Pregnant Yorkie Questions

[sferrini]

good morning all:

I am hoping to get as much advice as possible, we just adopted a 3 1/2 year old teacup yorkie, who we and previous handler believe to be pregnant. He said that she got out a few times over the past few months, can't remember exact dates but he knows sometime near the end of April. Her nipples and valva are swollen and we think we can see movement in her tummy. We can't get her into our vet until July 11th at which time they will probably do an ultrasound. Any advice you can give me would be great!!

etc, feeding, making her comfortable, welping....

[ChantalB]

She should be due right now!!!!

Please don't tell me you haven't start researching....

And sound like you don't know who/how big is the father too!!! HORRIBLE REALLY!

And if the father is big, you will need c-section for sure to save your female so hope you got some saving!!!!!!!!

Here are 2 link with some good info on breeding.

Breeding, Whelping, and Rearing Puppies

Breeding Dogs, Breeding, Reproducing, Showing

And I don't want to be rude but really. I am doing that JUST FOR THE DOG!!!

AND YOU SHOULD REALLY FIX HER RIGHT AFTER.

[sferrini]

This was quick, I found out about her on Tuesday, brought her home on Wednesday. There was a chance she would have been put down, had I not brought her home. YES! I have done research, I am just looking for "AS MUCH" information as possible.

Yes, I do know who the father is, I have his papers along with hers (sorry when I meant got out, I did not mean out of the house). She was in a home with 3 other teacup yorkies. Daddy is about the same size as her.

This would be her 3rd litter, according to what I have been told she is a GREAT mom and has always given birth on her own.

I know they go for about 63 days, problem is, is that I don't have a set date. I also know her temp will drop.

Not exactly sure what I should be feeding her now, as my research leads me to a few different things and not knowing how far along she is......

[BamaFan121s]

1) There is no such thing as a teacup Yorkie. The fact that someone had her and had bred her before while under that misconception is extremely distrubing.
2) If she is small enough that she is being <falsely> labeled as a "teacup," then she is too small to have ever been bred in the first place.

From what you have shared, the person you got her from who allowed her to have puppies and didn't monitor or prevent her ties with a male, AND who was going to put her down was a very irresponsible owner who does not deserve the love that these little ones have to give.

I would research all you can at this point, ideally, she needs to have an ultrasound/xray asap. If your regular vet is unavailable, find another one. Find an emergency vet if you have to. Given this girl's extremely small size, it's highly likely she will require a c-section to deliver. (I wouldn't count too much on what you were told she did in the past--clearly the person giving you that info is a moron and can't be trusted.)

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by sferrini

This was quick, I found out about her on Tuesday, brought her home on Wednesday. There was a chance she would have been put down, had I not brought her home. YES! I have done research, I am just looking for "AS MUCH" information as possible.

Yes, I do know who the father is, I have his papers along with hers (sorry when I meant got out, I did not mean out of the house). She was in a home with 3 other teacup yorkies. Daddy is about the same size as her.

This would be her 3rd litter, according to what I have been told she is a GREAT mom and has always given birth on her own.

I know they go for about 63 days, problem is, is that I don't have a set date. I also know her temp will drop.

Not exactly sure what I should be feeding her now, as my research leads me to a few different things and not knowing how far along she is......

She should be eating a good quality puppy food. Cottage Cheese, Scrambled Eggs, feed her as much as she wants.

July 11th might be a bit late for an Ultra Sound, is there a possibility of one sooner. Take her in for a vet check now.

Start getting your supplies ready and a nice quiet whelping area for her and confine her.

I don't usually recommend this but, in this case if a c-section has to be performed have her spayed at the same time.

Why was there thought of putting her down?

[jmdt]

I don't have any experience with this but I just wanted to say that I hope all goes well for you and your little mama. Maybe a trip to the vet or er wouldn't be a bad idea. Even with us humans we could have 3 children and the 4th could raise a problem. It certainly won't hurt to have her checked out now. I don't think I would wait until the 11th it seems so far away. Good luck and please keep us posted.

[katiekid]

Welcome!
I hope all ends well.

[Ellie May]

If this happened at the end of April, she is due right now.
The 11th is way too far away.
There are lots of vets in Sterling Heights and I know of one very good one if you can't see yours.
She may need a c-section or at least assistance.
Is your vet available 24 hours a day? Do you have an emergency vet?

[sferrini]

Originally Posted by BamaFan121s

1) There is no such thing as a teacup Yorkie. The fact that someone had her and had bred her before while under that misconception is extremely distrubing.
2) If she is small enough that she is being <falsely> labeled as a "teacup," then she is too small to have ever been bred in the first place.

I am not meaning to be disrespectful or unappreciative of your help but according to my research there are tea cup yorkies but regardless, she is small and according to her papers and her bloodline they are small. My question is, is if most yorkies this size can't be bred, than how are they still here?

Again, not meaning any disrespect just questioning. As, I know many people who have yorkies this size>

[sferrini]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

She should be eating a good quality puppy food. Cottage Cheese, Scrambled Eggs, feed her as much as she wants.

July 11th might be a bit late for an Ultra Sound, is there a possibility of one sooner. Take her in for a vet check now.

Start getting your supplies ready and a nice quiet whelping area for her and confine her.

Why was there thought of putting her down?

I have a box ready. I actually just spoke with the folks I received her from and he stated that she was in heat from April 27th to May 4th, which would give her a due date of July 1st.

What are the signs of a false pregnancy as of right now she is only showing signs of being about 4 to 5 weeks along according to a chart that one of you the other nice ladies that replied to me with.

The folks that had her had to move from a 5 bedroom home to a 2 bedroom apartment and travel for work so they are rarely home. they had a women that would take them more than likely but they would be in a heated outside barn. And I am not exactly positive she would take all of them. There are two more.

[sferrini]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

If this happened at the end of April, she is due right now.
The 11th is way too far away.
There are lots of vets in Sterling Heights and I know of one very good one if you can't see yours.
She may need a c-section or at least assistance.
Is your vet available 24 hours a day? Do you have an emergency vet?

No, my vet is not available 24 hours but there is an emergency hospital right around the corner from there in Madison Heights.

I understand she may need a c-section. I am hoping that is not the case, as I myself had two and just do not want her to have to go through that.

I have the name of the Vet she went to before in Rochester Hills, I will see if I can get her in there as they have a history with her.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by sferrini

I am not meaning to be disrespectful or unappreciative of your help but according to my research there are tea cup yorkies but regardless, she is small and according to her papers and her bloodline they are small. My question is, is if most yorkies this size can't be bred, than how are they still here?

Again, not meaning any disrespect just questioning. As, I know many people who have yorkies this size>

This is the official standard:

As with all purebred dogs recognized by the American Kennel Club, there
is an approved Breed Standard for Yorkshire Terriers. This standard of
perfection is a written description of how the ideal Yorkshire Terrier should
look. All responsible breeders strive to produce dogs that conform to this
Breed Standard. Yorkshire Terriers with major deviations from that Standard
in appearance should not be bred.
.

.
General Appearance
.
That of a long-haired toy terrier whose blue and tan coat is parted on the face and from the base of the skull to the end of the tail and hangs evenly and quite straight down each side of body. The body is neat, compact and well proportioned. The dog's high head carriage and confident manner should give the appearance of vigor and self importance.
.

.
Head
.
Small and rather flat on top, the skull not too prominent or round, the muzzle not too long, with the bite neither undershot nor overshot and teeth sound. Either scissors bite or level bite is acceptable. The nose is black. Eyes are medium in size and not too prominent; dark in color and sparkling with a sharp, intelligent expression. Eye rims are dark. Ears are small, V-shaped, carried erect and set not too far apart.
.

.
Body
Well proportioned and very compact. The back is rather short, the back line level, with height at shoulder the same as at the rump.
.

.
Legs and Feet
.
Forelegs should be straight, elbows neither in nor out. Hind legs straight when viewed from behind, but stifles are moderately bent when viewed from the sides. Feet are round with black toenails. Dew claws, if any, are generally removed from the hind legs. Dew claws on the forelegs may be removed.
.

.
Tail
.
Docked to a medium length and carried slightly higher than the level of the back.
.

.
Coat
.
Quality, texture and quantity of coat are of prime importance. Hair is glossy, fine and silky in texture. Coat on the body is moderately long and perfectly straight (not wavy). It may be trimmed to floor length to give ease of movement and a neater appearance, if desired. The fall on the head is long, tied with one bow in center of head or parted in the middle and tied with two bows. Hair on muzzle is very long. Hair should be trimmed short on tips of ears and may be trimmed on feet to give them a neat appearance.
.

.
Colors
.
Puppies are born black and tan and are normally darker in body color, showing an intermingling of black hair in the tan until they are matured. Color of hair on body and richness of tan on head and legs are of prime importance in adult dogs, to which the following color requirements apply: BLUE: Is a dark steel blue, not a silver blue and not mingled with fawn, bronzy or black hairs. TAN: All tan hair is darker at the roots than in the middle, shading to still lighter tan at the tips. There should be no sooty or black hair intermingled with any of the tan.
.

.
Color on Body
.
The blue extends over the body from back of neck to root of tail. Hair on tail is a darker blue, especially at end of tail.
.

.
Head fall
.
A rich golden tan, deeper in color at sides of head, at ear roots and on the muzzle, with ears a deep rich tan. Tan color should not extend down on back of neck.
.

.
Chest and Legs
.
A bright, rich tan, not extending above the elbow on the forelegs nor above the stifle on the hind legs.
.

.
Weight
.
Must not exceed seven pounds.
.
.

.
Disqualification
.
Any solid color or combination of colors other than blue and tan as described above. Any white markings other than a small white spot on the forechest that does not exceed 1 inch at its longest dimension.

[Mardelin]

An Important Message About “Teacup” Yorkies
By Gale Thompson
If you are interested in purchasing a tiny Yorkie, sometimes called a Teacup,
Micro Mini, Teeny, or any other name that means “extra small”, there are
several things you should consider. The YTCA’s Code of Ethics precludes the
use of the words “teacup”, “tiny specialists”, doll faced, or similar terminology
by its members, and for good reason.

All breeders may occasionally have an unusually small Yorkie (hopefully healthy),
though no responsible breeder breeds for this trait. Many breeders prefer a
general weight range of 4-7 pounds believing that size retains desired Toy
qualities while maintaining optimum health. The Yorkie Standard states weight
"must not exceed seven pounds" and as a prospective pet owner you should
realize that even at 7 pounds, the Yorkie is still a small dog. (Females weighing
less than 5 pounds are considered by most breeders to be unsuitable for breeding.)

Special circumstances often come with extra tiny dogs. They are extremely
susceptible to both hereditary and non-hereditary health problems, including
birth defects that may go undetected for a long time. Other common
problems may include, but are not limited to, diarrhea, vomiting, along with
extra and expensive tests prior to routine teeth cleanings and surgeries.
Small ones are more likely to have poor reactions to anesthesia and die from
it. Tiny dogs are more easily injured by falls, being stepped on and being
attacked by other dogs. These health problems nearly always result in
large veterinary bills.

Please take this into consideration and make purchasing a healthy pet your top
priority, not size. The “novelty” is certainly not worth the pain, heartbreak, or
extra expense. Remember, all Yorkies are comparatively small. The most
important thing is finding a healthy puppy that will grow into a healthy adult,
especially since you looking at an 11 to 15 year commitment with your Yorkie.

There is much information on our web site. Please take the time to study it
before buying a puppy. We wish you the best of luck.


An Important Message About “Teacup” Yorkies
By Gale Thompson
If you are interested in purchasing a tiny Yorkie, sometimes called a Teacup,
Micro Mini, Teeny, or any other name that means “extra small”, there are
several things you should consider. The YTCA’s Code of Ethics precludes the
use of the words “teacup”, “tiny specialists”, doll faced, or similar terminology
by its members, and for good reason.

All breeders may occasionally have an unusually small Yorkie (hopefully healthy),
though no responsible breeder breeds for this trait. Many breeders prefer a
general weight range of 4-7 pounds believing that size retains desired Toy
qualities while maintaining optimum health. The Yorkie Standard states weight
"must not exceed seven pounds" and as a prospective pet owner you should
realize that even at 7 pounds, the Yorkie is still a small dog. (Females weighing
less than 5 pounds are considered by most breeders to be unsuitable for breeding.)

Special circumstances often come with extra tiny dogs. They are extremely
susceptible to both hereditary and non-hereditary health problems, including
birth defects that may go undetected for a long time. Other common
problems may include, but are not limited to, diarrhea, vomiting, along with
extra and expensive tests prior to routine teeth cleanings and surgeries.
Small ones are more likely to have poor reactions to anesthesia and die from
it. Tiny dogs are more easily injured by falls, being stepped on and being
attacked by other dogs. These health problems nearly always result in
large veterinary bills.

Please take this into consideration and make purchasing a healthy pet your top
priority, not size. The “novelty” is certainly not worth the pain, heartbreak, or
extra expense. Remember, all Yorkies are comparatively small. The most
important thing is finding a healthy puppy that will grow into a healthy adult,
especially since you looking at an 11 to 15 year commitment with your Yorkie.

There is much information on our web site. Please take the time to study it
before buying a puppy. We wish you the best of luck.


An Important Message About “Teacup” Yorkies
By Gale Thompson
If you are interested in purchasing a tiny Yorkie, sometimes called a Teacup,
Micro Mini, Teeny, or any other name that means “extra small”, there are
several things you should consider. The YTCA’s Code of Ethics precludes the
use of the words “teacup”, “tiny specialists”, doll faced, or similar terminology
by its members, and for good reason.

All breeders may occasionally have an unusually small Yorkie (hopefully healthy),
though no responsible breeder breeds for this trait. Many breeders prefer a
general weight range of 4-7 pounds believing that size retains desired Toy
qualities while maintaining optimum health. The Yorkie Standard states weight
"must not exceed seven pounds" and as a prospective pet owner you should
realize that even at 7 pounds, the Yorkie is still a small dog. (Females weighing
less than 5 pounds are considered by most breeders to be unsuitable for breeding.)

Special circumstances often come with extra tiny dogs. They are extremely
susceptible to both hereditary and non-hereditary health problems, including
birth defects that may go undetected for a long time. Other common
problems may include, but are not limited to, diarrhea, vomiting, along with
extra and expensive tests prior to routine teeth cleanings and surgeries.
Small ones are more likely to have poor reactions to anesthesia and die from
it. Tiny dogs are more easily injured by falls, being stepped on and being
attacked by other dogs. These health problems nearly always result in
large veterinary bills.

Please take this into consideration and make purchasing a healthy pet your top
priority, not size. The “novelty” is certainly not worth the pain, heartbreak, or
extra expense. Remember, all Yorkies are comparatively small. The most
important thing is finding a healthy puppy that will grow into a healthy adult,
especially since you looking at an 11 to 15 year commitment with your Yorkie.

There is much information on our web site. Please take the time to study it
before buying a puppy. We wish you the best of luck.

Back to Top




An Important Note About Color in Yorkshire Terriers
By Gale Thompson
The most distinctive characteristic of an adult Yorkshire Terrier is its long blue
and tan silk coat. A puppy is born black and tan, but the only recognized colors for
adults when registering with AKC are blue and gold, blue and tan, black and gold,
or black and tan.

The AKC Breed Standard and YTCA Code of Ethics do not recognize any
other color dogs than noted above. This includes all gold, born blue, liver
(also known as red or chocolate), and parti-colors. One of the reasons for
avoiding breeding "off-colored" Yorkies is because it could be a genetic defect
that may affect the dog's health. Some health problems can include, but aren't
limited to, severe skin problems, allergies, total hair loss and in some cases
long-term illness and/or death.

A responsible breeder will not intentionally breed for undesirable traits.
On very rare occasions, a breeder will have a puppy born with a color anomaly.
That puppy should undergo careful health screenings before being placed in a
spay/neuter (non breeding) home. A breeder should certainly never
promote these deviations as being desirable or rare.

There are many issues that potential Yorkie owners need to study before
purchasing their dog. We hope you will read the helpful information at this
web site and make an informed decision. It could very possibly save you
aggravation, disappointment and expense. We wish you the best of luck
in your pursuit of a happy, healthy Yorkshire Terrier.

[BamaFan121s]

Originally Posted by sferrini

I am not meaning to be disrespectful or unappreciative of your help but according to my research there are tea cup yorkies but regardless, she is small and according to her papers and her bloodline they are small. My question is, is if most yorkies this size can't be bred, than how are they still here?

Again, not meaning any disrespect just questioning. As, I know many people who have yorkies this size>

No disrespect taken, none meant.

I'm sure you will find many sources out there that claim they do exists, but fact of the matter is, those sources are incorrect. They do not. There is ONE standard for Yorkies--"not to exceed 7 pounds", no sub categories based on size, no teacups, miniatures, micros, etc. Most anyone here will attest to that, as will AKC, the YTCA and any educated, reputable breeder out there.

I'm not sure what size she is, but the general rule of thumb that ethcial breeders adhere to is that females under 5 pounds should not be bred. And even then, there is much more to take into consideration--pelvic structure, did the dog come from a line of free whelpers for starters.

The reason smaller Yorkies exists is because 1) the dog was a runt of the litter, or 2) because unethical breeders keep breeding dogs too small to be bred to meet the demands for smaller dogs. (From people who obviously have not educated themselves.)

[sferrini]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

This is the official standard:

As with all purebred dogs recognized by the American Kennel Club, there
is an approved Breed Standard for Yorkshire Terriers. This standard of
perfection is a written description of how the ideal Yorkshire Terrier should
look. All responsible breeders strive to produce dogs that conform to this
Breed Standard. Yorkshire Terriers with major deviations from that Standard
in appearance should not be bred.

So this says no bigger than 7 pounds there is nothing that says a min. weight. Thank you for sending.

I did look up "teacup yorkie" and they are listed on many sites but I found a site that said

"If you are interested in purchasing a tiny Yorkie, sometimes called a Teacup,
Micro Mini, Teeny, or any other name that means “extra small”, there are
several things you should consider. The YTCA’s Code of Ethics precludes the
use of the words “teacup”, “tiny specialists”, doll faced, or similar terminology
by its members, and for good reason.
All breeders may occasionally have an unusually small Yorkie (hopefully healthy),
though no responsible breeder breeds for this trait. Many breeders prefer a
general weight range of 4-7 pounds believing that size retains desired Toy
qualities while maintaining optimum health. The Yorkie Standard states weight
"must not exceed seven pounds" and as a prospective pet owner you should
realize that even at 7 pounds, the Yorkie is still a small dog. "

So her weight is fine, but she is on the small end of the spectrum.