Seeking large yorkie
 

We recently retired and are looking for a reputable yorkie breeder.
We want a large yorkie, 10-20 pounds....our neighbor’s yorkie is 17 pounds....he is a big adorable clown....love his temperament. Does anyone know a breeder of large Yorkies in the upstate, South Carolina? We will travel if needed. Thanks in advance

Your not going to find a reputable breeder that breeds for bigger Yorkies because they will breed to better the breed which means they breed for Yorkies that do not exceed 7 pounds. If you buy from a breeder who does breeder for bigger Yorkies you need to be prepared that they may not breed for health and you might end up with health issues. If size is a really big deal you might want to adopt a yorkie that is fully grown because no one can completely guess the exact adult weight. All of mine are bigger but none came from good breeders. Callie who is 15 pounds came from a puppy mill and has suffered because of it. I rescued Joey at 9 weeks old after having had two homes and he got to 10 pounds. penny I rescued at 8 months old at 12 pounds she had a terrible uti and was used to nothing when I got her. Ollie came from a not so great breeder who couldn’t get rid of him because he was going to be bigger and he is charting to be 10 pounds but is 9 at 7 months.

Just as in a litter you will have a runt, same with the larger yorkie. My now passed girl as an adult weighed in at 17 pounds. No one breeds for bigger yorkies they are not in high demand.Reputable breeders breed for standard, not to exceed 7 pounds. Un-reputable breeders breed for tiny's. This not to say a reputable breeders dam could not throw a larger yorkie.



All my yorkies were bigger, one at 9 pounds, 2 at 13 Lbs and my last girl at a whopping 17 Lbs. My rescue boy is 12 pounds.



A yorkie is a yorkie no matter what the size is. If you love the yorkie breed you will adore it whatever it's size, they are all mischievous little imps full of charm, personality and little clowns that will always keep a smile on your face.



Good luck in finding your perfect baby that will melt your heart.

I would be very interested in knowing how many yorkies are under 7 pounds. What percentage of yorkies meet the standard?
Gew

Hi, I have three babies who are, Faith 4.2 pounds, Ryder 3.2 pounds, and Ramsay 5.1 pounds. I feel like mine are really small but I think they are average for the breed.

Wow. They are tiny. I guess there are many that small and I am just remembering the larger ones.

I got my one Yorkie from a rescue and he is 7 pounds. However, there were many in the Yorkie in Rescue who were larger than the standard.
Gew

LOL there are a lot of 7 pounds and under (standard size) on YT because ppl got educated about puppy mills vs reputable breeders, did their homework and researched breeders which in today's society we can do that because of computer technology. Back in the 70's and 80's I never heard the phrase "puppy mill" there was no media on them, all my puppies were purchased at reputable pet stores. I was very, very lucky to have had healthy dogs. Because I have always had larger yorkies that is what I prefer, they are sturdier, I do not have to fear them flying off sofa's and such and can take rough housing play.



I will admit I do adore the smaller ones, if I ever had one it would be in a pouch and carried all day, it's paws would never touch the floor, I would be smothering it's lil face with smooches all day lol.

There are a whole lot of them. To many to count. I have no idea how I ended up with 4 bigger then standard but probably because they came from non reputable breeders. I still talk to Ollie’s breeder and all of his siblings were 5 pounds and under.

Thank you all for sharing, I am writing with our neighbor’s 17 pound male yorkie snuggled next to me. They are away for the weekend and we are pet sitting him. This is our second time pet sitting him. Last time we had him, I was depressed for days after they returned and took him back home! He is such a joy. He is a rescue and must’ve been abused because he growls at most people and esp other dogs when I walk him. But he loves us. He has a squeaky toy that delights him and we have so much fun playing fetch with that toy. He is trained to do his business outside, never had an accident here, doesn’t beg for table food. And as I said earlier, he is a big clown and makes me laugh with his antics.
The backstory is that when I was in my twenties, I had 2 yorkies. The first weighed 3 pounds. I was visiting London and bought her there from an excellent breeder. She was a descendant of champion show dogs. This was in the early 70s....I’d never seen the breed and fell in love. She was very high strung, very serious nature, no clowning no fun. Then a year later I bought a second yorkie, a male from a pet store. He grew to 8 pounds. His temperament was exactly the same as this sweetheart that I’m pet sitting. He was a big loveable clown who kept me in stitches.....he was complete opposite of my 3 pound female. I loved them both the same....he was just a lot more fun.
So, in my experience, not all yorkies are silly charming fun clowns.
He was only 8 years old when he passed from pancreatic cancer. She lived to 14 years old. He may have come from a puppy mill, don’t know....but the point is that I never got over losing that dog. He was my soul mate and this dog, my neighbors guy is exactly like him. He is twice the size but he looks and acts like his clone. I even call him by my deceased dogs name by mistake. If I could have cloned my dog at that time, I would have absolutely done it.
My neighbors return on Sunday evening. I’m sad just thinking about it.
We are in our 70s and I want to be sure that if we do get a yorkie of our own, I want him to be just like the one I lost.....that is why I’m looking for a larger size yorkie. My thinking is that larger yorkies are more laid back, more fun, sturdier, more clownish, less delicate, less high strung. So unless we get an adult dog, we won’t know personality. I’m also considering getting a yorkie poo. That may be a larger dog. I’m wondering if anyone here has one?
Or any other thoughts regarding how to insure getting a yorkie with the personality I’m seeking?
Anyway, thanks for listening.

Your post scares me because no dog should have to be the clone of another, no matter how wonderful. I say that with confidence, but I am guilty of exactly the same thing. My beloved Jami died a month ago after six months of sickness. His breeder followed the whole ordeal. A week ago he called and offered me a dog. I thought when I went to see him he would look just like Jami. I hoped he would....however, he was a different color, different size (smaller). The breeder quietly said, he is yours if you want him. I know you will grow to love him if you love him for who he is and not for who he isn’t. He said to take time and think about it. Well, Sunday I am going to pick up Finley. Jami lives in my heart forever, never to be replaced. Finley will move into my life Sunday and I am sure will someday join Jami in my heart.

Hope you find just the best dog for the dog and you.

The biggest mistake you are making is wanting a dog exactly like you had sadly it’s just not possible and trying to do that is going to make you end up very disappointed and unhappy. Cloning would also not have cloned the personality. Size actually doesn’t determine personality. If you are set on a certain size and personality I would aim more for an adult. Reputable breeders will never breed mixes so unless you rescue one it’s a bad idea to buy a mix. We had an 18 pound rescue that was high strung so size just won’t determine personality.

I have had 4 yorkies raised from 8 week old pups, they were full of mischief, personality, charm and lil clowns, at their naughtiest I couldn't be mad at them, I would scold them then walk away where they couldn't see me and laugh lol. In your situation I can understand your concerns having had one that was not your typical silly lil yorkie and a larger one that was a little clown. I have a rescue, he was 2 1/2 when I adopted him, he is like no other yorkie I ever had. He is not the little clown, he is extremely smart, never, ever gets into any mischief, he is just a perfect dog, I do miss my little clowns. My rescue as a puppy was not allowed to be a crazy, silly, zooming, mischievous lil puppy, he had no toys, didn't even know what a toy was when I got him, now lol, he kills his toys and flings them all about the house, he is not the shy lil boy that I rescued. He was gotten for a 8 year old girl and she was his only means of entertainment so he is more reserved then my wild crazy girls were.

Because your boy was bigger, and your neighbor's boy is bigger does not mean the larger yorkies are more fun, little clowns, silly, quirky personalities, etc. All yorkies have different personalities, I knew a lot of ppl that had smaller yorkies and they were all little clowns, full of mischief. There is no guarantee a larger yorkie will be like your passed boy or your neighbors. We do have some members that have yorkiepoos. I have seen several yorkiepoos and a neighbor has one, they are tiny. There is no guarantee on a yorkies, or a yorkiepoos personality, it's a roll of the dice. All yorkies that I have seen and know have all been full of personality, mischievous lil imps, and all little clowns.

I do wish you luck in finding your little clown.

Thanks so much love to dream and matese. Your shares are very enlightening.
Yes I’ve owned yorkies but haven’t had exposure to any others outside my neighbors dog so what you write is very helpful. It’s amazing how much joy animals give us. I love my family and close friends but this dog I’m pet sitting gives me something I can’t get from a human being. Can’t really describe it...outside saying it is a pure, innocent, and perfect love.

Matese, I love Pennsylvania.....I was born in sw pa, near Pittsburgh.

If you don't have or want one of your own, NEVER pet sit a yorkie! Pet sitting is how it all started for me. ;););)

I totally get that. I suffer from several illnesses and my pups just help.

Trust me when I say that no what kind of yorkie you get, small, standard size, large, brown, black or pink, you are going to fall in love with your furbaby! Resistance is futile (trekkie reference). He/she will quickly work their way into your heart and have you talking in a high pitched voice and saying things that you definitely don't want your golf buddies to know about. You might think you are picking the dog, that you are the one doing the rescuing but the truth is just the opposite. Sit back and enjoy the ride!


:yorkiesar

Gew, I just saw your post....I’m so sorry for the loss of your beloved jami.
Your words are very wise, thank you! I hope you will tell us all about Finley.

Your Max and Sasha are gorgeous 🐶

I am someone who has always chosen to welcome another little one in when we have lost one of our beloved companions. We have not waited, but have added a new member to our family knowing full well that we would have to mourn, and accept, the passing of our dear pet, and that the newest baby could not "replace" the one that we were missing so much. For that reason, we have purposefully chosen a dog that looked different...that is how Beauregarde, our now curmudgeonly poodle, joined the family. Likewise, when we lost Ozzie and Tucker (standard colored yorkies) in a short period of time, we chose to bring our beautiful parti Tyrone into the fold.

Your breeder is correct...you will love Finley for who HE is! Part of the wonder of these beautiful. intelligent and loving creatures is that they are each unique, and form a magical connection with us in their own ways. I have three wonderful children who were born within the span of four years. Although raised in the same home, all of my babes were born with their own "wired in" quirks. I truly believe that there is a very strong "nature" in the nature/nurture formula. Our furry babies are the same.

Have a wonderful time learning all about Finley! In short time, your devotion to each other will be the gift that helps you have only fond memories of your beloved Jami.

To add, When ever one of my yorkies passed and I purchased another, never in my heart did I want one like the one that passed. Some years back my cousins son was going away for 2 weeks, he asked me to babysit his 8 month old little girl. He and I bought our our yorkies a week apart, my Matese was like no other yorkie I had, in looks that is, she was huge and gotten for my 6 yo girl who was grieving for 7 months over the loss of her 2 sisters that passed 6 months of each other. My cousins son's yorkie was the spitting image of my 2nd yorkie Kajon, he would bring her to my house 4 times a week to play with my Matese as the they were the same age. I would get such a pain in my heart because his girl looked exactly like my girl that I had lost 7 months earlier. The 2 weeks that I watched her she was glued to me, would not allow my 2 girls near me. She didn't have Kajon's sweet personality even tho she looked just like her. When my cousins son came to pick her up 2 weeks later, she wouldn't go to him, she clung to me, snapped at him when he tried to take her from me, he was very hurt and crying. His new wife didn't like dogs, did not want him to buy this dog, he had just lost his little girl who he loved dearly, disregarded his wife telling him not to get another dog. Now his yorkie not wanting anything to do with him, his wife tells him to just leave the dog with me since the dog loved me more then her daddy. I told him absolutely not, she looks to much like Kajon and my heart has been breaking these last 2 weeks. I told him his dog will get over me and will be his dog again. I drove his dog to his house, that was the only way we could get her home. I went to visit her every day for 2 weeks until I saw she was daddy's little girl again. I would never want a yorkie that resembled one of my passed girls. I do not compare one passed yorkie to a new one, never have, never will. Each yorkie is unique in it's own lil way, have their own personalities and quirky lil ways. You may never find one just like your passed boy, what ever you get, yorkie or yorkiepoo, just love him / her for the dog that it is.

Thank you so much for your kindest wishes and wisdom.
Gew

Ditto :thumbup::thumbup:

Thanks everyone, lots of wisdom here.....so I’ll rephrase my original question....can anyone recommend a reputable yorkie breeder in the upstate, South Carolina...we will travel if needed.

Today is the big day, congrats on your new baby, do post pictures when you get a chance, we would all love to meet baby Finley :)

Thanks for your highlight; I missed that joyful note!

Warms m'heart; brings a smile to m'face.--KatysMom

The Yorkshire Terrier Club of America has a list of member-breeders in South Carolina. Here's the link from which you can find the contact information--YTCA Breeder Referrals.

Were I in your shoes, I'd contact those to learn more about their breeding program--if they don't have pups available, ask them for referrals to breeders in whom they trust.

Another good suggestion made on YT recently was to attend some dog shows in your area in order to have some fun and meet some active show breeders. You can learn more about their breeding program face to face.

Hope this helps--KatysMom

Thanks Katysmom, that helps very much.😊

Honestly they are everywhere but the reality is, you probably will not find one if you are looking to what is referred to as a reputable breeder around here because they go out of their way to ensure that they don't produce pups that end up being that big and with years of selective breeding it is possible to ensure that is highly unlikely. But do try, you make luck up! Theres always a chance they have some giant misfit pup pop up. But big yorkies are real, they are cute, and they need homes too, no matter where they come from.

If you want a larger Yorkie, you are gonna probably have to..gulp! look in the classifieds section of the newspapers in your surrounding areas! Try Hoobly. Then you will have to pound the pavement visit breeders and pick one who bred dogs closer to or over the 7lbs mark who seem clean and decent. You can try rescues and the shelters/pound as well but yorkies and small dogs often go first because their size, popularity, and coats that are easy on allergies. I was open to adopting a Yorkie a while back but there were zero yorkies in my area only a few alleged crossbreeds. Even the breed specific rescues were cleaned out. That whole #adoptdontshop hashtag on Instagram works.

Dogs are as unique as snowflakes, no two are the same. I understand if you want a larger Yorkie because you want a sturdier, less delicate dog, or if you have small children or grandchildren around but just because you find a dog that looks like the dog you are missing, does not mean the dog will have the same energy so please, refrain from getting another pet until you make peace with your loss and your heart is open to allowing a new dog to come in without such an impossible job to do. I have a little 5 pounder and a 8-9 pounder and I love them both, they are both dear to me and I had no idea they would be as big or small as they are but they are just right in my life. I lost dogs in the past, miss them too but i had to respect them enough to let them forever hold the space in my heart they occupied and I just carved out new spaces for new dogs.

Finley is home and is fitting into the pack nicely. He is stocky; Jami was tall and lean. He is a totally different color. However, he ,like Jami, is loving, kind, responsive, and has the same depth of spirit in his eyes. So much so, I have been brought to tears many times since Finley came.

As all the wise have reminded, each dog, as each human, is a unique gift. Sort of like Christmas, we get the joy of opening a present never sure if it just what we want and then we remember who made it for us and gave it to us.

Finley will not replace Jamison. That is not his job anyway. He will be the best Finley he can be and I will be blessed with holding his leash.

Thanks to all who gave encouragement and reminders of things I should have already known.
Gew