ARTICLES

TOP NOTCH TOY INTERVIEW       RARE - YORKIE PUPPY COLORS       LOOKING FOR A BREEDER!

TEACUP YORKIE PUPPIES BEWARE!

TOP NOTCH TOY MAGAZINE BREEDER INTERVIEW
GIGI ZYBKO - BLUMOON YORKIES

I have had Yorkies since I was 10 years old as my first pet. I finished my first Show Yorkie in 1990. I have been showing and breeding ever since falling in love with the sport and trying to breed my idea of perfection. I have since then finished more than 60 Yorkies to their championships. Most I have bred and a few I have purchased from excellent breeders with keeping in mind the quality, health and type I want in a Yorkshire Terrier, whether a pet or show dog. I have put my heart and soul into this breed as well as determination to be able to succeed.

1. When & where did you first become interested in Yorkies?

A. When I was a 10 year old little girl I had allergies, and the doctor recommended a Yorkshire Terrier. I have been in love with this breed ever since.

2. What attracted you to this breed?

A. They do not shed, are small, compact and can travel everywhere with you. Not to mention the beauty of this breed.

3. Do you feel the current AKC standard is adequate?

A. I would personally like to see some minor changes to it. As in color, and we should have disqualifications such over 7 lbs. and should we allow a tail not docked to be shown in the states, since they are not allowed to be shown with docked tails in other countries.

4. What is the greatest health concern to breeders today?

A. I feel Liver Shunt, Legg Perthes and Heart Conditions are something to be monitored in this breed and in each individuals breeding program.

5. What attributes make this breed a great companion as well as a show dog?

A. A Yorkie thinks it is a big dog, but in a small package that can travel with ease. It has an outgoing, loving personality making it a joy to show, as well as a beauty of the flowing coat.

6. What do you enjoy most about owning this breed?

A. The unconditional love they give and their happy personality!

7. Describe in 50 words or less your breed and pretend your talking to someone who has never seen your breed.

A. A Yorkie is small and compact, with flowing silky hair that does not shed. It can travel anywhere; it is alert, loyal, happy and sweet! They are very sturdy and resilient for a small breed.

8. What advice would you offer a newcomer to this breed?

A. As far as a new show person, they need to do a lot of research and talk to many breeders. Making health issue's a number one concern when starting into a breeding program. Learn what they do and do not want to accept as faults and make a list. Stick to it and study pedigrees. Find an honest mentor, and let them train you properly for the ring. Consistency and determination will show in your breeding program, as to how successful you can become!

9. Is this breed a good choice for allergy prone people?

A. Yes, I am a good example. I am allergic to all other breeds, including Poodles. As I had one when I was younger and had to give it to a friend. I have also had Maltese which I adore and have issue's with them as well. I also can have issues with incorrect soft fluffy coated Yorkies!

10. Do you feel the size of this breed being shown ever exceeds the standard?

A. Yes, I do, and it should be a concern. This is supposed to be a toy dog that can fit comfortably in your lap!

11. Do you feel that judges are not familiar enough with our breed standard?

A. Yorkies are one of the most difficult breeds to judge. I feel there are only a select few of judges that can truly judge a Yorkie. I wish each judge would ask questions when having issues with our breed and/or do seminars as an ongoing learning tool. Otherwise more harm can be done to our breed than good! As in Top line and texture.

12. How is important is dental maintenance?

A. Dental up keep is an ongoing thing for a Yorkie. They have smaller teeth than bigger breeds and can lose them younger if not taken care of properly!

Article printed in TNT Magazine
© January 2005 by Gigi Zybko

RARE - YORKIE PUPPY COLORS

LEARN THE TRUTH!

A Yorkshire Terrier adult should be a steel blue on the body, with gold head, legs and feet. Dark steel blue is what show breeders are striving to breed towards. The texture is fine and has a certain hardiness about it as well as cool to the touch. There are more arguments about texture of coats in this breed, although when a true silk adult coat walks into a room we tend to all know it when it appears!

Puppies now are a tad different. They are born black and tan/gold. Puppies as they age into adulthood go thru color changes. The black body starts to turn into a steel blue. This can be from a dark steel blue break or a steel blue break. The head where the tan/gold is seems to get more prominent and the black on the head can turn into a white or silver gray break, thus ending up turning into a shaded tan/gold as an adult.

Now I am sure you might come across those breeders who claim RARE for a certain color like Red Yorkies, chocolate Yorkies, blue Yorkies, parti-colored Yorkies or all gold Yorkies when they are born. PLEASE do not be fooled by this. It is another ploy into making you think they have something special and to get you lured into buying on of these so called rare Yorkie puppies! The AKC breed standard does not recognize these colors. A Yorkie should be blue/gold or blue/tan, however, when they are born they are black with gold points or black with tan points. Anything else is less desirable and/or can come with health issues! Avoiding these so called rare Yorkie colors is best as they are a genetic defect, or in some situations, one of the parents might not even be a purebred Yorkie let alone a Yorkie at all. If both parents are purebred Yorkies this could affect the health of the dog. Such issues can be severe skin problems, hair loss, immune system issues, and in some cases long term illness or even death! NO reputable ethical breeder would even consider breeding for these rare Yorkie colors or selling them as rare if they were to somehow get one. As it would be an anomaly. These rare Yorkie puppies when they do occur should be spayed/neutered and tested before going into a pet home. This is a VERY undesirable trait to your ethical responsible breeders, who breed ONLY for the betterment of their breed! These so called rare and unacceptable colors per the Yorkshire Terrier Club of America - YTCA standard, should not ever be shown at dog shows and are now a disqualification according to the AKC standard.

GiGi Zybko

LOOKING FOR A BREEDER!

Ethical, reputable show breeders firmly believe and advocate that the best source for a puppy or adult for you and your family will always be of responsible breeders who produce puppies with the goal of always improving the traits, health and temperament of that breed. Responsible breeders are always involved in showing/obedience, studying pedigrees, belonging to dog organizations and being involved in studies and other dog related activities for improving and helping their breed. You will never see any of their puppies being sold or come from a pet shop, commercial breeding facility, backyard breeder or puppy mill. If you want a puppy go to the people who care and want to improve their breed, and have the experience to guide you and stand behind their puppies. A dedicated Specialty breeder makes their dogs a lifetime effort! So with this in mind make sure and do research on the breed you want and breeder your thinking of buying from. This is a 12-15 year commitment. And should not be taken lightly!

GiGi Zybko

TEACUP YORKIE PUPPIES BEWARE!

So you are looking for a Teacup Yorkie puppy? You would be very interested in finding out there is no such thing. Wording like Teacups, Micro, Mini, Teenies, Purse Puppies or Babydoll Yorkies, are ploys to lure you into purchasing a puppy from a disreputable breeder! The Yorkshire Terrier also known as Yorkies range in size from 4-7 lbs. 4 being small. If you are wanting something smaller than this you must also take a look at the health issues that could arise as well as longevity.
All breeders have that occasionally smaller puppy. However there is NO reputable ethical breeder who would ever think of breeding for this smaller size! Nor would they think of breeding females in the 2-4 lb. range. Most of your reputable breeders breed to improve health, temperament, and quality, thus taking into consideration that a healthy size of 5-7 lbs. Will be MUCH more likely to produce a much healthier litter.

These Yorkies under 4lbs are so much more susceptible to both hereditary and non-hereditary health issues, including birth defects to heart and organ problems. These can occur undetected for a long time, so you would not know until the dog has reached 2 or older. Some can show up early on as well.

So you see you need to NOT make size a top priority. Finding a healthy, happy puppy with excellent Yorkshire Terrier traits is far more important than size! If you insist on getting one under 4 lbs. Please at least purchase it from a reputable breeder who will be honest about the health from a new born until the age you get it, and since not bred for something so small will have a better chance of staying healthy.

GiGi Zybko

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