Puppy question
 

I am getting ready to bring my puppy home in a few weeks. The breeder contacted me this morning to tell me that he was 2.lbs 12 ounces. She also said that his adult size should be 5.6 ounces because you double the weight at 8 weeks. I thought that a better guesstimate was trip,ing at 8 weeks and doubling at 12. This would make him closer to nine pounds-right? She said she never heard of this and when I referenced charts that I have seen, she said she didn't know what I was talking bout. Although I do not want a tiny dog, I have shared with her that I do want a dog within the standard size. I know you can't guarantee weight but what is bothering me is that she keeps telling me things that contradict what I have read. He is the biggest of the litter but I didn't have choice because there were only two males and she decided to let a person purchasing two puppies have first choice of the two males. She is clean and takes care of her pets. she told me he has a good temperment. I really want a yorkie within breed standard size. Is there any chance this puppy could stay 7 pounds or under?i am paying the same price as the smaller females that are. Being sold with full registration. Just a case of pre puppy anxiety. :)

First, let me emphasize that these weight charts and weight guesstimations are JUST that.....the best guess!! You are right....you can triple the weight at 8 weeks and double the weight at 12 weeks, and they also have a chart where you convert the puppys weight to ounces, go across to the weight in oz at the current age, then go down on the chart and get an idea of what that baby will weigh when grown. You will have to look at several charts because your puppy weighs more at 8 weeks than they have on the chart when it is converted to oz. for that age! Now.....it is important to know what this breeding pair usually throws in size, as well as what generations before this breeding pair usually throw....you can always get smaller and you can get larger....these babies grow like monsters, then suddenly, they stop and dont ever get over 4 lbs, when according to all the charts and calculations, they were tracking to be 8 lbs!!! What concerns me is this breeder has never heard of tripling weight at 8 weeks.....instead, she doubled it. That is not correct. This would make me suspect of anything else she tells me! This doubling and tripling method is in all books about Yorkies, and all over the internet....not like this is secret, privileged information that is restricted to breeders only! She should be aware of this method of guesstimation!

Thank you for your reply. Your thoughts mirror mine exactly. I am not a breeder, she only breeds occasionally not for a profession. It seems like she is trying to tell me what she thinks I want to hear- which in turn makes me wonder about other things she has said. But- I have seen here home, the puppies and the parents and it is a clean environment. The puppy is cute, his ears are erect she says his temperament is terrific so those things are in my favor as a buyer. I am paying the same price, 1500,that she is charging for the smaller females with full registration,should be be less because he is a male. I have no intention on breeding him I have already inquired with a vet about neutering. I just not sure about some of the things this breeder tells me for example doubling the weight at 8 weeks and not knowing about growth charts- how could this be? She said she has been breeding for 10 years.

Sounds like you are not trusting this breeder and maybe should look else where! He is adorable!

I know....mixed feelings... It is so hard to find reputable breeders, especially in my area. It is not so much about size... My husband said so what if he is a little bigger as long as he is healthy. It is just I question the inaccurate answers she gives me.i have been reading and reading well before I even put down deposit. I think I am getting on her nerves with all of my questions,especially when I said I read different information about predicting size. I have waited so long and now I am wondering. But since he is healthy and from a clean home maybe I am just reading too much into the situation. I am going to see puppy tomorrow.

Like someone already said, charts are just guessing especially when you don't have a history of your dog's ancestors and what they produced.

A reputable breeder will have an established line of dogs and will know the background of those dogs and what came out of them. Then they can make up their chart according to the facts they have to go on concerning past history but still it is an educated guess.

It sounds like you have not met the breeder or the parents of your pup. That is a red flag. I would venture to guess that there are reputable breeders in your area or at least in your area of the state.

Here is a link to search for AKC conformation clubs in NYS:
American Kennel Club - Club Search and Directory

There are quite a few. Most of those clubs will have a breeder referral person that can point you in the right direction as far as what they consider reputable breeders. They attend shows all over NYS and in other states so they know a lot of breeders.

Some will also tell you to contact the YTCA but any YTCA member is also going to belong to their local AKC club as well. It is a good idea to to to the YtCA website. They are rebuilding it right now but when it is complete it will be a great source of information for you. You can find breeders there now though.

These people do sell pet quality pups. Some have some beautiful little dogs. The thing you have to do is talk to a lot of them and get a feel for what you are hearing. Learn what questions to ask and how to decide if you got the right answer. You have a right as a pet owner to get the kind of dog you want. People who do not bother to learn the history of their breeding stock cannot promise you anything about the pup you buy. They have such a huge gene pool that you just have no way of knowing what is back there and what will pop up in your pup.

There are also "sticky" areas here on YT that are informative and will help you to avoid possible problems....and there are many out there right now.

Thank you for your feedback. I am new to purchasing a yorkie but a little familiar as my adult daughter has one,he is eight years old, six pounds and has the sweetest personality. I did meet the breeder and the parents of the puppy. she is extremely clean, the puppies live in her home and they seemed very well cared for. My issue is it seems she doesn't always give me accurate information, my husband and I are going to meet with her and visit my puppy tomorrow morning. hopefully we will be able to resolve or clarify some of these issues. Thanks again for taking the time to respond. :)

Thank you for your feedback and information!