I previously posted about opinions on a potential breeder in my area, which caused quite a debate because it wasnt the same "process" as in America.
I spoke to the secretary of the Yorkie Club in Northern Ireland again today and found out the following things (applicable to Northern Ireland/UK?):
Most pups are ok to go at 8 weeks, smaller ones, or those not eating as well should be kept longer.
No tests are done on the dogs before they are bred.
I looked at the UK Kennel Club website which gives breed specific requirements and recommendations for health screening.
Yorkies were
not on this list, and what it says about this is "Any breed that does not appear in the list currently has no health screening requirements or recommendations under the Accredited
Breeder Scheme."
http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/down...healthreqs.pdf
I thought this was interesting. I wonder are we producing a lower standard of dog here, or are the conditions you test for less prevalent here?
She did emphasis to avoid BYBs and puppy mills etc, because the main cause of any problems was due to inbreeding or breeding too closely. I also mention liver shunts, and she said it wasnt a big problem.