No names please
 

I really want to ask this question but I don't want to ruffle any feathers so please be general in your answers (not offending anyone) or pm me.

What do I look for in a breeder? I've begun to sense that the majority of YTers believe the Yorkies should be in the home and not in a kennel. But how do they have more than maybe 2 or 3 dogs in their home? Does that mean I should be looking for someone with say fewer than 6 dogs? :confused:

I'm really not trying to start a disagreement, I really want to know what I should be looking for. I guess I thought a breeder would have 10+ dogs & therefore would keep them in an outside kennel. I do understand that is not good for the breeding females or studs but how do they do it in their home ?Thanks.

Some breeders on here have a lot of dogs in their homes with them. I know that keeping them in kennels isn't always a bad thing, but I'd prefer to buy a dog that's been socialized indoors, if that makes any sense. I also think they'll get more of the one-on-one attention that they want if they're kept indoors. where as if they're kept outside, then the owners/breeders may spend more time making sure the kennel is in good shape than, say, playing with the dogs. I hope this helps some. :)

I have four yorkies (3 girls, 1 boy) and they have free run of the house. They are members of the family. The only time they are crated is when we are gone, which isn't often or for very long, and at night. Having them in their crates is not because I want them kenneled, it's for their safety and my piece of mind. I want to make sure they are safe. I would definitely want them well socialized and mine are, with people and they just love other dogs. I also have a Golden Retriever in my home. She would rather stay in the mud room because the little ones are too hyper for her, she's is real laid back. But she is out a lot with all of us. When she's had enough, she goes to her room for some piece and quiet. I think those of us with fewer dogs are able to give that one on one attention and can keep a closer eye on anykind of health problems that should arise. I'm very thankful that mine have always been the picture of health. Hope this helps you in some way. :)

So if you have 3 females, should I assume that you only have a couple of litters per year available for sale? Then maybe I wouldn't want to buy from someone that has pups from 4 different litters available at one time? Also, our dogs that are raised in a home with say 10 other dogs or in a kennel apt to be more comfortable with dogs than people? I'm sure you can tell that I have no idea what to look for other than cleanliness.

Just because they have 4 litters available all at the same time doesn't mean you shouldn't buy from them. A lot of times, females housed together will all get on the same cycle. For instance, I have 2 females that just had pups. They are on the same cycle and I will have both litters available at the same time (within a week of each other).

Something else I'm sitting here thinking is that just because they keep all their pets inside their house doesn't mean that they are good breeders! Find out how often they breed them. One of the biggest questions you can ask is why they breed. I guess I would have a problem with someone that had 10 dogs in their house because I just can't see how that would be clean.

Many breeders have many dogs, and they all are in the house. There is one YTer that told me she has 12 in her house. And the breeder that I got Chachi from has 25. She rotate hers between the house and the garage, which is part of her house, and the yard.

Actually it's the Damned Dept of Agriculture that proposes that they be kept in separate buildings, like they're animals.:eek: :eek: :eek:

So if the place is licensed by the Department of agrculture, chances are they keep them in a separate building.

Well obviously they haven't been told that Yorkies are humans!

I honestly feel that it is a matter of personal opinion. Some people prefer to only buy dogs that are born and raised in someone's home. Some people don't mind buying from a breeder that keeps them in a kennel as long as it is clean. I bought both my yorkies from someone who used the kennel method. They are both VERY VERY well socialized and I have not had the first problem with them. I was taking them on a walk yesterday, as a matter of fact, and someone stopped with her dog to pet my 2 and she actually commented on how well socialized my yorkies are. She said most yorkies that she's seen are skittish and well, mine obviously are not...I would call them over-friendly if anything. They LOVE every person they see and are obsessed with every animal they see, big or small.

The truth of the matter is that everyone here can give their personal opinions as to what they prefer, but when you are looking for a yorkie, go visit both types of breeders, both those that raise theirs in home and those who have a kennel, and decide for YOURSELF which one you prefer. You may not have a problem buying from someone who has a nice clean kennel. I personally do not see a problem with it at all. Just because they are kept in a kennel by no mean indicates that they are neglected or unsocialized. My 2 yorkies are proof of that. There are MANY MANY others on here that will agree with me. Granted, there are many others on there that will disagree with me as well, I'm sure. :p

DUH! :rolleyes:

:lol tears :lol tears :lol tears

EXCELLENT!!! :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

I totally agree with you Rebecca. A good friend of mine runs a kennel - that's where I got my 2 from. I chose to keep them in my home.

Some keep them in kennels aka crates only when they are ready to whelp and until the puppies are old enough to be out. Others house them in crates all the time 24/7/52. Their little feet never touch the ground and they don't know what it is to run and play. Even if they are well taken care of in the crates, that is so sad.

I feel bad for any dog kept in a cage, even those big dogs that people put in kennels in their back yard. What is the purpose of having a dog if you aren't interacting with it and it spends it's life outside in a cage.

Sorry didn't mean to get off track here.

This is what I do.

:thumbup: :thumbup:

I think it is a misconception to think that just because a breeder utilizes a kennel to house her dogs that the dogs are not well taken care of or that they never get to "run and play." What is the different in putting a dog in a crate while you are at work and keeping them in an outside kennel for most of the day? Good breeders who utilize kennels have those things air conditioned / heated and carpeted with doggie doors to the outside and lots of toys or a friend to play with. I know my pups would MUCH rather be in a large cage type deal in a kennel with free room to roam and play and access to the outside than in their tiny crates :p

And people who breed big dogs, they would be INSANE to keep those things in their house!

If only people who had time to spend 24/7 with their dog were the only ones who were allowed to have a dog, then no one would have a dog. As much as we hate to admit it, Yorkshire Terriers are dogs. As long as they are well taken care of, it is alright for them to be in a kennel.

I also agree with that it's a matter of preference as long as the dogs are taken care of. I have two adults (male and female) and I just had a litter with 8 yorkies! Unfortunately two died but now we have a house full with 6 puppies! The puppies are almost 4 weeks old and I keep them in a pen with mom. Since the mom is very protective, the male is staying with us upstairs. I don't see any problems having them in the house. I bought my female from a breeder who had a kennel and over 25 dogs, many different breeds. The male I bought from a breeder who had them at home. I felt the home breeder had more control and knew each puppy individually - it just seemed easier. But the other breeder was qualified and my female is just as healthy and beautiful as the male.

I have two females and one male. They all live in my house and actually they pretty much run the house! I breed my two females and raise their puppies in my house as well.
I agree with the viewpoints already shared. There are no certainties that because pets are in the house they are well taken care of. I think that when you go to a persons home, you can tell what is going on there most of the time. Is it clean? Do the dogs look well cared for (brushed, clean teeth, good dispositions etc.) Ask how old the female is and how many litters she has had. If the answer is more litters than how many years she is I would see that as a red flag. Ask what kind of dog food they are fed. Ask for recomendations from other customers. Look to see if there are toys and chew bones and pet beds. Ask about the parents dispositions and ask specific questions like, what is the mother's favorite fun activity, what does the mother like to snack on most . . . There are lots of ways to get a good idea of what kind of breeder you are dealing with. I spend lots of time with my customers. They are always welcome to come by and visit with my dogs and puppies. They are welcome to call me with questions anytime. I keep in touch long after my babies leave - I get pictures and stories about them all the time - I even started a little scrapbook of all the babies we have had.
Good luck - I hope this helps!:animal36

I dont understan what indoor socialization has to do with a breeder keeping its adult dogs in a kennel. Many keep their dogs in kennels yet puppies are inside the house.

kennels
 

Oxford dictionary...a kennel is place where dogs are bred or boarded...to me that can mean alot of things.
I had a "kennel" in my terms. It was a dream kennel... It consisted of 3 rooms built on to my home. I had a grooming area, plenty of PVC pens for sleeping...males were kept in the second room..there was access from the kitchen/dining and family room, doors could be left open and the Yorks could be a part of the family ..I also had another 16x18 room I used for a "free for all "playroom, I had a couch, chairs and TV for the family to use..all the rooms opened on to concrete, fenced playyards. It was a perfect place to raise Yorkies IMO. Infact I had a small bed in the "kennel" so I could sleep there if one was sick or whelping. I averaged 10 to 12 adult Yorkies..and I boarded Yorkies.

Most of the breeders I know have this type of arrangement to some degree if they have more then 4 to 6 dogs. I never liked having all my dogs in the house to run free in any room..there are too many dangers in a big house..things to swallow that have fallen on the floor, stairs to fall down, running out the front door..on and on..

To most people, a kennel is a building separate from the home...and the dogs have no real "home" life...I tried to make their "kennel" as much like a home as possible and it worked..never had a complaint about an unsocialized Yorkie.

Thank you
 

all so much for all the information. I appreciate all your posts and viewpoints.
:thumbs up