What do you think:

[Cutie_Emmy]

My mom had taken my yorkie to care for while I am in grad school, but she is upset that I want to take him back now. My mom really loves Emmett, and I dont want to break her heart.

She spoiled him and gave him many bad habits thAT MAY AFFECT my life in my apartment. She has offered to help get me a new puppy so she could keep Emmett, so I'm looking into it. I have always wanted a westie. So, my question is this:

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This person seems to have many breeds of dogs. Please tell me whether or not I should be leery of this breeder. Thank you all for my help!

[bchgirl]

I personally wouldn't consider any breeder who deliberately mixes breeds. I'd pass.

[chachi]

Too many breeds and mixing of breeds. I would look for someone that breeds and focuses on just Westies.

[MochaBoyMom]

you should check ytca.org for recommended breeder.

Sorry, missed your "westie" thing...check out the westie club of america's breeder recommendations http://www.westieclubamerica.com/breederlisting.html

[FlDebra]

Good recommendation though -- just need to look for the Westie breed club.

This is not the breeder I would pick for the reasons indicated. I am not familiar with the standards of all these dogs this breeder breeds so can't comment on how they look but still ..... when multiple breeds are being bred, and mixes are being sold, it sends too many red flags for me. I do not like when they actually put a price tag online and sell without even wanting to meet with the buyer to see what kind of home they will provide. I do know a breeder that sells online but still is very selective when people answer her website. They have to fill out an application and go through a phone interview if they live far, otherwise she sets a time to meet. That is the kind of care you want them to have. If they are particular about who gets their puppies, they are more likely to have taken care with them.

Remember a westie has a double coat and sheds. They are cute though. Here is a link that gives info about looking for a good westie breeder: Westie Breeder Referral for Canada and the US

Thta is very kind of you to agree to let your mom have your Yorkie. I know they are easy to become attached to and would be very hard to give one up after caring for them. It will probably be easier on Emmett too. You will always get to visit with him but have a new puppy to watch grow up too.

[LDMomma]

I just got a Westie. She's five months old now. Westies are known to have skin issues so you'll want to be sure about the breeder's previous liters with regard to skin issues. Westies also have much, much more energy then any yorkie I've ever met! My puppy Westie is absolutely crazy! She came to us crazy at 9 weeks and has stayed crazy. She never quits!

Westies are very smart. Often, too smart for their own good! They are a lovely breed though and tons of fun!

[lubowiem]

Actually, Westies and their extremely close cousins Cairn terriers double coats shed almost not at all. The biggest issue is that their rough outter coat needs special grooming. That is they must be hand stripped and never have their hair cut or shaved (other than a little shaping around head and the tail) Not hand stripping is the cause of most Westie/Cairn skin issues, not necessarily poor breeding.

Their is much more on this than I can really go into, but it is a big issue if you are going to get a Westie (or Cairn).

[LDMomma]

Weird. Everything I have read attributes the skin issues to severe skin allergies which could be genetic. I've never read that it's because of not hand-striping. I can't even find a groomer that will hand-strip.

I love, love, love that my Westie doesn't shed. It's like her best trait after her big, goofy Westie grin.

[Britster]

Westie's don't shed, as far as I know. I am looking into Westie's for my second breed. I have a few breeders bookmarked. I didn't think Emmett had been with your mom all that long? I remember you posting not that long ago... why are you getting a new puppy while still in grad school, when you had to give up your first dog due to lack of time, and being away from home 8-9 hours per day? A puppy is going to take up even more time and can definitely not be left alone for 9hrs per day.

Westie Club of America
Nancy's Westies - Home raised, loving family pets

[shodanusmc]

I have been istructed by the wife not to think if I can help it. However, you have been given some great advice by some very smart and knowledfable people. Focus on a great breeder that only breeds what you are interested in. Sounds like you would have to fight your Mom for the Yorkie. Best of luck.

[lubowiem]

Originally Posted by LDMomma

Weird. Everything I have read attributes the skin issues to severe skin allergies which could be genetic. I've never read that it's because of not hand-striping. I can't even find a groomer that will hand-strip.

I love, love, love that my Westie doesn't shed. It's like her best trait after her big, goofy Westie grin.

Do some research under Cairn Terriers and skin issues. Cairns and Westies are essentially the same breed. "White Cairns" were outside of the breed standard so they 2 were split out into separate breeds in the (I think) early 1900's.

In doing some research, I agree that I don't see this listed as an issue for Westies as much. The Westie club's advice I see generally reccommends hand stripping only for showing. But it is almost universal that the reccommendation to prevent skin issues in Cairns they must be hand stripped. Since they are essentially the same dog with the same type of coat and skin issues, I urge you to find a groomer who does actually hand strip. (Many confuse the term stripping for shaving down.) They are hard to find. It is time and labor intensive and expensive, but it is worth it.

That reminds me, Max is due. He is starting to look like a Yak!

[Cutie_Emmy]

Originally Posted by Britster

Westie's don't shed, as far as I know. I am looking into Westie's for my second breed. I have a few breeders bookmarked. I didn't think Emmett had been with your mom all that long? I remember you posting not that long ago... why are you getting a new puppy while still in grad school, when you had to give up your first dog due to lack of time, and being away from home 8-9 hours per day? A puppy is going to take up even more time and can definitely not be left alone for 9hrs per day.

Westie Club of America
Nancy's Westies - Home raised, loving family pets

Emmett lives my mom and I for three years until I moved out in August. He has been alone with her since then, and she is very attached to him. My mom can be vicious in her guilt trips, and if I were to try to take Emmett away I would never live it down. Also, she lets him Mark all over everything and I dont think I can break him of the habit at this stage. Also, my fiance wants to keep a cat, and Emmett hates and tries to kill cats..

As for grad school, my first, most difficult and time consuming semester is over. I will have loads more time from now on, with independent studies and thesis hours and such. Also, I am a TA at my grad school, and the faculty have said I could bring my dogs to work with me as long as I keep a kennel in my office.

I would like a Westie, but yorkies will always be my #1. I just didnt want to feel like I was trying to replace Emmett... I would really love a female yorkie (no marking).

Speaking of cats... I live in Louisville, KY. Does anyone know where I could find someone who breeds Scottish Folds? I have looked without luck. This is the kind of cat my fiance is considering.

Thank you all for your help!!!