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Originally Posted by Jellybears  Thank you for your post. I did read it all - quite the eye opener. I did not even know about 'brokers' before I read your post. Bottom line - how the heck can a person know what they are getting into. I know there are reputable breeders, but I just can't pay $1200 to $2000. That is why I have been looking on line - around the $800 mark. I also know there are some private families that have nice puppies, well looked after, social little beings! I would definitely want to go to them, not the other way around!!! Any thoughts?? |
You'll probably get lots of different opinions, but my advice is to save a little more money, there's no hurry, you will have this dog hopefully for the next 16 years, so you want to be very careful. In the meantime, you can look for breeders and interview them. Good breeders don't have dogs available every month, and you should be prepared to be placed on a waiting list. You really increase your chances of getting a healthy dog, by going to a reputable breeder. One LP surgery can cost $1600, for one leg, and so many Yorkies need it in the first couple of years. A reputable breeder has better health guarantees too, instead of byb's who will just tell you to return the dog, if that.
There are also rescues that offer exceptional prices on dogs, but these dogs may have health problems, but a reputable rescue will inform you of the problems and the dogs will already have undergone a spaying or neutering. A reputable rescue just like a reputable breeder can help you decide if a yorkie is the best choice for you at this point in your life. A Yorkie's an expensive dog to own. Grooming can be costly and they seem to need to go to the emergency room more than bigger dogs. Accidents are common, and an illness that wouldn't phase a bigger dog needs prompt attention with a Yorkie. Find a breeder who's doing right by the breed, and you will be doing what you can to support the future of the Yorkshire Terrier.