The Herald-Dispatch |


Fighting Dog Abuse
Check here for information on dog abuse cases, law and rescue group information. Tamara Myers-White also will answer questions or direct you to a link or e-mail of someone with the answers.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

There Are Only 4 Sizes Of Dogs.

I have spoken to AKC to make sure I am correct on sizes of certain breeds. I knew I was, but I have a lot of people that say I don't research my posts, well, I do. My one concern, particularly, is the Yorkshire Terrier. This dog is one of the most common dogs in the country. This is the reason that the backyard breeders have gotten ahold of them to make a dollar from unsuspecting people that don't know any better about sizes and weight and coloring, etc.

I have seen with my own eyes, dogs that are mature and weigh only 1 pound. This is crazy. I have a post called "Too Young, Too Small." This is an extension of that post. The AKC standard for the Yorkshire Terrier, or the Yorkie, as it is fondly called, is: no dog under 3 lbs. or over 5lbs. Now, this is the standard for the ideal dog, according to AKC, the original breed registry. But, they were quick to point out that any dog under 3lbs. is a fault, not only for the show ring, but for breeding, and companion dogs. They were in agreement with me on the "micro and teacup" titles in some breeds. i.e. Yorkies, Poodles, Shih Tzu, etc. There are no micro or teacup breeds. This is just something backyard breeders say to entice unsuspecting people to buy a dog to keep up with the fad that was started a few years ago.

I hear people say, "Oh, I have a teacup Poodle." No you don't. You have a toy Poodle that is too small to enter the show ring or breed. People, there are no micro or teacup breeds. There are Toy, Miniature, Standard and Giant breeds. 4 sizes, no more!

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