[Yorkiemom1]

Let me start by saying you are doing a GREAT job researching your breed!! Very good, my friend! That shows a maturity that a lot of middle aged adults do not possess!!

I will share truths with you....these truths are what is the most common expected outcome, rather than "OMG, you lucked out! kind of situation! Yorkies are notoriously considered "high dollar dogs". They will cost you more price wise than most "common" breeds.....they either cost more right up front, which is the better deal, because you are investing in a well bred dog, from reputable, caring, breeders.......buying a cheap yorkie from a questionable "outlet" or source, actually means you will probably have the issues back yard breeders or non reputable breeders are flooding the market with. These ill bred, cheap dogs have bad legs, bad temperaments, bad immune disorders, bad allergies, bad barking habits, and now, I am seeing more and more Yorkies that are displaying biting and "fearful" maladjustment temperament disorders. A lot of these ill bred dogs end up in the pounds and rescue centers, because people just get tired of fooling with a sick or a "mean" or a "mouthy, barking" dog that will not behave, will not learn "house rules", etc.....They went out, desperate for a yorkie, found a cheap, ill bred yorkie, and now they have a pup with horrific habits that they can not or just do not want to deal with....pup is "discarded" to a pound or rescue.....another sad story. Bottom line is find an authentic responsible, reputable breeder, more often that not, a show breeder....that baby may cost you more, but it will be well worth it in the long run.

Health.
If you buy from a reputable breeder, her dogs will be healthy and the breeder will stand behind her dogs. She knows her dogs, she knows they are healthy, and on the rare occasion where something goes wrong, your breeder will be right there with you, helping you choose the best course of action, suggestions on how best to handle the situation, referrals if needed to vets that best address the particular issue...and she uses this information to adjust her breeding program....some absolutely fabulous, gorgeous show dogs with "to die for" pedigrees, just do NOT mix with others that are just as fabulous....a great, informed, reputable breeder knows all these ins and outs....and she walks with you, guiding you thru a mine field, helping you avoid disasters.

When you buy from a fly-by-night, back yard "breeder", you are buying a puppy that is the unknown genetic time bomb that is produced by such connections....you will have a sick dog, with all kinds of intolerance's, multiple health challenges from allergies to organ failures.... Now, there are "breeders" that are brokers for imported yorkies, and they sell these dogs for multiple thousands of dollars....like the lady I think she is in Canada, Paris Hilton and other movie stars think they are getting a quality, healthy puppy JUST because they are spending $30,000.00-$60,000.00 for a dog....WRONG! That HUGE price tag does NOT guarantee you a healthy dog, so dont go there with that train of thought! There is a "breeder" in Florida that imports hundreds of tiny, little yorkies from China or Japan or some other place....it is such a travesty and I can not imagine how in the world these importers fly under the radar, and are able to continue to import and sell these tiny little pocket sized ill bred babies....they are pitiful.....unfortunately, the attention is not placed on THESE importers like it should be.
So, stick with show breeders, go to dog shows where yorkies are being shown, talk and get to know these breeders that show, you can learn TONS of information from these people.....

Buy a great little manual I always recommend to all my new parents..."Yorkies For Dummies"....read it cover to cover, it is chock a block full of great information and knowledge, hits and tips about owning a yorkie....

I do not know how old you are....but you must remember, a yorkie will become attached to you, and if you are young now, there will be a time several years from now, where socializing and getting out and going with friends, perhaps going off to college, will be YOUR normal....that baby will forever see you as "mommy" or "daddy".....his feelings will not change as YOU mature and start to do things with others in your age group. I think a breed like a cocker or even a Jack Russell (for a more active owner) or
Manchester or Fox terrier....these breeds are active, engaged, playful, but they enjoy time by themselves away from "mommy" .....any of these make wonderful, much less expensive pets....they have not been over bred and they are not hot ticket items, so you can get a well bred dog, healthy, for a reasonable price. I would still stick with show breeders, as they are concerned with their breed and where it is going, its health and its reputation....

Good luck with your research, do you "due diligence"....study small breeds to get the one that is a perfect fit for you and your lifestyle.....factor in initial cost, vet expenses to be expected, grooming expenses, dog food expenses (those long, silky coats dont do well with cheap, non specific dog food), time alloted to/for interaction with the pup, etc.