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Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom 
Just please be careful, cognizant/aware, mindful of what you could be supporting, in the big picture of things. I really cannot say whether or not there are "ethical" breeders doing this kind of thing...? Most would say no, bc of what's being marketed here, as a...commodity. Every action has consequences we can't even see....but would maybe break you if you did. Ya know what I mean? Tread carefully.
I do think, though, that it's very possible to have a dog this size who is perfectly healthy, just smaller. Size does not define health. I do wish you and this puppy the best of luck!
I don't think that's necessarily true, but I could see where part of you might think that initially due to wider-spaced eyes like this. But the tiny ones (my Marcel included, who is 4.5lbs, but seems almost tinier for some reason...?) can look *exactly* like this as healthy puppies.
The clinical gal in you will like this stuff too - remember Jrsygal's (Elaine) "Jersey" - who had hydro, but looked just like any other yorkie, here.
Also, a Dx of hydro can't be done without the clinical signs (Clinical signs are similar to those of congenital hydrocephalus and include changes in behavior or training, circling, head pressing (a term used for pressing of the head up against a wall or other structure), listlessness, loss of vision, pacing, restlessness, and seizures. - from VCA Hospitals) -- and U/S, CT, MRI, and EEGs also can be done. |
Like what you said, if she's really set on having this tiny tiny dog she should tread really cautious/carefully... You may sometimes find that things aren't always what they look like.
I understand she's from a far away part of the US, but over here, in PA there are plenty of puppy mills who I have read stories/articles about finding the dogs in really poor conditions.
I recall reading one where they were kept in a totally separate area, they were told to stay/wait in the house or by front of the house only to see them go into a barn in the backyard, and pick up the dog. The dog would look very ill and sickly.
Other times they'd be allowed to see where the dogs are which usually meant in their barn only to find that there were tons of different dog breeds in there and all of them were in really gross and tiny cages. Too small to even move much and the dogs looked like they haven't been out of those cages much less seen sunlight in a long time. The parents would look malnourished, occasionally a dead dog would be found... the animals were kept in really filthy conditions, looked like they never been bathed in ages.
Sometimes the puppies would look way too young to be sold, most of them would come with papers or registration to some pet club that just about anyone with money could get admitted to. Forgot which club it was, but it wasn't one of the more legitimate and recognizable ones. More like one that's like a clone of that but all you had to do was just pay them some bucks and they'd register the dog-- even mix breeds would be able to register.
My point is, not everything is as it appears and one should take extreme caution when doing one of these "transactions".
You maybe even given a legit looking guarantee but if you actually sit down and read it you can tell it's made so that you'd get screwed over regardless.
My worry is that in her going over there and paying a gross amount of money for an out of standard dog that may not even have legitimate papers is just going to keep giving them a reason to continue.