You decide you want the smallest yorkie in the litter, or one that will be very small, are you willing to live with the risks and the chances of having more health problems?
It all sounds fine in the fantasy world, but the actuality of having the smallest puppy in the litter or what some of you have come to think of such as a "teacup" which in the real world is either the runt of the litter or what some unethical breeder actually are breeding and trying to establish this type of small puppy. We hope to eduate you and that you think long and hard about your decision because you may just end up the most heartbroke of all. Yes, there are more health risks just because of their small size. These are just a few, but there are many things to think about health wise in preparing yourself for a small yorkie. When you get a standard size yorkie you reduce your risks of these problems by a lot. While there is still precaution for much health concerns that run in certain bloodlines, you can reduce the risk by getting a standard size yorkie or one that is at least in the five pound range and up.
Some risk factors for the very small yorkies:
*Fragile bone size: think about the size of your pinkie bone. If you have a dog that is full grown and has bones that size, do you actually think you can have a "normal" life with that kind of a dog? That dog will NEVER be able to jump off the sofa by itself, probably not be able to go up and down the stairs by itself, not be able to go up and down to your bed with you. Now, let's talk about the health risks.
*Collaped trachea: Yorkies in general have a higher chance for developing a collapsed trachea, however, you are compounding those risks when you get the smallest puppy you can get, just because it doesn't have it when you take it home, doesn't mean it won't show up later on, these are just health risks you should be prepared for. If you want a smaller dog, you are forwarned of the extra risks that come with it, and if you are willing to take these risks, then that's just part of it if it should it be something down the road that happens to your puppy. Their tracheas are very fragile to begin with, so not only might they develop a collaped trachea, but you very well could cause them to have one, not only on the smaller ones, but on the standard size as well. Always walk your dog or puppy on a harness NEVER a collar!!!! Be careful they don't fall off something or jump off something to hit their tracheas. Try to imagine a straw and how it gets a bend in it, now imagine it being very thin layers and how fragile that would be to crush.
*Hypoglycemia: Your puppy will also be at higher risks for hypogylcemia because of it's small size and not able to consume as much food at one time or if they just don't eat much. The possibilities of death could be presumed from this if you get one of these smaller puppies and you are not home to monitor this baby. Sometimes these little ones just need that much more attention and will withdrawl eating at the drop of a hat and if you are not there to see it or notice, it is possible they will collapse from low blood sugar. If that happens and you are not home, death could occur. If you are home and it happens, at least you can call a vet or know how to handle it if you are prepared.
*Livershunts: Smaller puppies generally are the ones that are indicated with the problems that lead from one problem to the other, so we can't leave out the possiblity of livershunts. If a puppy developes a livershunt, are you going to be prepared to deal with it? Unless a puppy is showing major signs of a shunt, then there is no way to know for certain your puppy has a shunt. If it is a very tiny puppy, then chances are, signs of it will show up between 6 and 12 weeks of age. However, even if you request a test to be done before you take your baby home, odds are, if that baby was not showing signs of it already, then the test will still show normal, or it could give a false-positive. At a young age, there is no good way to know for sure if that puppy has a livershunt unless it is showing good clear signs of it already. The best time to test a puppy for livershunts is about a year old to get a true result. Most people take their puppy home by 3 months of age, therefore, if your puppy developes a livershunt, how are you going to handle it? Some shunts can be surgically fixed, others they may out grow it, and some don't have a good outlook at all. It is VERY expensive to TEST, FIX and CARE for a livershunt puppy. If your puppy has a livershunt, chances are by the time you find out, you will have invested money in a bunch of testing, only to be already be attached to the puppy, (if you are any kind of person) and then you will either be faced with your choices on what to do with the puppy at that point: most of it will depend on what your agreement was with your breeder, you might have agreed that it will either be returned and exchanged for a healthy one from another litter when one comes available --that is if it was caught in time for the guarantee, if any, (but remember, it was your choice to take a chance on a smaller puppy to begin with), or move forward with life and have it repaired depending on how serious it is, but remember, it will not be cheap, but always remember this was your puppy and your responsibility to begin with and you chose to be it's only caregiver and the only one that can make a decision for it and if that is what life dealt you, then perhaps you'll make it through it together. One good reason right here should tell you is that if you wait until at least 12 weeks of age to get a puppy, chances are if something was going to show up with your puppy, then most likely it would have started to show by this point, that's why puppies should never be sold at 6 weeks of age!!!!!
Older puppy verses younger puppy?
So many times we hear "I want the youngest, smallest puppy I can get." Well, I don't think you even want the speech here, but we are going to let you have it if you want to continue reading.........Right there above you just read the very reason why you shouldn't get a puppy at 6 weeks of age, let alone the smallest!! Keep this in mind.....the OLDER your puppy, the more responsibility the breeder has assumed on them!!!! The less things that can possibly go wrong for you. Each stage your puppy passes through with the breeder, just be thankful you haven't had to assume it on yourself rather than thinking that you missed out of the cute puppy stage. That's not true, the only thing you have missed out on is ---puppy vaccinations (and paying for them), deworming, chewing on things up (and replacing them), tearing things up (and replacing them), pooping and peeing everywhere (and replacing flooring). Porterpuppies sells puppies at 10 weeks at the EARLIEST, and that depends on the puppy and other factors. Most of the time we prefer to keep them at least 12 weeks, but like to keep them longer, and never care how long one ever stays here. Lots of times when you get an older puppy you are getting one with ALL their vaccinations and boosters for their entire first year, they are on heartworm prevention and they have all begun flea and tick prevention with either Frontline or Mycodex from the vet's office. So, lots of advantages to getting an older puppy than you might think. Another thing that you may not have considered about an older puppy is that they won't be as scared generally when they go to their new home and seem to adjust very well, and, with the yorkie breed you can take an adult and they will adjust to your loving environment just as good as any puppy could ever dream.