Miniature Teacup Yorkies

alleycat · Jan 6, 2009

This is probably a complete waste of time, but I thought I'd ask.

One of my "pretend daughters" is driving me crazy about getting a miniature teacup Yorkie. If anyone knows of a reputable breeder, or anyone else, who has them for sale for less than the going rate (which seems to be around $800), please let me know. This wouldn't have to be an AKC registered pup, as long as it was a true miniature teacup Yorkie.

By the way, I mentioned this to DL Hegel the other day and she suggested getting a regular sized dog and larger teacups. I would have slapped her, but I was afraid she might kick me in the groin area.

bonobo_jones · Jan 7, 2009

No reputable breeder is going to be breeding "teacup" or miniaturized dogs. "Teacup" is purely a marketing term only. Undersized dogs have much higher tendencies for congenital health problems. Not to mention they can be notoriously difficult to housetrain.

Tell your pretend daughter to research the breed she wants, bearing in mind they are dogs and not cute toys. Start here:
http://www.ytca.org/faq.html

alleycat · Jan 7, 2009

I wish you had used a less patronizing tone, but thanks for the information. I personally don't know anything about the dogs except for what my friend has told me.

smoothseas · Jan 7, 2009

You can always try one of the Rescues.

A quick google may find one in your area.

veinglory · Jan 7, 2009

Hi there. It is sad but true--teacup dogs are actually runts. Even in lines that breed true it is due to congenital defect. I would suggest avoiding ultra-toy dogs as they will be expensive and heart-rending to care for due to frailty and health probelms.

There are a number of very nice small breeds inclusdng the 'normal' yorky, west highland terrier and even a well bred shi tsu--daschunds that are well conformed can be found at quite small sizes but avoid those with a very long back, and although a bit larger, corgis can be very charming. I would suggest directing her to them. I would suggest avoiding the very small chihuahuas as temperament problems are common.

alleycat · Jan 7, 2009

Thanks, VG.

bonobo_jones · Jan 7, 2009

alleycat said:
I wish you had used a less patronizing tone, but thanks for the information. I persoanlly don't know anything about the dogs except for what my friend has told me.

I was a bit short and I apologise for that.

Dogs are something of a passion of mine, I train and compete with them. As well as write about them. So I can be overly-opinionated, and this unethical miniaturizing of dogs is a particular hot button.

Properly bred Yorkies are really neat dogs, but they are not the easiest breed to own. They can have sharp temperaments, be difficult to train (especially house-train) and as a breed tend to have a lot of health problems. And the possibility of all this is magnified when getting a poorly-bred Yorkie. Concentrate on temperament and structure before size and cuteness, because the relative charms of size and cuteness wear off quickly and a Yorkie can live for a very long time!

I have seen teacup/dollface/pocket Yorkies sold for over $2,000. A well bred pet quality pup from someone who breeds carefully won't cost anywhere close to that. If your daughter is in or around Michigan, feel free to PM me and I can try finding some good breeders. I know someone who has a small herd of nice Yorkies and does agility with them. She might know of someone good.

Thump · Jan 7, 2009

I own a Yorkie. Not pure but close enough

He's "big" for a Yorkie but he's the cutest dog alive. Sweet and loving, high energy but cuddly and ridiculously smart (he figured out how to open our doors...creepy at night). Small dogs rule!

Seriously, those toy dogs look adorable on pictures but the important thing is that whatever dog you get, she'll fall in love with it anyway and won't be able to imagine ever wanting anything else

Get a practical (you know, fits in your house >_<) and healthy dog and everything will fall into place

alleycat · Jan 7, 2009

bonobo_jones said:
I was a bit short and I apologise for that.

Dogs are something of a passion of mine, I train and compete with them. As well as write about them. So I can be overly-opinionated, and this unethical miniaturizing of dogs is a particular hot button.

Properly bred Yorkies are really neat dogs, but they are not the easiest breed to own. They can have sharp temperaments, be difficult to train (especially house-train) and as a breed tend to have a lot of health problems. And the possibility of all this is magnified when getting a poorly-bred Yorkie. Concentrate on temperament and structure before size and cuteness, because the relative charms of size and cuteness wear off quickly and a Yorkie can live for a very long time!

I have seen teacup/dollface/pocket Yorkies sold for over $2,000. A well bred pet quality pup from someone who breeds carefully won't cost anywhere close to that. If your daughter is in or around Michigan, feel free to PM me and I can try finding some good breeders. I know someone who has a small herd of nice Yorkies and does agility with them. She might know of someone good.

Thanks for the clarification. I'm not fond of some of the "breeding for appearance" that goes on in the AKC "dog world" myself. Frankly, I like mutts.

I've done a little research on my own on the Internet since posting. I had never even heard of "miniature teacup Yorkies" until Christmas when my friend showed me a flyer. On the flyer it did say "AKC registered", so I assumed it was a recognized breed.

I'll have a talk with my friend and make sure she understands what she's wanting and/or getting into. She was wanting a small, indoor dog and fell in love with the Yorkies as soon as she saw a photo of them.

Thanks for your offer, but we're in Tennessee. Hopefully we can find something for her locally that will be good for both her and the dog.

veinglory · Jan 7, 2009

They will be registered yorkies--meaning only that both parents were registered yorkies. Personally I do not think "papers" are at all important unless you want to show the dog. And equivalent animal in all way that has no papers will be considerably cheaper

Miniature Teacup Yorkies

alleycat

Still around

bonobo_jones

Covered in dog hair

alleycat

Still around

smoothseas

Life sucks... Then ya die...

veinglory

volitare nequeo

alleycat

Still around

bonobo_jones

Covered in dog hair

Thump

defying grabbity

alleycat

Still around

veinglory

volitare nequeo