[yorkietalkjilly]

I would never purchase a dog w/o meeting the breeder in their home, yard, seeing the parents in person and the whole litter to assess the overall health of each sibling. Then, I need to be able to spend time with the pup I'm thinking of choosing there at the breeder's home, talking to the breeder, asking questions, getting an overall impression of their interest in their dogs, me, my history w/dogs, etc. I've seen a brain-damaged puppy or two at breeder's homes and they just behave differently, will never make the pet you hope to have. I have fostered two grown brain-damaged dogs and believe me, they do not come around, forever remain rather unconnected in the way you'd really want of your dog. Some 'toy' dogs are absolutely huge as puppies so you know the sales job has been misrepresented, other pups act totally weird, odd, dashing under furniture and staying there, uncurious and scared. Others have ear leather so thick it will never stand, lack the muscles to be able to hold them up, eyes may be pus-filled or nose runny, tummies with hernias, hicks in the gait, the tails carried too low, too proud, ears too wideset, eyes narrowly set, all kinds of things a young picture will never tell you. One pup had a tongue so long it hung out of its little mouth! And pictures never reveal the dogs true personality which you should know as well as possible before placing any deposit and then being certain you know that's going to be the pup you actually pick up weeks later. Too many other reasons to list why you MUST meet your breeders and dogs at their homes before choosing your pet for the next 15 years.

Pictures may be faked and how do you even know you will get a dog? Would never get my dog w/out meeting it, its siblings, parents, breeder.