Help me out here....

[Kathryn_V]

The following is a clip from a puppy for sale ad that was posted recently. Not being a vet myself, or a long time breeder with experience with this, can any of you answer a couple of questions for me....


"He has had his first 2 shots, been de-wormed, vet checked and we give a 1 year genetic health guarantee against defects. Noah has a small open fontanelle on his head that hasn't closed yet, and may never close, but the vet says it poses no threat to his health. Just have to be careful he isn't hit in that spot to avoid injury."


Is this like a soft spot that never goes away?
If yes, is that a serious fault... health defect?
Could that not be life threatening in some way? (like wrestling with another dog, teeth poking through the soft spot? If that is what it is.)
Would that not totally lower your price or cause you to place a puppy at no charge with a family you personally know because of the issue??

I plan on breeding someday and from time to time I run across stuff that makes me go Hmmmmmmm.... Thanks for being here for all of our questions!

[txshopper73]

Originally Posted by Kathryn_V

Is this like a soft spot that never goes away?
If yes, is that a serious fault... health defect?
Could that not be life threatening in some way? (like wrestling with another dog, teeth poking through the soft spot? If that is what it is.)
Would that not totally lower your price or cause you to place a puppy at no charge with a family you personally know because of the issue??

Kat, this happens from time to time. It is an opening in the skull (soft spot that doesn't close). Depending on the size of the hole depends on how careful you have to be with the dog.

If I had a dog with an open fontanel, I would not have any other pets. If the puppy is dropped on it's head, runs into a chair and hits that spot, it could kill it.

Remember the thread here with that lady that wanted to sell that tiny pup that had a large open fontanel and wanted $8,500 for it???

I guess it just depends on the breeder. I know that I would not ask anything for a pup that had it nor would I allow it to leave my home. Why put someone through the heartache if something were to happen to this very special pup that has very special needs?

[gloriajean]

hey I saw that too and showed my husband. I think it's a soft spot that doesn't close like on a baby. I feel the same way--could not believe the price!!

[Kathryn_V]

It just wrinkled my face all up.... Health guarantee on a dog with a health defect? I don't get it? How can you guarantee it against defects when it has one? call me lame, but I still don't get it?

My mom had a pup like this once, out of one of her Poodles, I did not remember if that was the name or not, but was kinda sure.... But did not want to assume... It died at 18 months... Jumped off the couch onto a magizine and slid, she fell over hitting the edge of the coffee table leg... She convulsed for a few minutes and mom rushed out the door with her.... I'm not sure when she died, or by what means, but mom came home empty handed... We were heart broken! Mom never let us keep puppies! So we were pretty attached to this one!

And yes I do remember the 8500 one... Crazy!

So my next question... is it a random defect, a freak thing? Or is it something you can breed into or out of your lines? It is hereditary? Should you be trying to isolate the culprit and fixing the sire or dam?

It seems to me that its just a delay in development. but something must cause it... Stress? health?? Diet?? Hmmmmm.

Help me out

[Sugar's Mom]

I am not a breeder yet but I would not offer a pup with this defect for sale. It is a birth defect. I would keep the pup until it closed as some of them do then I would sell it on a S/N contract only if I sold it at all. yep, i thought the same thing you did when I saw that ad and I have been concerned about offering my healthy pups for sale here (if I have any) because they won't be cheap. Altho, they will be priced fair.

[yorky4ME]

Well.... as a small hobby breeder, I would certainly place it in a one pet family... I would not charge a lot for it but I would not keep it.... and before anybody jumps down my throat.... it's because my house is not a kennel and my dogs are running around playing all the time. It is very dangerous so I will certainly look for a safe environment for the baby.

[kim_yorkiemom]

My Wimbley had a one of these "soft spots" - it never did close all the way though it became harder as she got older. Our Vet always kept a close eye on it and said it never caused any problems for her. I prefer, of course, all my pups now who have solid foreheads so I don't spend their lives worrying about it!

[Tashasmom]

If your planning on breeding you woulnd't want to use him in your program so I wouldn't get him if i were you.

[Kathryn_V]

I had absolutely no intention of getting him! I'm not crazy!

I just wanted to ask a few questions and pick the brains of the more experienced folk. They are such a great resource! All that knowledge! Why reinvent the wheel.... They have been there done that, mostly...

It just struck me funny when I read it so I asked about it... Not because I was thinking of buying him.... No sick puppies for me thank you!

[Tashasmom]

oh llol..well now i feel silly lol..

[rascals]

Oh my, I don't even know what to say to all these posts about me and my breeding program. I am very angry that so many of you think you know about my little Noah and his open fontanelle. For your information, I am a dedicated yorkie owner and do not breed defective yorkies, this is just something that happens, it is not genetic! My vet has assured me that he will be just fine and as far as him hitting his head or falling, he has done this many times, as puppies do, and he is as healthy and happy as any other puppy I've had in the past 7 years. Sorry if this post sounds rude, but I have the right to defend myself, although I shouldn't be forced to do so when none of you even know me or my yorkies. They are the love of my life and I would never sell a sick puppy!

Debbie & the Rascals gang

[Tashasmom]

Originally Posted by rascals

Oh my, I don't even know what to say to all these posts about me and my breeding program. I am very angry that so many of you think you know about my little Noah and his open fontanelle. For your information, I am a dedicated yorkie owner and do not breed defective yorkies, this is just something that happens, it is not genetic! My vet has assured me that he will be just fine and as far as him hitting his head or falling, he has done this many times, as puppies do, and he is as healthy and happy as any other puppy I've had in the past 7 years. Sorry if this post sounds rude, but I have the right to defend myself, although I shouldn't be forced to do so when none of you even know me or my yorkies. They are the love of my life and I would never sell a sick puppy!

Debbie & the Rascals gang

I wanted to let you know that i seen nothing wrong with you finding him a new home. I don't think that makes you a bad breeder. I just didn't think he somone else should buy him and use him as a stud. I think you were being a good breeder by informing potential buyers that he did have a defect. I think he would make a great pet for someone just not good for being a stud. I hope I didn't offend you.

[shyorkies]

A small open fontanelle on a new born puppy's head does happen and I think more than some are wanting to admit here.. But as they mature the fontanelle should completely close.. I believe that you will notice a chance of it not closing the smaller the yorkie is.. I would honestly think this would be a bigger problem with yorkies that are so-called advertised as "Teacups", which we all know there is NO such thing and you should never purchase from a breeder that advertises "Teacups".. But I do not think the breeder should place the puppy until the open fontanelle is completely closed..

Melanie