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I have been into purebred dogs for quite a while now.. In that time I have seen many things.

I've seen mutts evolve into Designer dogs. And Teacup dogs of every sort hit the market. Usually for exorbitant prices.

More recently I saw a so called 'new breed', named after a well known toy, the 'teddy bear', and these people have a trademark on the name. As if this means something?

Does it mean you are getting a rare dog? Perhaps in the eye of that particular breeder you are. More than likely you are getting another mixed breed dog with a contrived name.

You've heard the quote " A rose by any other name is still a rose" Well a mutt by any other name is still, just a mutt.

I will say this - I've learned over time that marrying 2 breeds together does not mean you are getting a healthier dog. What it means is that you now bring in the good and bad from both breed's gene pools. So where you may have only had one genetic problem, you may now face several.

Hopefully this won't happen, there are exceptions to every rule. There are plenty of mutts out there that live through their senior years with out problems and so on.

Includes mixed breeds like the labradoodle....and other mixed breeds. yorkie-poo, lhasa-poo, cock-a-poo, and a Bulldog-Shih Tuz mix.......you can guess the name on that one.....

A term used generally by disreputable breeders identifying a dog that will not exceed 3 or 4 pounds. A reputable breeder will not refer to their tinier dogs by terms such as 'tea cups'. The only way to really know how big a dog will be, is to buy an older dog............older that 14 weeks. And even then, it may be smaller or larger than intended. Any 6-8 week old toy pup, looks like it will never exceed 3 or 4 lbs.

Many grow to be 10#. Most reputable breeders, however, will give a good indication of the size they expect their pup to grow to, determining this at not less than 10 - 12 weeks old. No reputable breeder will guarantee size - it is just too unpredictable.

I think you can trademark any "name" you wish to, then put it on a turtle, a dog, horse or cat [as long as it doesn't have a name already], and if you have the money to do it. It means nothing to a breed. (or mixed breed) Just another way to make something look appealing.......or a marketing ploy.

I am not suggesting that you do not buy these dogs - I'm only suggesting that you KNOW what you're getting, and how much you should pay for it. Would you pay the same or more for a mixed breed as you would for a Purebred dog?

As for registrations, I have now seen where one person calls himself his own registry. Hummm. How does that work?

There are two reputable Canine Registries in the United States, First and foremost, is the American Kennel Club, and secondly is the United Kennel Club.

Some others exist, i.e.: the continental kennel club (not to be confused with the Canadian Kennel club, same initials-CKC) and a host of others. They would register your pet fish, so I wouldn't exactly call them "reputable" .

While registering your dog doesn't speak to the health of the animal, the AKC and UKC Register ONLY Pure Bred Dogs.

Again, before buying, make sure you have a good rapport with your breeder. Ask them about pedigrees, and the health in those lines. the breeder should be able to go beyond the Sire and Dam.

Don't buy a pup before it's at least 14 weeks old. Let the breeder get the dog thru at least 2 puppy shots. And let the pup be socialized by it's canine family. It is important in the development of the dog.

If you want a Tiny dog, (by the way, the AKC standard for Yorkshire Terriers does not recognize Teacup as a term used for this breed) look for a dog that is older. This will help in 2 ways. Sometimes the tiny's are susceptible to hypoglycemia. It can happen quickly, and you can loose a dog before you realize what has happened. Let the experienced breeder deal with that........and let them teach you what to do in case this ever happens to you.

You will not know for sure how much this tiny will weigh, if your heart is stuck on a tiny, then wait it out. A Yorkie that is 14 weeks or 14 months will still learn to fit in with you and your lifestyle. They are very adaptable.


	An important message from Somerset Yorkies Buyer Beware I have been into purebred dogs for quite a while now.. In that time I have seen many things. I've seen mutts evolve into Designer dogs. And Teacup dogs of every sort hit the market. Usually for exorbitant prices. More recently I saw a so called 'new breed', named after a well known toy, the 'teddy bear', and these people have a trademark on the name. As if this means something? Do you know you can put a trademark on just about anything? Does a trademark mean that you are getting a quality dog? Not necessarily. Does it mean you are getting a rare dog? Perhaps in the eye of that particular breeder you are. More than likely you are getting another mixed breed dog with a contrived name. You've heard the quote " A rose by any other name is still a rose" Well a mutt by any other name is still, just a mutt. I will say this - I've learned over time that marrying 2 breeds together does not mean you are getting a healthier dog. What it means is that you now bring in the good and bad from both breed's gene pools. So where you may have only had one genetic problem, you may now face several. Hopefully this won't happen, there are exceptions to every rule. There are plenty of mutts out there that live through their senior years with out problems and so on. Lets define what these new terms mean: Designer Dogs: Includes mixed breeds like the labradoodle....and other mixed breeds. yorkie-poo, lhasa-poo, cock-a-poo, and a Bulldog-Shih Tuz mix.......you can guess the name on that one..... Tea Cup: A term used generally by disreputable breeders identifying a dog that will not exceed 3 or 4 pounds. A reputable breeder will not refer to their tinier dogs by terms such as 'tea cups'. The only way to really know how big a dog will be, is to buy an older dog............older that 14 weeks. And even then, it may be smaller or larger than intended. Any 6-8 week old toy pup, looks like it will never exceed 3 or 4 lbs. Many grow to be 10#. Most reputable breeders, however, will give a good indication of the size they expect their pup to grow to, determining this at not less than 10 - 12 weeks old. No reputable breeder will guarantee size - it is just too unpredictable. Micro Minis: Same as teacup. Trade Mark breeds: I think you can trademark any "name" you wish to, then put it on a turtle, a dog, horse or cat [as long as it doesn't have a name already], and if you have the money to do it. It means nothing to a breed. (or mixed breed) Just another way to make something look appealing.......or a marketing ploy. I am not suggesting that you do not buy these dogs - I'm only suggesting that you KNOW what you're getting, and how much you should pay for it. Would you pay the same or more for a mixed breed as you would for a Purebred dog? Registrations: As for registrations, I have now seen where one person calls himself his own registry. Hummm. How does that work? There are two reputable Canine Registries in the United States, First and foremost, is the American Kennel Club, and secondly is the United Kennel Club. Some others exist, i.e.: the continental kennel club (not to be confused with the Canadian Kennel club, same initials-CKC) and a host of others. They would register your pet fish, so I wouldn't exactly call them "reputable" . While registering your dog doesn't speak to the health of the animal, the AKC and UKC Register ONLY Pure Bred Dogs. Again, before buying, make sure you have a good rapport with your breeder. Ask them about pedigrees, and the health in those lines. the breeder should be able to go beyond the Sire and Dam. Don't buy a pup before it's at least 14 weeks old. Let the breeder get the dog thru at least 2 puppy shots. And let the pup be socialized by it's canine family. It is important in the development of the dog. If you want a Tiny dog, (by the way, the AKC standard for Yorkshire Terriers does not recognize Teacup as a term used for this breed) look for a dog that is older. This will help in 2 ways. Sometimes the tiny's are susceptible to hypoglycemia. It can happen quickly, and you can loose a dog before you realize what has happened. Let the experienced breeder deal with that........and let them teach you what to do in case this ever happens to you. You will not know for sure how much this tiny will weigh, if your heart is stuck on a tiny, then wait it out. A Yorkie that is 14 weeks or 14 months will still learn to fit in with you and your lifestyle. They are very adaptable. Any questions, please feel free to contact me.