Does this make sense from breeder? New baby boy!

[Miranda918]

Hi everyone, I am new to YT! I just picked up my second yorkie today, (2 1/2 years at 5 lbs) and brand new 8 week old boy. I refer to this site A LOT and hopefully someone can either answer my question or explain the meaning behind it..

So, my new baby boy is 30 oz today and exactly 8 weeks. I picked him out at 3 weeks and he was 6.2 oz. Does this make sense or does it sound like we are dealing with a switcher- roo here...? I am referencing to the charts that are available online but that is just a guestimation. His parents are mom 5 lbs and dad 3 lbs. I picked the smallest boy of the litter. There is a girl that was small also, who is 10-12 oz and not healthy.

My little girl is 5 lbs. I received her at 2.2lbs and she doubled in weight and size from 12 weeks. I was hoping he would be smaller than the girl but if I triple his weight at 8 weeks he will be bigger than my girl.

Also, the breeder will not disclose the information or weights of the others in the litter.

Not sure what I'm dealing with here and as a buyer what I am and am not able to know.

[gracielove]

Are these dogs going to bred to each other? I ask because weight seems to be a major concern.

[Miranda918]

yes, i would like to eventually.

[Maximo]

As one very astute yorkie exhibitor/breeder here often said, the only thing you can be sure of when it comes to estimating sizes is that yorkie pups will make a liar out of you.

If this breeder was willing to sell you full registration (which is required for breeding), then she should be willing to mentor you on this and many other subjects relative to choosing a breeding pair.

[chachi]

There is no way the adult weight of a pup can e guaranteed. Thats why you purchase adults if that is important to you

[Miranda918]

As a breeder, do you see these types of growth spurts? 6.4 oz at 3 weeks to 30 oz at 8 weeks?

My question is, is this common or is this rare to happen?

[dawn27]

Originally Posted by Miranda918

As a breeder, do you see these types of growth spurts? 6.4 oz at 3 weeks to 30 oz at 8 weeks?

My question is, is this common or is this rare to happen?

As a breeder I can tell you that anything is possible. The smallest of the litter can turn out to be the largest fully grown. It is not uncommon for a pup to have growth spurts and to gain several oz. per week.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by Miranda918

As a breeder, do you see these types of growth spurts? 6.4 oz at 3 weeks to 30 oz at 8 weeks?

My question is, is this common or is this rare to happen?

I am not a breeder, but I think it is very possible. The exhibitor I referred to had a little girl, I don't recall the exact numbers, but she was super tiny until almost 1 year of age, and then boom! She ended up being over 7 pounds -- and I don't mean she got fat.

Experienced breeders can make an educated guess, but a good breeder would never guarantee size, especially not at 8 weeks. A good breeder would not choose their breeding stock at 8 weeks. Exhibitors cannot choose their show dogs (which will be their breeders) at that age. They know it is a total gamble.

You can try posting in the breeder section for more info, or the exhibitor section.

[nanahas3]

When we picked out Kyra her sisters were all about the same size as her by the time we picked her up 4 weeks later they were double her size so I do think it is possible.

[gracielove]

I have never bred dogs but I used to breed cats and as stated above the ones that start out the biggest can turn out to be the smallest. Growth spurts and how well they feed has a lot to do with growth in the first few weeks of life. Since the Yorkie was a larger dog in years past they can throw larger pups even though the parents are both fairly small. The genes are still there for a larger dog. A well linebred pair of animals may increase the ability to estimate the size the puppies may obtain but there is no guarantee.

I did see somewhere here on YT that you can double the weight at 13 weeks and you may come close to what the puppy may mature at. Still no guarantee.

[Miranda918]

The breeder did not let me see the rest of the litter at 6 weeks when I went to visit (he weighed 11oz), and now I learn that she sold 2 males at 5 weeks to another breeder. I know that the other smallest pup is only 13 oz.

[gracielove]

Originally Posted by Miranda918

The breeder did not let me see the rest of the litter at 6 weeks when I went to visit (he weighed 11oz), and now I learn that she sold 2 males at 5 weeks to another breeder. I know that the other smallest pup is only 13 oz.

Heartbreaking to hear that anyone would take a puppy away from it's mom at 5 weeks.

[Teresa Ford]

Originally Posted by Maximo

I

Experienced breeders can make an educated guess, but a good breeder would never guarantee size, especially not at 8 weeks. A good breeder would not choose their breeding stock at 8 weeks. Exhibitors cannot choose their show dogs (which will be their breeders) at that age. They know it is a total gamble.

Excellent Post

[dawn27]

30oz at 8 weeks minus the 11oz he was at 6 weeks old in on a gain of 1.9oz in two weeks. That is an average weight gain of only 3.7 oz. per week. Very possible!

I do hope that the breeder did not release the pups at the age of 5 weeks old. That is way to early. Some here would argue that 8 weeks is also too early for a pup to leave their mother and litter mates.

[gidget529]

Originally Posted by Maximo

I am not a breeder, but I think it is very possible. The exhibitor I referred to had a little girl, I don't recall the exact numbers, but she was super tiny until almost 1 year of age, and then boom! She ended up being over 7 pounds -- and I don't mean she got fat.

Experienced breeders can make an educated guess, but a good breeder would never guarantee size, especially not at 8 weeks. A good breeder would not choose their breeding stock at 8 weeks. Exhibitors cannot choose their show dogs (which will be their breeders) at that age. They know it is a total gamble.

You can try posting in the breeder section for more info, or the exhibitor section.

I must agree. Mine girls come from a very reputable show breeder. She does not know at that age which ones will be show-worthy and thus does not place her dogs at a young age. YTCA recommends 12 weeks to be placed and not before, and she keeps her much longer to see which will be show-worthy - thus making it breed-worthy.

Originally Posted by Miranda918

The breeder did not let me see the rest of the litter at 6 weeks when I went to visit (he weighed 11oz), and now I learn that she sold 2 males at 5 weeks to another breeder. I know that the other smallest pup is only 13 oz.

I'm sorry to say, I don't think you are dealing w a reputable breeder. First, to be placing dogs so young does not seem very ethical. Does this breeder have her dogs tested and are her dogs healthy (you said a smaller girl was unhealthy)? I would want to make sure she has good lines health-wise if I was going to entertain breeding.