Hi! I am brand new here and have been learning so much from reading past posts. This forum is SUCH a wonderful resource!
I agonized over whether or not to post a request for advice, but figured I had nothing to lose and maybe you all could help me decide what to do.
I have a unique opportunity to purchase a yorkie from a neighbor. I have completely fallen in love with this particular dog, and I have been looking for a dog for about five years now, ever since my companion animal, a cat, died of cancer. I had not at all considered a yorkie until I met this particular pup who I seemed to be forging a relationship with -- and I have met
many dogs in the past five years.
But there are a few things which make me hesitate.
So let me tall you about the pup. He was from an "accidental" breeding. The six year old female is not spayed because the grown daughter of the woman who cares for the dog did not want to neuter her dog. Meanwhile, the woman who cares for the dog has a sister whose boyfriend has an unneutered yorkie. The dogs were "only together one time." But, as you all know, that is all it takes.
The woman who cares for the pup is a good neighbor who has been friends with members of my husband's family. So I do not want to offend her, and am trying to approach this whole situation with friendliness and compassion.
Of course, the advantage to all of this is that I actually get to
visit the pup every single day (which I am doing and enjoying). The pup is only six weeks old and not ready to go home with me yet, of course. So I really enjoy being with him while he is so young and seeing how he is socialized. He really loves being with me and already knows me and comes to me when I call him. He is rambunctious, curious and full of energy, but when I hold him or speak to him, he immediately gives me his full attention and sits quietly for me. He is one of the brightest pups I have ever seen, in fact. He is even already trained to his puppy pad near his little pen.
I went to the vet with the owner to get the pup a check up and his second series of shots. The vet said that not only was the pup in excellent health, but he is "robust." This pup is already two pounds and very active. The vet says the pup may actually get to be fifteen pounds, although both his parents are very tiny (mom is 4.5 pounds, dad is 4 pounds).
Here are some pix of the pup, his mom, and his cousin. There is more I can tell you, and I'm sure you will all have a billion questions but here is a start.
A couple more things you should know is that I volunteer with the local SPCA so am not ignorant about animals and breeders. In fact, I am one of those people who is very cautious about where animals come from and their histories (can you tell I have been burnt more than once by the pet industry? Yes, I knew that you could
).
Most importantly, I need to train any dog I get as a service dog (I have a serious disability). In fact, I have an appointment to take this pup, at my own expense, to get evaluated by a professional organization which trains service dogs next week.
Anyway, what I am having qualms with includes (1) the dog is predicted to get so big while the parents are so small; (2) that, by purchasing the pup, I my be encouraging "accidental" breedings; (3) that I do not like some of the behaviors the pup is picking up at his current home, (4) that I will not get a standard breeder contract but that I am paying quite a lot for the dog.
Am I worrying too much, or are these legitimate concerns?