How do I....

LabLuver22 · 11-09-2004, 02:57 PM

persuade my neighbor from buying a teacup Yorkie? She is not really a close friend of mine, we are just acquantinces (sp?), but one day she mentioned that she and her family wanted to buy a teacup Yorkie (she has a husband and 2 kids, one in the 5th grade and one in 6th). I tried to be as tactful as I could while explaining the plethora of health problems of "tiny tiny toys," and that teacup Yorkies are a primary target of puppy mills. She said that they've already found some good breeders. I tried to steer her towards a regular-sized Yorkie, but she said she wanted a dog that she could carry around in her purse (couldn't she do that with a regular-sized dog?).

She already has a regular-sized Westie and takes good care of her.

What can I (tactfully) say to her that will help her change her mind? I don't think we're close enough for me to outright say, "No good breeder breeds teacup Yorkies," and she's one of those people that takes offense if you suggest that she isn't making a good decision. Any ideas?

gaddylovesdogs · 11-09-2004, 03:48 PM

First I would recommend that she check out No more mills! Then have her check out The truth about Pet Stores.

I'm surprised that all the health problem stuff didn't stop her--I don't know many people that would want to spend thousands of bucks on vet bills monthly. Lawaxanna on the Dog Fancy boards had a story....if I remember correctly, before she knew of pm and byb, her family bought a Dachshund, who died at the age of 2, after having serious health problems........

If I find more info that I think can help I will DEFINITELY give it to you! I'm also trying to stop someone from getting a teacup--a family that has three young children and was told by a client that if they helped him he would give them a teacup Chihuahua

.

LabLuver22 · 11-09-2004, 03:53 PM

OMG, three young kids and a teacup Chi? NOT a good combination!

Thanks for the links, I'll give them to her.

gaddylovesdogs · 11-09-2004, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LabLuver22

OMG, three young kids and a teacup Chi? NOT a good combination!

Yep. They're a very nice family and I know that they'd take excellent care of a dog, but I am copying the June issue of Dog Fancy, the Chi article, then I'm giving them info on BYB, PM, and all those designers etc.. They have a baby, a three-year-old and I think a seven-year-old. If those kids tried to play with a Chi or "teacup" I can imagine later on it would be dead--they wouldn't know they were being too rough.

gaddylovesdogs · 11-09-2004, 04:03 PM

nopuppymills.com--its a forum.

gaddylovesdogs · 11-09-2004, 04:14 PM

Reputable vs. Backyard

No More!

BYB and Mill excuses

Puppy Mills

Brokers

LabLuver22 · 11-09-2004, 05:35 PM

Thanks for all the info.

I'm sure that the family would take care of the dog, but a 3-year-old and a teacup Chi are definitely not a good combination. A toddler is learning how to walk and is (usually) somewhat clumsy and awkward. Also, a 3-year-old would have to learn that the teddy bear can be squeezed to death and the same-sized dog can't. The only way I can see it working out is if there are several adults in the home, or else the mom would definitely have her hands full, too!

***Carrie*** · 11-09-2004, 06:02 PM

You can go online and find info on these breeds...like the AKC site and print out the breed size standards and so forth and give it to them. You will also see something written about temperament and recommendations as to whether they're a good choice for families with kids etc....I know I've come across stuff like that in my studies, but it's been a while. Just look up the breed and see what you can find. You can also do a search and write in something like "how to find a reputable dog breeder." I think the AKC site even has something on that. It's a good place to start. They will list out things to watch out for and why.

Sometimes people need to hear it from "experts" in writing. Yup....hear it in writing.

flyndog · 11-09-2004, 06:05 PM

Huh? I'm confused. I thought it was a "teacup yorkie" and a 2 kids in 5th & 6th grade?
A small child is definately out for tiny toy dogs. Although there is no such thing as a "teacup" yorkie, there are smaller dogs that show up in litters. The breed standard is 7 lbs and under. My dog is 4 lbs. (breeder thought she'd be around 5lbs.) She has no health problems. My dog fits in a (large) dog purse and travels with us everywhere. If your neighbor just wants a dog as an accessory, then I would suggest she not get a Yorkie. But then, if she has a a happy and healthy Westie, she should know what to expect from a terrier in a bag. If you need names of some reputable breeders, PM me.
Kit

PitBullie09 · 11-09-2004, 06:25 PM

Definitally. Check those sites and see what you come up with! Erin

***Carrie*** · 11-09-2004, 06:39 PM

Yeah....there are misinformed people out there and give these silly names to dogs who are not classified by size, such as a Poodle. (standard, miniature, toy) Yorkies are Yorkies. Chihuahuas are Chihuahuas. There are not different classifications. The correct standard for Chihuahuas, for instance is that they cannot exceed 6LBS. They can be smaller. That's OK. Kit gave the size for Yorkies. I guess byb's just give that little "teacup" name to extra small dogs. And uninformed people fall for it.

Rip's Girl · 11-09-2004, 07:21 PM

The average size for a yorkie is about, what, 4-5lbs?! That could certainly fit in a good-sized purse. Heck, Ripley fits in a small handbag of mine and he's a bit over 5lbs. My friend has a 12lb Min Pin mix that she carries in a meduim-sized tote. He's a sturdy little guy, large enough to tolerate some play with her 2-year-old without being injured and small enough to be carried.

Show her that there is no such thing as a teacup yorkie, that it's just a label for dogs under about 4lbs. Show her that she can get a smaller yorkie from a reputable breeder as well, which will probably have much better temperament and less possiblity of having genetic health problems.

11-09-2004, 02:57 PM	#1 (permalink)
LabLuver22 Laura Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 488 Rep Power: 89	How do I.... persuade my neighbor from buying a teacup Yorkie? She is not really a close friend of mine, we are just acquantinces (sp?), but one day she mentioned that she and her family wanted to buy a teacup Yorkie (she has a husband and 2 kids, one in the 5th grade and one in 6th). I tried to be as tactful as I could while explaining the plethora of health problems of "tiny tiny toys," and that teacup Yorkies are a primary target of puppy mills. She said that they've already found some good breeders. I tried to steer her towards a regular-sized Yorkie, but she said she wanted a dog that she could carry around in her purse (couldn't she do that with a regular-sized dog?). She already has a regular-sized Westie and takes good care of her. What can I (tactfully) say to her that will help her change her mind? I don't think we're close enough for me to outright say, "No good breeder breeds teacup Yorkies," and she's one of those people that takes offense if you suggest that she isn't making a good decision. Any ideas?

11-09-2004, 03:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
gaddylovesdogs don't have a cow! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: USA Posts: 3,426 Rep Power: 155	First I would recommend that she check out No more mills! Then have her check out The truth about Pet Stores. I'm surprised that all the health problem stuff didn't stop her--I don't know many people that would want to spend thousands of bucks on vet bills monthly. Lawaxanna on the Dog Fancy boards had a story....if I remember correctly, before she knew of pm and byb, her family bought a Dachshund, who died at the age of 2, after having serious health problems........ If I find more info that I think can help I will DEFINITELY give it to you! I'm also trying to stop someone from getting a teacup--a family that has three young children and was told by a client that if they helped him he would give them a teacup Chihuahua .
	__________________ Looking for a new pet? Search www.petfinder.com for your next love. If you have a heart, please help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. www.redcross.org

11-09-2004, 04:03 PM	#5 (permalink)
gaddylovesdogs don't have a cow! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: USA Posts: 3,426 Rep Power: 155	nopuppymills.com--its a forum.
	__________________ Looking for a new pet? Search www.petfinder.com for your next love. If you have a heart, please help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. www.redcross.org

11-09-2004, 04:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
gaddylovesdogs don't have a cow! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: USA Posts: 3,426 Rep Power: 155	Reputable vs. Backyard No More! BYB and Mill excuses Puppy Mills Brokers
	__________________ Looking for a new pet? Search www.petfinder.com for your next love. If you have a heart, please help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. www.redcross.org

11-09-2004, 06:05 PM	#9 (permalink)
flyndog Unleash The Possibilities Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Marfa, TX Posts: 3,969 Rep Power: 185	Huh? I'm confused. I thought it was a "teacup yorkie" and a 2 kids in 5th & 6th grade? A small child is definately out for tiny toy dogs. Although there is no such thing as a "teacup" yorkie, there are smaller dogs that show up in litters. The breed standard is 7 lbs and under. My dog is 4 lbs. (breeder thought she'd be around 5lbs.) She has no health problems. My dog fits in a (large) dog purse and travels with us everywhere. If your neighbor just wants a dog as an accessory, then I would suggest she not get a Yorkie. But then, if she has a a happy and healthy Westie, she should know what to expect from a terrier in a bag. If you need names of some reputable breeders, PM me. Kit
	__________________ mARFa Dog Training and Behavior

11-09-2004, 03:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
LabLuver22 Laura Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 488 Rep Power: 89	OMG, three young kids and a teacup Chi? NOT a good combination! Thanks for the links, I'll give them to her.

11-09-2004, 05:35 PM	#7 (permalink)
LabLuver22 Laura Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 488 Rep Power: 89	Thanks for all the info. I'm sure that the family would take care of the dog, but a 3-year-old and a teacup Chi are definitely not a good combination. A toddler is learning how to walk and is (usually) somewhat clumsy and awkward. Also, a 3-year-old would have to learn that the teddy bear can be squeezed to death and the same-sized dog can't. The only way I can see it working out is if there are several adults in the home, or else the mom would definitely have her hands full, too!

11-09-2004, 06:02 PM	#8 (permalink)
*Carrie* Super Moderator Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: north panhandle of Idaho Posts: 7,545 Rep Power: 291	You can go online and find info on these breeds...like the AKC site and print out the breed size standards and so forth and give it to them. You will also see something written about temperament and recommendations as to whether they're a good choice for families with kids etc....I know I've come across stuff like that in my studies, but it's been a while. Just look up the breed and see what you can find. You can also do a search and write in something like "how to find a reputable dog breeder." I think the AKC site even has something on that. It's a good place to start. They will list out things to watch out for and why. Sometimes people need to hear it from "experts" in writing. Yup....hear it in writing.

11-09-2004, 06:25 PM	#10 (permalink)
PitBullie09 ACD/Pit Bull Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 2,477 Rep Power: 132	Definitally. Check those sites and see what you come up with! Erin
	__________________

11-09-2004, 06:39 PM	#11 (permalink)
*Carrie* Super Moderator Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: north panhandle of Idaho Posts: 7,545 Rep Power: 291	Yeah....there are misinformed people out there and give these silly names to dogs who are not classified by size, such as a Poodle. (standard, miniature, toy) Yorkies are Yorkies. Chihuahuas are Chihuahuas. There are not different classifications. The correct standard for Chihuahuas, for instance is that they cannot exceed 6LBS. They can be smaller. That's OK. Kit gave the size for Yorkies. I guess byb's just give that little "teacup" name to extra small dogs. And uninformed people fall for it.

11-09-2004, 07:21 PM	#12 (permalink)
Rip's Girl Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 2,580 Rep Power: 144	The average size for a yorkie is about, what, 4-5lbs?! That could certainly fit in a good-sized purse. Heck, Ripley fits in a small handbag of mine and he's a bit over 5lbs. My friend has a 12lb Min Pin mix that she carries in a meduim-sized tote. He's a sturdy little guy, large enough to tolerate some play with her 2-year-old without being injured and small enough to be carried. Show her that there is no such thing as a teacup yorkie, that it's just a label for dogs under about 4lbs. Show her that she can get a smaller yorkie from a reputable breeder as well, which will probably have much better temperament and less possiblity of having genetic health problems.
	__________________

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