Need Help: Found pup, what next?

[Vamp]

Well, I unexpectadly found a male pup 5-6lb that is will be available the 1st of Sept. She said he will be 8 weeks old by then. I realize that is short (the regular age is 16 weeks?). I was thinking I would just call a breeder in my area and they would have some pups available maybe a month or three or even four later. But when I couldn't find a breeder that lived somewhat close to me that was selling the pups for less than $1000, I just started browsing the online classifieds for a city near me (San Jose). I found one that legit for $850 and she called back saying she had a male available.

So I am a bit unprepared. I haven't gotten my Yorkie books in yet (ordered yesterday through Amazon), but I don't want to pass up this opportunity. She sounded like she knew what she was doing and had no problem answering my questions. I asked as many questions as I could remember like how big will he be, how big are his parents, can I see the parents, how long have you been breeding, do you have a health guarantee, references etc. I am going to see the pup in Fresno on Saturday, and if I like him I will take him. But I don't know what I'm supposed to be looking for!

Can anyone help me with any info?

[MyTrixie143]

The health is the most important thing.

Look the pup over careful. Does he have a clean coat free of fleas and ticks. Look at his ears, are his ears clean inside. Look at eyes, they should be clear and alert, not watery or dull looking. Look at nose, make sure the nose is not running. Watch the pup for a little bit. Make sure he is alert and active, you want a happy healthy puppy, not one that is sick. Also, ask if there has ever been any health problems with puppies from a past litter and if this puppy has any health problems that you should be aware of.
Also, check out the living conditions, it should be clean and a good place for the pups and adult dogs.
Look at the disposition/temperment of the parents. They should be nice and friendly, not aggressive nor very fearful. Same goes for the pup.
Ask why she is letting the pup go at 8 weeks and not keeping him any longer. I like to keep any pups until they are 12 weeks old or 2 pounds.
Are the parents 5-6 pounds or is that the weight of the puppy?? If that is the weight of the puppy and he will only be 8 weeks old, you are going to have one really big puppy. A standard yorkie is 7 pounds and under, you definately would not have a standard yorkie, he would be over 10 pounds when full grown if that is the correct age and weight.
That is all I think of right now as to what to look for.
Good Luck with the pup, I hope everything works out for you!!!

[Vamp]

Originally Posted by MyTrixie143

The health is the most important thing.

Look the pup over careful. Does he have a clean coat free of fleas and ticks. Look at his ears, are his ears clean inside. Look at eyes, they should be clear and alert, not watery or dull looking. Look at nose, make sure the nose is not running. Watch the pup for a little bit. Make sure he is alert and active, you want a happy healthy puppy, not one that is sick. Also, ask if there has ever been any health problems with puppies from a past litter and if this puppy has any health problems that you should be aware of.
Also, check out the living conditions, it should be clean and a good place for the pups and adult dogs.
Look at the disposition/temperment of the parents. They should be nice and friendly, not aggressive nor very fearful. Same goes for the pup.
Ask why she is letting the pup go at 8 weeks and not keeping him any longer. I like to keep any pups until they are 12 weeks old or 2 pounds.
Are the parents 5-6 pounds or is that the weight of the puppy?? If that is the weight of the puppy and he will only be 8 weeks old, you are going to have one really big puppy. A standard yorkie is 7 pounds and under, you definately would not have a standard yorkie, he would be over 10 pounds when full grown if that is the correct age and weight.
That is all I think of right now as to what to look for.
Good Luck with the pup, I hope everything works out for you!!!

Thank you so much MyTrixie143 for the info. I'm going to write all that down on a pad to bring with me when I go.

She said the parents were 5-6lbs and that's what she expects the puppy to be. I don't mind if he's slightly bigger (I don't think he'll be 10lbs though ). I will ask her why she's selling him early. I did ask if she had any previous buyers who reported any health problems from her pups and she said no.

I was wondering, how do I interpret the paper work? She said she has the one year health guarantee paper. I don't know what to expect from this, or how to see if there are any loopholes and such. And she has the vet papers. Also, the pup isn't AKC registered I don't think. Is that a problem?

Another important question I must ask. If I find out the pup has health problems, and she refuses to give me a refund but I have the health guarantee, does that mean I have to take legal action against her to get my money back or is there an easier way?

What should I ask her when I get there? Anything I missed? She said she isn't sure if she has references (she said she was heading to work). I'm a little worried about that.

OK, one final question, I promise. She wants cash. I told her I want to give a money order so that there can be a paper trail. She said she usually takes cash, but she will accept a money order. Is that a good enough safty precaution on my part?

[everestgirl]

I will ask her why she's selling him early. I did ask if she had any previous buyers who reported any health problems from her pups and she said no.

I got mine at 7 weeks old, and he is very healtfy (he is now almost 8 month old, and i never went to the wet with him, he is full on energy and play non stop)

Many people keep pups until 12 weeks, because of socialization.

[MyTrixie143]

Originally Posted by Vamp

Thank you so much MyTrixie143 for the info. I'm going to write all that down on a pad to bring with me when I go.

She said the parents were 5-6lbs and that's what she expects the puppy to be. I don't mind if he's slightly bigger (I don't think he'll be 10lbs though ). I will ask her why she's selling him early. I did ask if she had any previous buyers who reported any health problems from her pups and she said no.

I was wondering, how do I interpret the paper work? She said she has the one year health guarantee paper. I don't know what to expect from this, or how to see if there are any loopholes and such. And she has the vet papers. Also, the pup isn't AKC registered I don't think. Is that a problem?

Another important question I must ask. If I find out the pup has health problems, and she refuses to give me a refund but I have the health guarantee, does that mean I have to take legal action against her to get my money back or is there an easier way?

What should I ask her when I get there? Anything I missed? She said she isn't sure if she has references (she said she was heading to work). I'm a little worried about that.

OK, one final question, I promise. She wants cash. I told her I want to give a money order so that there can be a paper trail. She said she usually takes cash, but she will accept a money order. Is that a good enough safty precaution on my part?

I am going to be honest with you. Something about this breeder makes me feel uneasy about her, I can't quite put my finger on it. Maybe I am completely off, after all I am not asking her the questions and hearing what she says. Just make sure you ask as many questions as you can and that you get good lengthy answers back. You will get a good feel for it whether this is a good breeder by listening to her answers and response.

The cash or money order is normal. People don't accept checks anymore because there are alot of scammers out there that will write out a check and get the puppy only to find out that the check is a fraud or bounced. And alot of people can't use credit cards, so cash or money order is really the only way to go unless you use an online payment server. I would go with the money order and also have her write up a receit with her signature on it saying how much you paid and that it was paid in full.

Some breeders have good reasons to give a pup away at 8 weeks. Just ask her why she only keeps them until they are 8 weeks old and not older and you should be able to decide whether her response is a good one or not.

The health guarantee is most important and can be very tricky. Read every word. Make sure you fully understand the contract. If it is not in the contract written down, you can't hold them liable for it, well you might but it would be a very hard case to fight agaist. Read what all it covers. Some contracts only have a few genetic diseases listed and if they are not listed they might not cooperate if your pup comes down with a disease not listed. Also, make sure that in the contract that if your pup does come down with a genetic disease that your pup can be checked by your vet. There are some bad people out there where it says your pup has to be checked by their vet and you will only get a refund if their vet diagnoses the pup with that disease. Usually in this case, the vet is no good and will say anything the breeder wants them to say. This is of course, the worst case senario, most breeders you don't have to worry about.

And for your safety, I would make sure that in the contract, if your pup was diagnosed with a genetic disease that was covered in the contract, that you get either a full or partial refund with a new puppy. If the only option is you only get a new puppy, you are never allowed a refund, just an exchange of a puppy, it is no good. They could sell you a puppy, have it get sick, and then all they would do is give you another sick puppy.

If you read all the terms completely and carefully, if your pup gets sick and is covered in the contract, you shoulden't have a problem with legal issues, the breeder usually stands by the contract or they will have serious legation issues. The contract is the most important thing. If you don't fully understand it, ask the breeder, and make a copy and you could show it to us.

AKC registration is not important unless you are planning on showing or breeding. There really is no purpose for AKC papers for a pet unless you want to know their lineage. Their are some other good registries out there. If she is charging $850 for pups with absolutely no papers or pedigree, that is a high price in my opinion.

Also, note the care and concern the breeder has for the puppies. If she does not ask you any questions about the puppies and how they will be cared for, and you never said anything about how you would care for the pups, I would be very cautious and leary of buying from her. A breeder should always care about their pups. Usually if they will talk to you about the puppies in great detail and length, they care about the puppies rather than someone who is more interested in the money and payment than going into any detail about their dogs or puppies.


My best advice to you is take someone with you that has done this all before and knows what to look for. If that is not possible, don't buy on impulse. Think it over for a day and voice any concerns or questions to someone who can help you decide whether this is a good deal or not.

I know it is alot to take in your first time but buying a puppy is a life committment and you want to make sure you get a good healthy puppy that you will be able to enjoy for many years. There are soooo many bad breeders out there that you have to be really careful, it is a shame.

Good luck with getting your puppy, I hope all goes well!!

[Vamp]

Originally Posted by MyTrixie143

I am going to be honest with you. Something about this breeder makes me feel uneasy about her, I can't quite put my finger on it. Maybe I am completely off, after all I am not asking her the questions and hearing what she says. Just make sure you ask as many questions as you can and that you get good lengthy answers back. You will get a good feel for it whether this is a good breeder by listening to her answers and response.

The cash or money order is normal. People don't accept checks anymore because there are alot of scammers out there that will write out a check and get the puppy only to find out that the check is a fraud or bounced. And alot of people can't use credit cards, so cash or money order is really the only way to go unless you use an online payment server. I would go with the money order and also have her write up a receit with her signature on it saying how much you paid and that it was paid in full.

Some breeders have good reasons to give a pup away at 8 weeks. Just ask her why she only keeps them until they are 8 weeks old and not older and you should be able to decide whether her response is a good one or not.

The health guarantee is most important and can be very tricky. Read every word. Make sure you fully understand the contract. If it is not in the contract written down, you can't hold them liable for it, well you might but it would be a very hard case to fight agaist. Read what all it covers. Some contracts only have a few genetic diseases listed and if they are not listed they might not cooperate if your pup comes down with a disease not listed. Also, make sure that in the contract that if your pup does come down with a genetic disease that your pup can be checked by your vet. There are some bad people out there where it says your pup has to be checked by their vet and you will only get a refund if their vet diagnoses the pup with that disease. Usually in this case, the vet is no good and will say anything the breeder wants them to say. This is of course, the worst case senario, most breeders you don't have to worry about.

And for your safety, I would make sure that in the contract, if your pup was diagnosed with a genetic disease that was covered in the contract, that you get either a full or partial refund with a new puppy. If the only option is you only get a new puppy, you are never allowed a refund, just an exchange of a puppy, it is no good. They could sell you a puppy, have it get sick, and then all they would do is give you another sick puppy.

If you read all the terms completely and carefully, if your pup gets sick and is covered in the contract, you shoulden't have a problem with legal issues, the breeder usually stands by the contract or they will have serious legation issues. The contract is the most important thing. If you don't fully understand it, ask the breeder, and make a copy and you could show it to us.

AKC registration is not important unless you are planning on showing or breeding. There really is no purpose for AKC papers for a pet unless you want to know their lineage. Their are some other good registries out there. If she is charging $850 for pups with absolutely no papers or pedigree, that is a high price in my opinion.

Also, note the care and concern the breeder has for the puppies. If she does not ask you any questions about the puppies and how they will be cared for, and you never said anything about how you would care for the pups, I would be very cautious and leary of buying from her. A breeder should always care about their pups. Usually if they will talk to you about the puppies in great detail and length, they care about the puppies rather than someone who is more interested in the money and payment than going into any detail about their dogs or puppies.


My best advice to you is take someone with you that has done this all before and knows what to look for. If that is not possible, don't buy on impulse. Think it over for a day and voice any concerns or questions to someone who can help you decide whether this is a good deal or not.

I know it is alot to take in your first time but buying a puppy is a life committment and you want to make sure you get a good healthy puppy that you will be able to enjoy for many years. There are soooo many bad breeders out there that you have to be really careful, it is a shame.

Good luck with getting your puppy, I hope all goes well!!

Wow, great information you provided. I do kind of wonder why she couldn't give me a straight answer about the references. She said, "I'm driving to work right now so I can't check my papers, but I will when I get back." It was 10PM when she called me back so I guess she works nights. She told me a few times, her husband's been doing this for a while (she said he's been breeding for 15yrs). I told her yeah, but I just have to ask these questions to make sure.

You know what I just realized? When I asked her about the health guarantee, she said it is a year guarantee for birth defects. Wow, the more I think about it, the more I realize how many signs there were that this might not be a good breeder. Since I didn't know anything about health gaurantees, I asked her if I brought a printed paper out of all the things she stated, would she, and she interrupted me and said she has a printed paper of the health guarantee. I was going to say, would she be willing to sign it.

OK, now I'm thinking I shouldn't buy from her. Things seem suspicious. :\

I would love to buy from someone on this board! It would be such a relief.

[irishawk]

Personally, I would be wary if the pup wasn't able to be AKC registered. With an AKC registration you can at least verify the lineage of the dog and make sure that it is, in fact, a purebred yorkie. Even if you don't bother to actually register the dog, it's nice to know the info is available to you.