Shorkie Breeders

[Lorraine]

Originally Posted by basamx

Thank you for clarifying. I'll be a little frank and hope you can help. My family really likes the temperament and looks of a "shorkie", so I understand now why I shouldn't use the term champion loosely. You're right, in the end it really doesn't matter if the Sire and Dam are from champion bloodlines.

Having said that. My goal is to adopt a Shorkie that has genetically strong bloodlines, so my preference is to find a pup who's parents came from a strong and healthy past. There is a breeder that I found that has a AKC registered Shih Tzu and a IBC and CKC registered Biewer Yorkie. She mainly has been breeding purebreds of each, but does bred Shorkies as well.

Here are the questions that I have asked her so far. I am asking the right things? I just want a pup for my two girls 7 and 3 that will live a long and healthy life. I don't want explain five years from now why their puppy passed away. I guess I'm looking for you advice as knowledge and selective dog owners more than anything.

1) Do you have full Veterinary records for both Dam and Sire? Records that would show the mother and father have had no genetic or health issues.
2) Are the mother and father registered purebreds? If so, do you have documented history of their bloodlines?
3) Has a Vet certified mom and dad recently and can I contact your Vet's office?
4) Have any pups in the litter been sick? If so, please describe.
5) Do you have certificates for a clean bill of health on all of the pups in the litter that you can provide?
6) Do you have a breeders contract? Can you send me a copy of your contract for review?
7) What guarantee do you offer with your puppies?
8) Have the puppies been dewormed?
9) Do you have records of the genetic testing performed on both mom and dad?
10) List of references for pups from Dam, Sire, and other families that have adopted Shorkies from you?
11) What food do you feed the puppies?
12) What documentation did you receive from the breeders when you adopted the Sire and the Dam that I can see when my wife and I come visit? I'd like to see the bloodlines of the parents and proof of long good health. Written pedigree information.
13) Have you every owned show dogs?
14) Have the puppies had any exposure to children?

I have been a professional pet groomer for almost 20 years now and I will tell you, mixes do not have a particular type or character regardless of the mix. The Shih Tzu mix you are referring to, can look anything from a yorkie to a shih tzu and everything in between including size, coat mixes, type etc. Also you should be aware, mix a Shih Tzu with any other breed and the result is most often pups with very very serious underbites that are detrimental. I have seen these mixes as big as 25 lbs and a terrible temperment.
I groom littermate sisters schnauzer/poodle mix and they look totally different, completely different coats, different temperment. You would never guess they were from the same litter much less same parents.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by basamx

Thank you for clarifying. I'll be a little frank and hope you can help. My family really likes the temperament and looks of a "shorkie", so I understand now why I shouldn't use the term champion loosely. You're right, in the end it really doesn't matter if the Sire and Dam are from champion bloodlines.

Having said that. My goal is to adopt a Shorkie that has genetically strong bloodlines, so my preference is to find a pup who's parents came from a strong and healthy past. There is a breeder that I found that has a AKC registered Shih Tzu and a IBC and CKC registered Biewer Yorkie. She mainly has been breeding purebreds of each, but does bred Shorkies as well.

Here are the questions that I have asked her so far. I am asking the right things? I just want a pup for my two girls 7 and 3 that will live a long and healthy life. I don't want explain five years from now why their puppy passed away. I guess I'm looking for you advice as knowledge and selective dog owners more than anything.

1) Do you have full Veterinary records for both Dam and Sire? Records that would show the mother and father have had no genetic or health issues.
2) Are the mother and father registered purebreds? If so, do you have documented history of their bloodlines?
3) Has a Vet certified mom and dad recently and can I contact your Vet's office?
4) Have any pups in the litter been sick? If so, please describe.
5) Do you have certificates for a clean bill of health on all of the pups in the litter that you can provide?
6) Do you have a breeders contract? Can you send me a copy of your contract for review?
7) What guarantee do you offer with your puppies?
8) Have the puppies been dewormed?
9) Do you have records of the genetic testing performed on both mom and dad?
10) List of references for pups from Dam, Sire, and other families that have adopted Shorkies from you?
11) What food do you feed the puppies?
12) What documentation did you receive from the breeders when you adopted the Sire and the Dam that I can see when my wife and I come visit? I'd like to see the bloodlines of the parents and proof of long good health. Written pedigree information.
13) Have you every owned show dogs?
14) Have the puppies had any exposure to children?

Looks like you have it covered. You've been given excellent advise on breeders that intentially cross breed. Ultimately the decision is yours should you choose to support such a breeder.

One more piece of advice; while genetic testing does provide a breeder that the breeding pair is devoid of certain afflictions, it does not guarantee that they are not carriers and will not pass on any such afflictions to the pups.

There is some articles on breeding/breeders in the YT library. I suggest that you read them.

[kjcmsw]

"
Here are the questions that I have asked her so far. I am asking the right things? I just want a pup for my two girls 7 and 3 that will live a long and healthy life. I don't want explain five years from now why their puppy passed away."

What are you going to do after buying your three yr old a dog and it's dead (or dying) when she's 13...? Anyone who knows kids, knows 13 is a critical time...everything is a tragedy...First the little boy in 7th grade rejected her and she comes home to a dead or dying dog, everything is compounded. Don't buy a 3 yr a dog period, regardless of breed. Wait until they are older.
Trust me as a mother of 4

[Deuce]

I have to agree with kjcmsw, we lost our lab mix (14 y.o) when I was 14, and I was absolutely devestated. There is a lot going on with you when your pre-teen to teenage years, and while it's painful to lose a pet no matter how old you are, those are crucial years and something that big is too much to handle. If you wait until your youngest is about 8 or 9 I think that would be better. They'll be more able to handle the responsibility and understand that puppies/dogs are fragile esp. when they're as small as yorkies.

[BamaFan121s]

Originally Posted by basamx

So can someone recommend a good Shorkie "Breeder"? I don't want a purebred Yorkie and don't want to go to a shelter. I want a Shorkie from Champion Yorkie and Champion Shih Tzu bloodlines.

There is no such thing as a "good" breeder of mutts. I would suggest maybe checking with a local puppy miller, perhaps? They seem to be all over that kind of thing. No REPUTABLE breeder would purposely breed them. Futhermore, "Champions" are typically owned by people with a passion for that particular breed--they are not going to use those dogs to cross breed.

[Reese1]

Originally Posted by basamx

Thank you for clarifying. I'll be a little frank and hope you can help. My family really likes the temperament and looks of a "shorkie", so I understand now why I shouldn't use the term champion loosely. You're right, in the end it really doesn't matter if the Sire and Dam are from champion bloodlines.

Having said that. My goal is to adopt a Shorkie that has genetically strong bloodlines, so my preference is to find a pup who's parents came from a strong and healthy past. There is a breeder that I found that has a AKC registered Shih Tzu and a IBC and CKC registered Biewer Yorkie. She mainly has been breeding purebreds of each, but does bred Shorkies as well.

Here are the questions that I have asked her so far. I am asking the right things? I just want a pup for my two girls 7 and 3 that will live a long and healthy life. I don't want explain five years from now why their puppy passed away. I guess I'm looking for you advice as knowledge and selective dog owners more than anything.

1) Do you have full Veterinary records for both Dam and Sire? Records that would show the mother and father have had no genetic or health issues.
2) Are the mother and father registered purebreds? If so, do you have documented history of their bloodlines?
3) Has a Vet certified mom and dad recently and can I contact your Vet's office?
4) Have any pups in the litter been sick? If so, please describe.
5) Do you have certificates for a clean bill of health on all of the pups in the litter that you can provide?
6) Do you have a breeders contract? Can you send me a copy of your contract for review?
7) What guarantee do you offer with your puppies?
8) Have the puppies been dewormed?
9) Do you have records of the genetic testing performed on both mom and dad?
10) List of references for pups from Dam, Sire, and other families that have adopted Shorkies from you?
11) What food do you feed the puppies?
12) What documentation did you receive from the breeders when you adopted the Sire and the Dam that I can see when my wife and I come visit? I'd like to see the bloodlines of the parents and proof of long good health. Written pedigree information.
13) Have you every owned show dogs?
14) Have the puppies had any exposure to children?

You have already been given very good advice.
You have good questions down and if you are really concerned about the answers, then it should be the reason that you wouldn't buy a mixed breed dog from a breeder.
As it's been pointed out. Reputable & ethical breeders do not mix breeds.
Any breeder who has the best representation of any breed, wouldn't dream of mixing. You NEVER know what you will get with a mix!
I have a Yorkie-Poo that we adopted from a family who didn't want her. If you search on YT you will find lots of members with them and you will see a ton of different looks, shapes & sizes!
A breeder who is mixing, it's IMO all about the money. Which means they will typically not shell out money for all the proper testing, evaluating, etc..
The dogs can't be shown, registered, etc..
If you really want a mix, then a shelter or rescue is the way to go, otherwise you are really going to be buying from a BYB basically, despite how they market themselves!

[BamaFan121s]

Originally Posted by Reese1

You have good questions down and if you are really concerned about the answers, then it should be the reason that you wouldn't buy a mixed breed dog from a breeder.

Just wanted to add, I think the questions you have come up with are great. Certainly a good list to start with when looking for a pup. However, most of them really wouldn't matter if the dog in question is a mutt.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by BamaFan121s

There is no such thing as a "good" breeder of mutts. I would suggest maybe checking with a local puppy miller, perhaps? They seem to be all over that kind of thing. No REPUTABLE breeder would purposely breed them. Futhermore, "Champions" are typically owned by people with a passion for that particular breed--they are not going to use those dogs to cross breed.

Since the poster's Profile does not provide info on their geographical area. I'll offer some info. If you live in the Lancaster, CA area, you will probably find the mix you are looking for (probably not of Ch. lines or any lines), but you'll have great luck there; Puppy Mill haven.

[Sarahabc]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

Since the poster's Profile does not provide info on their geographical area. I'll offer some info. If you live in the Lancaster, CA area, you will probably find the mix you are looking for (probably not of Ch. lines or any lines), but you'll have great luck there; Puppy Mill haven.

So are you saying that if one wants a mutt they should go to a puppy mill? I think that if a person is trying to research a breeder or what info they should obtain from a breeder, they may have done a little of their homework and are not looking for a puppy mill.

[Sarahabc]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

Since the poster's Profile does not provide info on their geographical area. I'll offer some info. If you live in the Lancaster, CA area, you will probably find the mix you are looking for (probably not of Ch. lines or any lines), but you'll have great luck there; Puppy Mill haven.

So are you saying that anyone looking to adopt a mutt should go to a puppy mill? If someone is trying to obtain information and research some things to ask a breeder, I think they may have done a little of their homework and the last place they would want to go is a puppy mill.

[Reese1]

Originally Posted by Sarahabc

So are you saying that if one wants a mutt they should go to a puppy mill? I think that if a person is trying to research a breeder or what info they should obtain from a breeder, they may have done a little of their homework and are not looking for a puppy mill.

No one would suggest buying from a puppy mill. The point being made is reputable, ethical breeders do not breed mixes. They especially do not mix champion lines.
The advice is if you want a mix go to a rescue, shelter. Do not buy from a puppy mill, BYB, etc... They are breeding for profit.

[BamaFan121s]

Originally Posted by Sarahabc

So are you saying that anyone looking to adopt a mutt should go to a puppy mill? If someone is trying to obtain information and research some things to ask a breeder, I think they may have done a little of their homework and the last place they would want to go is a puppy mill.

I believe the point being made is that puppy millers and the likes are generally the types of breeders you find purposely breeding these types of dogs.

[megansmomma]

Originally Posted by Sarahabc

So are you saying that anyone looking to adopt a mutt should go to a puppy mill? If someone is trying to obtain information and research some things to ask a breeder, I think they may have done a little of their homework and the last place they would want to go is a puppy mill.

Welcome to YorkieTalk
There is so much knowledge that can be gained here and I hope you stick around.

[Lorraine]

Originally Posted by Reese1

No one would suggest buying from a puppy mill. The point being made is reputable, ethical breeders do not breed mixes. They especially do not mix champion lines.
The advice is if you want a mix go to a rescue, shelter. Do not buy from a puppy mill, BYB, etc... They are breeding for profit.