On The flip side...Breeders dont like you either
 

I thought this may get your attention.
I get phone calls all the time to people I would not sell to. People who want to own yorkies and havent the foggest idea how to care for them. First question "Do you have teacup yorkies?" I did not teach them this phrase, they were taught it somewhere else. Really all I get from most of them is "I want to get the smallest yorkie I can, I dont want it unless it is 2 lbs or less" " My Mom" "My Auntie" "My long Lost cousin" "wants one"
99% of the phone calls I get are looking for teacup yorkies and I do not raise them! I dont advertise teacup yorkies or small yorkies period. It is the consumer, who 99% of you are, who are asking for these yorkies.
I have never advertised Candy, but I have people who call me, who know I have a "teacup" yorkie. This is the only place I have ever had her pic up.
It goes both ways, many of you all are always putting the breeder's down, but since you are the ones buying, maybe you should do your homework better.
I take care of my babies, I may not be a champion breeder ( I have never shown!!!!!!) but I can tell you we take care of our yorkies.
But since many are so judgemental, we will be as equally judgemental as you.
There are very few of you that would ever qualify to own one of our yorkies.
Those of you that have, know who you are.
If anyone who has occupied here and has bought one of our babies "congrats"

I apolize for my candor.

By the way, no one from yorkie talk has ever purchased a yorkie baby from me.

Good post. I'm just curious why don't you show? From my experience dogs love it! It's amazing watching you little pet going to a show and they transform themselves into a struting show dog :) . It can be expensive though and I understand that. We allways had the breeder show/handle the dog.

It's also a great way to compare your stock to others. Yeah there is politics, but you get that anywhere. I'm sure you love the breed and your dogs no questions asked :). I've allways had dogs from champion lines (CKC, AKC and Bermuda in some cases) . I dunno, maybe I'm a snob. Just remember all us "pet" owners aren't oblivious either.

When we walk Chachi the first thing someone will ask me is if my breeder has teacups she sells. On the internet teacups are really pushed so that could be where some of that is coming from. Before I found this forum I thought Tcup breeders were breeding something rare and different also. I quess thats where educating yourself pays off.

Luvdorkyyorkies - From all the posts I have ever read from you, it is always shown how much care and concern you have for your Yorkies.

I pat you on the back for having a big heart and take such pride and care for all you do!! :p

I get that too and people allways ask me if she's a teacup. I just respond that she's small for a yorkie. I didn't go looking for a tiny either, I had pick of the litter and she was the one that grabbed my heart and she still does :)

The breeders secret is out :-) ! Not that I breed mind you but I figured this little tidbit out years ago. Puppy shoppers, just be aware that when you call and speak to a breeder the good ones are trying to find out as much about you as possible. They are interviewing you as a possible future forever home for their sweet little pups. I even know of one in my area that insist on coming to your home for a home visit before she decides. It doesn't offend me in the least, it actually makes me feel better to know that some want only the very best home for their babies and they are not in it for mass production and selling to whomever can pay the money. They listen for key information and also decide real quick if they like you. It's a good idea to form a "relationship" so to speak with your potential breeder. I maintained an ongoing phone and email relationship with Mia's breeder for about a year before I got her. Also took pictures of my maltese to show her what he looked like in hopes of convincing her that I took great care of my pets, I even offered her vet references to Bentley's vet so that she could check up on me if she wished, she declined but I was determined to get a puppy from her and I wanted her to feel comfortable enough to allow me the honor. I still email her an ocaisional photo of Mia and to update her on how wonderful she has turned out. She loves hearing how one of her babies is doing & she knows that Mia is in a loving home.

My girl is small too so I understand. I picked her she just happened to be the smallest. I think she is a doll. However she comes with some special care requirements and people should realize that. There is no way I got that when I was looking at them on the internet. In truth they are offering something a little more rare but they don't tell anyone there might be health problems are possible injury problems. Not to mention that they will need to be put on the couch etc. because they will be smaller that the standard yorkie.

Interesting post - I'm not sure what brought this on. I will say that I am probably one of the people here who would not qualify to own one of their Yorkies because I have children at home. I was lucky that the breeder I found made calls to both my vet and the shelter I volunteer at before allowing me to purchase Tia. I had been turned away many times, without the breeder looking into my background, which didn't offend me but did make me sad.

It does go both ways. I always say there is an exception to every rule and we should all be careful before making blanket statements.

As to the Teacup craze, there are, sadly, many people who just are not educated in the least as to what owning a dog means, and the proper termanoligy to use. Kelly, I think your babies are adorable and I think it's very obvious the care and time you take with your Yorkies. I'm sorry if someone here has offended you.

I'm not quite sure I understand... Is this more of a 'rant?'

Oh gosh, I never have shown because my yorkies have never been shown and I am very shy. Most of them are not show worthy, but I do I have one young lady, who is named Peanut who I have never talked about but I think she has a very good chance.
I apolize about how abrasize I can be sometimes, but I do not mean harm. I am just a burr.
I would like to show but I do not know how?...........and this sounds stupid..........but I am sensitive and I need someone who truly wants to show me how and not feel like they have to......................I want them to do it because they want too, not because they have too.
I have social disabilities. If you have not guessed yet............lol..........

It comes accross in your posts that you are a very caring and responsible breeder. The special care you give to your little Candy says it all. I wish all breeders were more like you.

I want to show one of my yorkies, in Indiana.

I use that question "Is that a t-cup?" to educate. I do not miss a chance to say "All Yorkies are toys! Bigger toys and smaller toys but toys!" Since there are no real guidelines, any breeder can sell you anything that you are dumb enough to buy-any size for any price.....I don't mean "you" as in these posters, but the public in general...Why would ANYbody make a 15 year commitment without knowing what they need to prepare for?? I just re-read that question and thought "We are a throw-away society.. Children having babies without giving it a thought. Throw-away kids. And on and on." so that probably is not a good question to ask..
Please don't call me or any other responsible breeder for stud service!! You wouldn't get past the phone interview if you didn't meet my standards about breeding..Sorry, I didn't mean to get on my soapbox,,,,once again! ANY breeder has such a responsibility to educate inquirers and it is a perfect time while you got their attention..IMHO

lol........ i learned as much as i could on yorkietalk BEFORE i got a yorkie, i was on here a month before i got my pup learning EVERYTHING i could before the big day..... BUT, i guess i am teh opposit of what you are talking about :p when i was calling aruond, i was asking "Do you have any LARGER YORKIES FOR SALE!!!"

i don't breed nor do i ever plan too but my mother does. she screens future puppy owners too the max. so much so that people have said after the fact that they do not want a puppy. she does home inspections and makes the new owner sign a contract that states if in the envent that the owner can no longer take care of the dog for any reason she takes back the puppy at any age. saying this many people do feel better about buying a puppy from her and she has even had people come back years later to buy a new puppy when the puppy has left this life. i also am very concerned with the term t-cup. when we brought sirius we looked for a breeder and puppy that would be on the high end of the weight scale. we wanted a hardy puppy that would be at least 6 pounds full grown. at 13 weeks he weighs 5 pounds. that is great for us. i know alot of ya'll own small babies and that is fine but for us we felt more comfterable with a bigger guy. hands down to you who care to screen so much for your babies. i wouldn't want it any other way. :D

luvdorkyyorkies, I undertsand where you're comming from and it's obvious you love your dogs. Can't ask for much more. The show circuit can be a zoo and I've seen dogs campained for best of breed in the Country, etc. Yorkie rose will most likely aggree (or correct me if I'm wrong) that only a very good dog wins, but the known breeders have the advantage.

All that being said it's a great experience for your dogs AND for you. Besides all that being said what better way to find a good stud or bitch? I'm newish to yorkies but I have experience with top show breeders of Dachsies (SLH), English Setters and PBGVS (Petite Basset Griffon Vandeen) and they were all good loving people. To love dogs so much you almost have to be a good person and most of the show circuit is full of nice people. At the top level it may get a little ugly but that you wont have to worry about... AT least for now :)

luvdorkyyorkies, it's obvious you love yorkies and breed within the standard, that's all I would/anyone should of you. I'm curios, are your pups papered? I'm guessing yes or showing wouldn't be an option.

Where are you located, Kelly??

I was wondering the same thing. If you come to Indiana I would love to go to a show. I am fascinated and want to go to the shows not to show myself but to see one.

breeders
 

I HATE showing...I love dog shows, but I HATE showing. It is too stressful, finding my way and getting set up, getting the dog groomed perfectly, keeping it that way until ring time, on and on. But I got tired of trying to convince breeders I was breeding just as nice a Yorkie as they were..so I had to prove it.
I can enjoy showing a puppy, but an adult is serious time and I get a handler!..well, I got a handler..and will again when I get my next potential.

i totally understand what your saying i am also a big believer in buyers doing thier homework! but what happened did someone offend you? i only ask because you seem very bothered by this. wich you have every right to be.

There is no such thing as a TEACUP YORKSHIRE TERRIER according to the AKC , this is just a tactic some unscrupulous breeders use to push their wares so to speak. I have a 3 pound Yorkie and I love her as much as a 6 or 7 pound Yorkie. Unfortunately from what the show standards and the AKC in my neck of the woods state is a Yorkie should or must be between 4 to 7 pounds to be of show quality. Correct me if I am wrong.

You are correct.

size
 

There are champions smaller then 4 pounds and larger then 7, but I think 5 to 7 is ideal for the ring..although they like tiny ones here in Florida.
A friend finished a male who was 3 pounds and a 3 1/2 pound female..never bred her. Lots of 8 and 9 pound champions..but they are compact, well put together, not long and lanky..weigh more then they actual look.

Thanks for the back up Pink Martini. By the way do u have a recipe for a Pink Martini.

i would never buy a dog if the breeder didnt sreen us, when we went to go and visit Chelsey i didnt "hope" anything and i told my husband and son not to be disappointed if we didnt get a puppy and explained why.... to me as a buyer getting screened by the breeder means that she/he must be good otherwise they would be in for the bucks and wouldnt worry what kind of home the pup would be getting.... the breeder and me have monthly contact and i update her on weight etc etc... she gets the whole story and more without her having to ask, i love talking to her and asking her things, there was a definate click between her and myself from the minute we saw each other, she promised to come and visit us when they are in the area, we had pick of the litter and i worried with her about the other babies and their new homes and she kept me updated on the pups and the new homes, they all went to great ppl and we are planning a get together with those that got a pup from the same litter when they are 1 year old :)

as for "Tcup yorkies" i laughed the first time i saw this on the internet, coz i know there is no such thing.... in fact i think its rather cruel to try and breed a smaller dog!

No need to apologize for your candor. I think on this board, you are talking to the chorus, even among the members who are buyers and not breeders. Truly.

It drives me crazy too and I DO NOT SELL PUPPIES. PERIOD. TEACUPS or otherwise. Yet, every time, without fail, right before I go into the ring, a spectator will stop me and ask if my four pound bitch is a “Teacup.” Although I can assure you at that moment, that last thing I want to be doing is “educating” (while my competitors are brushing out their dogs and checking their arm bands). I take a deep breath and begin my explanation of “why there are no such things as teacups.” It’s so bad, it’s laughable. The best part? Most people don’t even understand what the word “teacup” is SUPPOSED To mean. Many of you have heard about my Bun. He’s a rescue Yorkie who barely looks like a Yorkie (if he is even a pure Yorkie). He also ranges in weight between 7 and 8 pounds. Not even breed standard, let alone small enough to be called a “Teacup”! Would you believe that I get asked if HE is a teacup, ALL THE TIME? I had a woman approach me at an agility trial just this weekend, asked me if Bun was a teacup, and then proceeded to inform me that her neighbor has a “standard” Yorkie of 11 pounds. To her credit, she had come to the trial to look at dogs with her daughter and to determine what type of dog they would like. She’s the kind of person I love to help out. Yes, she is ignorant, but she is also trying to educate herself = and by doing the right thing. Going to shows, going to the library and trying to learn. She isn’t running off to the first breeder with a request for a dog just like the one “celebrity X” has.

As I said, even though I do not sell puppies, and have links to rescue and adoption agencies on my site, my website mailbox was so flooded with requests for “teacups” to the point where I decided I had to do SOMETHING. My response was to put up a special page addressing the “Teacup” issue. Here’s the link:

http://www.mightymitedoggear.com/links.html

I have to say this, the vast majority of people out there, the ones who don’t spend their days on Yorkie talk, reading Yorkie books, buying Yorkie products and being “Yorkie” people, are ignorant. And this isn’t just Jo Shmo. Look at Celebrities and their recent dog “purchases.” Bald Chihuahuas? Teacup Chihuahuas? Dogs purchased to go along with the latest, Burberry accessory? There are whole stores now catering to this craze brought about by public figures who have made tiny dogs “fashionable.” There’s a store in Florida that has named itself for “Teacups.” What scares me most about this fad is the reason why people are looking for these dogs. If you told me that you had a two pound Yorkie growing up and it has passed on, I’d be a bit more sympathetic than I am when a 14 year old girl comes up to me and tells me she has wanted a “teacup” Yorkie all her life (until very recently, the term “teacup” was used solely for Poodles and even then reputable Poodle breeders frowned upon its use. So tell me how a young kid could know that she has wanted a teacup Yorkie for her ENTIRE life?).

We can get angry with the ignorance of people. And behind closed doors, I do. A lot. But there’s no point in getting angry in public. Or at least, letting it show. If we have a message to send – the truth – we can best do “good” by gritting our teeth and then slowly and politely correcting people. I get this personal sigh of relief when I hear the “OW. I get it now!” One less dog will be bought with enlarged hearts, patella luxation, liver shunt, etc. today. If we let out our frustrations on these people, we lose the opportunity to educate them and they become perfect pray the individuals out there who will GLADLY sell them a “teacup” dog. My two cents. I know, it’s easy to tell others to do this. Much harder to do. I certainly don’t blame people who say “why am I responsible to educate the world?” My only response is, “the dogs can’t speak for themselves, that’s why.”

Wow. I had no idea. Well, I guess if they don't look like they weigh 9lbs, they could get away with it. When I first was searching for a show potential male I wanted the smallest possible. I was told by several people (including my mentor once I found her) that it's not possible to finish a 3lb male. Maybe it just depends where you show?

Breed showing can drive a person nuts. I wont name names on a message board, but just a few weekends ago, I enter a show and was up against one of the very best "known" toy dog handlers. This handler walked into the ring with a Yokie with a brown nose and got put up for winners both times. That stuff is enough to make it completely understandable why many good breeders whould chose NOT to show thier dogs. :thumbup:

I believe I have read several times that quality over size is of prime importance. They may not be able to take points away for being over or under sized but I am not sure about that.