I really don't think anyone is bashing your breeder, I think it is the fact that those who breed dogs under 5lbs really know better and they are putting the pups and their new owners at risk of a lifetime of bad health issues. I have a tiny little one who is super healthy but I did not seek out a tiny because I know many have lots of issues. I correct anyone who calls her a teacup. She weighs 3lbs at most on a good day but I would not join a "teacup" club because I would not want to help the breeders who do this intentionally. Since when you google Yorkie YT usually always comes up it would be like we were all endorsing this type of breeding practice.

And thats one of the reasons people objected to the teacup club it was too exclusionary

Laddy is 5lbs and weighed the same at her age so I hope you are not going to be disappointed if Miley outgrows her projected weight. She is and will be a beautiful girl no matter what she weighs. Heck she could even be a teapot and still be beautiful.

The teacup term is used to get more $$$, the teapot term is sarcasm, totally meant in jest.

To those of you who responded to the OP's question in an adult, thoughtful, respectful and educative manner, I would like to very sincerely thank you. To the OP, please overlook that one person's attempt to manipulate you and stay because there are a lot of well-meaning people here from whom you can learn.
Blessings

Thank you Jeannie....great post, very well explained!

If your baby is healthy, be grateful for the healthy times with her and I hope she stays forever healthy. But a healthy younger dog doesn't mean that genetic problems such as liver shunt, severe GI problems, LP and other orthopedic pathologies such as roach back or a dog that winds up high behind. hydrocephalus, undersized kidneys and all of the other genetic problems tiny dogs tend to get are not potentially present. Some dogs do not become symptomatic from their inherited genetic problems until age 3 or 4. Google the health problems associated with teacup dogs and you will find they are numerous. And if you dog is 4 lbs. or over, she is not considered to be a teacup by most. Usually that term is reserved for undersized dogs weighing less than 4 lb. as adults and is a term that is not recognized by breed clubs or the AKC.

IMO "Teacup" Is a bad word for Yorkies because of all the bad breeder who use the word to make $$. Its there is stuck, Why let it bother you? If you have a healthy small Yorkie good.

This is a Yorkie Forum. For Yorkies in the main, although all our furbutts are welcome here.

Teapot Yorkies has a much needed educational tool, for folks to understand that purebred Yorkies can weigh over 7 lbs.

Everything else is well just a Yorkie. Under 7lbs you meet the Standard for a Yorkie.

And the YTCA does say don't breed a female under 5 lbs.

There is no delineation of Yorkies per the Standard as teacup, micro or mini etc.

So if you have a Yorkie under 7lbs so what ? It is a Yorkie period, that meets the weight standard for the Yorkie.

It seems here the belief is that very tiney Yorkies have more health problems. For me my logic says that may be so. How-ever my science side of me says I don't have studies that show this.

My science side and my logic side both concur that Yorkies of what-ever size have more than enough health problems as is, and until we get to the bottom of this problem; size of the Yorkie is the very least of our issue.

I think I have read this thread pretty well and I haven't seen any hurtful comments through I guess I could have missed something. The dogs, big or small, are always the innocent victim in any discussion about size or quality.

Since the Yorkie is supposed to be a dog that is under 7lbs reputable breeders are dealing with a very small range in weight. They do sometimes produce pups that may get a little larger or a little smaller than they would like. Yes, even a reputable breeder will have undersized pups but that is not their aim and they do not use the dog in their breeding program. They are extra careful to find special homes that will be able to safeguard the little tot and give it a secure life. The little ones can be very healthy if the breeding was sound. A reputable breeder has to go to extra lengths with a tiny to make sure it gets that proper home and that it never gets into the hands of an unscrupulous breeder. Some will spay or neuter the pup before it goes to the new home. They would much rather have their beauties in the show ring or producing other strong, sound babies. So while tinies do happen in a reputable breeder's line it is never the aim to produce them.

If you study some of the methods that greeders use to get tiny pups it would turn your stomach. I'm not going to give the details here because it could give someone that may be lurking ideas. Just suffice it to say that many of the people who advertise "tea cups" are some of the most disreputable people on earth. It is a love for the babies that causes so much passion about the subject of "tea cups" not some sort of snobbery toward tinies. I'm sure there are many good breeders that have shed some tears after reading of the heartbreak that gets posted here by people who did not know about the term "tea cup."

As someone already stated the "teapot" club was started as a joke. It's not a serious club. I think everyone at YT is in a club. If they own a Yorkie, or a part Yorkie, they have a bond in that they love the breed. Please don't let a good natured joke cause you to have hurt feelings. No one thinks badly about your baby or your breeder. You did the right thing to find a good breeder and you must have impressed that breeder if she entrusted you with one of her little ones.

Thanks - I didn't say if it was YTCA or AKC that said it because I wasn't sure which, so AKC did used to say that. Cool, I was right (it happens on occasion lol)

My point is that at one point, it was a standard range so 4.5 is well within "standard" size for a Yorkie. :thumbup:

Courtney - Please don't let some people's need (justified or not) for information cause you to leave. I don't think anyone here thinks you are anything but a well prepared and loving Yorkie Mom. We went on your journey with you pre-trip, during trip, and home. We love and need your perspective and fresh new-mom experiences here to share and help soon to be new Yorkie moms and dads. You are a valuable asset to this community. :)

Teapot club was started in jest, since a teacup is usually more asked for, and very frowned upon.
Bad Breeders marketing ploy for a "teacup" aside.. There are categories of teacup within breeds, like a teacup poodle and a standard poodle. There is not that category in a Yorkie. I don't approve of the term teacup because a Yorkie is a Yorkie is a Yorkie. For me, size is only an issue for fitting into the lifestyle of the individual. Anything under 7 lbs or over 7 lbs is a Yorkie. Some are just smaller and some are just bigger... but still a Yorkie!
Personally, I hate the size thing. More people call me about size, than health or quality combined!

[QUOTE=Maximo;4249000]The breeders who are aiming for 2 pounds and under are the ones who made teacup a dirty word, in my opinion. The vast majority that are purposely bred to be that small are unhealthy and peddled through brokers. That is not to say that a 2 pound dog cannot be healthy.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
Teacup is a word that has negative meaning to today's Yorkie breeders. Good breeders breed for health first. They do not want to be associated with puppy mills and greedy unethical breeders.
Some bad breeders breed for small size first. They know the uneducated public will buy sickly puppies because they are very tiny and cute. Often these 'teacup' puppies are very young and underfed.
When I was growing up my parents taught me to use respectful words when describing people and things. Those words are not acceptable today. Words have changed and teacup is not usually used by ethical breeders of Yorkshire Terriers today.

[quote=Teresa Ford;4249260]:thumbup::thumbup:

So beautifully said! :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: