First post also!
 

Hi everyone! This is also my first post. I do own a Yorkie..my first..and I think her breeder was a BYB. I did watch the Oprah show..twice, as my husband recorded it for me, so I also watched it with my 27 yr old daughter. Yes, puppymills are horrific..but as was posted before..so are some show-breeder's. I would like to get another Yorkie, as my whole family really enjoys our girl Miley! I think she needs a friend..I also have a Standard Poodle that is fine with her..but she needs a friend her own size! LOL! My dilemma would be..how does one KNOW that their breeder IS ethical, with healthy puppies?? It would have been nice for Oprah to go more in-depth with what a "good breeder" is..but she did have shelter and rescue people on her show! She could have gave MORE than her measley ten grand too..I think she cared more that this show was a tribute to her recently passed Cocker, Sophie. JMHO. Thanks for having me here, I hope I can really learn a lot from everyone!
Terri & Miley

You are right...not all show breeders are ethical either. I'm not saying you must show to be a reputable breeder (athough you should have show quality dogs...ones that are excellent examples of the breed) but showing is personally important to me. So I start with a show breeder, preferably one that is a YTCA member. That's when I start asking questions...LOTS of questions and just listening to what they tell me. I also expect for them to ask me plenty of questions. I want to hear about any past health issues and how they fixed it. I want to hear what they do to health screen and want to see proof that it has been done (anyone can say they health screen so get proof). I want to hear good things from other people and any bad things too...you have to weight the good and the bad. I want to know how many dogs they have, where they are kept, how often they breed, why they breed, why they chose the yorkshire terrier, what lines they have, why they chose those lines, how well they know their lines, etc etc.

Yep, it is a difference in terminology. We probably would all agree if we always knew what each other was talking about. :) lol

I doubt it LOL...everyone seems to have a different opinion on what they consider reputable or not. Backyard Breeder is a term that is interpreted differently depending on the person and their opinions.

LOLOL You're probably right, I must have just had a moment of insanity thinking that 30,000 people would agree on anything. :D It's the peculiar nature of humans! :)

LOL yeah right :p

The advise you gave in the post was very good. That is a good way
to tell anyone that ask you about how you would go about buying a yorkies.
all very good questions for the breeder. Good job.
you see if we all stick together on this issue we can make a big difference.
No fighting or lashing out at each other just common ground we all
that have posted love the breed!!! kathy

We are not all gonna agree with each other I understand that LOL...and what I do in showing/breeding may not be what someone else does but I have the right to do what I feel is right and visa versa but with that said in the end it's what happens to this wonderful breed and other breeds that is important. All I've asked is be responsible in what you do with your breeding program and what is best for the yorkshire terrier breed!
What I find interesting is those that come off as offended by either my opinions or those that agree with me or feel the same way I do are either radical or mean or whatever, we've never pointed any fingers at anyone we've just stated what we feel is the right way of being responsible. Maybe I just have extremely high standards in my show/breeding program and those that feel the same as I do have them too....But will I apologize for having those standards? Nope! :)
Thanks everyone that has supported our efforts in trying to educate others. Another thing is when opinions are given I've never seen a particular breeder pointed out, well at least in my threads or posts or most on here. I believe most discussions are being spoken as a generality. Please let's keep it that way! No assumptions please :)
Donna Bird
Brooklynn's Yorkshire Terriers

good post. now where do we begin? because if we don't get started asap this will all blow over and be forgotten so we need to move
on it!!!
kathy

When I speak about breeding it is in general too and not directed at any breeder or breeders in particular. It's just my personal opinions and beliefs

Yes, hon I know this, is why I pointed it out in my post as we are all talking generalities. Do I see breeders on here that I think aren't reputable or responsible, you betcha, but I never say or point them out because this is a public forum and it's not the place to interject my opinions about certain breeders on a public forum. Now I can give my opinions on what I believe and what I do and how I feel it should be done but never would I direct it at any particular breeder. It's always my thoughts that if one gets that defensive then maybe they need to look within themselves and maybe reevaluate their breeding program but again that's just my humble opinion nothing more, nothing less :)
Donna Bird
Brooklynn's Yorkshire Terriers

Well...I did check out the YTCA site..emailed a "show" breeder near me(I live near Chicago)..and she told me that she had a friend in Indiana that would sell one of her pups for $2000 with a spay/neuter agreement..well, I SHOULD say, she said that their dogs START at $2000. Now, forgive me as I am naive..but do PETS sell for this much normally? I paid $1500 for my girl..she has full AKC reg..but she is way too small to breed..even if I wanted to breed..she's 2 1/2 lbs at 8 mos. We LOVE her, but I'd like our next one to be a little bit bigger. I just want a healthy, not too big, happy, happy, pretty puppy from a breeder that I can keep in touch with if I have questions..for a "fair" price. Am I asking too much??
Thanks,
Terri

I've personally seen and heard of prices from $800-$3500 for pet puppies from show breeders...just depends on the breeder. I think $2000 is reasonable for a well-bred dog from a reputable breeder, as long as the dogs are health screened and healthy. But if you aren't comfortable with that price, keep looking because there may be other show breeders around you that have lower prices.

Well, if this breeder is an ethical breeder and truely cares about the pup and has all the health screening done and has a great contract, thats a good price. I dont mind spending good money if I am buying a great dog. What I dont understand is why people pay good money for the first Yorkie they see in the paper just because it has breeding rights. Seems like they see T-cup and full AKC and nothing else matters. They could give a hoot about the health guarantee or the knowledgeble breeder.( I am not saying that is what you did on your little girl)

I didn't know or ask for full reg with my first..I called the breeder after seeing her site on the net..and got along well with her. She sent pictures all the time, and drove quite a distance to meet me to get my puppy to me. I was able to keep in contact with her, but she has not returned my emails to her for over a month..so, I don't know what THAT means..but THIS time when I buy another Yorkie, I want a GREAT one, with a GREAT contract, temperament, coat, etc..I guess I want one that I COULD show if I wanted..but PLEASE..NO breeding!! Dealing with puppy buyers must be a nightmare from what I read on this forum! LOL! I'm just wondering if this price quote(which I didn't even ask for, I think it is rude to talk money right out of the gate!)is the "normal" price?? How will I KNOW if a breeder is ethical..and the puppy is a GREAT one? Sorry for all the questions..but with this breed being SO popular, there are many trying to profit off these babies! I don't have a problem either spending good money on a GOOD dog..from a GOOD breeder..I just so don't want to get burned!!
Thanks!
Terri

Maybe you could attend some dog shows and meet some breeders in person! You can go to infodog.com and look up shows in your area. That way you can see first hand what the breeder is breeding. After the showing is over, talk to them and ask questions! A responsible breeder should be more than willing to answer questions and give advice.

Good post Brooklynn... hopefully everyone will be educated so the puppy milling stops.

You get what you pay for...
 

Thank you to the poster who brought up the subject of price! In my experience, $2,000 would just about be the starting price for a good puppy with all the tests, guarantees and paperwork to back it up. And, that would be without breeding rights. The best breeders never let their dogs go with breeding rights except to people they know very well, either personally or by reputation. Mattie