Has anyone else noticed the large amount of pure-bred Yorkies in rescue?

Yes small dogs are becoming more and more popular in shelters do to puppy mills, pet stores, irresponsible owners not spay/neutering and people who get a small dog thinking its cute and not knowing or doing the basic research on how to care for one. A few years ago you wouldn't hardly see any Chihuahua's in shelters…now…

theirs one in every cage…
References :

It's everywhere… just people getting into dogs without looking at all the facts… just bought it 'cause it's cute… good for you, I wish I could rescue like that… maybe when I'm older.. retired perhaps.
References :

I don't remember where it was but just the other month maybe a two months ago a mill was raided and somewhere between 100-300 yorkies and yorkie mixes were taken in.

Some of them may be owner surrenders but many may also be from bybs and mills who were raided, unable to afford to keep breeding or animals they could not sell.

So its pretty much everywhere that has been hit by the "itty bitty" dog craze.
References :

thats strange our local shelters usually have all bigger dogs
well i hope they all find good homes
References :

Actually, I have never seen a yorkie in our shelter! But I could definitely see why there would be a lot in rescues, considering the overwhelming smount of BYBs and mills that breed them.
References :

labradors and yorkies the 2 most popular dog breeds in America and europe, says it all really. yorkies are very high energy dogs and not the stay on your lap asleep type. thats the problem people think they are sweet, but dont realise they have a big dogs brain. it is such a shame, people need instructions on dogs. The governments should bring out a dog test on care and only those who pass can get a dog, also make it compulsary for dog owners to have full insurance.
References :
yorkie owner

Florida is one of the worst of all places try some rescues in NY or NJ and see if they'll ship him up there My dog was from a different state and he was shipped to somewhere to save him and his slibbings sorry not giving out locations sorry

I guess you can say it is hitting everywhere
References :
Try some rescues see if they'll take him in but try in PA, NY or even NJ or some others

It's everywhere, and there are a lot of purebreds in shelters that are killed because breed rescue groups are overloaded.

In the past 48 hours, these dogs have been posted on our rescue group mailing list by the shelter walkers:

Maltese, 5yr, F - owner surrender
Boxer, 1yr, M - owner surrender
Coonhound, 1-2 yr, M (will probably be euthed on Monday)
Corgi, 1yr, F
Lab, 2yr, M - owner surrender
Rottweiler, 3yr, M - owner surrender "Marco"
Rottweiler, 3 yr, M - owner surrender "Polo"
Akita, 8yr, M
Jindo, 3yr, F - owner surrender (yes, JINDO.)
Lab, 7mos, F - owner surrender
Poodle, 5yr, M
Boxer, senior, M - owner surrender
Min Pin, senior, M

…and these are just the purebreds, from three shelters.

Now… ask me again why I hate backyard breeders, when these dogs are left to die in shelters.
References :

The economy could be a reason people aren’t able to afford their pets, they may be evicted and their only option other then living in their car with pets is to go to a place that does not allow them. Even having to live with family or friend and not want to impose by bringing their pet with them. It could also be them not researching the breed well enough and realize this dog is too much for them to handle. I know at the shelter I volunteer in Missouri we always have some little "toy" dogs.
References :

The general & purebred rescues in England are straining at the seams with the record number of dogs in their care & have a waiting lists for dogs that need to come into rescue.

While there are genuine cases of financial hardship/health problems the majority fall into;
*realised that small breed dogs like a Yorkie did not come trained. Some people erroneoulsy equate the size of a dog with how much training it will require.
*people who purchased their dog because they were nagged into it.
*on a whim because it was cute.
*thought a dog is a dog, then could not cope with the breeds traits.
*give up the dog rather than economise.

In my breed Dobermann rescue has limited places in its kennels & pays for dogs in the most urgent need to be placed in private kennels. This places a huge burden on their resources & their are still more waiting for a placed.

It is a shame when healthy stable dogs have to be euthanised because supply exceeds demand/financial resouces to keep them in rescue.
References :

I saw this one last night Kat and didn't think anything of it until I went over to Mom's for coffee this morning. If you get a chance to look at today's Florida Today, take a look at the dog listings in the classifieds, there were probably a dozen listings…. just for yorkies… "Oh, Yorkies are cute, people will buy them for this insane price I've got listed" I'm willing to make a prediction that there will be even more in a few more weeks.
References :