Advice needed on "used" Yorkie

[nvnvgirl]

This is kind of a long story. Partly b/c I still don't know all the details yet and may not ever really find out the truth. My Max is almost 3 now and has been an "only" dog all this time since he left his litter mates. He is very bonded to both myself and my husband. I am a stay at home "mom" but do spend a lot of time working on the computer during the week, so even though Max is WITH me all the time, he's not being played with all the time. My hubby is gone all week and only home Fri afternoon thru very early Monday morning. I have been wanting to get a Yorkie companion for him for the last couple of years, but financially it just didn't seem appropriate and other logistics also didn't deem it the best idea. Now, even though we are not where we want to be, we are OK. An opportunity has come up to get a Yorkie female (there are 2 available). I have heard 2 differing stories so far about them, but the upshot is that one woman is somehow "getting" several small female dogs this Monday (meaning, they will arrive at her home that day). This woman happens to be a long time friend of an acquaintance of mine and I know that my friend got at least one of her small Malteses through her. The dog that I know for sure that she got from this woman she has told me on more than one occasion that she was almost sure that he had been a "puppy mill" puppy b/c of his relative unsocial behavior. Not that he's BAD, just that he's not a love-bug as much as the other dogs are. He has no health issues and she's had him for several years. I'm sorry, I know this is long, but I want to give as much information as I can so that anyone who is more familiar with dogs and buying/selling/breeding etc, might be able to see possibly if something weird is going on.
Anyhow, I heard about these dogs from my best friend who works for said acquaintance. She knew I have been wanting a little girl and thought she'd pass the info to me. The story SHE told me was that there were several dogs, all small, from a couple of different previous owners. The Yorkies supposedly were from an older woman who was moving from here to NY in with her family and the family didn't want her to bring the dogs, so she was wanting to find good homes for them. There are also a couple of Maltese and a poodle. Now, I am not sure where my friend obtained her information about where the dogs came from. When I spoke to the woman who is bringing them to her home and trying to find homes for them, she told me that all the dogs were female. And that (in particular) the Yorkies are very small, too small to breed (although they HAVE been bred before) and "every time they have puppies the vet charges her at least $1000 for a C-section and she doesn't want to do that anymore"....so...hence the two different stories. I asked how big they were (around 4 lbs) and how old they were (about 2 1/2-3 yrs old). I did not ask how many times they'd been bred, but I will when I go to see them on Monday, along with as many questions as are appropriate.
Does this sound above board to you? I would love to get a little girl Yorkie for me and for Max, but I definitely do not want to take on any huge financial health issues or behavioral issues...I don't have any issues with having them spayed if they aren't now, or with shots, etc. And I don't mind some minor behavioral issues, but I guess what I'm wary of is that the dogs might be a lot older than I'm being told, so if they have "issues" they may be issues that won't change, and I'd like to know that they are basically healthy. So, how do I determine that myself best? I know to look at their teeth, but what would be any significant red flags that I should look for? And as far as the females having been mothers before; is there anything in particular I should observe physically? Max is my first ever dog and he's such a good boy that I am afraid to bring another dog into our lives if it's going to take all our focus off him~ I know that sounds so insipid and lame. I would give as much love to a new dog as I do to Max is what I mean, but I don't want Max to feel as if he's been abandoned b/c there's a new dog in the house...does that make sense? I know it would take some time to acclimate any new dog, but I would hope that eventually things would even out and they'd be best friends (hopefully).
I will try to get the entire story when I go to look at the dogs, but the only thing I can come up with that someone who has a couple of nice small female Yorkies and now realizes they don't want to keep them b/c they're too small and/or costly to breed and doesn't have them spayed would be someone who is in the business of only having dogs for the sole purpose of breeding them and making money. And NOW, I'm wondering if ALL these little females didn't come from ONE person who breeds a lot of different dogs (I mean, how come she's getting ALL females all at once?). Am I being cynical or paranoid? None of this would ever have crossed my mind before I came to YT, and I feel like my eyes have been opened a lot as far as dogs go...before I would have thought "Oh wow, how cool...someone just loves their little dog so much that all they care about is finding it a good home (although, I might think it was a little odd that they "gave" it to someone else to look for a good home)....so many things going on in my head. I want to do the right thing for all of us; me, Max, my hubby (who is perfectly happy just having Max be the only dog), and the new dog too. So, any advice or thoughts on this are very welcome. Thank you if you actually got thru this whole diatribe! Seana and Max

[katcarasella]

I personally wouldn't use the adjective "USED" to describe a Yorkie!!
Unloved, Unwanted, Needy, wouldn't make my skin crawl like "USED"
does.

[greyacresmom]

Having worked with GH for the last 6 years, I can tell you that there is not many "habits" that can not be worked thru with training, and love. All animals need and deserve a good loving family in which to live and if you are the home for these two little girls, then God Bless.

I am not too sure what the real question is? Breeder pups? Probably. But that does not make anything insurmountable.

Good luck in your decision.

[yorkiesmiles]

I know you want to protect Max, but at the same time you want a play mate for him.

I adopted 2 yorkies when they were almost 1 1/2 yrs old -- I was a nervous wreck about bringing in older dogs, because even though I used to breed Bichons & Siamese -- I had never brought an adult pet into my house. But it has worked out so well, I would do it again easily.

Yes, they are adorable as puppies, but with older dogs you miss the chewing everything up stage & often times they will be housebroken.

If these 2 came from a puppymill that is really sad, but you could provide them a forever home & they would be so grateful for the love. Are you thinking of taking them both in?

In the long run - does it really matter where they came from or which story is the truth? I know you want to know the real story -- but that doesn't change their need for a loving forever home

Spaying soon will be important. It may take time with Max -it could be a few days of adjustment or it could be a couple of mths. I really believe a lot of that comes down to how you handle the adjustment.

Praying you can make the best decision for all.

[sweetr72]

I am kind of as confused as you are at this point...but my advise to you would be is to see if you do find a dog you like and would like to add to your family, why not take it to a vet FIRST and have it checked over before you purchase the dog?? Make sure it is healthy at this point in time and also he will be able to tell you the true age of the dog. If this woman is against you doing that first then there is truely something wrong with this picture and I wouldnt buy from her...if she is ok with that and you get a clean bill of health then go for it!! An older dog has just as much love to give as a younger dog does!! If its been a "breeder" dog or puppy mill dog it will love you even more for bringing it to your pet home where it can finally rest and be a dog!!! Good luck and keep us posted!

Dawn

[JeanieK]

I Agree with Sweetr72. if you find them to be friendly and affectionate, then I would ask if I could take her to the vet before making a decision. If they are from a puppy mill chances are they will be shy and nervous. If they were well taken care of they should be friendly and outgoing.

As for Max, how is he around other dogs? If he is well socialized and submissive, there shouldn't be a problem.

[grayxie]

Unfortunately some major health issues can't be seen by the naked eye like, liver shunt, possibly luxating patellas, etc. From what it sounds they were probably back yard breeder females, and if they had to have c-sections they most likely had decent veterinary care. The acquaintence will probably clean up the dogs before you get there so they look cute, and adoptable. If you can, try to handle the dog, kind of like how a vet examines an animal so if the dog will yelps it can possibly be a tender or sore spot. For Max's sake make sure his shots including bortadella is up to date, if you do bring in another.

[grayxie]

Originally Posted by katcarasella

I personally wouldn't use the adjective "USED" to describe a Yorkie!!
Unloved, Unwanted, Needy, wouldn't make my skin crawl like "USED"
does.

I don't think she meant any offense to it, "used" is just the same as saying "previously owned" but just sounds less attractive.

[MyFairLacy]

I'm confused...is this a broker aquireing retired breeding dogs and puppies that resells them? Or is this like a rescue group taking these dogs in and finding them new homes?

[hha]

When you go look at them, if they act scared, and won't come by you at all, I would walk away, if you find one you like, and it comes over to you, I would ask her for a health gurantee, and then get the dog checked out good

[katcarasella]

Originally Posted by grayxie

I don't think she meant any offense to it, "used" is just the same as saying "previously owned" but just sounds less attractive.

Sorry, I didn't mean to offend anyone, I just have "open mouth, insert foot syndrome"

[littlewhip]

Originally Posted by hha

When you go look at them, if they act scared, and won't come by you at all, I would walk away, if you find one you like, and it comes over to you, I would ask her for a health gurantee, and then get the dog checked out good

good luck to you.

[sweetr72]

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

I'm confused...is this a broker aquireing retired breeding dogs and puppies that resells them? Or is this like a rescue group taking these dogs in and finding them new homes?

Ya..Im confused on that part too??

[nvnvgirl]

Originally Posted by katcarasella

I personally wouldn't use the adjective "USED" to describe a Yorkie!!
Unloved, Unwanted, Needy, wouldn't make my skin crawl like "USED"
does.

Hi~ I am hoping that you are not insinuating anything untoward about my feelings about a YORKIE or ANY animal. My use of the word "USED" happens to be b/c I have NO IDEA what the situation is with these (NOT ONLY) Yorkies...they MIGHT BE unloved, but then again, they may be VERY loved....they might be UNWANTED, but then again, they may be wanted yet dispensible. I don't KNOW what the word is to use.....so maybe YOU do. I'm sorry that the word USED offends you, but to tell you the truth, you apparently have not read any of my hundreds of other posts to see that I LIVE every single animal I bring into my life and have for MANY MANY years. Since I seem to be the person that many people say to call b/c I take in so many other animals and make them my first priority, I don't think I appreciate the feeling I'm getting from your reply. It was MERELY a brief way to say that it's a yorkie that I don't know whether it's abused, unloved, unwanted, unneeded, previously owned, and God only knows what else. I think the post pretty much says how I feel about animals in general, and I put them FAR above a LOT of humans, so please if you want to parse words, don't do it with me. Thank you for your valuable input.

[nvnvgirl]

Originally Posted by sweetr72

Ya..Im confused on that part too??

I don't really know....I don't believe this woman is part of any organized rescue group. And I don't know how she comes by these "rescues" so to speak. She's well thought of in the animal hoi polloi here (meaning I've heard her name more than a few times and people mention that they got one of their dogs from her) and she says that nobody has ever been unhappy or returned a dog to her before....from what I've heard thru the grapevine, it sounds like people just know her to be a good person to find their animals a good home if they need to. I know it sounds weird, and I guess I'll find out more on Monday? At least I hope I do. This woman just had surgery for a cerebral aneurysm and recently got out of the hospital, so it's hard to imagine why anyone would be asking her to take on the responsibility of any animal right now. But I never paid that much attention or asked anything about her b/c I have my pets and wasn't really looking for anymore. I DO know for sure that one female awhile ago had been a breeder that she was looking for a home for and it was definitely, without a doubt from a puppy mill situation. I only know sketchy details b/c my friend has literally hundreds of animals at her place and is extremely active in animal rescue/ recovery and shelters, so I kind of figured that this other woman with these (insert your preferred word here) dogs was ok to deal with. I don't know....but I'll def. find out more and will have my bf do a little digging too.