Small Male Yorkie

[bhanish]

Hi Everyone!

I'm new to the forum and new to puppy-ownership. I'm really interested in getting a Yorkie puppy this summer, so that I can train it while I'm taking the Bar Exam. I'm in the Bay Area right now, but I'm willing to fly somewhere to pick up my new puppy. The one thing I would really like is a small Yorkie (</=4 pounds Yorkie), but I do not want to support a puppy mill. Can anyone suggest any puppies for me? If I need to wait a few months to a year, I'm willing to do that as well. Thank you!

[canana]

Originally Posted by bhanish

Hi Everyone!

I'm new to the forum and new to puppy-ownership. I'm really interested in getting a Yorkie puppy this summer, so that I can train it while I'm taking the Bar Exam. I'm in the Bay Area right now, but I'm willing to fly somewhere to pick up my new puppy. The one thing I would really like is a small Yorkie (</=4 pounds Yorkie), but I do not want to support a puppy mill. Can anyone suggest any puppies for me? If I need to wait a few months to a year, I'm willing to do that as well. Thank you!

Taking the bar to be a lawyer? That's great!!
Forgive me for my ignorance but don't lawyers have very very long work hours? Yorkies require a LOT of attention and care...I just want to make sure you're aware of the time commitment that comes with a Yorkie.

I think it's great that you're against supporting puppy mills! Also beware of backyard breeders! Note that any Yorkie smaller than 4lbs has a much higher risk of health issues. Most reputable breeders that end up with a smaller puppy (runt of the litter) will not sell to people as pets, especially those new to puppy-ownership. They require a lot of special care - they're a very delicate breed. Take a read in the sick & injured message board to get a better idea.

If you're set on getting a Yorkie, I'd suggest either adopting from a local rescue or do a lot of research on reputable breeders in your area. You can first start by going to dog shows and talking to show breeders.

[bhanish]

Don't small puppies sleep 18 hours? And then after that around 13-18 hours? Yes, I will have long hours as an attorney, but I'm not going to be working 13-18 hour days.

Right now I'm thinking of this website. Yorkie Stud Service

I really like the fur of her puppies, and the facebook page has lots of positive reviews and pictures of healthy puppies. https://www.facebook.com/Tiny-Yorkie...25175/?fref=ts

I know some cry that it's a puppy mill, but the website says she'll guarantee health for a year (the lemon law) and she allows you to meet the parents. Perhaps she breeds a lot, and makes money, but it doesn't mean that the puppies are treated poorly or that the parents have genetic diseases. Thoughts?

And I'd love to do a shelter, but I'm a little too particular. I basically want a baby puppy as my first dog (maybe I'll do shelters later). And I want to ensure that my puppy will be healthy because I'm not in the position to pay thousands of dollars for medical bills. I can definitely pay the regular expenses for a new puppy, but I can't take on a puppy with serious health issues.

[canana]

Small puppies comes with small bladders - they need to potty every hour when they're around 12 weeks. By 5-6 months they need to potty every 3-4 hours. If you want your puppy potty trained, be prepared to put in the time commitment for this. If you end up getting a puppy under 4 lbs, be prepared that your puppy might have more difficulties getting potty trained (small dog = small bladder).

So, if you don't mind me asking, how many hours will you be working? I would say anything over 8 hours is too long. They need lots of your time or they'll become bored or depressed and that may lead to becoming destruction. I personally work 7-8 hours and I feel like I don't have enough time to spend with my Yorkies with the dog walks, training, playing etc on top of my own life. They're really like full-time life-long babies! I should also mention that time commitment to training is just as important or you'll end up having a dog that will make you miserable because of behavioural issues.

Sure, newborns under 12 weeks may sleep a lot. But by the time they're a few months old (should be minimum 12 weeks before any breeder should allow you to take the puppy home otherwise they don't get the chance for their birth mom to teach them the ways of puppy life), they're full balls of non-stop energy. You'll be happy if they nap for half-hour to one hour intervals!

With their energy level and potty needs, they definitely won't be sleeping 13-18 hours straight. Perhaps some other breeds sleep more. Yorkies generally have a LOT of energy. They need your attention.

If you found a breeder who you think "cries puppy mill" but you still think it's worth the risk, that's kind of up to you. Some issues don't reveal themselves under after the puppy is 1 year old. I've read several stories about how ill-bred yorkies passing away due to health issues between 2-4 years old. They're very very very devastating and sad stories! This is why most of us here emphasize finding a reputable and ethical breeder, otherwise, adopt. I would believe most breeders who are after making money don't really care about breeding pups with genetic diseases. That's the general consensus around here.

*sorry for all my forewarnings - I just want to make sure you're aware because there are just too many puppies that are abandoned by those (not saying you will) who were unaware or those who suffered losses due to lack of research of breeders. In either cases, the puppies are always the most innocent

[bhanish]

I'll likely be working from 8:30-6, but I'll work close to home and will probably visit the puppy around noon. If not, I might put the puppy in a day care.

As for house training, I'm going to have three months to train the puppy (if I find one by mid-May). Do you think that will be enough time?

[lillymae]

Originally Posted by bhanish

I'll likely be working from 8:30-6, but I'll work close to home and will probably visit the puppy around noon. If not, I might put the puppy in a day care.

As for house training, I'm going to have three months to train the puppy (if I find one by mid-May). Do you think that will be enough time?

If you are planning on a very young puppy don't expect it to be house broke in 3 mo time. That's like a toddler being fully potty trained, not gonna happen. The sites you provided, I would NOT purchase a puppy from them as any reputable Yorkie breeder is never going to mix their dogs with any other breed and they don't advertise tinies or T-Cups. Go to the breeder section on this site & see if any of YT's reputable breeders have available pups OR go to AKC & find a reputable breeder, you may have to travel but it will be worth it in the end as you will have a happy, healthy, well rounded puppy to Love and Adore. Good luck on your serch for your new little family member. Also PLEASE do you research on doggie daycares as I hear WAY too often about little dogs being attacked & killed by larger dogs in those places. Oh and Welcome to YT !

[capt_noonie]

Any breeder who advertises stud services is not a good breeder IMO. A good breeder has their own lines that they have worked very hard to get to that point and will not just "give out" their hard work in the form of their dogs genes to just anyone who wants to pay the stud fee. A good breeder will have a waiting list of other good breeders that they stud out to, or they have their kennel that they breed within.

As far as puppies sleeping that much? No way. They do sleep a lot, but they are short frequent naps several times a day. As soon as they wake up they need to be taken to their potty place, whether it be outside or on pad. Not going to get house broken in 3 months. Yorkies are notoriously hard to house train. Uni was pretty good, and even then at 6 months, I considered her house broken, but not 100% reliable.

Lastly, if you absolutely must have a full grown adult at no bigger than 4 lbs, the only way to guarantee that is to get an adult. They stop growing at about 1 year, but they still put on weight and "fill out" until about 2 years. No breeder in their right mind would guarantee the full size of their puppy. They can only estimate.

[yorkiemini]

Check out the Yorkshire Terrier Club of America and look at their breeder list.
I have a just under 4 pound Yorkie that is very healthy -- however, she was breed by a show owner who breeds for health and to improve the standard of the breed. Primarily the show breeders breed to get their next champion, not so much for sales.

My pup was a show dog, but good breeders will not consider breeding a female under 5 pounds, plus some judges don't like small Yorkies preferring the 5-6 pound dogs.

My advise is always: chose your breeder first,mother get your pup from them.

I think what others here Are saying to you is that Yorkies are people dogs, and they want their people around them. They tend to get into trouble and be destructive etc.mifmleft alone too much. That being said, most of us do work for a living. I'm lucky in that my pup goes to work with me daily but most don't have that situation. But, just understand that your Yorkiemwill expect your attention and presence.

Good luck in your search! There are some breeders here on YT, hopefully they will come forth and give you more thoughts. Just keep upmost in your search that you want a healthy, well bred dog - that is the best place to start.

Stick around on YT, there are folks here who have been Owned by Yorkies for many, many years and know a lot about them.

[capt_noonie]

Also I would be extremely weary of breeders on here who don't have a lot of posts and PM puppies for sale behind the scenes. Meaning they are only here for one thing, to sell puppies. And those IMO are not good breeders.

[gemy]

Originally Posted by bhanish

Don't small puppies sleep 18 hours? And then after that around 13-18 hours? Yes, I will have long hours as an attorney, but I'm not going to be working 13-18 hour days.

Right now I'm thinking of this website. Yorkie Stud Service

I really like the fur of her puppies, and the facebook page has lots of positive reviews and pictures of healthy puppies. https://www.facebook.com/Tiny-Yorkie...25175/?fref=ts

I know some cry that it's a puppy mill, but the website says she'll guarantee health for a year (the lemon law) and she allows you to meet the parents. Perhaps she breeds a lot, and makes money, but it doesn't mean that the puppies are treated poorly or that the parents have genetic diseases. Thoughts?

And I'd love to do a shelter, but I'm a little too particular. I basically want a baby puppy as my first dog (maybe I'll do shelters later). And I want to ensure that my puppy will be healthy because I'm not in the position to pay thousands of dollars for medical bills. I can definitely pay the regular expenses for a new puppy, but I can't take on a puppy with serious health issues.

Then I highly suggest you get pet insurance that covers genetic defects et al. It might be $30-40 a month not sure of the pricing in the US. Even with good breeders Yorkies can have health problems. There are very few genetic tests for Yorkies that a breeder can do prior to breeding. Also many genetic defects do not show up until 3 or more years down the road. Research the health problems of Yorkies there are stickies on here for that. You will see the cost of those health problems common to Yorkies.

I think take your Bar Exam - the study you need to do is extensive find a job and then determine if you want a dog and how you can make it work for both of you.

All dogs need care and attention and make a huge change in your life. Walking them training them what do you do for vacations what happens when you marry So many things to think about. My dogs are a huge factor in my life. We never vacation without them. But I had my time travelling around the world being single n free. You are just starting out in your lifes journey. Take the time to truly analyze n think about things.

[matese]

Originally Posted by gemy

[/B]

Then I highly suggest you get pet insurance that covers genetic defects et al. It might be $30-40 a month not sure of the pricing in the US. Even with good breeders Yorkies can have health problems. There are very few genetic tests for Yorkies that a breeder can do prior to breeding. Also many genetic defects do not show up until 3 or more years down the road. Research the health problems of Yorkies there are stickies on here for that. You will see the cost of those health problems common to Yorkies.

I think take your Bar Exam - the study you need to do is extensive find a job and then determine if you want a dog and how you can make it work for both of you.

All dogs need care and attention and make a huge change in your life. Walking them training them what do you do for vacations what happens when you marry So many things to think about. My dogs are a huge factor in my life. We never vacation without them. But I had my time travelling around the world being single n free. You are just starting out in your lifes journey. Take the time to truly analyze n think about things.

[YorkieDorothy]

That's great, welcome!

[Breny]

Welcome to Yt. I hope you find the baby of your dreams. Yorkies are the best!

[bhanish]

Hi everyone,

thanks for your advice!

Gemy, the bar is not as stressful or time consuming as law school. I'll be home 24/7 for three months, so I can watch my baby pup. I can easily go from studying to not studying, which allows me to be there for my pup, erratic schedule and all.

Also, I have my jobs lined up so that's not a big concern right now. That's why I think it's a perfect time for a dog. I've wanted one for the last 8 years (I'm 29). Now that I'm wrapping up my studies and I have the foreseeable future planned out (even my partner), I want a lovely companion in the form of a puppy.

As for the concern of training my pup, I should be getting a dog that's 12 weeks old, add on another 12 weeks for training/my bar prep, I'll have a 6 month old pup by the time I start my job.

I talked to the law grads who currently have the position that I will be taking in August, and I asked about my hours and if they thought it's possible to have a dog. Both said they had dogs, and recommended some great day cares and dog walkers in the area. If my puppy is having a really hard time, I'm sure I can convince my employer to bring the pup with me.

I've also done my research on how to travel with a dog. I already asked multiple breeders if it's safe to fly with my Yorkie twice a month (to see my partner), and they assured me that Yorkies fly well. I just need to get Vet approval 30 days before the flight. Can do.

And I've definitely taken the time to analyze how my puppy will affect my life. For example, I've had to wear down my partner for three years for him to finally agree to us having a dog (he's afraid of big dogs). His conditions were that I get a dog that does not shed, one that is reasonably small so that it can fit in our studio & tiny car, and that it be a bit feisty. Apparently he used to play with a funny shih-poo awhile back and loved her. I thought the Yorkie would be a perfect match for us.

Regarding my puppy hunt, I decided against tiny yorkie kisses. I just did not trust the website, and the reviews were questionable.

I'm also not beholden to a super small dog. I'm plenty fine with a 4-7 pound dog. I'll love it all the same.

Finally, I've been speaking to Deb from AmazingYorkies (although she went MIA for the last two days), and I think her Yorkies are the most precious things ever! If Deb will have me, I'd definitely love to adopt one of her pups.

[Yorkiemom1]

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

Any breeder who advertises stud services is not a good breeder IMO. A good breeder has their own lines that they have worked very hard to get to that point and will not just "give out" their hard work in the form of their dogs genes to just anyone who wants to pay the stud fee. A good breeder will have a waiting list of other good breeders that they stud out to, or they have their kennel that they breed within.

As far as puppies sleeping that much? No way. They do sleep a lot, but they are short frequent naps several times a day. As soon as they wake up they need to be taken to their potty place, whether it be outside or on pad. Not going to get house broken in 3 months. Yorkies are notoriously hard to house train. Uni was pretty good, and even then at 6 months, I considered her house broken, but not 100% reliable.

Lastly, if you absolutely must have a full grown adult at no bigger than 4 lbs, the only way to guarantee that is to get an adult. They stop growing at about 1 year, but they still put on weight and "fill out" until about 2 years. No breeder in their right mind would guarantee the full size of their puppy. They can only estimate.