I am not offended when a stranger calls her a tiny or a teacup or a toy.... Its not really a big deal. But when a vet gets it wrong, it really shows me how "up to date" she keeps her training. I was horrified. My lil girl's health is in the hands of a gal who does not even know what kind of dog she is! Yikes! I was ready to bolt!

My regular vet quoted bits of the breed standard and recited a vast list of problems that this breed can encounter. He was very well educated about Yorkies... and he is an Avian Specialist! I go to him for my African Grey... He also sees Cats and dogs. He attends tons of meetings and is reading every chance he gets. This guy is on top of his info!

I was just blown away by the visit.... I never expected it comming from a Vet. A passer-by on the street? Yes... But not a Vet.

I really do know how you feel. I try to get as much info as I can before I go to the vet. Around here the vets see birds to horses. I guess I don't expect as much from them, at least when I do, I am disappointed. If I wanted to find a ritzy small dog vet in Dallas and pay the 'big bucks!' I am sure they would be appropriately lingual, and well educated for these little guys.

Small yorkies are not ok???
 

Hi everyone, I have read all your reponses regarding teacup yorkies, I also agree that good breeders do not breed for a teacup. I got a small yorkie who is 13 weeks and is 1.7 lbs now shes very dainty. My breeder did not breed for her size she said every once in a few yrs she gets a very small yorkie. Why does everone think they are not good ?? Now you have me worried. I did alot of research on her size and understand how important it is that she eats and all. She loves to play and goes after the cat to play. Please send advice am I in for things I don't know about ??? Thanks...Judy

It is not the size, but the term 'teacup' that offends as it is not a true recognized term. Yorkie lovers prefer 'tiny' or 'small'. 1.7# will be a good 3-4 pounds grown. You to have to be extra careful because of their small size. Many vets and emergency rooms cannot treat them, you may want to check into that right away. I lost a little guy 4# at age 4 mo. It was heartbreaking. The vet called all over to find an emergency vet that could even see him, the equipment they need is very specialized as they are so small.

I have a 3 pound yorkie and used to correct people all the time when they'd ask if she's a teacup yorkie. Honestly I got tired of it and don't really care. So I'll just say, yes. Saying no just results in a confused look and a long discussion! I fully agree with puppylove123 and the only time it bothers me is when you see breeders selling them for a premium. My baby came from a very reputable breeder who charges the same for all her pups.

Baby is 5 months old and 6.5lbs. People still ask if she's a teacup. If they're asking if a 6.5lb Yorkie is a teacup, they must not even know what a supposed teacup is. I think a lot of people use that term b/c they don't know the difference and hear it so much. But...the next time I get asked, maybe not only will I say that the rest of the teacup set is at home, but 'yes, she's only 1lb...isn't she cute?' :p

Tiny Yorkies
 

Are there yorkies that are full grown less than 3lbs ??

Yes, I saw one yesterday at the pet expo I went to. He was 1y/o and 2lbs. He was a cutie, but he had a tiny head and LONG front legs. :p

BTW...welcome to YT!!!

I think the 'standard' is 4 to 7 pounds, so they have to be smaller than 4 pounds even to be considered 'small'.

Our breeder has a little girl 1.7 pounds, 2 years old; 1.3 pounds, 1 year old. They don't sell them that small as I think they believe no-one else could care for a dog that small. His wife was offered $25,000 for one, they said 'no thank you'

O my God!! Now that sounds like a reputable breeder!!!

Yeah, I heard that story before. Don't really buy it though.

Wow .....they surely are not doing it for the $$$..thats good.

Well, it is a full time business for them, and they do make money. These are just too small and fragile.

Well, we were offered $2500 for our little girl, and my mom thought I was crazy not to sell her. I guess I am. And she is 4 pounds!

Actually I believe the standard is not more than 7 lbs.
When I am asked about size of mine I just say she is small for a yorkie and he is big for a yorkie. Easy enough:)

Thanks! That is correct. I guess my biggest question is that I have 6, and I usually say, well they are under 50 pounds all-together! Less than one big dog!

Have you ever tried carrying them all at once? :eek:

6?????
LOL! Well good luck!!!

I can't anymore! I can carry 4, but they all fit in my lap

How cute! I love it. You have 6, I have 1. I'm jealous. Not of the vet bills, but of the company! :p

That's the kicker! Heartworm pills, flea stuff, treats, and vet bills! Not to mention general toys and beds and stuff! They have a bundle, not that they use them. Give them a good sock anyday! :p

I guess I just can't resist walking into this minefield, but i just don't really get the fascination or worst the attraction to unusually small dogs. At one time these dogs were called "runts," and that term was used perjoratively, for good reason. Now they are marketed as designer dogs and sold for outrageous sums with little or no regard for the health of the dog in particular or the breed in general. Don't get me wrong, I fully understand that one of the main reasons this breed is so popular is because of its dimunitive size. I just wish there was more of an emphasis by some on temperament, disposition and overall health.

I will now step off my soapbox for the evening...

Welcome tndefender! I couldn't agree with you more! I think that health and temperament is the MOST IMPORTANT thing when you are talking about small, cute dogs. I had a badly bred Llasa once which I had to put down because he was blind, deaf, and unpredictably mean. He belonged to my 4 year old son. It was absolutely horrible. My dogs are the most loving things you ever saw. They love everyone, are not skiddish or scared. They are fabulous, which is one reason I wanted to breed them, which is why I now have six (and will not do it again)
I actually think my 10 pound boys are the most huggable of them all, they can be held just like a baby. The littler ones sit on my chest a lot. But they are easier to bathe! :D

Thought I would share this article I read in a magazine (Yorkshire Terriers - Popular Dogs Series (vol. 16) by the publishers of Dog Fancy Magazine).

These are not my words and I am neither for or against anything written....just thought I would pass it on.

The Origin of the So-Called Teacup

Sorry - but I still think it's crazy to get upset when people call our little dogs a "teacup" meaning they are very small. I think we've run out of things to worry about.

Especially criticizing a vet for this..... My vet called a big dog in his office a "moose" the other day. (He was huge!) Give me a break!!!!!

Carol Jean

OMG! Are you saying he didn't know the difference in a dog and a MOOSE? Unforgivable!

IMO it is my responsibility to educate my vet that the term is strictly a marketing one and in actuality there is NO STANDARD for any style Yorkie rather than the "not to exceed 7 pounds." My vet on the other hand has a responsibility to educate me about the medical care of my animal..

Well, I have today off and I had to take my African Grey, Darwin, in for a check up on his elbows. He has no feet and has trouble with the skin wearing thin on his elbows, as they were not meant to bear weight. He is such an amazing bird... anyway....

I mentioned my experiance with this other vet and he apoligized and asked me to bring pixie in to see him. He said that I should alert the press and set up an interview with Oprah. That I was the first and only person on earth with a "Teacup" Yorkie. He was sooooo funny, we laughed and he made excuses for her. He said that she never goes to the continuing education classes or seminars. He almost never sees her at any of the functions. He said that she must have a busy home life.

Then we got into the exam with Pixie... he covered so much more with her than this other gal did! He poked, proded, and listened to every inch of her. He turned out the lights to use the scope so he could really focus on her nostrils and throat. He did all kins of stuff. He also said that she was on the wrong treatment.

Pixie was not on any kind of expectorant, only a cough suppressant and antibiotic. He said that if we suppress the cough with all of that build up she will drown in her own fluids. so out with the suppresant and in with the expertorant. He also checked the dose on the antibiotic. She was taking a dose meant for a dog at 15 pounds.

For a vet who thought my dog was a "Teacup" she was doseing her like a "Toy"

I am so glad the red flag went up and I took her in to my guy.

Some of you might have thought me silly to have questioned a little slip of the tongue and mislabling of my dog, but comming from a professional who is supposed to be able to recall all of the detailed information at the drop of a hat in an emergency situation..... I was alarmed.

I know that my vet will never over dose my dog in an emergency when its a split second call.

This one overdosed my dog when she had all the time in the word to look up the weight chart and prep the meds.

I fear for her clients.

Am I spoiled to have such an amazing vet? I hope not... We all should have such amazing vets! Are my standards too high? Absolutly not! Would you expect your docter to be well educated and provide proper treatment for you or your child? Why should you expect anything less from your vet?

My son has a rare disability and whenever I take him in to see a "specialist", they always say things that are incorrect. It really bothered me at first, because I thought they should know more than me about my sons disease. I slowly came to terms with the fact that doctors can't know everything about everything, so it doesn't bother me as much anymore.... although I do correct them! :D I'm sure your Vet didn't mean to be offensive, she just doesn't sit around studying correct yorkie terms all day like you and I do. :D I understand the frustration, but I also know that she did it out of innocent ignorance, and that it doesn't necessarily make her a bad Vet.