[Jokerman]

This is my first post on YT after lurking for the past month. I've read back about 100 pages on the general forum, along with reading the other forums too. I've found the members here to be extremely friendly and helpful, and the forum a great place to learn about Yorkies. But after spending a month reading the forums here, I've decided this breed is not for me.

I came here to learn, and hoped to find a responsible breeder where I could purchase a beautiful, healthy puppy. What I've learned is these dogs are too fragile and sickly for someone like me, who worries constantly about the health of my animals. I've learned they are prone to luxating patellas, they get collapsed tracheas, they are prone to liver shunt, they break their legs jumping off furniture, they choke easily on food that's not cut up in tiny pieces, they get seizures, many have to have C-sections if they're bred, it's a big risk putting them under anesthetic to be neutered or spayed, many are excessive barkers... The list goes on and on. With someone like me with an obsessive personality type, I fear I would be in constant worry of my dog getting sick and dying. The last thing I need in my life is to subject myself to the constant worry of a fragile little dog, constantly worrying about its health. I realize all Yorkies don't have all these health problems, but from the posts I've read on this forum, these appear to be fairly prevalent in the breed.

While lurking here, I found a breeder with the most beautiful puppies for sale. I emailed her several times, then called her. She asks $2000 for male puppies, with no breeding rights, and $3000 for her females. All puppies have limited registration. She occasionally has puppies a little cheaper, in the $1400 range. So, I ask her for pictures of the puppies for sale, and ask to see the pedigrees and pictures of the parents. I get back a one sentence email practically accusing me of being a "breeder", of me wanting to breed her precious LIMITED REGISTRATION puppies. I have absolutely no intention of breeding Yorkies, but there is no way I am paying $1500-$3000 for a puppy without seeing both the parents AND the pedigree. I emailed her back and assured her I did not want a breeding dog, just a companion and pet, but that I wanted a beautiful and healthy dog, which is why I went to her show kennel in the first place. I never heard another word back from her.

So, what I can't understand, is why some people act like Yorkies are for royalty only? Why would anyone pay $2000-$3000 for a puppy without seeing the parents and pedigree first? Why people will pay that kind of money without some type guarantee that the dogs won't develop luxating patellas and various other genetic problems? Don't get me wrong, I think Yorkies are beautiful little dogs, and I really wanted one for a companion, and I would have been an excellent home. But there is no way I am paying that ridiculous amount of money for a puppy with basically no health guarantees, and then driving myself crazy worrying about the health problems that are so prevalent in this breed. I am not trying to pi$$ anyone off with these comments, just telling you my experience of coming here as a new person, wanting to learn about the breed and find a responsible breeder. I am taking a stand saying I won't put up with breeders who act like their dogs are solid gold, who won't offer a decent health guarantee for a dog prone to health problems. I won't pay $3000 for a limited registration puppy and THEN have to pay $3000 more on vet bills when the kneecaps go out. That is ridiculous. I just can't understand why people will put up with this type treatment! You should DEMAND a decent health guarantee or not buy their pups.

I'm sorry it has worked out this way, but I've now chosen another breed of dog, which I've owned before and love, and I've now paid my deposit on a puppy due in October. For the $1500 it costs, I am getting a puppy from an imported European mother, an AKC champion sire with two imported parents, and with a full health guarantee on all genetic traits. Oh, and all breeding and showing rights on the dog, even though I will have her spayed and only show in obedience. This breed has few health problems, with the most common being hip dysplasia. But with the puppy having a seven generation pedigree with absolutely NO incidents of dysplasia, it's highly unlikely it will ever occur in the puppy I am buying. I would have liked to have bought a Yorkie also, but I'm just not willing to pay the prices breeders are asking with NO decent health guarantees and such limited paperwork. I wish all people would take a stand, and the breeders selling these puppies for the ridiculous prices would have to come down off their high horse. Please, I am not writing this to offend anyone, I'm just stating what my experience in trying to obtain a Yorkie has been like. I know all breeders don't act like the one I contacted. Some of you may offer a decent health guarantee and not act like every person wanting your puppies wants to breed if they ask to see parents and pedigrees. Please don't take this personally as I am not talking about YOU. Thanks to all who have posted on the forum. It has truly been a learning experience!

P.S. Although "Jokerman" is my forum name here, this is not a "Joke" posting. Jokerman is the name of my horse and is why I used this name.