[DuffysMom]

I've had my fur-son for over three years now. I joined YT when I got him in 2010 and followed along silently, reading and such on various topics, including some seemingly devastating information that I gleaned from threads on the breeder that I got my sweet boy from. Reading the threads about my particular breeder prompted me to take Duffy in and get tests done and to thankfully find out that either he was not bred from the same line as someone else's baby was, or got lucky and didn't get the condition that that puppy had. Needless to say, I've learned a lot over the last few years thanks to YT and the people who post here.

I bought pet insurance because of a thread here. I got Duffy tested because of a thread here. I learned a better way to take care of him because of a thread here. And I learned how to feed him.

I'm here now to find a breeder to get Duffy a new fur-brother. We had a Farm Collie that Duffy absolutely adored and was best friends with, but sadly Puck passed away a few months ago. (Of old age, thanks.) He was 9 with an average life expectancy of 12 years. The vet said his heart was just tired and gave out. There were a few warning lights in the days preceding his passing, but the vet found nothing she could do to remedy it and found him in no pain so she allowed us to bring him home and spend his last days on Earth with the family he had loved all of his life. He was a wonderful boy and great friends with Duffy.

Duffy went through depression but with lots of play-dates with other dogs and a gradual reduction of Puck-presence he eventually stopped hunting for Puck. Now, we socialize Duffy, but we're looking for a new friend for him. I'm told that Yorkies do well with lots of different breeds, but I'm just in love with Yorkies, Beiwers, Silkies and Papillons. Size, color, temperament, etc. I've learned a lot about the breeds and feel most confident adding only one of these to the family. After of course, we are sure the new furbaby will get along with Duffy.

Now, a little about my Duff. His full name is Charles Arthas MacDuff. He's a semi-registered Purebreed Yorkshire Terrier. His birthday is February 8, 2010. He's a sweet little boy, bought at 9 weeks ( a wee bit early from what I've learned SINCE then but clearly not detrimentally so) to be my little friend. He was microchipped and has hardly been out of my sight for more than a few hours in all of his three years.

He's pretty laid back. He only barks at one particular neighbor and occasionally the mailman but otherwise keeps his opinions to himself. He loves to play tug o war with rope toys. (we let him do all the pulling). And likes to play nibble-the-toes/fingers through blankets. He never bites though and never would. We didn't have to train him not to bite, he just naturally didn't and hasn't. The one time he ever accidentally bit me was when he had a cold in his eyes and wasn't seeing too well and I startled him. He felt so bad about it that he nuzzled up to me and gave me the 'sorry mommy' look. Of course, he was instantly forgiven. Yes, he went to the vet for his cold.

He has a Beneful mixed hard/soft food diet with some added eggs/meat (freshly cooked thoroughly without spices) after a lot of puppy trial and error! And does his business outside like any good dog. He doesn't ever leave the yard or even try to. Though he will gladly jump into Cosmo (our car) for a ride. He loves to ride in the car and has a car buddy harness and padded seat-box that puts him up high enough to look out the windows. He's spoiled rotten, it's true. But he's our furbaby and there's nothing we wouldn't do for him.

But, he's clearly lonely without Puck. My kids seem ready for a new dog as well. They're 15 and 16 and very good with animals. They're a bit lonely without Puck also. They've recently started talking about new dog breeds, asking if we're getting another yorkie, or if we're going to get something else. When are we going to get a new puppy and they've even commented on Duffy seeming less depressed and maybe being ready for a new furbrother. We're only looking at males. Personal preference. I'm not necessarily looking for immediate purchase either. I'm patient by nature, if stubborn also, and so am willing to continue waiting to find the perfect fur-brother for our spoiled boy.

So, here I am, back on YT and finally posting after quite a few years. I'd like the name of a breeder in the DFW Texas metroplex and I've read through the breeder forums here, but I'm looking for honest opinions on who is the best. I'd rather NOT focus or have input on 'worst' as they wouldn't be considered anyway. Just advice on best, friendliest, and best price for value. While, I'm willing to spend what's necessary to get a healthy, happy, proper puppy, I don't want to get overcharged or scammed either.

Duffy's new furbrother doesn't NEED to be purebred. He can be mixed, pure, mutt-ish, (I'm sort of falling for the 'morkie' pups I've seen lately), whatever as long as he's going to be as sweet, loving and playful as Duffy. I never bothered fully registering Duffy with AKC as he's not ever going to be a show dog, (and apparently not a breeder though we kept him un-neutered for that purpose, in case we wanted to breed him, though this year we talked with the vet and will likely have him neutered before year's end) nor will his new furbrother, though he was preregistered as Puppy3 through the breeder and I have all of that paperwork if the new breeder wants it for whatever reason.

I would really prefer a puppy less than 3 months so that imprinting can happen (and take better). I'm sure that someone here is going to take offense to that but Both Duffy and Puck came to me at 9 weeks and -never- had any sort of adjustment issues so 9-12 weeks is good for me. Though some breeders refuse to part with a pup less than 12 weeks of age due to personality changes and other things, so if the breeder you intend to recommend is of that line of thinking, please don't. I don't want an unweaned pup either. I'd rather not have a nurser though it won't bother me to bottle feed, especially if the pup's mother has passed away and it's a last resort to save him (I'm home 24/7 normally and don't go anywhere I couldn't simply take him along). I have no issue with unregistered rescue pups but I do NOT want to foster. I get attached to dogs very easily and it would break my heart to have to give up a pup.

I do not mean to be unkind, or judgmental, but if I get a lot of negative response I will simply delete my thread and go back to lurking and do my own research. Well, I'll continue to do my own research, but I'm asking for assistance from people I deem experts in this breed without judgment or rants.

I appreciate any help offered as long as it's positive, supportive, and respectful.

If you feel that -anything- I've said here is wrong or inappropriate, please, just keep it to yourself. If you feel you cannot help me because your opinion on any point above is contrary or contradictory or if you feel any of my points inaccurate or harmful, again. Please just don't say anything at all. Keep it to yourself. Create your own thread and complain about me if you choose. But give me the respect I deserve, and keep it away from my thread.

Thanks in advance.

Duffy's Mom.