Show Dog?

[spydergurl]

I have two cute sisters, aged 6 yrs (boy, how the time flies) and I would never want to show them. I don't have the time to do that. But, like most of us, wherever we take them, they are show dogs to all. They are all little hams, very likable and want to please everyone!

[yorkipower]

Originally Posted by Higgin's Mom

I used to show my English Setters (or rather, my handler did), and I loved going to the shows! Still love watching dog shows on TV. HOWEVER, showing is all about POLITICS (right judge, right handler, etc.), and I also don't agree with what the AKC and showing has done to a lot of breeds. For instance, they have bred a lot of the hunting instinct out of the setters in favor of fancy, fancy coats and perfect heads. The worst thing that can happen to a breed today is for it to become a big AKC winner or popular through the movies, such as the Dalmations did. Everybody rushes to breed the newest "trendy" dogs. I think in great measure this is happening to many of the toy breeds, certainly Yorkies. Because they are marketing ever smaller dogs, they are, in many breeds, breeding big problems. Higgins is a good ol' garden variety Yorkshire, but he wins a BIG BLUE RIBBON in my heart!

I'm getting off my soapbox now.

Hugs,
Mary Ellen

BRAVO!! To someone who appreciates what the words “breed type” are supposed to mean!

I've posted this before but now I'm putting my money where my mouth is. Until Christmas, I'm paying for a "click ad" on http://www.google.com which will send people to a section on my website about so called "Teacups." If you do a search like “Teacup Yorkies” my ad should be one of the paid ads along the side of the screen next to those “other” ads.

My ad reads as follows:

“Teacup Dog Information Get the facts about teacups, Links & info, teacups and adoption”

So far, so good. I’m getting a lot of hits. My hope is that there are people out there who are looking for good information and just need a way of finding it

In this instance (Yorkies) it is not the AKC (entirely anyhow - will get there in a minute) who is to blame for the degradation of the Yorkie standard and the health of our babies, it is unscrupulous breeders buying (or should I say selling?) into the media blitz around Yorkies and other diminutive toy breeds. I looked over the shoulder of a woman in my office the other day. She was reading “PEOPLE” magazine. In bright bold colors there was a very popular pop queen with her so called “bald” Chihuahua that she was silly enough to pay more money for than I paid for my (pointed) show Yorkie! What’s more, she bought this dog at the same shop she had purchased two other dogs previously. The shop advertises itself as a source of “teacup” dogs. There are many young girls who emulate her, so guess what they will be wanting for Christmas?

I used to blame AKC for what’s been going on with dog breeding and puppy mills and backyard breeding. I was furious when the AKC lobbied against the “Puppy Protection Act.” Granted, I too saw the flaws but thought some legislation is better than none and if the AKC wouldn’t take control and crack down on puppymills and license breeders, someone had better do the regulation. Now, I see things a little differently. I learned that the puppymills (“dog industry”) have actually created their own registry just in case the day comes when they can’t register their dogs under AKC or CKC. Plus, there’s the dog buying public who often don’t really even know what “papers” are for. Many believe that just because a dog has “papers,” they are getting some sort of “guarantee” (of what? I don’t know). They don’t even know who should be issuing those “papers.” So if one organization or another offers them, what’s the difference. I was read in shock and horror a post on a general message board where people often post puppies for sale (these posts are from breeders who don’t even know how to spell the names of the breeds they sell): “Joe Black, can you please tell me the name of your contact at [major dog registry], I have pure Yorkies without papers and you said you could get them through her.” I am sure some unsuspecting soul is going to get a “Yorkshire Terrier” from this person and pay at least $800 for it. She will then be able to sell any puppies from subsequent breedings as pure Yorkies – so what happens to the breed standard then?

I give credit to the AKC for representing the interests of the Yorkshire Terrier Club of America and the breeders who belong to this club who devote their lives to the Yorkshire Terrier Breed. If you get AKC Gazette, this month’s article in the Yorkie breed column is from Janet Jackson, president of the YTCA. In it, she makes a wonderful tribute to our breed. She doesn’t focus on oil and hair wraps, she comments on the Yorkie spirit and how we must strive to keep that in tact. She obviously understands what the word “Yorkie” really means and wants to keep that alive. Just wish we could educate others to do the same and stop those who can’t or wont from breeding!

[fasteddie]

That's dedication yorkipower! Be sure to let your visitors know about YorkieTalk, where they can discuss such things as teacups!

[yorkipower]

Originally Posted by fasteddie

That's dedication yorkipower! Be sure to let your visitors know about YorkieTalk, where they can discuss such things as teacups!

You bet!

[bettyeanne]

When we began to be curious about Yorkies, the first thing we did was begin to read and study. Because of our lifestyle we wanted a small dog [if we really wanted one at all]. We bought every book and magazine we could find along with Janet Jackson's book and read it from cover to cover [I keep it with me to refer to just as I did "Dr. Spock" back in "the day" when my son was a baby]! I didn't know anything about babies way back then and we didn't know "squat" about Yorkshire Terrier's ... my husband searched the internet for months [he was more interested than I]. I don't even know how he came to contact the vet who recommended the breeder that we ultimately bought our precious little Toto from. She strictly raises purebred yorkies for show and very seldom sells a pup! We almost had to beg her to let us buy Toto ... I still believe that she wouldn't have let us have her had we not met with the vet a couple of times and obtained approval! The reason we wanted a purebred had nothing to do with showing, raising puppies or the beauty of the dog. It had everything to do with what we had learned about dedicated breeders who are trying so desperately to keep these spirited little dogs just that! We wanted that curious, intelligent, sparkle in the eyes! The small size and the nice coat is a plus! But, having a healthy puppy that we hope won't be plagued with some of the awful things common to the breed is of uppermost importance to us! So far, so good! We may wake up tomorrow to liver shunt, laxating patellas or something else, but we will handle it ... we knew all this when we made the "committment" to this wonderful little creature who forever changed our lives!! This breeder cannot possibly be making a lot money because of the care and dedication she has to this breed and trying to rid it of these genetic defects! Yes, we paid a lot of money ... something that we never tell ... but we couldn't love her less had we found her abandoned at the pound! Like Mary Ellen, I don't agree with AKC on everything and Toto is only AKC registered because we could!

[yorkipower]

Originally Posted by bettyeanne

When we began to be curious about Yorkies, the first thing we did was begin to read and study. Because of our lifestyle we wanted a small dog [if we really wanted one at all]. We bought every book and magazine we could find along with Janet Jackson's book and read it from cover to cover [I keep it with me to refer to just as I did "Dr. Spock" back in "the day" when my son was a baby]! I didn't know anything about babies way back then and we didn't know "squat" about Yorkshire Terrier's ... my husband searched the internet for months [he was more interested than I]. I don't even know how he came to contact the vet who recommended the breeder that we ultimately bought our precious little Toto from. She strictly raises purebred yorkies for show and very seldom sells a pup! We almost had to beg her to let us buy Toto ... I still believe that she wouldn't have let us have her had we not met with the vet a couple of times and obtained approval! The reason we wanted a purebred had nothing to do with showing, raising puppies or the beauty of the dog. It had everything to do with what we had learned about dedicated breeders who are trying so desperately to keep these spirited little dogs just that! We wanted that curious, intelligent, sparkle in the eyes! The small size and the nice coat is a plus! But, having a healthy puppy that we hope won't be plagued with some of the awful things common to the breed is of uppermost importance to us! So far, so good! We may wake up tomorrow to liver shunt, laxating patellas or something else, but we will handle it ... we knew all this when we made the "committment" to this wonderful little creature who forever changed our lives!! This breeder cannot possibly be making a lot money because of the care and dedication she has to this breed and trying to rid it of these genetic defects! Yes, we paid a lot of money ... something that we never tell ... but we couldn't love her less had we found her abandoned at the pound! Like Mary Ellen, I don't agree with AKC on everything and Toto is only AKC registered because we could!

Wish there were more people like you! You did EVERYTHING right in looking for your Toto, in particular, you were patient and proved your worth to a good breeder. I always tell people who buy pets from pet shops, for instance,"yeah, so they gave you a health warantee and told you the puppies were not from a puppymill. Big woop. Do you really think a GOOD breeder who trully cares for her pups would give her pups away to a pet shop and not have the first say on who adopted them? Good breeders make you work to prove that you have done your homework, know what your getting yourself into, and are truly dedicated to everything involved in caring for a dog!" Looks like your breeder put you through the ringer. GOOD FOR HER!

[bettyeanne]

Thanks, Yorkiepower!! I took Toto to our Dr. Lucy while we were home last week for her "booster" shot, a good check-up and grooming. She got A+ on everything ... except her weight, of course! She's a little "portly" [4.5 lbs.] due to lack of exercise ... it's so cold here in Colorado that she doesn't get out much ... we do play running games inside, but that's far from adequate! Also, Toto has decided to be a vegetarian! She has begun to pick out her vegetables and gobble them up and leave her Natural Balance meat in her bowl. If I give her only the meat ... she refuses to eat at all. Dr. Lucy said this is fine as long as she eats the vegetables! She also said that Toto is the sweetest one that she has ever met!!! This did her Mom's heart good!!

[shireyak]

I show her every day to my neighbors, and of course to new and exciting twigs, leaves, grass, and smells..............what more could a yorkie want?

[Diego]

Altesse is extremely happy at dogshows to have so many peoples looking at her . Her ancestors are Ch Caraneal Charged And Ready on the sire side and Ch Rothby Renee Gade on the dam side .
I am not at dogshows every weekends .

[yorkieagility]

I don't show in conformation but do show/compete in companion events (i.e. agility & flyball).

[Olivier]

It must be very fun for you and your dog . Altesse's sire is a champion and do agility too . My friend Annie is really thrill to be with him .

Nathan enjoys the agility . It is very rewarding to see that our Yorkies are well doing what the appreciate .

Hope you good luck and have fun with your little one .

[browniesmom622]

lol same here

Originally Posted by shireyak

I show her every day to my neighbors, and of course to new and exciting twigs, leaves, grass, and smells..............what more could a yorkie want?