[DvlshAngel985]

I'm no breeder, but I think I can answer at least one of your questions.
The AKC alone does not stand for quality, as you've already stated. However, they are the only registry that keeps accurate records of purebred dogs. Registries like the CKC (continental not canadian) will register anything with 4 legs as whatever breed you want it to be. Even if a dog looks like a yorkie, it may not be purebred. If it's mixed with say, maltese, a dog can still look 100% yorkie.

For ex., my bf's family have 2 morkies (yorkie maltese mixes) and one of them looks like a "silky" coated black and tan yorkie. He's adorable with his long hair, erect ears, and pretty convincing colors. I could register him with CKC, or APRI as a purebred yorkie without any issues. Then I could stud him out as a papered "purebred." One of his offspring may turn out to look nothing like a yorkie, it may even be all white. See where it gets messy?

While the AKC is not perfect, it keeps better records. As far as confirmation, I would trust the YTCA. They are the ones that set the standard for the Yorkshire Terrier. As far as health goes, that responsibility falls on a breeders shoulders. If they are ethical responsible breeders, they will learn all that there is to know about that breed of dogs, yorkies in this case, learn about genetics and how to breed for the betterment of the breed. They will know what medical tests would help them breed quality yorkies. Their ethics and integrity are on the line with each and every litter. It really isn't that easy to be a breeder, in my honest opinion.