Didn't realize how old is this thread!

A reputable breeder will sell you a nice standard size Yorkie (7lbs or under) for $1200 to $1500. It is not attacking someone to try to give them information. There are thousands of money hungry, dishonest people out there trying to prey on people like the OP who want a nice little dog.

There are many, many so called breeders out there with no scientific plan for their breeding program. They put one small looking pet quality dog with another small one and the genetic lotto is on. They have no idea of what genes they are playing with yet they will advertize their pups as "tea cups" or whatever label they want to use as a selling point.

I certainly understand the OP's disappointment. Most people do not know how to find an established, reputable, purebred breeder. The "greeders" all tell people that they are professionals and have been "breeding Yorkies for many years." Their websites make it look like the total opposite of what is actually going on.

When I purchased Gracie I wanted a smaller dog due to a recent back injury. I didn't want to take on a larger dog that would stress my back during training and bathing. Her parents were within the standard but on the upper side rather than the lower end. I expected her to mature at 7 or 8 lbs but instead she barely made it to 5lbs. A little smaller than I expected but she is pretty much what I was hoping for. If she had been 10lbs or larger I would have loved her, of course, but it would not have been what I had planned for.

If purchasing a healthy purebred dog that looks like a good representative of the breed is important to you then go to the AKC website and do a search for a local AKC conformation club. Contact the people and learn about your breed and what goes into a good breeding program. Find out who is who in the dog world and take your time deciding on the breeder that is right for you. If you are going to put your hard earned money into a purebred dog then get one that you know is going to be the dog of your dreams.

Teacup is only a word used by bad breeders to jack up there price

Teacup is a word, used by many breeders of toy dogs to describe dogs on the low end of standard. That is all it is, a word. Every time someone gets on this forum and uses the phrase all hell breaks loose. It is a word, last time I checked we do have the right to free speech. I might add my yorkie is 16lbs and a teapot. That is what I wanted. I set out to find a healthy large yorkie. And I found Keno, who is all Yorkie, AKC Champion Blood Line and LP in right hind leg. Show breeder and all tests done on sire and dam. Not every thing is perfect in AKC either.

And i know that, which is why my pup had a complete check up with a vet before i got him and i have all the documents. I wasnt looking for a "teacup" but that is how he was advertised, and i don't believe in teacup as a kind of dog. Simply size. My yorkie is6 months and is 3.2 lbs. he is also not fully grown. I have read that yorkies vary from 4-7 normally but there are no standards. So my yorkie is normal. He was 100% healthy and not from a "bad breeder", and he was not overpriced at all.

A breeder who uses the word teacup is a bad breeder! He could still have genetic illness pop up with in a couple of years plus it keeps bad breeders in business to buy from them which is no good for the breed. There is a standard for Yorkshire terriers it is not to exceed 7 pounds so that includes everything under 7 pounds.

Teacup is a word used by bad breeders that is a fact.

No that is your opinion, and you are entitled to it. Not a fact. Personally know Champion Show Breeder of Maltese who is known for her "tiny" breed line. Most show breeders and handlers refer to her line as "Teacup". Word to describe her small dogs.

pinkpatty
i couldnt agree with you more!

All the breeders I know of and have talk to would be appalled to have there dogs called teacups because it is very much a word only bad breeders use as a marketing scheme and sorry to inform you of this but there are show breeders who are bad breeders.

You both might want to read these

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...uch-thing.html

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...-my-gears.html

lovetodream88 i think your missing the point teacup is just a term we are not discussing good and bad breeders...and i LOVE the word teacup and have the rite to call a dog teacup or teapot which i think lets just say we decided to call an overweight person teapot i think they would be offend cant imagine how a "big" yorkie would feel about the word teapot (if they were to understand)

You really should know what the word means and it means bad breeding and good breeders absolutely will not use the word and would highly offended by there dogs being called that. Its like calling someone a bad name. Breeders who breed for teacups breed females under 5 pounds and that is just not ok its wrong and bad and VERY dangerous. Did you read the two links?

Of course its just a word....unfortunately this word has had detrimental results for many, many, many Yorkshire Terriers.....it is a word horrible breeders and puppymills use to describe the look they are trying to achieve by poorly, inhumane breeding methods for people that believe this is a breed...many, many, many, many, of these teacup Yorkies are so ill that they don't live very long, their parents suffering....its an industry standard for puppymillers..........simply search the word teacup here and you will see why most of us abhor the term.....

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...57-safari.html

Im just putting out there that i do not refer to my pup as a teacup... Because he is within normal range. That is just how he was advertised. And the breeder i got him from doesn't breed for a living so she prolly said it cause they were small....parents were normal size. I am not arguing with anyone and im not going to judge anyone cause i know we all agree that we LOVE our babes. my puppy is BEAUTIFUL and healthy and thats all i care about.