3-3 1/2 lb Yorkie full grown

[Robb]

I have a chance to purchase a Yorkie from a very reputable breeder. The pup is now 10 weeks old and 1.5 lbs. The breeder estimates her full grown weight to be 3-3 1/2 lbs. Both of her parents are over 5 lbs. I wanted a small Yorkie but was looking for one within the breed standard. I thought the breed standard was 4-7 lbs. Today I found out that the AKC breed standard is actually " up to 7 lbs." I've heard so much about the smaller dogs being less healthy. Is this true? Should I buy this dog since I know it well bread or should I wait for another litter that has a larger dog? I'd like to hear all your thoughts. I just don't know what to do>

Thanks in advance for all your comments>
Jane

[MamaZiggy]

Hi Jane

I have a smaller yorkie. Ziggy is 3lbs and 14 months old. When I get my second yorkie I would like her to be around the same size as Ziggy so they play well together. My boy has been very healthy.. BUT he was bred by a BYB and the second puppy I got from her died of liver shunt (he was bigger than ziggy though)

In my own opinion, I believe the health of a dog is more likely determined by the quality of the breeder. A breeder who breeds for tiny ones, will probably have more sick dogs than one who just so happens to have a smaller puppy.

I am already on a waiting list, and I chose the breeder because she is very reputable.

So to answer your question, I think that if you know that this is a good breeder who has tested her animals and has a good health record, i say go for it. BUT just note that the small one's do require a lot more attention, I am home all day with Ziggy and will be home too when my next one comes. It is also a good thing to let the puppy stay a bit longer with the breeder to get stronger and also do AS MUCH research as you can on taking care of the smaller ones..

Good luck in your decision, but I think whatever you decide you would have thought it out and be prepared

[MidnightUnicorn]

Originally Posted by Robb

I have a chance to purchase a Yorkie from a very reputable breeder. The pup is now 10 weeks old and 1.5 lbs. The breeder estimates her full grown weight to be 3-3 1/2 lbs. Both of her parents are over 5 lbs. I wanted a small Yorkie but was looking for one within the breed standard. I thought the breed standard was 4-7 lbs. Today I found out that the AKC breed standard is actually " up to 7 lbs." I've heard so much about the smaller dogs being less healthy. Is this true? Should I buy this dog since I know it well bread or should I wait for another litter that has a larger dog? I'd like to hear all your thoughts. I just don't know what to do>

Thanks in advance for all your comments>
Jane

My Tatiana is on the small side (about 3 lbs). Yes, I think a small yorkie may have extra risks, but that's mitigated if the breeder is reputable. Does the breeder offer a health guarantee?

Incidentally, Tatiana is in excellent health. I purchased Tatiana when she was three years old. According to the breeder, she's never been sick a day in her life. I've had Tatiana for almost two years now, and with me, she's never been sick either. Her vet check-ups are all normal. Also, the breeder did give me a health guarantee.

Personally, I wanted a yorkie on the small side. I wanted to bring my dog with me EVERYWHERE. I'm a petite woman, and I could only handle a dog (in pet carrier) that's small.

[Robb]

Mamma Ziggy, You said that the little ones require a lot more attention. Could you be more specific.

Thanks,
Jane

[MamaZiggy]

Yes Jane

Well firstly, as puppies they require food about every 2-4 hrs (even through the night) depending on how small and the activity level of the puppy. I free feed Ziggy, meaning I always have food in his bowl, from the day I got him. So he eats whenever he gets hungry. This is to prevent Hypoglycemia (this i would say is the big thing when they are still little as they dont have any fat reserves to take from when hungry)

When the puppy gets home you need to Not over work them, keep play minimal and resist the urge to have people over handling the puppy, this can over exert the puppy which could also cause stress and a hypoglycemic episode

Next, getting vaccinations can be stressful as some don't handle this well (but your vet would be able to guide you through this)

Then potty training requires alot of patience as they have tiny bladders

Puppy proofing the home is also very important as these little one's can get into everything (alot of members on here would recommend getting a play pen for potty training and safety purposes)

Gosh, I'm not sure what I am missing out on, I'm sure others can add to this list.

But if you decide to get this puppy, feel free to PM with any questions and I'll be happy to help..

Oh also check this out: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...w-parents.html

[Yorkiemom1]

Originally Posted by Robb

I have a chance to purchase a Yorkie from a very reputable breeder. The pup is now 10 weeks old and 1.5 lbs. The breeder estimates her full grown weight to be 3-3 1/2 lbs. Both of her parents are over 5 lbs. I wanted a small Yorkie but was looking for one within the breed standard. I thought the breed standard was 4-7 lbs. Today I found out that the AKC breed standard is actually " up to 7 lbs." I've heard so much about the smaller dogs being less healthy. Is this true? Should I buy this dog since I know it well bread or should I wait for another litter that has a larger dog? I'd like to hear all your thoughts. I just don't know what to do>

Thanks in advance for all your comments>
Jane

Have you ever owned a Yorkie before? Do you have any experience with a tiny Yorkie? These are the questions I ask....True, smaller Yorkies CAN be less healthy, but that is NOT a given fact in all tiny Yorkies, especially if the breeder is indeed reputable and is breeding excellent pedigrees. "Tiny Yorkie" is not synonymous with "unhealthy Yorkie". The reason everyone thinks most tiny Yorkies are sickly and unhealthy, is because THAT is what is released to the public by back yard breeders, puppy mill breeders, and unreputable breeders. Breeders that are ethical and truly concerned about their dogs, do not turn out their tiny Yorkies to anyone that opens their purse...they keep their babies, even the majoprity that are healthy, until experienced Yorkie owners show interest in them....and they do not turn out ANY of their tiny Yorkies that may have a health issue. If you have a reputable breeder, you are a lot better off...my concern is that she is willing to let that baby go to someone with no experience or limited experience (if that is the case with you!)with small yorkies.....maybe a little bit of a cautionary flag!

[gracielove]

I also would have questions about this "reputable" breeder. For one thing why is she so sure that this 10 week old puppy is going to be so small? It really is kind of early to be saying what that pup is going to be at maturity.
Do you have children or do you think you could have in the future? Tiny Yorkies do not usually fair well around young children. Tiny Yorkies can be healthy but even a reputable breeder can occasionally produce puppies with problems. At what age is the breeder willing to let the puppy leave? What kind of a contract are you looking at for this puppy?

[nanahas3]

I have a little man who weighed 1.4 at 9 weeks and is now a nice 4.8 lbs. You never know with these little ones. On the other hand Kyra weighed 1.4 at 12 weeks and at 7 months is stll only at 2.6. Probably the biggest difference in these 2 with size is Laddy is a jumper always has been, never could get him to stop. Kyra seems to know she is fragile and thank God doesnt even attempt to jump. We have younger grandkids but we also have Laddy and Kyra rules for them to follow and it works our very well for all.

[scrapindee]

A major difference can also be is the breeder breeding for small dogs or is this the occasional small dog that pops up. I would worry if the breeder breeds for small dogs only--these tend to be the ones with problems. The breeder who breeds for the standard and occasionally has a tiny has stronger healthier littler ones and usually will offer a health warranty. Also this breeder frequently will hold this puppy an extra month to get in through the shots and early hypoglycemic episodes for the buyer as puppy transitions from weaning to feeding.

[peachesmom1sc]

i have a lil one she will be 3 on 7-16-12 only 3 pounds she is very healthy got her a 15 weeks she was already pee pad trained when i got her her mom and dad were both around 6 to 7 pounds was told she would be aroung that size you can't always know how big or lil they are going to be i got her to love and enjoy and thats what i got she is the most loving lil thing in the world

[Julia Howard]

I noticed one of the emails mentioned the breeder who occasionally has a tiny as opposed to one who breeds for tinies. I totally agree. I have two tiny girls in a litter now (just two in the litter) and the Mom is 5 lbs and the Dad is 5 lbs. However, I am not surprised that these girls are so small since their Grandfather and GreatGrandfather both weighed 3 and 3 1/2 lbs. I think that is one way to know when the puppies will probably stay small. They have small yorkies in their lines and go back and pick up those genes. I try to keep females 5 lbs and above but I love the 3 1/2 to 4 lb males. No one can guarantee that they will be small but if you know your line and you keep the puppy long enough (16 weeks or so) you can get a pretty good idea of the size. Also a good breeder wants to keep them longer to ensure they have a stress free transition to their new homes. I really dont think they require a lot more effort after they are grown other than being careful with the vaccinations and hypoglocemia. If I felt good about the breeder and could get a good health guarantee I see no reason not to take the puppy.

[MamaZiggy]

Originally Posted by Julia Howard

I noticed one of the emails mentioned the breeder who occasionally has a tiny as opposed to one who breeds for tinies. I totally agree. I have two tiny girls in a litter now (just two in the litter) and the Mom is 5 lbs and the Dad is 5 lbs. However, I am not surprised that these girls are so small since their Grandfather and GreatGrandfather both weighed 3 and 3 1/2 lbs. I think that is one way to know when the puppies will probably stay small. They have small yorkies in their lines and go back and pick up those genes. I try to keep females 5 lbs and above but I love the 3 1/2 to 4 lb males. No one can guarantee that they will be small but if you know your line and you keep the puppy long enough (16 weeks or so) you can get a pretty good idea of the size. Also a good breeder wants to keep them longer to ensure they have a stress free transition to their new homes. I really dont think they require a lot more effort after they are grown other than being careful with the vaccinations and hypoglocemia. If I felt good about the breeder and could get a good health guarantee I see no reason not to take the puppy.

Good post. This is precisly what I ment in my post. The breeder that I have chosen is very reputable and has helped 2 great breeders by being a mentor for one and gifting the other with a female to help start her line. I was actually looking at these two breeders, upon speaking to them, and finding out who helped them, I decided to go straight to the original breeder. She is great! And has told me to place my name on her waiting list already as she does NOT breed for tinies and rarely has them, but does get them occasionally.

If the OP is certain that this is a good breeder, then I'm not against this at all. And I also think that if a breeder knows their lines well enough and has been breeding long enough, they can give a pretty good Estimate of adult weight (give or take a pound or so)

[BLowry]

My Lillie was 1.8 lbs at 8 weeks...she (after spay) weighs 5 1/2 lbs...Bentley was 2.5 lbs at 5 months...he is 11 months old and weighs 4 lbs. I don't think he is going to get much bigger....he is leggy (tall) but tiny boned....little face...ADORABLE!!
you never know how big they are going to get Sadie's Mom was 10 lbs and her Dad was 4 lbs...Sadie (after spay) weighs 6 1/2 lbs

edited to add....the rule of thumb is to triple the 8 week weight or double the 12 week weight and add a pound...this had held true for my furbutts

[yorkietalkjilly]

My Jilly topped out at 3 lbs. but she was a runt of a litter of larger puppies. She had terrible medical problems along the way, especially after she got older. If she even jumped off the bed or accidentally fell off the bed or couch, it required a vet visit to be sure she was okay & had no fractures, etc. Once a jump down her doggie stairs dislocated her shoulder when she was 12 because she missed a step & landed hard. A larger, stronger joint capsule would have taken the force but not hers. The vet suspected she had stressed/torn the joint capsule from repetitive jumping over the years & weakened it over time. If you want to get a tiny, be prepared to deal with the financial aspect of it - and all the time it will take to deal with the various health-related problems, vet trips, sleepless nights, etc. Tiny dogs are very special & do find a special nook in your heart but just be mentally & financially prepared if you do get one. I'm sure many tinies make it through life with no or few special problems but fear they are in the minority.

[ginya1975]

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

Have you ever owned a Yorkie before? Do you have any experience with a tiny Yorkie? These are the questions I ask....True, smaller Yorkies CAN be less healthy, but that is NOT a given fact in all tiny Yorkies, especially if the breeder is indeed reputable and is breeding excellent pedigrees. "Tiny Yorkie" is not synonymous with "unhealthy Yorkie". The reason everyone thinks most tiny Yorkies are sickly and unhealthy, is because THAT is what is released to the public by back yard breeders, puppy mill breeders, and unreputable breeders. Breeders that are ethical and truly concerned about their dogs, do not turn out their tiny Yorkies to anyone that opens their purse...they keep their babies, even the majoprity that are healthy, until experienced Yorkie owners show interest in them....and they do not turn out ANY of their tiny Yorkies that may have a health issue. If you have a reputable breeder, you are a lot better off...my concern is that she is willing to let that baby go to someone with no experience or limited experience (if that is the case with you!)with small yorkies.....maybe a little bit of a cautionary flag!

I have a couple of question regarding this post. If anything I say sounds snide, I do not mean it to be. Just trying to get a little more education. First of all what exactly is a BYB or back yard breeder. Second, everyone that owns a Yorkie has been a first time owner at one time. I am a first time Yorkie owner. Prior to getting my Yorkie I researched their care like you would not believe. I asked LOTS of questions of the couple I got him from. Next, he went to the vet the very next day after we got him. I had a list of questions written down prior to going and insured he had after hours service (which he did) in case we had an emergency after the office closed. So I guess I'm wondering why being a first time Yorkie owner has to be a bad thing. Again, not trying to be argumentative, just curious.