[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by Rescuemomma

I think this brings up some very very valid points!!!! There is ALOT more to breeding Yorkies then putting dog A and dog B together, have you seen how many Yorkies and Yorkie Mixes end up in shelters and rescue? How many are constantly being sold on various classified sites? Abandoned or neglected? Can you commit to keeping them all or taking them all back if you had to? Financially able to care for them all if someone who gets one from you can't afford a sudden emergency that the dog will die without proper treatment? I for one believe that if you choose to breed, and bring a litter into this world, they are your responsibility and yours alone until the day they die. Sure you can sell them to new homes, but if anything goes wrong, I believe it's the breeder's responsibility to make sure each and every baby ALWAYS get proper vet care and whatever they need if for whatever reason the owner isn't able to provide it. And yes -I have bred dogs, I do more rescue then breeding now, I have only had 2 litters, and my last was 4 years ago and this is why - I refuse to bring any live into this world if I'm not fully capable of not only caring for the ones I bring in, but helping others who didn't come from such caring breeders as well.

The whole genetic testing issues is huge as well - I have never breed Yorkies, but I do know that at the very least a CERF eye exam by a specialist should be done, and I think it's a good idea to have a full ultrasound and echocardiogram (as well as a full OFA heart exam) done by a cardiologist and/or internal medicine specialist to look for any internal problems, as well as full blood work is a good idea before any breeding. OFA patella exam is also a good idea for any small dog. You could be easily looking at a good $2000+ depending on your area in health exams and testing before you even should be THINKING of breeding him if you want to insure he won't be passing any health problems on! When you pay for a puppy from a responsible breeder - They're not making any money off those puppies, they're lucky if they even break even by the time they take proper care of a pregnant and then nursing momma and tiny, fragile babies!!!

I agree with getting him neutered, and getting another Yorkie to keep him company! Otherwise - I'm biast to Italian Greyhounds LOL Aiyana and Benjamin are great friends! An unaltered male and a spayed female can get along well - But as others have mentioned no matter what gender or breed you bring into your home, it's very likely any other dog will bring out the dominant side of an unaltered male and he'll start marking in your house - And let me tell you, the urine of an unaltered male can be VERY strong smelling!

So true, and now with many states passing puppy lemon laws, you aren't just morally obligated to care for the offspring you are legally obligated as well.