Yorkie Judging Flaws

Dan & Penny McDonald · 12-22-2005, 06:21 PM

If there is anyone out there with informed comments on Yorkie Show Judging Flaws I would appreciate some feedback. We presently share our lives with our third Yorkie friend who is now just 7 months old. Our first two Yorkies were lovable pet quality dogs and each developed luxating patella and the resultant arthreitis with age.

When we purchased our present Yorkie we searched far and wide for a companion with breeding that would lessen the potential of this congenital deficiency. Not that money matters, but we paid $1,800 for Condon's Celtic Keavy. She has a pedegree that has champions in each generation and even one relative that had a book written about him. On paper, she is a top of the line dog.

HOWEVER, at 7 months she has no been diagnosed with luxating patella in both legs and will be staged for that problem at one year to determine the level and appropriate action.

The breeder also advised us that Keavy would be 'show quality' yet as her hair changes with her development she is showing some disturbing coloration that seems contrary to the published show standards for Yorshire Terriers as published by both the Yorkshire Terrier Club of America and the AKC.

The bottoms of both front paws have pure white hair between the pads. The white is not visible as she sands or walks but only by holding up the paw.

She has a very small pure white goetee just below her lower lip.

She has a pure white patch just below the anus.

I contacted the breeder with my concerns and was told that I was bing too critical. The breeder advised there was champion after champion with similar white coloration as I described.

I know the luxating patellas alone make Keavy not showable, but I am begining to believe I paid show dog prices for a marginally pet quality dog. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Crossfire Bulldogs · 12-22-2005, 06:49 PM

I'm sorry to hear about the problems your having but have to say that even the best show potential puppy can fall apart.

Purchasing a show potential puppy in no way assures you a show dog. Any breeder that would write anything in their contract stating true show is blowing smoke and it's a good way to make themselves liable should civil action be taken. Show potential is just that, potential and in no way makes it fact that the dog will ever even enter a ring much less be titled.

Even the very best of bloodlines cannot produce show puppies every time and the number of champions in a particular pedigree really does no more than show that those dogs have titled. Purchasing a show potential puppy just means that you must be careful and know what your looking for in the breed a bit more than the average person. I'm not saying you didn't know what to look for but it still all comes down to buyer beware. jmo

TribalRats · 12-22-2005, 06:53 PM

Crossfire is correct. There is no way to know for sure at such a young age weather or not a dog will be show potential.
A breeder might think a dog has what it takes to possibly be show quality however bites, markings, temperaments and conformation can change for a looong time.

flyndog · 12-23-2005, 01:41 PM

I don't show, but the breed standard is pretty clear about coat requirements - blue and tan. Richer tan on head than legs. No black hairs mixed in. I see plenty of Yorkies with a lighter goatee as well as a lighter strip in the topknot and under the tail. In any case, there is no mention of white markings in the breed standard, and so it would be up to the judge's discretion. Wouldn't it, breeders?

BTW, I have a pet quality Yorkie and I paid just a little below what you paid for show quality, the fault being coat color. Great pedigree, too. Although the price of a dog isn't all there is, you might consider going much higher for a chance at a real show prospect. And, no, paying the price for show quality doesn't guarantee you a show dog.

I'm sorry to hear about the patellas. Cozy just went through that.

Crossfire Bulldogs · 12-23-2005, 01:56 PM

Quote:

I see plenty of Yorkies with a lighter goatee as well as a lighter strip in the topknot and under the tail. In any case, there is no mention of white markings in the breed standard, and so it would be up to the judge's discretion. Wouldn't it, breeders?

It would be the judges discretion since the standard does not list it as a fault in my own opinion.

cszmommy · 01-28-2006, 06:44 PM

How do you know if they have the patella problem?

12-22-2005, 06:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
Dan & Penny McDonald Yorkie Companions Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Springboro Ohio Posts: 9 Rep Power: 0	Yorkie Judging Flaws If there is anyone out there with informed comments on Yorkie Show Judging Flaws I would appreciate some feedback. We presently share our lives with our third Yorkie friend who is now just 7 months old. Our first two Yorkies were lovable pet quality dogs and each developed luxating patella and the resultant arthreitis with age. When we purchased our present Yorkie we searched far and wide for a companion with breeding that would lessen the potential of this congenital deficiency. Not that money matters, but we paid $1,800 for Condon's Celtic Keavy. She has a pedegree that has champions in each generation and even one relative that had a book written about him. On paper, she is a top of the line dog. HOWEVER, at 7 months she has no been diagnosed with luxating patella in both legs and will be staged for that problem at one year to determine the level and appropriate action. The breeder also advised us that Keavy would be 'show quality' yet as her hair changes with her development she is showing some disturbing coloration that seems contrary to the published show standards for Yorshire Terriers as published by both the Yorkshire Terrier Club of America and the AKC. The bottoms of both front paws have pure white hair between the pads. The white is not visible as she sands or walks but only by holding up the paw. She has a very small pure white goetee just below her lower lip. She has a pure white patch just below the anus. I contacted the breeder with my concerns and was told that I was bing too critical. The breeder advised there was champion after champion with similar white coloration as I described. I know the luxating patellas alone make Keavy not showable, but I am begining to believe I paid show dog prices for a marginally pet quality dog. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

12-22-2005, 06:49 PM	#2 (permalink)
Crossfire Bulldogs Sourmug Mom Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Snuggled Between The Snorts & Snores. Posts: 7,844 Blog Entries: 3 Rep Power: 285	I'm sorry to hear about the problems your having but have to say that even the best show potential puppy can fall apart. Purchasing a show potential puppy in no way assures you a show dog. Any breeder that would write anything in their contract stating true show is blowing smoke and it's a good way to make themselves liable should civil action be taken. Show potential is just that, potential and in no way makes it fact that the dog will ever even enter a ring much less be titled. Even the very best of bloodlines cannot produce show puppies every time and the number of champions in a particular pedigree really does no more than show that those dogs have titled. Purchasing a show potential puppy just means that you must be careful and know what your looking for in the breed a bit more than the average person. I'm not saying you didn't know what to look for but it still all comes down to buyer beware. jmo
	__________________ Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Global Paw Book Club -- Art Classes -- Woof Review I would rather have a mind opened by wonder than one closed by belief. ~ Gerry Spence As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner. Last edited by Crossfire Bulldogs : 12-22-2005 at 06:52 PM.

12-22-2005, 06:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
TribalRats Take Responsibility Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Central Valley, CA Posts: 3,327 Rep Power: 145	Crossfire is correct. There is no way to know for sure at such a young age weather or not a dog will be show potential. A breeder might think a dog has what it takes to possibly be show quality however bites, markings, temperaments and conformation can change for a looong time.
	__________________ Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Global Paw Book Club -- Art Classes -- Woof Review As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

12-23-2005, 01:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
flyndog Unleash The Possibilities Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Marfa, TX Posts: 3,969 Rep Power: 183	I don't show, but the breed standard is pretty clear about coat requirements - blue and tan. Richer tan on head than legs. No black hairs mixed in. I see plenty of Yorkies with a lighter goatee as well as a lighter strip in the topknot and under the tail. In any case, there is no mention of white markings in the breed standard, and so it would be up to the judge's discretion. Wouldn't it, breeders? BTW, I have a pet quality Yorkie and I paid just a little below what you paid for show quality, the fault being coat color. Great pedigree, too. Although the price of a dog isn't all there is, you might consider going much higher for a chance at a real show prospect. And, no, paying the price for show quality doesn't guarantee you a show dog. I'm sorry to hear about the patellas. Cozy just went through that.
	__________________ mARFa Dog Training and Behavior

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01-28-2006, 06:44 PM	#6 (permalink)
cszmommy good kids have mean moms Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 52 Rep Power: 0	How do you know if they have the patella problem?

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