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An Important Message About Teacup/Pocket Yorkies from the Yorkshire Terrier Club of America: 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 Code of Ethics precludes the use of the words‚ teacup‚ tiny specialist‚ 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. An Important Note About Color in Yorkshire Terriers . The most distinctive characteristic of an adult Yorkshire Terrier is its long blue and tan silk coat. A puppy is born black and tan, but the only recognized colors for adults when registering with AKC are blue and gold, blue and tan, black and gold, or black and tan. . The AKC Breed Standard and YTCA Code of Ethics do not recognize any other color dogs than noted above. This includes all born blue, liver (also known as red or chocolate), and parti-colors. One of the reasons for avoiding breeding "off-colored" Yorkies is because it could be a genetic defect that may affect the dog's health. Some health problems can include, but aren't limited to, severe skin problems, allergies, total hair loss and in some cases long-term illness and/or death. . A responsible breeder will not intentionally breed for undesirable traits. On very rare occasions, a breeder will have a puppy born with a color anomaly. That puppy should undergo careful health screenings before being placed in a spay/neuter (non-breeding) home. A breeder should certainly never promote these deviations as being desirable or rare. . There are many issues that potential Yorkie owners need to study before purchasing their dog. We hope you will read the helpful information at this website and make an informed decision. It could very possibly save you aggravation, disappointment and expense. We wish you the best of luck in your pursuit of a happy, healthy Yorkshire Terrier. |