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Originally Posted by Thorsmomma  I've started seriously looking and I don't know if I'm being too picky and paranoid, but I just am having a really hard time creating even a small list of prospective breeders I would purchase from. Here are some things that have turned me off:
-Selling to puppy brokers
-Advertising tea cups/super tiny's
-not having the standard look (or the 'look' i want)
-'letting pet yorkies breed whenever they come into heat'
-not putting health first
Why can't this be easier? Maybe I'm tainted from all the horror stories I've heard from people who bought online who thought they found the perfect breeder, to find out later they had been deceived...
I feel like this might be what it feels like to find a boyfriend online 
Sorry if this comes off as a bit whiney! |
You are not being whiney at all! I had the same problem when I started looking for a breeder too. Initially I was looking online at websites and so many websites were advertising tea cups which I would not buy from. I ended up going to the YTCA website and emailed and called the CO breeders on the list. What I liked about the YTCA members is they have a strict code of ethics and conduct. (
Yorkshire Terrier Club of America Code of Ethics) I went to a couple dog shows to meet these breeders and was able to see their dogs and also visited a couple at their homes. This helped so much because I believe I found an AWESOME breeder. I completely agree about finding someone who breeds for themselves. I'm not saying all good breeders show their dogs, but if they do you at least know they are trying to breed to the standard and are genuinely interested in the breed, not just making money. I also noticed that the very good breeders usually do not have elaborate websites. My breeder for example has a website but it hasn't been updated in quite some time. It's basically there to provide some background information on her and her lines and has a phone number if you would like to contact her. She always has a waiting list so most of the time she does not have pups for sale to advertise on a website anyway. If a website says they always have pups available steer clear!