Finding the right breeder...
 

So as most of you know, I am on the search for a male yorkie companion for Coco. We won't be ready to adopt until about february/march but I thought starting to research now is a good idea. Here's my question, how do you go about finding a local breeder who is reputable? Are breeders who post in local newspapers not reputable?
The reason I ask is because I've made contact with a couple of somewhat local (within driving distance) breeders. Now the breeders I've spoken to on the phone have definite california prices (realllly high) and the one's I see in the newspaper are low (600-$1000). They all are AKC, with health guarantees, ect. I have in mind how much my b/f and I will be spending on buying this pup. Coco was less than $1500 and I don't plan on spending more.
What makes the puppies in the newspaper ads different from those of the breeders I spoke to? What kind of questions should I be asking to figure out if they are reputable and if they have tested their dams/sires? I would LOVVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE to have puppies from a few of the breeders here, but they are not local. I just need some guidance. The breeders I found are from the AKC website. I've also contacted local YTCA of Northern Cali folks, to get some feedback from them.

Nobie, I'm not sure ... but I will do some research for you, Rob and Coco-mo!!

Have you contacted the Yorkshire Terrier Club of Northern California. They do have a breeder referral.

Yes, unfortunately most of those breeders are not breeding anymore or they are charging $3000+. I did leave a message for the President of the Northern Cali chapter, because I met her and went to her home once. We'll see if she calls back.

You might want to contact the breeder referral for YTCA, she most certainly send you in the right direction, she's a wonderful lady.

It's very unfortunate that the California Breeders are charging an arm and a leg. Both coasts seem to have very high prices, but I'm sure it has to do with their high cost of vet bills.

I did speak to her and she gave me another number and I left a message there as well. We'll see

Well you're doing the right things to find the right yorkie for you.

I have a really great male pup now athat wwill be small and I am in San Jose

Buying yorkies on the internet or through the newspaper has changed considerably in the last six months. There are about 85% ads run by scam artists as they have noticed how many people resist market prices and wait for some lucky find that never comes along. So the scam artist make a good ad attach a picture and ask for shipping fees up front.

I have seen no less than 40 ads of people looking for a yorkie for less than 300. Never to find one and motivating fraudulent activities.

Only deal with local people.