I do see your point - but I don't think most people with bigger yorkies know they're going to be the size they became....but good answer - we DO have to roll with the punches in life...things can always be worse and obsessing over size is just something I never did with my girls but I can understand people have preferences. Each his own right ???

I didn't know that about your son....:( :( My sisters little boy was just recently diagnosed with autism and I couldn't love him more - actually I think I DO love him more because he's going to have so much to overcome....All the best to you and your family - you sound like you're an excellent mom....

and lol - I just saw there are new posts asking about.....drumroll - What SIZE is my yorkie going to be LOL - (those are the times I want to say - who cares as long as you have a healthy puppy !) but I know people DO care

Carol -- "only trying to educate yourself?" -- what is it you want to educate yourself on in regards to the little ones? Are you thinking about getting one? What are your expectations for answers? I am sorry -- I did not get any specific questions. In fact, in your original post you asked why they were in so much demand and went on to list some of their perceived inadequacies. Let's see, "extra special care, heartbreaking stories, health can be questionable, never entered my mind to look for one that was 1, 2, or 3 pounds, that is scary to me, etc." If you ONLY wanted to educate yourself on them, why not start a more positive sounding thread like, "For those of you who love your tinies, can you tell what makes them more special for you?" Something like that could have illicited a more positive response. How you ask what you ask makes A LOT OF DIFFERENCE and can determine the responses you get.
Then others jumped in and we wound up with people accusing those who like the little ones of wanting to make them fashion accessories, being influenced by Hilton and Simpson (Please! My love for the little ones started with two Yorkies my mom had long before those two were even born!), let's see what else? Status symbols, seeking attention? When I said I tote mine all over -- I did not mean I parade them about in public. The only place they go with me outside the property is to see the vet and drop my son off at school. At over 50, I am a little past the attention-seeking phase. Asking "what's the fascination" -- what is that about? Does anyone ask what's the fascination with any other description in the standard? I don't understand at all why people cannot except that people have different preferences. You should feel good about loving your larger Yorkie without worrying about why someone else loves their smaller one. No justification is needed for either one!

I also prefer pointed, erect ears; a silky, full length coat, the blue and gold colors; etc..... preferences. If I have a Yorkie that gets larger, droops its ears, winds up with a soft coat, or changes to a lighter color I will still love it (and HAVE!).... but my preferences remain. I prefer my own hair to be a nice auburn too but think all those other boxes of color on the shelf are nice too. ;)

I love this site and have learned a lot but this is one topic I just can't figure. People do have a wide variety of personal preferences -- that is why they have breed standards to begin with.

Well, now I have written a novel -- sorry for being verbose. Have a wonderful Tuesday -- I had to scrape frost from my windows this AM -- it is cold even in FL!

Chachi, with all due respect I stand by my statements.
I have seen some BEAUTIFUL large and small yorkies on this site (yours included) and there are people who project their own insucurities with there dogs by comparing them to others. They might not admit it but they do. Small to small, large to large, small to large, or large to small. Weither its size (what they expected vs what they ended up with), looks, temperment, hair (cotton or silky), color or what ever. I am not saying they don't love their dogs and wouldn't punch out someone who offended them (LOL) but it happens.

To answer the OP question:

People who choose and actually ENDED UP WITH a smaller yorkie got it because that is what they wanted and preferred over any of the other sizes. Its the same as asking why I got a Yorkie instead of a Chichuaua (or however you spell it).:) Its because a yorkie is what I wanted and preferred over all others.

:thumbup: Very well put!

Haha! I LOVE this picture:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

I, like must of us here, just love yorkies- regardless of size, ears, coloring, etc. It is certainly true that irresponsible breeders who breed strictly for tinies end up with unhealthy tinies. The flip side of that is there are plenty of backyard breeders who are turning out larger than standard yorkies. These breeders are not knowledgeable and may not be taking health into consideration- just how many puppies they can turn out. Many, many of us here have yorkies that we bought from these unknowledgable backyard breeders before we ourselves knew any better. Responsible breeders breed to the standard and for health. Yes, they will occasionally end up with pups larger or smaller than they expect. My point I guess is that larger does not mean healthier. Responsible breeders do not consistently turn out large yorkies. My 3 lb dog is healthier than my 10 lb dog. He also has a much sweeter personality and just has more of that yorkie personality that draws most of us to the breed to begin with. I bought my 10 lb dog from a very unknowledgeable backyard breeder before I knew any better. My 3 lb dog came from a breeder who's yorkies average 5 lbs. he just happened to turn out smaller. If a breeder consistantly turns out yorkies that are over standard or if they consistantly turn out yorkies that are extra tiny they are not a good breeder.

:D :D :D :D :D Thank you !! I never get tired of seeing her water shots even after all this time - she really REALLY has a blast lol - I can't even SAY the word hose and water when I'm outside with her or she pitches a hissy fit....there's been so many days I walked too close to the hose and her whole demeaner goes into HOPEFUL mode ....if I ignore her she bosses me around till she gets to play - I can't ever say no to that face lol

and great post Nikki - this thread has been interesting that's for sure

To be honest with everyone, I love the tinies! I think they are so adorable, petite and look like puppies forever. I adore them. BUT I also absolutely LOVE yorkies that are 6 pounds and over. They're cuddley and beautiful and like I said earlier in the thread, the most beautiful yorkies I've ever seen were 6 pounds and over. I don't see a problem with people wanting and loving tinies, I want one in the very near future, but I don't like the way people act like larger yorkies are defective, inferior, not as cute or attractive as tinies and not true yorkies simply because they're not 3 lbs.:thumbdown My tucker was only 4 lbs. and I get so offended when people insinuate that tinies are somehow superior to larger yorkies. It saddens me that people can't see beauty in all sizes:(

I TOTALLY Agree with this post. Thanks for speaking up for the beautiful, loveable, NON teacups lol :D :D :D

No problem! And if you ever decide to clone your girls,give me a call, LOL!:thumbup: :thumbup: :D

Take my advice all YT'ers
 

Weither my Jaxson turns out to be large or small .... I don't let ignorant people offend me or my dog.;)
and Jaxson just lifts his little leg and pee's on them and there remarks!:cool:

I completely agree! If we're talking strictly looks, there are beautiful yorkies both large and small and there are not as beautiful yorkies of all sizes. Smaller does NOT mean prettier. I keep my larger yorkie, Gracie, in a full coat and in my opinion she is beautiful. I keep Sugar in a puppy coat and he is a cutie but not what you think of when you think of a picture perfect yorkie.

hee, hee- edited to add, if you're looking at my avatar you're thinking, Gracie does not have a full coat- it's an old picture.

I bet lots of us think - if we could WE WOULD lol - you're so sweet.:D

HA!:eek: Whoever would have thought over 5 pounds was "huge":yelrotflm

I agree that a big component of wanting to buy a smaller yorkie is a desire to always have a puppy on hand. For many people, having a dog is quid pro quo for having a baby. So, the smaller the dog is, the closer it comes to resembling it.

People marry later than they used to; they decide to have kids after their carrear is taken care of. At the same time, maternal instincts don't wait. Biological clock starts ticking before one is done building their new home and getting this big promotion at work.

Having a puppy always, allows busy people, especially females, to postpone having children without completely burying the idea of being parents when the biological time requires it.

It is fortunate and unfortunate that even the tiniest dogs like mine, for example (she is 2 lbs.), don't require of their owners nearly as much effort and time commitment as a human baby demands.

My Manya eats by herself, sleeps by herself, she can stay home alone when I am at work without much trouble as well as she is potty trained and thus does not require her diapers to be changed. She also does not demand me to leave work and to stay on the maternity leave to account for sleepless nights and breastfeeding schedule with 2-3 hour breaks in between feedings.

So, a small dog like her allows her owner to experience the best element of maternity - the exchange of unconditional love between a smaller living thing and its caretaker - without any huge detriment to one's chosen lifestyle.

This is the most emotionally rewarding experience ever! While one has to wait years before her child is old enough to be enjoyed, ownership of a puppy starts generating emotional reward instantaneously.

So, I believe that our generation's delay in having a family is one of the primary reasons for popularity of tiny yorkies.

I also believe that the fact that their is a huge demand for tinies in spite of their inflated prices is a proof of that. One needs to have a fairly comfortable lifestyle to be able to afford not just buying a yorkie that costs at least $2,500 and more, but to be able to maintain this puppy.

It's good that some people can make their own clothes for their babies because when I wanted to buy stuff for a tiny yorkie, there was not much out there in cheaper chain stores. Petsmarts and Petcos don't sell clothes that fit tiny yorkies. You have to go to boutiques. Even there, I had a great difficulty finding something that would fit her.

As a result, I had to pay top money to get clothes for my baby to be able to keep her warm in winter months. Manya's coats are $ 75 +, her sweaters are at least $ 50, her harnesses and leads are also a special kind that would not only be small enough to fit her, but also be made from the quality material that won't damage her chest and tiny bones. So, it costs a lot to maintain a smaller baby. Therefore, I believe that most people who buy a smaller yorkie, are at the time in their life where they can afford such an expense much easier.

While there are people that consider buying a smaller yorkie to be status symbol, I believe it is more of an exception than the rule.

GREAT POST :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

I totally get what you are saying and do hate when people get so offensive and playing the my dog is smaller than your dog game :rolleyes: . I think the most important thing for any owner who owns a dog is that you love them for everything they are. Whether they are big or small, whether they are 6 years old and not potty trained :rolleyes: :) Whether they tear up your sofa or harass your cat :p You love them regardless! I don't think people should act like the "bigger" yorkies are defective but I do think you have to realize where some people are coming from. Myself, I am very picky about my preferences when it comes to pets. I like my pets to be AKC and within the AKC standard and for yorkies that's under 7 pounds. Growing up all of our pets were AKC and that's just what I became accustomed to.

So, when people act like bigger yorkies are "not superior" maybe they are just meaning they are not within the standard and are wording it wrong. I personally don't think that weight makes them any less loveable or cuddable or cute. I've seen some 8-10 pound yorkies that are adorable! On the other hand I've seen some others that don't look like yorkies at all... both big and small ones, and to me, I want a yorkie that looks like a yorkie. I want specific colors, a certain type of coat, erect ears, a cropped tail and a certain build. So maybe you can understand where some people are coming from when they say that a "Big" yorkie isn't a "true yorkie" perhaps they just mean that a big yorkie is not within the standards, but besides weight this goes for colors and everything else. I always wonder why people get so caught up in the numbers....I mean you don't see post about my yorkie has a cropped tail and yours doesn't or my yorkie's coat is the exact perfect colors and yours is a chocolate. An animal can't choose what it looks like, how much it weighs or even its tempermant. Some people don't even know exactly what kind of yorkie they are getting until its grown up. Maybe someone wanted a tiny and ended up with a big one? I don't think everyone should own a tiny and I don't think everyone should own a bigger yorkie but I do think everyone should respect the fact that everyone else has the right to own whatever it is they like best and if other people don't like it as well or think there dog is cuter or superior than the others...who cares? ;) You love them right?? And that's all that counts :D

I don't know about others that have teapots but as for me...I didn't set out to get a particular size dog. My first one was a stray and she turned out to be a teapot and I couldn't have loved her more. My second one turned out to be bigger too and I love him the same...I don't want a larger breed dog...I want a Yorkie no matter what the size. I will say this however, I had no idea that Yorkie's came in the tiny size. Now that I think about it...I guess size does matter...I wouldn't want one that tiny (under 6 pounds).

I suppose what you proposed to the teapot owners about going with a larger breed could be said to the tiny owners. Maybe they should go with a smaller breed dog.

Also, if people want a "standad' size for their breed, great. On the other side...Yorkie's tend to get bigger sometimes...what's wrong with people wanting them? What would you suggest we do with the teapots if everyone went for the "standard" size?

That's true! You have a better chance of finding a 2-3 pound Chihuahua then a tiny yorkie. Also, what do people suggest we do with the over standard yorkies? Because they're not 3 lb.s they don't deserve as much attention, admiration and respect?

Awww, I hope nobody interprets the responses on this thread as larger than standard yorkies aren't worthy of everything that standard yorkies are. Of course they are and unless I missed something (always possible :rolleyes: ) I didn't see where anyone said that. The question was why do some people prefer tiny yorkies. Some people said I wanted a tiny because of A, B and C and some people said I wanted a large yorkie because of A, B and C. There's nothing wrong with that- we all have our own opinions. My main point was responsible breeders do not intentionally breed for larger than standard dogs and they also don't intentionally breed for so called teacups. Just because your dog is large does not mean it's any healthier than a small dog. That comes down to buying your puppy from a breeder who has learned what they were doing and breeding good, healthy- and yes- standard lines.

Just thought of one more thing- sorry I'm on a role:p . This type of topic tends to to take a bad turn when someone mentions Paris Hilton, dogs as accessories, etc. Someone who would frequent a forum based on their dog's breed and be an active participant on that board because they love talking about their dog and love reading about other people's dogs obviously love their dog. I seriously doubt there are any Paris wanna be's on this board that stick around. Those of us who have little yorkies and despise the type of person who uses them as accessories understandably get a little sensitive when this comes up.

I'm not trying to start anything, but I think your response here is kind of harsh. She was just asking a question - if you're offended by it, don't respond, and move on to another thread. If you really want to get specific, the original Yorkshire Terrier was 12-14lbs and the standard size has grown smaller as the years have passed.

There is this stupid craze over "teacup" yorkies - it's a fad - and I don't care what anyone says, the tiny yorkies... in the 1-3lb range are very much more prone to getting hurt. My little guy is 3lbs and has hurt himself several times by falling or jumping from too high. I definitely wish he was larger.

Here We Go Again!!
 

No one EVER said anything negative about bigger yorkies!! And if someone does don't argue with ignorance! Good grief I think we have bent over backwards not to imply anything negative. But people sure as heck have said some negative stuff about the smaller ones, always heaping "health issues" on them. Health issue or not, large or small it depends on the BREEDER!! 99% of the stories on here about dogs getting sick and dying are from bad breeders or pet stores. And most of it happened in puppyhood. How do we know that that same dog wasn't gonna be a 10lb dog??? We don't because it died!!! And if it does survive it can still be traced to the quality of the breeder most of the time. Half the time the growth charts are wrong anyway so you don't know what your gonna get.

The whole thread was started asking us to explain why we have the smaller end of the stick when it comes to yorkies. I swear for people to have to sit here and DEFEND why they got a small, large, fat, skinny, droopy eared or pointed earred dog is beyond me!!!!

Why don't we sub categorize them and debate these points?
silky vs cotton
docked tail vs non docked
biewer vs standard
parti vs standard
pointed ears vs droopy ears
cute vs not so cute

What is up with this US (tinys) vs Them (over standard) mentality here??? I mean I know we are all yorkie lovers but some of us are harboring some serious issues and just won't admit it. Why don't you just go out an get a smaller yorkie and be done with it??? If you are reading something into a post that isn't there then it must have your own hidden insecurities about your dog. GET OVER IT!!!

I don't know who this post was directed to because you didn't quote anyone - but if it is in reference to my post above, I never said anything bad about larger yorkies... and I never said all tiny yorkies are sick - I said they are more prone to injury.

This is just a discussion... not an argument or debate. It's annoying to me when people provide rude or harsh responses directed at someone. All of our members on YT are lovers of yorkies, and we are here to discuss them... in a mature way instead of saying things like your last sentence quoted above. I'm not trying to personally attack you in any way, shape, or form - just giving you my opinion that I don't think we should be attacking other members.

BTW, I do have a small Yorkie - he's 3 lbs... and I think he's cute as heck. BUT I do wish he was closer to 5-6lbs.

I didn't read all the responses so I may be repeating what has already been said.

I get a bit angry when everyone is wanting tinies for ONE reason, the MOST important reason, and that is because MOST people who want these tinies are buying from breeders who are breeding TINY females that are too small to breed. WHAT ABOUT THE MOMMIES???

Also many people want a tiny so bad that they don't care about quality. WHAT HAPPEN BREEDING TO BETTER THE BREED?

Speaking of size...
 

Took Abigail in today for checkup, and my 6lber has gained almost a whole pound since spaying! She weighed in at 6.7 - which is only notable, because I kept thinking: "ghee...is she getting heavier, or am I just that weak?" Now, to stay in topic - I do NOT care how big she gets, as long as she's healthy, and the weight is appropriate for her frame. In HER case, I think (as does the vet), I need to either exercise her more, or watch her intake. I will say, as I've said before, that I prefer a 5-6lber because of MY physical weaknesses: back and knees, and I want a lap dog that I can just scoop up. She sure is cuddly with her rolly polly self, though! In judging weight, one should be able to feel their rib cage, easily, right? Well, we can feel it - it's just - padded. :D

I guess I just have to say that our 10 month old Yorkie "Taylor" is the love of our life. We expected him to be under 7 lbs but he is a bouncing 11 pounder. I see both sides of this but I guess that the "saying" that "Yorkie's are like a box of chocolates"....is true. Taylor's parents were much smaller....but we are happy because we take boat trips and if he was tiny it would be hard and much more dangerous for him. We love him so much and unless you have pictured only ONE expectation of what you want, and are totally set on a size, then you might be disappointed... Yorkie's are just a bundle of LOVE! :aimeeyork

I mentioned the point about paris hilton and dogs as accessaries as a general statement, because those are main reasons why a lot of people like super tiny yorkies. I was in the mall the other day and a young girl was asking her mother for a teacup dog for christmas, because she wanted to "dress it up and tote it around in a juicy bag". It's sad, but a lot of people see them as a trend, but I also said of course no yters feel this way. I know YTers put a ton of energy, emotion, time, devotion and love into their yorkies and they don't have them to keep up with a fleeting "trend". But for people who don't value their yorkies like YTers and other responsible dog owners, this ignorant mentality fuels puppymills and people breeding too tiny moms:( .

I wasn't trying to say anyone said over standard yorkies aren't worthy of everything standard yorkies are, or directing my comment towards any past post. I was just the posing the question that because a yorkie isn't perfect and standard it doesn't deserve the same admiration as one that is closer to the AKC standards? I'm for both tinies and teapots. I think their both beautiful, I just don't like the way some people tend to look down on larger yorkies simply beacuse they're bigger (well, no yorkie's really big:rolleyes: ....lol). If it's a yorkie, it's an A+ in my book, haha!:p