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MyFairLacy · 03-25-2008, 09:13 AM

The Yorkshire Terrier Club of America is the parent club for this breed and sets the standard and ethical guidelines for Yorkie Breeders. They mandate that a Yorkie puppy should not leave the breeder until a minimum of 12 weeks of age. If a breeder is breaking that ethical rule, they are most likely breaking other rules as well. I will NOT buy from a breeder that lets puppies go before 12 weeks...reputable breeders keep them that long.

The period from 3-12 weeks is a critical imprinting and socialization period for the puppy. During this time, it learns to basically be a dog from its mother and littermates. It learns bite inhibition from 8-12 weeks as well. The breeder should be working to socialize the puppy as well during this time and potty training should be started. At about 8 weeks is a critical time for the puppy..if they are exposed to a negative experience they may be afraid of that experience for life....but to the degree depends on the individual puppy. The dog was actually studied thorougly during this imprinting/socialization period so a lot is known about critical time periods.

Also, before 12 weeks, the puppy has a much higher risk for hypoglycemia. The puppy might be eating fine at the breeders but the stress of changing environments often causes puppies not to eat at first. Hypoglycemia can be very serious and even fatal if signs aren't recognized and blood sugar raised soon enough. It's really hard to know what you are getting in an 8 week old puppy too...it's hard to estimate looks, size, petsonality, etc with a pup that young. It's really too early to do a Bile Acid Test at that age too...12 weeks would be better, and that's a test you definitely don't want to skip, especially with a breeder already breaking an ethical rule (they may not be health screening their dogs). Yorkies are 36 times more likely to have a liver shunt than all other breeds combined so all yorkie puppies should be BAT to make sure they don't have a shunt.

I highly recommend checking out www.ytca.org and reading. There is a breeder referral list there as well. These breeders should be following the code of conduct.

03-25-2008, 09:13 AM	#8
MyFairLacy Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 11,003	The Yorkshire Terrier Club of America is the parent club for this breed and sets the standard and ethical guidelines for Yorkie Breeders. They mandate that a Yorkie puppy should not leave the breeder until a minimum of 12 weeks of age. If a breeder is breaking that ethical rule, they are most likely breaking other rules as well. I will NOT buy from a breeder that lets puppies go before 12 weeks...reputable breeders keep them that long. The period from 3-12 weeks is a critical imprinting and socialization period for the puppy. During this time, it learns to basically be a dog from its mother and littermates. It learns bite inhibition from 8-12 weeks as well. The breeder should be working to socialize the puppy as well during this time and potty training should be started. At about 8 weeks is a critical time for the puppy..if they are exposed to a negative experience they may be afraid of that experience for life....but to the degree depends on the individual puppy. The dog was actually studied thorougly during this imprinting/socialization period so a lot is known about critical time periods. Also, before 12 weeks, the puppy has a much higher risk for hypoglycemia. The puppy might be eating fine at the breeders but the stress of changing environments often causes puppies not to eat at first. Hypoglycemia can be very serious and even fatal if signs aren't recognized and blood sugar raised soon enough. It's really hard to know what you are getting in an 8 week old puppy too...it's hard to estimate looks, size, petsonality, etc with a pup that young. It's really too early to do a Bile Acid Test at that age too...12 weeks would be better, and that's a test you definitely don't want to skip, especially with a breeder already breaking an ethical rule (they may not be health screening their dogs). Yorkies are 36 times more likely to have a liver shunt than all other breeds combined so all yorkie puppies should be BAT to make sure they don't have a shunt. I highly recommend checking out www.ytca.org and reading. There is a breeder referral list there as well. These breeders should be following the code of conduct. __________________ ~Magnifique Yorkies~ Purchasing from backyard breeders, pet shops, and puppymills perpetuates the suffering of other dogs. Educate yourself and buy from reputable breeders or rescue.