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Originally Posted by PrincessDiana  It kind of just depends on what you're looking for in a breeder. A good breeder breeds only registered, to standard dogs. The most reputable (and in my eyes, the only important one) registry is AKC. Also, any breeder worth buying from would offer a health guarantee. 3 weeks after I got Franklin (from a bad breeder), he get sick with parvo and had to spend a week in the hospital. We didn't have a health guarantee and so we were stuck with the $1600 bill.
The breeder warning you about hypoglycemia is completely normal and lowering the price is also not necessarily a bad sign.
Do some research on breeders here at YT.. read the stickies at the top of every forum and they should point you in the right direction. I must warn you though, most reputable breeders do extensive testing on the parents to ensure a healthy pup. They also put lots of money into the care of the mother/puppies. This means that the puppies you find may cost a little more than $600. The average, I would say, is around $1000. Just because a breeder charges a lot, however, does not mean they are a good breeder. It's tough! Just ask us any questions you have and we will help you out as best we can. Good luck!  |
I agree.
That wouldn't be my first food choice.
I think the breeder probably cares for her dogs very much since she is more concerned about a good home than money, but she probably isn't doing health testing and if the pups aren't registered, she may not be breeding to the standard. I suppose it depends on if you want to take the risk of something going wrong and all the bills being on you.
A health guarantee isn't something the buyer does.
The breeder writes it up.
"All" breeders of toy breeds should warn new owners of the possibility of hypoglycemia. This along with socialization with litter mates and mother issues is why Yorkies should stay with their mom til 12 weeks.
Personally, unless I was rescueing a Yorkie, I would most likely not get one if the parents haven't had blood panels, bile acids testing for liver function and at least a physical exam for luxating patella.
If the parents haven't been cleared of liver shunt and MVD (through a bile acids test) and the lines aren't clear for the last ten generations, the pup is more likely to have an issue with it. Diagnosis could be anywhere from about $150 to over $1000 and if surgery is required, that is over $1000 at the cheapest place. Then supplements for life if that is necessary will be anywhere from $50 to over $400 a year.