"No Teacups" (Article in a Magazine)

[Stormy]

Originally Posted by PlatinumYorkies

I, um didn't say anything like that in my post on this thread. I did say I've read where they are fragile, and are prone to illness....

Also on another thread, someone stated they had a small full grown yorkie and it was scary, I think it is different for every owner. I also think those who breed tinies to get tinies, are often the ones who get the "rude" comments!

OF course these teeny babies should NEVER be bred.....I would think that was criminal !!!!

[PlatinumYorkies]

Originally Posted by Stormy

OF course these teeny babies should NEVER be bred.....I would think that was criminal !!!!

It's happening a lot, Stormy. Some people do it to try and get tinies every litter!!

[Lissie]

curious.....Why shouldn't tiny's be bred? If the male is smaller than the tiny female, is it not the same as breeding standard yorkies??

Please don't jump down my throat. LOL...I really am just wondering. and No I don't have a tiny nor plan to breed one.

[MeganS]

Originally Posted by Lissie

curious.....Why shouldn't tiny's be bred? If the male is smaller than the tiny female, is it not the same as breeding standard yorkies??

Please don't jump down my throat. LOL...I really am just wondering. and No I don't have a tiny nor plan to breed one.

it isn't safe for them to carry pups and deliver for a number of reasons. Sometimes, the pups can be too big for them, so they have problems with delievery. Then a c-section has to be done which is extreemly stressful on the mom dog. Some people even lose their tinies trying to breed with them. Considering the fact that even some standard sized dogs can have problems with giving birth, we can only imagine how it is for the small ones. I hope this makes sense....

[SoCalyorkiLvr]

Originally Posted by Lissie

curious.....Why shouldn't tiny's be bred? If the male is smaller than the tiny female, is it not the same as breeding standard yorkies??

Please don't jump down my throat. LOL...I really am just wondering. and No I don't have a tiny nor plan to breed one.

That is the $64,000 question.....lol....

We have been debating about this and trying to get some conclusive answers for some time (search threads here) and, while there is no imoerical evidence or scientific evidence to "prove" what size is okay and what is not, there is a general understanding that inexperienced breeders should not attempt to breed a yorkie female under 5 lbs and that 6 or 7 lbs would be even safer.

Apparently due to the smallness of the yorkies under this 5-7 lb weight their "reserves" are less and if something goes wrong they have less to draw from to get healthy again.

It has somewhat been concluded that only very experienced and knowledgeable breeders should attempt to breed a 4 lber and then only after a careful pre-mating evaluation by a vet specializing in canine reproduction that her "frame" can accomodate the puppies and a safe, natural delivery.

It is the general consensus that no female under 4 lbs should be bred.

If anyone comes up with credible evidence to support this or otherwise...I would be interested.

[Midge5353]

Originally Posted by MeganS

Its great that the news is getting out!!!! BUT in defense of some people on YT who have the small ones, they aren't ALL bad. I think its more of an issue of breeding for them than owning one or having one naturally born in a litter. I hope this makes some kind of sense....

It's not the size of the Yorkie that gets people upset. Like the article said, smaller than standard Yorkies can be found in any litter. There's nothing you can do to prevent them being born from standard parents. The article is just trying to inform people that the term "teacup" is not a different, special Yorkie that is rare and should be paid more for.

The article is not criticizing smaller than standard Yorkies. It's just trying to increase the public awareness of breeders who charge extra money for these tiny, NOT RARE, Yorkies.

Yes, it does talk about the risks of having a little one. I think that is just to make people aware that they cannot go buy one of these "teacups" and just leave it by itself at home. They require extra care because they do have more health risks.

I agree with PlatinumYorkies and Red98Vett.

[My Maddie Girl]

im confused.

I got mypuppy from a Puppy Store and my friend got hers from another store. My cousin got his fom a breeder. Both of their puppies are BIGGER than mine and they swear they have these "Teacups" and i was told mine is a "toy"


So there really is no Teacup??

[txshopper73]

Originally Posted by SoCalyorkiLvr

It is the general consensus that no female under 4 lbs should be bred.

If anyone comes up with credible evidence to support this or otherwise...I would be interested.

I thought you found some info on that the other day and posted it. I don't know, I didn't read it but your opinions on the subject matter have seemed to change somewhat from the past.

[BamaFan121s]

Originally Posted by SoCalyorkiLvr

It has somewhat been concluded that only very experienced and knowledgeable breeders should attempt to breed a 4 lber and then only after a careful pre-mating evaluation by a vet specializing in canine reproduction that her "frame" can accomodate the puppies and a safe, natural delivery.

You speak as if this is the general consensus of us ALL. When and where was it ever "concluded" that is was OK to breed a 4 pounder? Even under these circumstances that you have mentioned.

[txshopper73]

Originally Posted by My Maddie Girl

So there really is no Teacup??

You are correct! Teacup is just a term used to describe size and a marketing tool to charge more money.

[Midge5353]

When I posted this article, I did not mean for it to start a big controversey. That wasn't my intention. I just wanted everyone to know that people were being informed about the "teacup scam" If for some reason this AMAZING article offended you, I'm sorry for posting it. If this is going to turn into a big debate, I will just ask Admin to close the thread.

[cheryl000]

Can we talk about something OTHER than weight?
I am sorry but I CAN NOT STAND IT when the ONLY thing a person who is looking for a yorkie only asks about weight because they want a tiny. I read one that was like "I want a yorkie that MUST be between 2-3.5 lbs for my daughter's birthday. Must know weight of parents." I understand the reason if someone has back problems and such (even though 5 lbs is still light.) But people only asking weight questions as if that's the ONLY thing that matters drives me nuts.
The same thing for the bad breeders who only talk about weight. What about temperment? What about bloodlines? Do these things not matter anymore? We're not picking out purses ladies, you're choosing a life that depends on you for the next 14 years or so. Then you see it being resold a couple months later because it got too big. Please there is more to a yorkie than it's weight!!! Heck I don't even know exactly how much Brandy weighs. Ballpark of 4lbs maybe and still growing.
I think the article was great and I'm reposting it everywhere. Thanks so much for the info!

[Stormy]

Originally Posted by PlatinumYorkies

It's happening a lot, Stormy. Some people do it to try and get tinies every litter!!

oooh nooooooo...I am looking at my tiny baby and am horrified at the thought that anyone would breed something that sweet tiny.

[cheryl000]

Originally Posted by Midge5353

When I posted this article, I did not mean for it to start a big controversey. That wasn't my intention. I just wanted everyone to know that people were being informed about the "teacup scam" If for some reason this AMAZING article offended you, I'm sorry for posting it. If this is going to turn into a big debate, I will just ask Admin to close the thread.

I think that would be a travesty. The article was a good one and not everyone will agree on everything. I think it's great to let people know about the teacup scam that people shouldn't be paying extra for. Hell if it were up to me I'd bump this thread everyday so that the newbies can see it. It might save someone a few hundred bucks and people from making bad breeding choices.

[Francie]

Originally Posted by Midge5353

I just received the March 2006 issue of Dog Fancy. Every month they do a several page article on a specific breed. This month's breed, THE YORKSHIRE TERRIER!!!!!!!
I was reading the article and toward the end they have a section called No Teacups. It reads:

"The tiniest of the tiny Yorkies, weighing less than the standard size of 4 to 7 pounds as adults, are sometimes called "Teacup Yorkies." The term doesnt technically exist, according to the Yorkshire Terrier Club of America or the American Kennel Club, and refers to dogs who, rather than being rare or special, are actually just dangerously small, more susceptible to injury and accidents, and particularly vulnerable to health problems, says Shirley Patterson, corresponding secretary of the Yorkshire Terrier Club of America. She urges potential owners not to be fooled by breeders trying to sell these extra-small Yorkies for extra-large prices.
'These dogs need constant supervision, become dehydrated very easily, and get sick frequently,' Patterson says. Responsible breeders will not charge more money for these smaller dogs, who can naturally be born in any litter."

Isn't it a great article? I thought you all would enjoy it because I know how many of you get irritated by ignorant people searching for a "teacup"

I just LOVE the yorkie pics in that issue! I would love to have that little girl on the cover! She's adorable!


Francie