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Originally Posted by daschmo  After researching in the YTCA and AKC websites and every other source I could find, I finally feel knowledgeable enough to start my breeder search/screening in my quest for a new puppy. I’m getting a lot of very useful info and support from the Michigan YTCA breeders. Questioning “breeders” has become an uphill battle that I find discouraging and sad. This morning, I spoke with a “breeder” who has a beautiful website, credentialed to the hilt, who returned my phone call promptly. I thought it was interesting that I found a glowing review of her business written by someone with her same first initial and last name and mentioned this coincidence to her. She proceeded to admit she’d written a 5 star review of her Yorkies as if she was her own customer. I was appalled. When I told her I’m asking questions suggested by the YTCA and AKC to screen breeders, she hung up. This is typical of my breeder screening so far. Another “breeder” I now presume to be a thinly veiled puppy mill operation told me that instead of incurring the added expense of ADC registering my puppy, all I really need to do is have my vet complete a $60 DNA test which, after verifying the pup is 100% Yorkie, can be submitted to the AKC to prove thoroughbred status. This, I know, is garbage but was stated so matter of factly that, if I didn’t know better, I’d think the woman really knew her stuff. These poor puppies…I truly hope their “breeders” care at least a little bit about them. |
Good for you for doing your homework! Finding a good breeder is not an easy task. I always recommend that someone support the best breeder they can find, as they are supporting the breed as a whole, when they are support great breeders. I always recommend the YTCA website, of course, this doesn't guarantee a great breeder, but you can learn so much from talking to breeders who are breeding for the right reason. Forget recommendations on websites, breeder give free puppies to people who send them so many customers or as you have found, write their own reviews. Good luck and be careful!