Drowning - Well as mine go swimming regularly I don't think drowning is too much of a worry - having said that I wouldn't let my bigger dogs go into fast running water either.
Jumping - Yorkies can and do compete in agility but I doubt the tiny ones could.
Doors - any dog needs to be protected from doors especially if they have a tail.
Anexthesia - Many yorkies are prone to dental disease and it is not uncommon for them to need a dental at least every 2-3 years so breeding smaller and smaller is going to make this a problem.
Hypoglycemia - Unheard of as far as I can see in larger yorkies.

At the end of the day these tinies have always existed they were simply neutered to prevent them breeding which I'm sorry but as far as I am concerned is what should be happening now. Yorkies should be capable of hunting rats - I'm not suggesting doing this but they should be capable, that is the breed standard any deviation from that is not good IMO.

The breeder where we bought our dogs said that when very small yorkies are born, sometimes their skull doesn't grow together and they will always have a hole in the head, which makes them very fragile - jumping of a couch can give them concussion and kill them.
Most yorkies under 3 kilo must have dental work at the age of 1 because they don't drop their babyteeth automatically.

Now we're at it, could we kill the term "Toy Dog" as well? A dog is not a toy!

Toy dog is the Kennel Club classification I don't particularly like it myself but we would have to fight the Kennel club over that one ;)

**Thanks about Breeder in NJ and Questions
 

I just want to give everyone a geat big THNK YOU for answering my questions about the so called "Teacup Yorkie". I sure learned alot from everyone here.
I went to Petco today and actually met a very informative sales associate who's mother breeds Yorkies and told me too that there is no such thing as a Teacup Yorkie. Boy was I shocked. He told me about feeding schedules, what types of dog food to stay away from, training and shampooing. It was great to hear about his yorkies as well. His mom has 4 and 1 poodle.
Thanks again, what a warm welcome from you all.

donnathedoula, welcome to YorkieTalk! Hope you enjoy the forum. Use the Search engine. It's full of great info. Keep us updated on your search for a Yorkie.

No, hunny its just a CLASSIFICATION, but like I said we'll say runt instead, make you all happy!!


[QUOTE=ReconsMomma]

Ok well like some people said there are no such things as teacups they are just breeders who want to breed smaller dogs to get higher prices for them. The average weight is from 5-10 pounds. (i think) They are long haired but if you are allergic you shouldn't have a problem because they don't have fur they have hair like humans. they are hypoallergenic. that also means they get cold very easily so if you do end up getting one who need to get a sweater or something to take them out int he winter. (only if you live in a place where it gets cold) welcome to YT and i'm sure you're going to find the perfect little puppy for you!!

The reason ppl don't like to hear the word teacup is because akc does not recognize yorkies as teacups...they are toy dogs...Yes, there are smaller yorkies, but the akc still only recognizes them as toy dogs. So, some people take it as a false statement when a breeder claims that a yorkie is a teacup. I got this off of YTCA's website:

An Important Message About “Teacup” Yorkies

If you are interested in purchasing a tiny Yorkie, sometimes called a Teacup,
Micro Mini, Teenie, or any other name that means “extra small”, there are several
things you should consider. The YTCA’s Code of Ethics precludes the use of the
words “teacup”, “tiny specialists”, doll faced, or similar terminology by its members,
and for good reason.
.
All breeders may occasionally have an unusually small Yorkie (hopefully healthy),
though no responsible breeder breeds for this trait. Many breeders prefer a
general weight range of 4-7 four pounds believing that size retains desired Toy
qualities while maintaining optimum health. The Yorkie Standard states weight
"must not exceed seven pounds" and as a prospective pet owner you should
realize that even at 7 pounds, the Yorkie is still a small dog. (Females weighing
less than 5 pounds are considered by most breeders to be unsuitable for breeding.)
.
Special circumstances often come with extra tiny dogs. They are extremely susceptible
to both hereditary and non-hereditary health problems, including birth defects that
may go undetected for a long time. Other common problems may include, but are not
limited to, diarrhea, vomiting, along with extra and expensive tests prior to routine
teeth cleanings and surgeries. Small ones are more likely to have poor reactions to
anesthesia and die from it. Tiny dogs are more easily injured by falls, being stepped
on and being attacked by other dogs. These health problems nearly always result in
large veterinary bills.
.
Please take this into consideration and make purchasing a healthy pet your top priority,
not size. The “novelty” is certainly not worth the pain, heartbreak, or extra expense.
Remember, all Yorkies are comparatively small. The most important thing is finding a
healthy puppy that will grow into a healthy adult, especially since you looking at an
11 to 15 year commitment with your Yorkie.
.
There is much information on our website. Please take the time to study it
before buying a puppy. We wish you the best of luck.

Here's the link if you want to see the page yourselves: http://ytca.org/faq.html#A

Hello, Yes they are right, teacups don't exist, just runts. I have two so called teacups, one came out of Sugar's first litter, she is over a year old and weighs 2 lbs, then my daughter has her sister which weighs 6 lbs. This is what happens. Then people call them teacups or purse puppies. I also have a 2 lb male and he had a pup that is 8 months old and weighs 6 lbs. lol... If you want a 2lb dog you need to get an adult because it is hard to determine what size they will be when born. Also Smaller they are the more health problems they are most likely to get, although mine have been perfectly healthy. I read up on yorkies quiet a bit and have learned their special needs and i'm still learning. They are fragile as a little baby two years old or younger, yet they can be tough. They will eat almost anything they are not suppose to and want eat what they need to. Good luck

I think Tea Cup causes such an uproar because it is used by so many breeders to get more money. They don't necessarily care about the breed standard and a lot of poor breeders get into the mix.

People that are more involved with YTCA or with showing their dogs use the term "tiny" and some of them ask more money when a tiny one shows up in a litter.

If we are concerned about the standard then only dogs within the 4-7lb. range and have the traditional coloring are correct according to AKC and YTCA.

No such thing as Tea Cups, no such thing as Parti, no such thing as Biewer, no such thing as baby doll or teddy bear face.

So, if you are interested in a "tiny" find a breeder who you feel is reputable and get on a list for a tiny one to come along. You may not get the dog before she is 14 weeks old b/c tiny ones require more care. If you want a tiny Biewer with a baby doll face they are out there. Not the "standard" but dang...they are CUTE.

Have fun looking and take your time.
Good luck.

Actually Biewers are from Germany and they do exist. :)
They are not the "American Yorkshire Terriers"
There are a few YT'ers that own one on here and can tell you more about them.

ah, but are they the AKC or YTCA standard?

that was my point. There are many YT members with baby doll faced yorkies too and I think they are all gorgeous. Just not the standard for those two organizations.

yet? ;)

Biewers are NOT acknowledged by the AKC correct? Are they not seen as having a "fault" by their coloring?

I could care less, I still want one, and I don't see any fault in the white color on a yorkie- but what is something is that when you search for a "biewer" they are very expensive in the US (because they are considered "rare" here).... hmm so is a "teacup".

People will charge what people are willing to pay.

I don't agree with, and think it is very sad that people will breed very small dogs to try and get very small puppies.. it is animal cruelity in my eyes. And I am sure that people are disgusted with me for breeding my over 7lb female, because she is above breed standard... but I would bet that those who are disgusted with that will have no problems with those who breed their biewers, even though they are not "breed standard"

I guess when we are all perfect we can then throw stones eh?

Just out of curiosity... was the word "Toy" used to describe a smaller dog before the AKC used the catagory? How did the word "toy" get started?

Before anyone jumps on me, I know that "biewers" are acknowledged in other countries... I was just using them as a reference for people selling puppies for very high prices because they are "rare" and they are not AKC standards.

I hope you were able to find your puppy and that your allergies have not acted up.

I'm totally neutral to the whole tea-cup situation and get angry because some breeders and mills use that term to make money. But not everyone is out to do that.I think it's ridiculous that some people attack others when they say tea-cup. Regardless of whether or not you attack someone for saying that word, if they want a tiny yorkie, they will get one. It's great to educate, but it's not ok to sound rude or attack someone that just wants to get information. Most people really don't know what tea cup is and that it doesn't exist. Everyone I know, knows it's not a breed, just a size classification like petite, small, medium and large. So p

I think the reason most people don't like the term teacup is because its associated with these awful puppy mills who produce 1-2 lbs pups and call them teacup and sell them for more money than my car is worth. I think too often people try and educate about the fact that "there isn't such a thing as teacup" when they would be better off educating about the importance of buying a healthy pup from a good breeder.

If this were a perfect world and the only under standard weight dogs that were produced were ones that came from reputable breeders that just so happened to have a tiny healthy pup I don't think the term teacup would be so offensive.

Don't get me wrong now, I think its great that so many people are trying to steer people away from buying unhealthy pups especially for far too much money.

Both YorkieRose and I have been breeding for years and I can tell you we both have had some very small puppies/dogs in our litters. I can also tell you that neither of us, nor any responsible breeder I know, have used the tearm "TEACUP" or T-cup to describe our tiny babies. They are simply tiny Yorkies who require more care as newborns, as adolescents and when placed in the proper home. I know when I get a call looking for a "t-cup" the first thing I do is educate the caller that teacup in my opinion is a marketing phrase that is used to put more money from their pocket into the buyer's pocket. There is no standard and a breeder can sell a puppy that is surely going to be over 5 pounds as a teacup. I know a breeder who does that..anything under 5 lbs she will try (and sometimes succeed) to sell as a teacup. Her breeding stock is very sub-standard and extremely over-sized with bad coats and markings and her puppies reflect that.
I know that the terms are being used on here in an effort to explain what each person means, and that is no problem for me. Since I have so few puppies these times, I see my breeding philosophy as one of educating interested parties about my beloved breed. I love this breed in all of it oddities whether I am discussing size, colors, genetics, personalities; in short, it uniqueness totally appeals to me.

Whispermom and the other lady thank you so much for saying all this ! I really get tried of people calling up and wanting teacups! I tell them I have yorkies! I had a lady that took my head off when I told her no such thing as teacup! Yes there is I had One! She was 2/12 lbs! I said O you had a small one then! and hung up on her! I love how you put it! lily

Hi Lilly i am from Indiana too. I have never heard of Paris Crossing. My husband has had someone get irrate with him also when we told her there was no such thing as a teacup.

Please correct me if But....Has anyone ever tried to put a yorkie in a teacup? I would say pictures that U see on web sites that show yorkies in a teacup are inhanced, Just like the term "TeaCup" I don't understand How anyone would use this term If they could not fit one (maybe a newborn yorkie) in a Teacup, Or Have never personally seen one in a teacup :rolleyes: then how can this term be used to be defined as petite? :confused:

Well is there anything wrong with breeding a 2 lb male to a 6 lb female, because i did and had very healthy puppies.I don't believe in breeding a female under 5 lbs but what could possibly hurt to breed a smaller male?I had my 2 lb female spayed and her and the little 2 lb boy are perfectly healthy. This seems to be a touchy subject.

I totally agree,I personally don't use the term but I don't see any harm it does.JMHO :)

Most breeders I know that use the term teacup are referring to a dog who will probably be less than 5 lbs as an adult. Some people place the cut off at 4 lbs.



That is the problem. The fact that there are no descriptions or guidelines for the term, a breeder can decide any size is a teacup and sell the puppy. I actually do know a person who offers her puppies that she says will be 5 lbs and under as t-cups. I do not know if she has any takers but odds are, she does..

Bigdog That's ok I use small males to bigger females! My males are 3..3 to 5 lbs! See nothing wrong with that! I have to see the femake before I well breed her! She can wt. 4-5lbs and still not have the body to have pups! I have one that I spayed ! She wts 5lbs but have no body! ChachiWhere in Ind. do live! ? lily

I live in Indianapolis. Im glad to know your a breeder. I have had quite a few people pm me in the past about Indiana breeders. I can refer them to you.

Are you a breeder? Paris crossing is 18 miles south of seymour!

The only thing negative I read about this is that "stud dogs" usually have to live outside. Having a tiny (2-3 lb.?) dog live outside might not be best for him. (I guess? they live outside b/c they mark everything)

some live in cages inside? don't know. breeders, where do your studs stay?

No I am not a breeder. I am a pet owner. I know where your at now. We love Southern Indiana. We have a sailboat down at lake Monroe. Just to let you know there are some other Indiana breeders who are members. Kindness is one and then there is Luvdorkieyorkies shes in Marshall Illinois but shes right on the Indiana line by Terre Haute.