Teacups!

[GeorgiesMomma]

Those poor people that use the term teacup when they see Georgie probably wish they hadn't lol. If they are receptive I inform them there is no such thing as a teacup and bad breeders use the term to inflate their prices. I also let them know all the health issues my so called "teacup" has. I have had a couple of people thank me for the information since they really wanted a "teacup" Yorkie. I am very nice about it because I didn't know before I came here but I think it's important for people to know.

[Jaedawn]

I have to admit KazzyK that I like your teacup Yorkie the best

[Marhcarter]

Originally Posted by nanahas3

Hmmphhh sorry isnt good enough just kidding lol. I understood what you meant although I do have a half hamster half yorkie named Kyra she is all yorkie but only weighs 2 1/2 lbs at a year old. In her heart she weighs 100 though.

[wisteria]

My Bella is only 4 pounds. I would like her to gain a little because she has longer legs than most and looks skinny.....I was told she would be around 6 pounds. She is almost 8 months old and will be fixed in April. Thoughts?

[JANICE C]

Originally Posted by GeorgiesMomma

Those poor people that use the term teacup when they see Georgie probably wish they hadn't lol. If they are receptive I inform them there is no such thing as a teacup and bad breeders use the term to inflate their prices. I also let them know all the health issues my so called "teacup" has. I have had a couple of people thank me for the information since they really wanted a "teacup" Yorkie. I am very nice about it because I didn't know before I came here but I think it's important for people to know.

Very well said.....People really need to be informed......I have a Shetland Sheepdog "Sheltie" ..... Now when I'm out I have to explain to so many people My Sheltie Shelly is not a Miniature Collie or a little Lassie there is no such thing. Now with Chloe they say oh so cute is she a teacup? I used to just smile and nod but now I very nicely explain the two breeds. So many people are really interested and thank me for explaining the breeds to them. I really didn't know much about Yorkies myself until I started reading up them and joined YT and I'm still learning.

[yakkwak]

Liberty didn't follow the program and weighs an ounce less than 3 lb. Since I can't call him a teacup, can I call him a beer mug?

[joeyyy2010]

Originally Posted by wisteria

My Bella is only 4 pounds. I would like her to gain a little because she has longer legs than most and looks skinny.....I was told she would be around 6 pounds. She is almost 8 months old and will be fixed in April. Thoughts?

It sounds counter productive, but take her out and do things with her..since I started walking Joey for longer stretches (nearly at a mile a day) hes really gained some muscle. Hes always been shorter and sturdier, but now you can see hes got manly muscles

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

I have to try to remember that to John Q Citizen, "teacup" is nothing but a term of size, and NOT a very accurate size indicator! What I consider "teacup" size may be a lot smaller than what YOU consider a "teacup" size yorkie. We just need to contnue to explane teacup is not actually a denotation of a specific size in a Yorkie. Schnauzers and poodles come with these distinct size classifications.... The first thing out of my mouth when anyone says "do you have teacup size yorkies?", I breed to comply with the breed standard. Occasionally, I will get "throw backs" that go OVER the breed standard of 7 lbs....and I also occasionally will get tiny little runts that I know will be underweight when mature....these babies are kept by me or go to homes that are longtime Yorkie owners and are thoroughly knowledgable with the frailities of these tny babies.....".

Excellant post! I use to have to explain Joey was not a teacup, he was within standard, and then I thought, "Oh will they think there is a smaller size like there is in poodles", which have standard, mintature and toy size? When someone tells me their dog is teacup now, I just smile and nod. They have to come to YT to be educated!

By the way, sales people aren't trained to know their products and don't have to pass any tests on dog breeds. It wasn't that long ago, that all pet stores bought dogs from puppy mills, the sales people didn't bring about the changes.

[Verbena]

Originally Posted by wisteria

My Bella is only 4 pounds. I would like her to gain a little because she has longer legs than most and looks skinny.....I was told she would be around 6 pounds. She is almost 8 months old and will be fixed in April. Thoughts?

Also she might fill out a little more after she is fixed. Like it was suggested above. Take her for walks and play. Build up her muscle

[wisteria]

Bella and I do walk 3 times a day, but maybe a a quarter mile each time...........I will increase it, Thanks for the suggestions.....and all the info on teacup is "spot" on......lol

[Yorkiesatwork]

Originally Posted by wisteria

My Bella is only 4 pounds. I would like her to gain a little because she has longer legs than most and looks skinny.....I was told she would be around 6 pounds. She is almost 8 months old and will be fixed in April. Thoughts?

If Bella is 4 pounds at 8 months, she will most likely grow to 7 pounds or more on a 'pet' diet. My Max was 4.5 pounds at 15 months. He was from a show home -- had very clear eyes and good coat. But his little bones were so tiny... his back haunches felt like chicken wings... I was so afraid he would jump off the bed or the sofa and break a leg. Now, at 3+ years old, he's a bruiser... 6.9#... haunches like a brahma bull, incredibly powerful -- can jump 3 times his height onto furniture. I've expressed my concern about the 'breed standard' before, and I'll state it again... if these tiny little guys and girls were allowed to develop with normal diet and exercise, there wouldn't be many 'standard', let alone 'teacup' Yorkies.

[Yorkiesatwork]

Forgot something... yes... a good walk twice a day is cruical... a mile out and a mile back, will build those bones and muscles, along with strong digestive tracts. I saw a little sign that said, "Walk your Yorkie like a Great Dane", and that's what I try to do.

[wisteria]

Thank you for the input....what is a "pet" diet? We feed Bella Royal Caine dry mixed with Blue Buffalo canned, twice a day, enough that she always leave some in her bowl....plus leave dry in her dish all the time. She gets treats for good potty and we do "play" time where she does her sits, downs etc. During the day we go for 3 walks a days, they are about 1/2 mile each.....so I guess I will increase the length. She is our first yorkie so we are learning from this site all the time..........love it.

[gracielove]

Unless people come to YT or speak with a reputable breeder there is just no way for people to know the truth about the "teacup" scam. They are advertized everywhere. The internet, pet stores and classified ads are full of them.

[nanahas3]

Funny I was in my front yard today holding Kyra while Laddy played when a neighbor we had not met yet came by. She was asking about the kids and what breed etc. She said to me "Oh my friend has yorkies, but they are the teacup ones around 3lbs" Mind you Kyra weighs 2.8lbs Laddy varies between 4.8 and 5lbs. lol. I gave her the little talk about teacups but I think went over her head lol.