[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by satman

Professional looking web sites don't do anything to insure a healthy dog nor do all the stories and empty promises made by disreputable pet sellers.

One of the best ways to insure the breeder is reputable and that the dogs they sell meet the standards is to make sure the breeders not only breed the dogs but show the dogs in AKC sanctioned conformation shows. Anyone can breed dogs but those breeders that devote themselves to producing good pet quality or show quality winning dogs also take the time to make sure the dogs they breed meet the standard as judged by an impartial dog show judge.

Good breeders are also members of their local kennel clubs and in many instances they're also members of the specific breed club of the breed they are selling. Even if they claim they are members, it's prudent and easy to find out if they actually are members of the clubs they claim. CHECK IT OUT and don't take their word for it!

Obviously not all the pups produced are of Show or Championship quality but those breeders that do show their dogs try and do everything possible to produce show quality puppies. That's the lifeblood of their chosen hobby.

OF THE HUNDREDS OF YORKIE BREEDERS I KNOW, NONE OF THEM WOULD EVER ADVERTISE PUPPIES ON WEB SITES SERVERS LIKE YORKIETALK USES.
The very best of breeders have waiting lists for their puppies and therefore have no need to ever advertise puppies for sale. Also good reputable breeders will not ship puppies to people they've never met.

That's not to disparage YorkieTalk since they have no control over the ads that appear on the advertising banners. Their only control would be to spend money for server space that doesn't use advertising to supplement the cost of the service.

AMEN.