When we began to be curious about Yorkies, the first thing we did was begin to read and study. Because of our lifestyle we wanted a small dog [if we really wanted one at all]. We bought every book and magazine we could find along with Janet Jackson's book and read it from cover to cover [I keep it with me to refer to just as I did "Dr. Spock" back in "the day" when my son was a baby]!
I didn't know anything about babies way back then and we didn't know "squat" about Yorkshire Terrier's ... my husband searched the internet for months [he was more interested than I]. I don't even know how he came to contact the vet who recommended the breeder that we ultimately bought our precious little Toto from. She strictly raises purebred yorkies for show and very seldom sells a pup! We almost had to beg her to let us buy Toto ... I still believe that she wouldn't have let us have her had we not met with the vet a couple of times and obtained approval!
The reason we wanted a purebred had nothing to do with showing, raising puppies or the beauty of the dog. It had everything to do with what we had learned about dedicated breeders who are trying so desperately to keep these spirited little dogs just that! We wanted that curious, intelligent, sparkle in the eyes! The small size and the nice coat is a plus! But, having a
healthy puppy that we hope won't be plagued with some of the awful things common to the breed is of uppermost importance to us! So far, so good! We may wake up tomorrow to liver shunt, laxating patellas or something else, but we will handle it ... we knew all this when we made the "committment" to this wonderful little creature who forever changed our lives!! This breeder cannot possibly be making a lot money because of the care and dedication she has to this breed and trying to rid it of these genetic defects! Yes, we paid a lot of money ... something that we never tell ... but we couldn't love her less had we found her abandoned at the pound!
Like Mary Ellen, I don't agree with AKC on everything and Toto is only AKC registered because we could!