Larger Yorkies, will they be extinct?

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by txyorkies

Can anyone please help me understand why it seems everyone only wants the smaller Yorkies? I have the larger Yorkies. Scooter is 15 lbs, 8 ozs, and Sissy is 12 lbs. I would never want anything smaller than 12 lbs. Am I the only one out here who's heart is breaking that the larger Yorkies are now so rare and fear they will soon be extinct? I am a very small hobby breeder that dedicates everything I have into each and every litter. They are incredible puppies and the litter broke, to the best of my knowledge and research, 3 Yorkie world records; 8 puppies = biggest litter, biggest 1st litter, and biggest surviving litter. Our vet said he is amazed Sissy did not get a calcium deficit that is so common when small dogs have big litters. I truly think this is a testament to the great health and durability of the larger Yorkie breed. Can anyone please tell me why so few people seem to want the larger Yorkies? I just don't understand ...

To compete in the toy breed, a dog has to be a under a certain weight, for Yorkies that's less than 7 pounds. Larger dogs can compete, but points will be taken off. This isn't something new, it's been going on for over 100 years and in fact in the early 1900 a very small 3 pound yorkie won best in breed. Truth be told, most good breeders are breeding up not down, and breeding a 3 or even 5 pounder is frowned upon. However, I don't agree with breeding dogs that much over standard, and I hope you will always be able to find good homes for your babies. It's not true that big yorkies have better health than small yorkies, some Yorkies are small due to health problems.

[Paisley13]

When I purchased Tucker I was told he would never be larger than 6 lbs. He weighs in a little over 18. He is georgeous with his long silky coat. I love him just the same & have never regretted my purchase. Paisley is just over a year old, she only weighs 7 lbs. She looked just like Tucker when born & her coat is silky as well but she has turned the strangest color. Her coat is almost completely white with a tip of black. Different breeder. It's kind of crazy how you can purchase them & they all look alike when puppies then some are small, some are large and then my crazy Paisley is a complete different color!

[DBlain]

sometimes it's hard to tell with posters what their intent is or if someone is agreeing with a post or not, but LOL I somehow get the impression you don't like my reply, so I am sort of confused on if to anwer or not. Forgive me but the OP asked why people seemed to like the smaller size yorkie, and since she has an 8lb and 12 lb, to me smaller would be about 5 lbs which is in the middle of the standard for yorkie. Am I incorrect in asuming that most people buying a purebred yorkie, which can get pretty expensive, are looking for a dog that comes close to the standards. I don't think "teapots" or "teacups" will ever go away cause as they say differnt strokes for differnt folks, and sometimes of course if you buy a very young puppy you don't always get what you thought you were going to get.

On YT I am so used to seeing everyone go on and on about breeding to better the standard (looks wise) so it is surprising and perhaps a bit refreshing to get the feeling that the people on this thread think a little differntly.

[DBlain]

Originally Posted by Paisley13

When I purchased Tucker I was told he would never be larger than 6 lbs. He weighs in a little over 18. He is georgeous with his long silky coat. I love him just the same & have never regretted my purchase. Paisley is just over a year old, she only weighs 7 lbs. She looked just like Tucker when born & her coat is silky as well but she has turned the strangest color. Her coat is almost completely white with a tip of black. Different breeder. It's kind of crazy how you can purchase them & they all look alike when puppies then some are small, some are large and then my crazy Paisley is a complete different color!

that is a big differnce to be expecting 6 lbs and get 18. How many weeks old were you pups when you purchased them. BTW welcome to Yorkie Talk, please be sure to post pictures of your babies. I don't want you to think I have a problem with a big yorkie, it is just that if one is expecting a dog close to standard and they are willing to pay for that, I think they should get something a bit closer.

[Teresa Ford]

I do not think larger Yorkies will ever go away. The genes have all the information from generations way back. Most of the breeders I know want to be as close to the standard as possible. BUT tinies and teapots do pop up.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by Teresa Ford

I do not think larger Yorkies will ever go away. The genes have all the information from generations way back. Most of the breeders I know want to be as close to the standard as possible. BUT tinies and teapots do pop up.

Also, it would be relatively easy to breed a larger dog if there was ever a need for them. Breeding smaller is what's difficult.

[Yorkiemom1]

Originally Posted by maggiesmom_2007

Maximo is right, size does not determine health and I can say this because The smallest pups I have had are healthy . Don't believe me Ask Kim and Alana they both have pups from me that are under 3 and a half pounds. Kim's friend also has a bigger pup from the same litter Allie came from. It's all in the genes. Size, health, temperament etc. So the bigger Yorkies are not rare they are just not typically bred because the standard states 7 lb or under and that is what responsible breeders strive to do Breed to the standard. There will always be bigger or smaller than the standard .

AMEN!! GENETICS!!! PEDIGREES!!! This is why breeders study these pedigrees so diligently, trying to get it right, keep it right. I too, have 4 tiny little dogs that have come out of litters that matured 4-5.5 lbs...these babies are all 3 - 3.25 lbs, and one is just kising 2 lbs. These were NOT intentionally bred for, and they will all stay here with me as I do not sell tiny Yorkies. These little souls (outliers!) are all perfectly healthy....it is all in the genetics! Then I have a couple of small cows (also outliers!), who are also healthy...they are out of the Parquin line of dogs, but I got larger dogs in the line obviously!........and while I love them, and enjoy rough housing in the yard with them for a change, I wont be breeding these dogs anymore as they are not breed standard to size. But they are really fun to play with!

[bchgirl]

Oh as long as there are people out there breeding 18 and 12 lb dogs...I think you can lay your extinction fears to rest.

[txyorkies]

I searched for Sissy for over 2 years. Although I would like for her to have 1 more litter, I hope I can avoid it for at least a year. Regardless, there will only be one more for her. I strive to keep my labs at only 1 litter per year also, but there's been a couple of oops, too late. I dislike being considered a breeder, but I do have really great dogs, and I personally feel every female dog should be allowed to have one litter if possible, so yes, I am officially a breeder @ 2 litters per year lol. As for why I think females should be allowed to have a litter, there's probably research out there, but as for my feelings & observations, they just become better dogs. Imo, I think they are more sensitive, intuitive, protective and are more gentle with smaller things, especially children. As for my dream of show & win ... well, I guess I'll put my hopes back into my labs. Again, thanks for all the feedback; it's wonderful ... I need to find the donation button as this site is well worth it.

[KimInMD]

Originally Posted by maggiesmom_2007

Maximo is right, size does not determine health and I can say this because The smallest pups I have had are healthy . Don't believe me Ask Kim and Alana they both have pups from me that are under 3 and a half pounds. Kim's friend also has a bigger pup from the same litter Allie came from. It's all in the genes. Size, health, temperament etc. So the bigger Yorkies are not rare they are just not typically bred because the standard states 7 lb or under and that is what responsible breeders strive to do Breed to the standard. There will always be bigger or smaller than the standard .

Hi Txyorkie! Welcome to Yorkie Talk! I travel a great deal, and having 2 tinies (from maggiesmom_2007) fits my lifestyle perfectly, as I certainly couldn't travel very easily with 3- 15lb dogs in the plane cabin. Most airlines don't allow it, and I refuse to put my pups in cargo. While some tinies do have health issues, not all do. Many are perfectly healthy. Thousands of dollars in testing, and many, many hours studying pedigrees help to stack the odds in my favor that my little ones will have the best health and temperament possible. Still, most people who want tinies have no idea what a huge amount of work and responsibility it is caring for these extra small babies. We all have misconceptions. In my experience working with rescues, mill breeders/greeders desire teapot size dogs in order to have the largest litters possible, which translates to more pups, and more dollars in their pockets. Seldom is genetic testing done, let alone looking at pedigrees. But I do understand and agree that larger pups are more sturdy, and therefore perfect for busy families. You will find many passionate opinions here on YT. For instance, not everyone believes or agrees that every female should be allowed to have a litter. Actually, most people here probably feel just the opposite. It is wonderful to have a forum with such a diverse group with so many different ideas and opinions. It helps us all to see and understand the other side of the issues we debate. Again, welcome, and we are glad you are here!

[Patti]

I personally want a yorkie to be within the standard. My first yorkie was 16 lbs, floppy ears and couldn't grow coat. I loved him just the same. But the reason I have yorkies is the size, the long coat, everything the standard says it should be. I think yorkies are one of the few breeds that you see such a vast difference in their look. It's unusual to see 2 yorkies that look the same. I don't know if it's because so many people do not breed for the standard. I understand due to their past history you can always throw a larger or smaller one but it shouldn't become the norm. Just my opinion.

[txyorkies]

Originally Posted by KimInMD

It is wonderful to have a forum with such a diverse group with so many different ideas and opinions. It helps us all to see and understand the other side of the issues we debate.

It is wonderful and everyone is entitled to their opinions and there is so much knowledge and experience here. I've learned so much. I sincerely apologize to any whom I may have offended with my word fragile (can't find how to edit the comment section there); my perspective has definitely changed in that respect and I thank you all again.

Off the subject, I don't want to use paypal ... can't I mail you a check? can't find the address.

[Rachael1983]

Troy is our fist yorkie and at the time of his purchase my daughter was 5 years old. I thought he would have grown to be about 6-7 pounds and Troy just stopped at 4.5lbs. I wanted him bigger at the time because my daughter was younger. He is healthy and happy. People think he's tiny but he's within breed standard.

Honestly, I think that if he was any bigger than 6-7 pounds it would be difficult for me to take him everywhere we go. I travel with Troy and he goes just about everywhere I can take him when we leave the house. So a 13 pound dog wouldn't get that opportunity in our family.

During summer months when we ride bikes, he goes in the basket. I like his totability per se.

I think the larger bred yorkie isn't going any where actually. Breeders pay close attention to pedigree and hope that their science works.

[txyorkies]

That's another thing I love about big yorkies ... I have back & neck problems, I do good carrying myself sometimes, and I need my hands free, my dogs wouldn't want me to carry them any more than I would consider it. Travels well, never needs help in or out, stairs, and runs circles around me when hiking at lake ... always right beside you but self reliant ... I love 'em.

[Lovetodream88]

I love big yorkies and have one. They used to be bigger but were breed down. Although when breeding I think it is very important to stick to the breed standard and only breed for the standard as well as health.