WARNING!! Bad Breeder: Toni Ledbetter

[kandikalistar]

I'm posting this for the OP (miababyjeff) in another thread as I promised them I would. Thank you for taking the time to read...

Originally Posted by miababyjeff

I have been debating off and on if I should post my situation or not, but I feel that this may help someone else out there in search of a buying a yorkie. I would hate for this to happen to someone else and I feel that unfortunately there are some dishonest breeders out there who will tell you anything to sell you a yorkie.

I recently lost my yorkie because my neighbor's dog mauled her and she died. It was the worst thing I had ever been through. I contacted Toni off her website, not knowing who she was, I had just been searching trying to find another yorkie. She told me that she had a 6 month old that she had bought to breed and she wasn't big enough so she would sell her to us for $1200.00. I asked her if she was playful because I have 2 young girls who adored our other dog and she was full of spunk and energy. I told her this is what I was looking for. She said oh yeah she is very playful. We drove all the way to Arkansas to her house and when we got there the puppy was just sleeping. I said are you sure she's playful, she seems so quiet. Oh yeah she said it must be her dress making her act weird, so she took it off. Then she took us out to see her dog kennel. Oh my gosh me and my girls almost threw up the smell was so horribly strong and nauseating and there was feces and urine all over the floor and the dogs were just running all in it. She says that her pregnant dogs stay inside, but she had a pregnant dog out there because she picked her up and showed me her belly and said she has 2 in there. Her puppies that are for sale are out there in that mess too. Not inside being socialized. I ignored my gut instinct and bought the dog anyway. I guess that I was desperate to replace my puppy that I had recently lost. I am not even sure how she acquired this puppy because she said she never met the breeder or seen it's parents and that she got her through someone else. I asked her if the puppy had lost all her baby teeth and she said yeah all but two. We got the puppy home and I took her to my vet because her ears smelled horrible. The vet said she had severe yeast infections in both ears. Would this not be considered neglect? He also said that she had about 8 teeth that would have to be pulled. I started to wonder if she had ever even picked up this puppy.

The puppy just wanted to sleep all day every day, she wouldn't come when you called her and when you approached her to pick her up, she would squat down and pee. I contacted the breeder the following day after I brought her home and she said I was just not giving the puppy time. I called her a couple of days later and told her I wanted to bring the dog back and she said "no I don't do that and I would just have to try and sell her myself." How does she even know what kind of home the puppy would end up in if let up to a total stranger to rehome her? I explained to her that I didn't think the dog had been inside with humans and socialized and she said I was wrong. I told her that I had specifically wanted a hyper playful dog and she told me this one was. I told her about the yeast infections in the ears and that I did not feel like she had sold us a healthy puppy. Why did I not see the signs? I am beside myself and feel sick that there are breeders out there like her who are only breeding yorkies for money and don't have any concern for what happens to their puppies once they have their money. I have found the puppy a home with an older couple with no children. I feel confident she will be cared for very well. I do not think that it should have been my responsibilty. I lost money through this and I feel that isn't fair, but more than that please, please don't ever buy a puppy if something in your heart is telling you no this isn't right.

I know that most reputable breeders would have gladly taken the puppy back because their only concern is for their puppies, not the money they have already made.

Breeder Name: Toni Ledbetter
Website: www.tjsyorkies.com
Original Thread: Click Here

Also as you read through the thread, please take notice that the OP is not the only person left with a bad taste in their mouth. You can leave messages on the breeders guest book. We need to make people aware.

[YorkieGeorge]

I'm sorry that you had to go through this. thank you for sharing your experience with us. It just breaks my heart to hear her yorkies stay in outside kennel and not raised inside as family memebers.

[Reese1]

Originally Posted by YorkieGeorge

I'm sorry that you had to go through this. thank you for sharing your experience with us. It just breaks my heart to hear her yorkies stay in outside kennel and not raised inside as family memebers.

Me too, I can't stand it!
My Yorkies are always underfoot and such lap babies! The breed just loves being close to people!

[MaddiesMommie]

This certainly sounds like an irresponsible "breeder", if I can use that term. I also wonder how many people have bought from her to breed? I noticed EXOTICYORKIES, a member here at YT, bought one of her dogs for her breeding program.

[EXOTICYORKIES]

Originally Posted by maddiesmommie

this certainly sounds like an irresponsible "breeder", if i can use that term. i also wonder how many people have bought from her to breed? I noticed exoticyorkies, a member here at yt, bought one of her dogs for her breeding program.

Hello yt I am replying to this post because my name was mentioned ,I will first start off by saying I did purchase a female from tjs yorkies just like any customer looking to buy but only I was looking to buy a female to better my breeding program .I spent thousands of dollars on my new female which I searched her pedigrees carefully and the lines she come from so that i could make sure that i was investing in a quality healthy dog that could enhance my breeding program I also searched ms ledbetter before making my purchase with her and not to mention several breeders were giving her great referrals well the dog that I purchased comes from a long line of champions consisting of ROTHBY, BLUECROSS,CAMPARIS,YORKBORO,NICNAK,DURRER,
LONEYTUNES,DEVILS OF YORK, which leads me to believe that someone was breeding for the love of the yorkie and to the standard or else there would not be so many champions in this line ,my female was taken to my vet immediately and checked thoroughly, my vet gave me the approval thatmy new breeding female was in top condition as a matter of fact he said she was one of the best yorkies he has ever seen . I researched ms ledbetter before making my purchase and even emailed her past customers and got great reviews and at the time I saw no bad reviewson her website as you can see before my reviews they were all great and still after my purchase more great reviews , she was also referred to me by another reputable breeder .My puppy came to me in excellent condition I am very meticulous and with that being said i looked to make sure that her crate was clean I checked her teeth , along with a full body inspection of my new girl because just like anyone else I was getting a new puppy and needed to make sure I was satisfied with her condition .Well I was very impressed with my purchase so I gave ms ledbetter a great review based on the puppy she sold to me now I cant speak for anyone else situation but as a customer I am totally happy with my purchase I have a 5lb solid healthy female with a great bite,temperment tight knees and no health issues she has an excellent pedigree and a easy to manage coat and a great temperment I find it hard to believe that my dog could ever have been outside in urine or feces with the incredible silk coat she arrived with there were no tangles what so ever .I am sure everyone knows that if you dont take care of a dogs coat you mess it up and have to cut it,well my girls coat condition was unbelievable I have never seen a yorkies coat in the condition my girls coat was in now recently I have read several complaints on yt but unfortunately I cant be held accountable for someone else breeding I am only responsible for my breedings and I am obligated to make my customers happy. .In all my breeding experience I have never dissapointed any of my customers and have got referrals and has sold to members on yt all who are very happy I was a customer and I am not going to be accountable for something I have nothing to do with sure this situation sounds unfortunate but I am a customer in this case not the breeder so please do not bash me or involve me in this dispute .I am a small hobby breeder and I will have to make puchase from other breeders to improve my lines so I have to take a even bigger risk because I have to spend more money than the average person just looking for a pet. All I can do is my research and pray to God that I never run into a unfortunate situation that would cause me to have to post something negative about anyone.I spent thousands of dollars because I want to produce quality HEALTHY puppies for my customers I am willing to go out of my way even if it means spending so much money to improve my breeding program my goal is to produce healthy quality puppies that I can be proud of and placing them in homes and making people happy all I really want is whats best for me ,my puppies and my customers I pride myself on doing whats best for my yorkies and me if by any chance I was not happy I would be on here posting too but things did not work out that way I feel as though my purchase was priceless .........I love Rio to pieces and couldnt part with her .I am totally happy thanks for reading and im sorry I posted so long but I need to let it be known that I am not the breeder who is being reviewed there are several members on yt who are absolutely happy with their purchase and gave great reviews and a referral btw Rio is too much of a wuss to be a puppymill or byb dog she is soooooooooowell socialized feel free to visit my website to see pictures of how rio was sent me please check out her vibrant coat and how healthy she looks I am not defending anyone I am just speaking on my purchase and true facts .....thank you all for reading also I have always read from yt if you purchase a dog in the living conditions that were described you should never take it back there?Just food for thought in case someone else runs into a problem like this

[Jo in Az]

I read the following accusations regarding Toni Ledbetter. She is an excellent breeder! I flew from Arizona to Arkansas to pick up my little girl in November. Toni's yorkies are well cared for and loved. I saw first hand where her pups and dogs live and how they are cared for so I am very surprised to hear about this. My Sophie is beautiful and has a wonderful and sweet personality. Also, she is very healthy and has a great pedigree. Wanting to give a puppy back the very next day without letting it get used to its environment is not giving the poor little thing a chance. I could never do that. If I decide to purchase another yorkie, I will not hesitate adopting from Toni again.

[MaddiesMommie]

Wanted to put these here too:
Ripoff Report Search Results: Toni Ledbetter

[nicholasdale]

I have read this and it has been brought to my attention by many of my past happy yorkie owners and all i have to say is what a shame, first and far most some of you posting do not even know me or ever gotton a yorkie from me. I refuse to come on here and get into a dispute with people posting by what some else said and go back and forth in aruguments. It is sad to think people go by untrue accusations made from other people when there is always 2 sides of a story, I refuse to come on here and try and defend myself or justify this untrue circumstances or any. you can not always please everyone and it is sad that the 2 who are not pleased out of so many happy new owners come on here.
It saddens me to think people jump to such exstent to judge another breeder or person and pass judment or person by what some one says without seeing for yourself how my dogs are loved and cared for. Instead of judging you are more welcome to email any of my past customer other than Dixie mom and miajeff who you already know there thoughts. This is 2 people out of many very happy and sastified yorkie owners, and also the repeat customes. It amazes that when you do something good no one bothers to post this only the negiative things.
Why maddie you continue to keep the fire going is beyond me because you have never bought a dog from and going to such great exstent to continue your mission and what ever you are trying accomplish to repost somthing else on another thread. What does this say about your character
Thank you for your time you are more welcome to email or personally call me, TJS YORKIES Toni Ledbetter

[Dixies Mom]

"other than Dixie mom and miajeff "

Do NOT mention me Toni, lest you forget....We will be seeing each other soon in a COURT OF LAW very soon 4-01-2010.

[2girls]

After reading what kandikalister had written she mentions that Toni purchased a female for her breeding program & the pup was to small so she sells it for $1200 however she never met the pups parents? That does ot sound right to me.

[nicholasdale]

when you put you comment on somthing [osted on me dixies mom then i will also leave my comment and yes we will see each other in court on april 1 and finally have this settled and the real truth will come out

[YorkieRose]

You forgot about the stud potential male you sold to a MD buyer last month..he came to her ill and continues to need care...and the adult female sold to her friend is also very sick.

[Dixies Mom]

Originally Posted by nicholasdale

when you put you comment on somthing [osted on me dixies mom then i will also leave my comment and yes we will see each other in court on april 1 and finally have this settled and the real truth will come out

You are correct the truth will come out again, remember... I reviewed you on puppyfind and you had it removed because you told them I was "Breeder Bashing" HOWEVER, when I presented them with my evidence, they promptly restored my review.

[MaddiesMommie]

Originally Posted by nicholasdale

I have read this and it has been brought to my attention by many of my past happy yorkie owners and all i have to say is what a shame, first and far most some of you posting do not even know me or ever gotton a yorkie from me. I refuse to come on here and get into a dispute with people posting by what some else said and go back and forth in aruguments. It is sad to think people go by untrue accusations made from other people when there is always 2 sides of a story, I refuse to come on here and try and defend myself or justify this untrue circumstances or any. you can not always please everyone and it is sad that the 2 who are not pleased out of so many happy new owners come on here.
It saddens me to think people jump to such exstent to judge another breeder or person and pass judment or person by what some one says without seeing for yourself how my dogs are loved and cared for. Instead of judging you are more welcome to email any of my past customer other than Dixie mom and miajeff who you already know there thoughts. This is 2 people out of many very happy and sastified yorkie owners, and also the repeat customes. It amazes that when you do something good no one bothers to post this only the negiative things.
Why maddie you continue to keep the fire going is beyond me because you have never bought a dog from and going to such great exstent to continue your mission and what ever you are trying accomplish to repost somthing else on another thread. What does this say about your character
Thank you for your time you are more welcome to email or personally call me, TJS YORKIES Toni Ledbetter

I am assuming this is directed at me.? Maddie is not my name but in my username. Anyway, you should do a few searches. There are TONS of good things about reputable breeders and owners alike here.
Also, I have not posted anything from another thread. Not sure why you think that...? My character is fine..thanks for asking

[magicgenie]

the OP purchased a puppy she didn't like from a place she thought was dirty--
and now is here bashing the breeder. Sorry, I don't get it.