Advise on Buying a Yorkie?

[Torguy]

Hey guys, so I'm gonna be getting a Yorkie next probably month so I will be posting another similar yet different question.

So I was looking online and found this old man selling a small litter of Shorkies and he had one small yorkie as well, he mentioned he does this only once a year as a side thing.

Not sure if hes a backyard breeder, but he stated that he has both the parents of these dogs and keeps the brothers and sisters separate to avoid inbreeding and all, he also says they are vet checked, dewormed and vaccinated (received first set of shots).

He lets them roam around the house in an open space as to keep them from feeling trapped in a cage.


I asked him the price and he said $800, price is negotiable, there is no health Guarantee or nothin, he agreed that I can take it to a vet first before purchasing and all.

What do you guys think, does it sound risky or would this be a safe purchase?


Thanks in advance!!

[Torguy]

Originally Posted by Torguy

Hey guys, so I'm gonna be getting a Yorkie next probably month so I will be posting another similar yet different question.

So I was looking online and found this old man selling a small litter of Shorkies and he had one small yorkie as well, he mentioned he does this only once a year as a side thing.

Not sure if hes a backyard breeder, but he stated that he has both the parents of these dogs and keeps the brothers and sisters separate to avoid inbreeding and all, he also says they are vet checked, dewormed and vaccinated (received first set of shots).

He lets them roam around the house in an open space as to keep them from feeling trapped in a cage.


I asked him the price and he said $800, price is negotiable, there is no health Guarantee or nothin, he agreed that I can take it to a vet first before purchasing and all.

What do you guys think, does it sound risky or would this be a safe purchase?


Thanks in advance!!

PLEASE READ CORRECTION***(It would not let me edit)


He did not verbally tell me that there is no health guarantee, but I personally think its safe to assume there is none as he does not do this "professionally".

Also forgot to mention that the Yorkie is 10 weeks old.

[Wylie's Mom]

Hi - it's really totally up to you and how your gut feels about this guy and the health of his dogs, ya know? Were you looking for a shorkie, or are you looking for a yorkie?

[matese]

This is a BYB (back yard breeder) are you looking for a mixed breed because that is what a Shorkie is, it's a Shih Tzumated with Yorkshire Terrier........
intoday's society to fool the consumer mixed breeds are called "Designer or Hybrid" dogs, just like a USED CAR is now called "a pre-ownedcar" just a fancy name for a USED car. Designer or Hybrid dogs again a fancy name for a MUTT. Any BYB that is breeding mixed breeds I would NOT TRUST this so called "yorkie" to be a pure breed yorkie. You are right in "assuming" there is no health guarantee as BYB do not do this, your comment he breeds once a year "as a side thing" tells me he breeds only for the money he makes selling these pups. So he's in it only for MONEY and not for the health of the puppies. $800. for a MUTT, if I were interested in a MUTT I would pay no more then $100. and begrudgingly at that, $25.00 is a better price for me to take a MUTT off his hands. If he breeds Shorkies where did this baby yorkie come from????? BUYER BEWARE. Me personally I would not buy this yorkie, take your time, there are good breeders out there that breed for the health of the puppies, yes, you will pay much more money for a pet quality dog, but you will have a healthy dog. Have you ever felt the pain of seeing a wee baby suffer from an illness, whether it be a puppy or an adult dog, seeing them sick is painful to us the owners. It is very obvious that you want a baby very badly, trust me, I know that feeling, but PLEASE be patient LOOK, and keep looking for a good breeder. If you see someone walking a yorkie, ask them where they got it, ask if the puppy is healthy, ask would they would recommend the person they got their dog from. I believe gemy offered you some info. on dog shows in Canada, I would take her advise, you want a healthy baby, pay more up front and less in the future for vet bills for a sick baby. PLEASE choose carefully.

As a side note, this old man with the Snokies, he may not be the "run of the mill" BYB meaning does not take good care of the momma and daddy dogs, but anyone that breeds just for the money they make off the puppies is still a BYB.

[BabyGirl Rosie]

I learned so much when I was looking for my Lily. My breeder did offer a health guarantee and she had numerous vet checks prior to me picking her up. I was allowed to visit and she showed me both parents as well as where they were kept. I honestly felt like she wasn't trying to hide anything from me. To this day I still send her pictures of Lily. Although I paid more for Lily than I wanted to, I believe the higher cost up front will be worth it. Have you gone to his house to see the puppy? I think you can learn a lot by visiting. Also, I would ask up front about a health guarantee. I would also ask to see the parents. I think you will know in your heart if this is the right pup for you.

[Torguy]

Originally Posted by BabyGirl Rosie

I learned so much when I was looking for my Lily. My breeder did offer a health guarantee and she had numerous vet checks prior to me picking her up. I was allowed to visit and she showed me both parents as well as where they were kept. I honestly felt like she wasn't trying to hide anything from me. To this day I still send her pictures of Lily. Although I paid more for Lily than I wanted to, I believe the higher cost up front will be worth it. Have you gone to his house to see the puppy? I think you can learn a lot by visiting. Also, I would ask up front about a health guarantee. I would also ask to see the parents. I think you will know in your heart if this is the right pup for you.

Yes, I went to go in person and he invited me in the house to see the parents and dogs, very kind old man.

The puppies were playing with each other and seemed happy and healthy and so did the parents, but whos to really tell unless your a vet.

[Torguy]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Hi - it's really totally up to you and how your gut feels about this guy and the health of his dogs, ya know? Were you looking for a shorkie, or are you looking for a yorkie?

So truth be told I went to go see the Shorkie because I wanted to get a feel of how they look and feel in person as this is my first dog, and he happened to have one Yorkie as well.

When I saw the little guy pop his head out as I was entering this old mans house, I asked if he was selling, picked him up and he was just bloody adorable.

But I'm not an impulsive person by any means, I woudnt just go and buy a puppy because hes adorable, I like to do all my homework first but without going nuts, because in the end of the day IMO only God/Nature decides who and when someone dies.

(Meaning you can have a puppy from the best champion bloodline, but when its time go its time to go and we have no control over that)

[Mayzoo]

When I am willing to take in a mixed breed (which is most the time LOL), I usually go to a rescue/shelter/pound. We got Mario for 78.00. That included his neutering, rabies shot and a heart worm test. The place we got him from actually under wrote part of his medical bill. Way too many dogs are euthanized in shelters partly due to puppy mills and BYB. IMO, the best solution is to not support those and instead to adopt the ones already in shelters.

In a few weeks I will have a better idea what breed Mario is. We did a DNA test on him just for fun. He is an awesome, smart dog with an ideal personality. Hopefully he will be as healthy as he is happy .

Good luck in your search.

[Torguy]

Originally Posted by Mayzoo

When I am willing to take in a mixed breed, I usually go to a rescue/shelter/pound. We got Mario for 78.00. That included his neutering, rabies shot and a heart worm test. The place we got him from actually under wrote part of his medical bill. Way to many dogs are euthanized in shelters partly due to puppy mills and BYB. IMO, the best solution is to not support those and instead to adopt the ones already in shelters instead.

In a few weeks I will have a better idea what breed Mario is. We did a DNA test on him just for fun. He is an awesome, smart dog with an ideal personality. Hopefully he will be as healthy as he is happy .

Good luck in your search.

Haha!, that's funny because you wont believe this but I'm also naming my Dog Mario lol, I'm naming it Mario because my sisters dog name is Luigi.

Unfortunately I cant adopt at this time because this is my first dog and rescued/sheltered dogs can have a lot of personality and health issues later in life because they've been neglected and what not, I just cant afford to pay for things like that.

My sisters rescued her dog (She makes very good money so she can afford to care for it) which developed a bad temperament later on but still a nice dog, she found out that its prior owner used to kick the dog.

I will however consider it for my next dog in the future.

[Mayzoo]

Originally Posted by Torguy

Haha!, that's funny because you wont believe this but I'm also naming my Dog Mario lol, I'm naming it Mario because my sisters dog name is Luigi.

Unfortunately I cant adopt at this time because this is my first dog and rescued/sheltered dogs can have a lot of personality and health issues later in life because they've been neglected and what not, I just cant afford to pay for things like that.

My sisters rescued her dog (She makes very good money so she can afford to care for it) which developed a bad temperament later on but still a nice dog, she found out that its prior owner used to kick the dog.

I will however consider it for my next dog in the future.

We can tell based on how Mario acted that the man in the family used to abuse both Mario and kids in the family. He has in 4 months overcome almost every bit of those trust issues he has with men. Mario has not an aggressive bone in his body now, but he did get huffy around my hubby at first. Now he is all about love and play.

Not all dogs react the same as Mario has. We are very fortunate. Some never learn to trust. It depends on the extent and frequency of abuse I believe. With enough training and love, almost every dog can overcome abuse, but for some it is a very long complicated road full of major bumps and not everyone has the patience, training, or the time to help rehabilitate an abused dog.

Ideally, I am against BYB, but have bought from them in the past when I was younger. Once a puppy is born, it still needs a home, so I am kinda torn on the whole thing. Unless no one buys from them, they will continue to breed, and I am not naive enough to believe everyone will stop buying from them. So, the puppies will still exist, and they will still need a home.

Good luck in finding the perfect friend for you.

[chickensmith]

I think if I understand the yorkie pup he has is purebred and he is asking $800 for? Is it one of his pups from breeding? Does he have any paperwork? Unfortunately some genetic defects don't show up until they are older....so he may appear healthy now but if he was poorly bred could get ill later in life. Some are so severe that they do show up as puppies. I would ask (if you haven't ) where the pup came from and if he has info on parents, breeder etc.

[Torguy]

Originally Posted by chickensmith

I think if I understand the yorkie pup he has is purebred and he is asking $800 for? Is it one of his pups from breeding? Does he have any paperwork? Unfortunately some genetic defects don't show up until they are older....so he may appear healthy now but if he was poorly bred could get ill later in life. Some are so severe that they do show up as puppies. I would ask (if you haven't ) where the pup came from and if he has info on parents, breeder etc.

Yea he's asking $800 price being negotiable, he has both parents and he only does this once a year.

[MzLynnC]

Buyer Beware. If this is your first Yorkie, (have owned them for over 30 years) you need to have the knowledge of this group and take heed. Just have gotten two Yorkie puppies. Had Vet checked, bile acid test, kidney, blood work, spay and neutered, all shots by the breeder and did not get them they were a little over 4 months old.

There are a lot of wise breeders on this list - this is a marriage between you and your dog. If funds are tight, you should get pet insurance.

Consider he has to have several other series of shots also. Do you work and how will the pup be taken care of during the day. Do you have small children or will he be around small children? How much does he weigh now?

IF he will be negotiable on cost - most good breeders have a set price and you get health info, guarantee of health, pedigree of the back generations, and all the dogs that I have bought have been AKC registered.

You can prob do a Yorkie rescue and they are all good dogs and you will see from some of the people on this list that have gotten them. Or go to your local shelter and look at the puppies there. Be a wise shopper and don't let your heart have you jump into something from a BYB. This is a long COMMITMENT and FINANCIAL OBLIGATION. Be wise and shop wise.

Think it is wonderful that you are considering a Yorkie, their personalities and the way that attach to their humans is sharing our hearts together. Wonder breed.