require more care, I just don't want anyone to think I meant something bad by my comment

[cajungal]

I personally would rather a little bit bigger of a yorkie. Just small enough for me to pick up and hold without killing my back. But, I don't want a yorkie too small. Too worried about the dog getting stepped on and hurt. My Lacey weighed only 4 and half pounds at her heaviest. And even then I was always worried about her safety. I always held her when company came over. I was was so worried about someone stepping on her because she was always under everyone's feet.

[Sugar's Mom]

Originally Posted by chachi

I wouldnt let it bother you Sugars mom. I read your post and I knew you were just having fun when you posted he could be a teapot. I dont understand why some people on here have so many problems with small yorkies but there are alot of poeple on here with them so they really just need to get over it. I think small yorkies are adorable.

Thanks. i'm not really bothered. Just a little p.o'd at that person. She was ragging on the little thirteen year old girl's post also. I thought everyone knew I was just having fun. Turns out with my little soon to be "Teapot', the jokes on me. I just hope my little female I am getting the first of the year will be large enough to breed to him.

[tigerfan]

Originally Posted by SnowWa

I do know a lot of you have the larger little Yorkies and just love them to death. You are the ones that know what having a pet is all about.

I feel that everyone on here loves their pet(s) to death. Their size does not matter. Once they are in your family, you love them no matter what. Yes, the smaller ones do require more attention in terms of health, diet, and safety. From the posts I have read though all these people know what having a pet is all about - LOVE.

[SnowWa]

Sugar's Mom --- I owe you an apology. But, please understand the only reference to you in my post was about your dog becoming a "TeaPot" at 7 lbs. (I totally missed your "inside joke" --sorry).

The entire rest of the post was not directed at you. It was more from some of the many other posts I have read --- and even more from comments a lot of people I know have made.

Sorry again.

I know everyone loves their Yorkie (regardless of its size) -- who wouldn't?

But - I am glad that people (even those with very small Yorkies) have stepped forward and reminded everyone of the possible health problems and special care that the little ones need. It's important for people to know these things before they go out searching for an extra tiny little dog.

There is no doubt in my mind that a lot of people here are the perfect people to have the smaller dogs. They do take care of them and give them the special care they need.

There are two things that I can't approve of:
1) Breeding Yorkies down to get smaller and smaller dogs.
2) People getting these little dogs who don't realize they need special care
and that they may require a lot of extra medical care (and can't afford it).

Sorry again - Carol Jean

[Francie]

Originally Posted by Lexi's_Mommy

My first yorkie was 2lbs 8oz. Her name was Tricia's Lil Candy Mint she lived to be 13 1/2. The first year of her life was very expensive, she had breathing issues among other things. By the time she was 10 she was very sickly. I had 2 vets tell me it was time to let her go and 2 that said she is not ready. There were a few times when I thought it was time, but then she would start to run around and play like a puppy. How could I possiably put her down? I did not buy her for any other reason than to have a yorkie puppy, I had no clue this was wrong. If she would have been 2lbs bigger there is a good chance she would have had a healthier, longer life. When she did go it was aweful, my baby girl had a stroke in my hands, as she came out of the stroke she went into a seizure. She was left parralize on her left side, could no longer eat or drink. She was put to rest at 3:21 am. I will never forget how much it hurt.

PS
Candy's mom died 4 days after I took her home. She had 4 VERY tiny babies, and it was to much for her VERY tiny body. Candy and her sibblings had to be winged from their mother at 5 weeks, because they knew she wouldn't be around long enough. The mom died the day after the last pup was gone. She was 3lbs 14ozs. dad was 2lbs 11ozs. I didn't know much about the breed when I bought her, I was 16 and spent the whole summer babysitting to save for her. I do not regret getting her she was my world, I just think God my parents were kind enough to give me all the money I needed to take care of her health issues. I am not 100% sure but I believe her first year with us was a little over $3300.

That is such a tragic sad story...God is my witness...I'm going to get a "Bruiser" of a yorkie when its time...

Francie

[YorkieShadow]

Both of mine weigh 5lbs 6 oz and are 10 -11 in from neck to butt and are like 8 1/2 in tall. To me that is very small. I do love all sizes big to tinies.