Can I get some advice on purchasing a puppy? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

mojo · 01-08-2008, 07:17 PM

I posted this in the show area, but not many responses. Perhaps I can get a breeders perspective:

Can I get some advice on purchasing a puppy?

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I found a darling yorkie available from a show breeder. She has her listed on her website as "possible show potential". She is 10 wks old and weighs 2 pounds.
I have contemplated showing, but I am a complete novice.
I also want to get into breeding and the girl I was going to breed came down with addisons disease.

I would like to know if $2800 is reasonable for possible show potential and can you really tell at 10 weeks? She will sell her to me full akc as long as I sign a contract that if I decide to have puppies, I will sell them limited (which I would anyway).

Any thoughts? Advice would be appreciated.

Thank you.
__________________

MyTrixie143 · 01-08-2008, 09:40 PM

From what I have learned, they really should be atleast 6 months old to tell whether or now they will make a good show prospect. So I would say 10 weeks is too young to say they are show potential. Alot can change in that amount of time.

yorkiekist · 01-08-2008, 10:22 PM

Alot depends on how reputable and how long this show breeder has been breeding her dogs. she needs to have 100% knowledge of her dogs to know at 10 weeks if the puppy is going to be showable. iF the breeder is selling a show prospect, I think that 2800 is a little steep for a 10 week puppy. For that price I would want a guarantee that the pup is show quality and is able to become a champion. Alot can change between 10 weeks and 1 year. she may or may not pan out. But this girl may have wonderful breeding/show lines and has the potential to produce very nice show quality puppies if bred to a quality stud. I would ask this breeder some questions like how long has she been breeding, how many champions has she produced, does she have any references of people buying show puppies and finishing them, what show guarantees/contract does she have, what health guarantees are included, has this sire and dam produced champions in the past, does she use a handler, etc. Now if this were a 9 month old, you would know by that age if she were show quality or not. But, then the breeder might not want to part with her either. Does she have pictures of her and her sire/dam/grandparents or siblings that you can see? Good luck on your decision!!! I know its not easy sometimes!!

yorkiekist · 01-08-2008, 10:27 PM

"possible show potential" does not mean this dog will be show quality, it only means that at this moment in time, the puppy looks nice. I do hope she turns out nice for you. I know how the waiting game is and its not fun. I waited over a year to buy my first dog from a well established line/breeder . He became my first champion. But the waiting was sooooo hard!!!!! Good luck!!

mojo · 01-08-2008, 10:30 PM

She has had several champions; I don't know how long she has bred, but seems like it has been quite a long time.
She did not finish either the sire of dam of this puppy; said that was a mistake, I think regarding the sire.

I kind of have the impression I am being charged so much for breeding rights.

Is there polite way of asking for a price reduction without upsetting the breeder, or will that just put her off and make her not want to sell to me?

yorkiekist · 01-08-2008, 10:55 PM

Is there a reason she didnt show the parents? That would be a red flag for me if I were looking for a show potential dog. Sometimes females are not shown, but the sire usually is.what are the bloodlines? Is she a YTCA member? If I were REALLY interested in showing/breeding correctly, I would go with a YTCA member. Usually they are the most knowledgable and breed for the betterment of the breed and to the breed standard. These are the "dyed in the wool" Yorkie breeders. Maybe you can find a mentor and go to some shows before you purchase a Yorkie. See whats out there and find a Yorkie style/type that you like. Subscribe to the Yorkshire Terrier magazine. Its very helpful. Please dont rush into buying a "possible show potential" without the breeder backing up that claim!! Especially for $2800.00 and neither parent being shown.

YorkieRose · 01-09-2008, 05:33 AM

How much would this puppy be if she was a show puppy...seems a lot for a pet and "possibly" nice enough to show...

Ladymom · 01-09-2008, 05:48 AM

"Show potential" is a marketing ploy I've seen used on a lot of websites.

Does this breeder actually show herself? If not, she isn't knowledgable enough to know if this puppy has show potential or not.

As another poster pointed out, most show breeders will keep a puppy who shows any potential until at least six months. She is still way too young to be evaluated.

If you want to get into showing and breeding, it is best to find someone to mentor you through the process. Otherwise, you can end up with a houseful of dogs that are great pets, but can't fulfill your dreams.

BamaFan121s · 01-09-2008, 06:55 AM

This seems like a very steep price for a dog to me. And 10 weeks is far too young to consider any dog as "show potential" or even "possible show potential."

domesticated08 · 01-09-2008, 07:09 AM

As usual alot of great advice from YT members!!

tegamom1 · 01-09-2008, 08:19 AM

You have been given excellent advice. Finding a reputable show breeder takes time and a lot of patience. Most show breeder/exhibitors breed mainly for themselves to get that next champion. Occasionly, they have show quality puppies for sale, but they are very careful in placing these puppies with a novice. Not saying it's impossible to obtain a show puppy, it just takes time and getting to know the breeder and proving to them you are interested in finishing this puppy to it's AKC championship and breeding correctly to maintain the quality of their lbreeding. They are either sold with a co-ownership or a strict show contract. Also, most of these show breeders are more than happy to mentor you. Please don't fall for the "show potential" advertisements you see on web sites. So many of these people offer "champion bloodlines" which means little. These bloodlines can be generations back and if not bred correctly, mean nothing. You also need to fine someone that had proved themselves and their dogs in the ring..not someone who has been to a couple of shows and now consider their dogs, "show dogs".. YTCA is a great place to start. Get recommendations and references and be patient...It takes some time and work, but it's worth the effort if you are really interested in showing and breeding show quality puppies, not "potiental" prospects. Go to show, meet people, talk to people..It's great fun!! Good luck,

01-08-2008, 07:17 PM	#1
mojo Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Here, there Posts: 2,693	Can I get some advice on purchasing a puppy? I posted this in the show area, but not many responses. Perhaps I can get a breeders perspective: Can I get some advice on purchasing a puppy? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I found a darling yorkie available from a show breeder. She has her listed on her website as "possible show potential". She is 10 wks old and weighs 2 pounds. I have contemplated showing, but I am a complete novice. I also want to get into breeding and the girl I was going to breed came down with addisons disease. I would like to know if $2800 is reasonable for possible show potential and can you really tell at 10 weeks? She will sell her to me full akc as long as I sign a contract that if I decide to have puppies, I will sell them limited (which I would anyway). Any thoughts? Advice would be appreciated. Thank you. __________________ __________________ Bella (I miss you) Sachi Emmy

01-08-2008, 09:40 PM	#2
MyTrixie143 Mom to 6 Beautiful Furkids Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 5,409	From what I have learned, they really should be atleast 6 months old to tell whether or now they will make a good show prospect. So I would say 10 weeks is too young to say they are show potential. Alot can change in that amount of time. __________________ A dog is a furry person! http://www.dogster.com/?300866 Tracey and the gang DestinyHarmonyScamperGracieLillieKiwi Hershey Peppi

01-08-2008, 10:30 PM	#5
mojo Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Here, there Posts: 2,693	She has had several champions; I don't know how long she has bred, but seems like it has been quite a long time. She did not finish either the sire of dam of this puppy; said that was a mistake, I think regarding the sire. I kind of have the impression I am being charged so much for breeding rights. Is there polite way of asking for a price reduction without upsetting the breeder, or will that just put her off and make her not want to sell to me? __________________ Bella (I miss you) Sachi Emmy

01-09-2008, 05:33 AM	#7
YorkieRose No Longer a Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 8,577	price How much would this puppy be if she was a show puppy...seems a lot for a pet and "possibly" nice enough to show...

01-09-2008, 05:48 AM	#8
Ladymom Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 8,317	"Show potential" is a marketing ploy I've seen used on a lot of websites. Does this breeder actually show herself? If not, she isn't knowledgable enough to know if this puppy has show potential or not. As another poster pointed out, most show breeders will keep a puppy who shows any potential until at least six months. She is still way too young to be evaluated. If you want to get into showing and breeding, it is best to find someone to mentor you through the process. Otherwise, you can end up with a houseful of dogs that are great pets, but can't fulfill your dreams. __________________ http://www.myladysdogbows.com/ http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref...6213341?ref=nf

01-08-2008, 10:22 PM	#3
yorkiekist YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: HOT, HOT, HOT AZ Posts: 3,150	Alot depends on how reputable and how long this show breeder has been breeding her dogs. she needs to have 100% knowledge of her dogs to know at 10 weeks if the puppy is going to be showable. iF the breeder is selling a show prospect, I think that 2800 is a little steep for a 10 week puppy. For that price I would want a guarantee that the pup is show quality and is able to become a champion. Alot can change between 10 weeks and 1 year. she may or may not pan out. But this girl may have wonderful breeding/show lines and has the potential to produce very nice show quality puppies if bred to a quality stud. I would ask this breeder some questions like how long has she been breeding, how many champions has she produced, does she have any references of people buying show puppies and finishing them, what show guarantees/contract does she have, what health guarantees are included, has this sire and dam produced champions in the past, does she use a handler, etc. Now if this were a 9 month old, you would know by that age if she were show quality or not. But, then the breeder might not want to part with her either. Does she have pictures of her and her sire/dam/grandparents or siblings that you can see? Good luck on your decision!!! I know its not easy sometimes!!

01-08-2008, 10:27 PM	#4
yorkiekist YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: HOT, HOT, HOT AZ Posts: 3,150	"possible show potential" does not mean this dog will be show quality, it only means that at this moment in time, the puppy looks nice. I do hope she turns out nice for you. I know how the waiting game is and its not fun. I waited over a year to buy my first dog from a well established line/breeder . He became my first champion. But the waiting was sooooo hard!!!!! Good luck!!

01-08-2008, 10:55 PM	#6
yorkiekist YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: HOT, HOT, HOT AZ Posts: 3,150	Is there a reason she didnt show the parents? That would be a red flag for me if I were looking for a show potential dog. Sometimes females are not shown, but the sire usually is.what are the bloodlines? Is she a YTCA member? If I were REALLY interested in showing/breeding correctly, I would go with a YTCA member. Usually they are the most knowledgable and breed for the betterment of the breed and to the breed standard. These are the "dyed in the wool" Yorkie breeders. Maybe you can find a mentor and go to some shows before you purchase a Yorkie. See whats out there and find a Yorkie style/type that you like. Subscribe to the Yorkshire Terrier magazine. Its very helpful. Please dont rush into buying a "possible show potential" without the breeder backing up that claim!! Especially for $2800.00 and neither parent being shown.

01-09-2008, 06:55 AM	#9
BamaFan121s Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 11,432	This seems like a very steep price for a dog to me. And 10 weeks is far too young to consider any dog as "show potential" or even "possible show potential."

01-09-2008, 07:09 AM	#10
domesticated08 Lovin' every minute Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,132	As usual alot of great advice from YT members!!

01-09-2008, 08:19 AM	#11
tegamom1 Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 1,548	You have been given excellent advice. Finding a reputable show breeder takes time and a lot of patience. Most show breeder/exhibitors breed mainly for themselves to get that next champion. Occasionly, they have show quality puppies for sale, but they are very careful in placing these puppies with a novice. Not saying it's impossible to obtain a show puppy, it just takes time and getting to know the breeder and proving to them you are interested in finishing this puppy to it's AKC championship and breeding correctly to maintain the quality of their lbreeding. They are either sold with a co-ownership or a strict show contract. Also, most of these show breeders are more than happy to mentor you. Please don't fall for the "show potential" advertisements you see on web sites. So many of these people offer "champion bloodlines" which means little. These bloodlines can be generations back and if not bred correctly, mean nothing. You also need to fine someone that had proved themselves and their dogs in the ring..not someone who has been to a couple of shows and now consider their dogs, "show dogs".. YTCA is a great place to start. Get recommendations and references and be patient...It takes some time and work, but it's worth the effort if you are really interested in showing and breeding show quality puppies, not "potiental" prospects. Go to show, meet people, talk to people..It's great fun!! Good luck, __________________ Mary Ann A'Lea Yorkshire Terriers Last edited by tegamom1; 01-09-2008 at 08:22 AM.