Hi from Shorkie Talk

[Ann Pritchard]

I would like to introduce myself I'm an owner of a cute little shorkie called Toby. As I don't know a great deal about his breed I have started a forum just for shorkies so that people will join and we can share experiences. I have also allowed an area for breeders to also give their adivse. Even if you are not a shorkie owner you maybe able to give general advice. I would love to hear from you. I love my little dog and am looking forward to sharing my experiences with you on this forum and my own.
::Mod Edit - Please don't post personal email addresses on the public forum::

[Cassiepeia]

Welcome to Global Paw.

"Shorkies" are not a breed. They're a mix-breed or mutt (don't hate that word, we love mutts many Global Paw members have them and adore them ), they're just a first generation Shih Tzu and Yorkshire Terrier cross.

I'm sure your boy is gorgeous and I hope you'll share pictures and stories of him with us.

Cass.

[DogLover8]

Welcome to Global Paw.

[Punkygirl0101]

Welcome!

I second what Cass said. And I really, really hope there are not people out there purposely breeding them, there are plenty of purebreds in need of homes that are dying in shelters, no need for people to try and create more breeds. (Not to mention the mixed breeds, and "Designer" mutts also dying in shelters).

[Swiftwind]

Hi Ann, welcome to Global Paw!

[LilacDragon]

Since you are opening your forum and hoping that "breeders" will give advice, I hope that you do some of your homework and don't encourage breeding for money - or selling their pups on your forum.

The problem that most of us (on this forum) have with breeders of designer breeds is that it is all about the money. No effort is made to make sure that the puppies will live long healthy lives ie. no genetic testing is done to make sure that adult dogs used for breeding are free of genetic issues. I am a big dog owner, but I do know that smaller breeds are prone to joint problems that can be all but eliminated if the parents are certified clear.

The best way to learn about your dog would be to do some serious research on both Shih Tzu's and Yorkies. Skip breeder sites and look for breed club sites.

Welcome to the forum!

[Ritz459]

Welcome to the site!

[Ann Pritchard]

Thank you to all. I feel very wecome. I did now that Shorkies are not pure breeds. So I am sorry If I used the wrong choice of words. I have a few photo's of my Toby so I will make a desission today and put it up.
Again thank you for making me feel welcome and I will listen to all of what you have to say

[britishbandit]

Welcome aboard!

[Ann Pritchard]

In reply to not allowing breeders to post on my forum or sell pups on my forum. If I want to create interest from people that have shorkies and provide an open forum that discusses products and services, how can I choose who is allowed or not. How could I decide who is genuine or not. I either stop all promotion of products and services or I don't. And that removes a whole aspect of what I want the forum to be and in the end I believe that people should be allowed to make their own judgements. And I hope that if we get bad breeders or even products being promoted then the users get on there and make a relevant comment to warn others. The only thing I beleive I can stop is people being abusive, off topic and things like porn.

Ann
ShorkieTalk.com

[Punkygirl0101]

And I hope that if we get bad breeders

But all "Shorkie" breeders ARE bad breeders. People who breed mixed breed dogs purposely are not responsible, and cannot be no matter how much they care for their dogs. Reputable breeders only breed genetically healthy purebred dogs.

[LilacDragon]

You own the forum and you make the rules. I belong to several forums that have breeders as active members who are absolutely not allowed to advertise puppies on the forums. There are a couple of breeders on this forum who wouldn't dream of advertising puppies here.

If you like your "breed" then you need to think about the long term health of your dog and every puppy to come. Hybrid vigor is a myth. Small dogs are prone to such issues as luxating patellas. In the mild form, this is correctable with surgery. In the extreme case, it can be crippling at a young age. Testing dogs who are to be bred for this, and not breeding dogs that are affected goes a long way to preventing it in puppies.

Like it or not, a Shorkie is a designer breed. There are many, many people out there who think of them as a cash crop and would be more then happy to make thousands of dollars off of your forum members selling their sickly pups. Somehow, I don't think that is what you had in mind when you set up your forum. When I log onto this forum, and the other dog forums that I am on, I want to read about health issues, nutritional information and see some happy stories and great pictures.

I'm sorry. I don't mean to lecture and tell you how to run your forum.

[Ann Pritchard]

I will take what you have said and give it a great deal of thought as I can understand where you are coming from. Thank you for your opinons.

[Ann Pritchard]

Well here is Toby. I hope you think he is cute. Toby is 2 in March.

[Cassiepeia]

Toby is gorgeous. He has such a sweet face.

Cass.