Just curious, what size yorkie are you looking for? Are you looking for a 3 pounder?? If you haven't ever had a yorkie, you don't realize just how small that is.
My little girl is just over 5 pounds and that is just about the perfect size.
My male was under 3 and grossly thin, then I had him neutered and he now hovers around 7 1/2 :eek:
I think these sizes are just perfect as they are still small, but also "hardy", if that makes any sense:)

Greetings!

I am trying to remember all of the posts I have read since my last reply.

In regards to boys vs. girls, I know boys are cheaper, and I have even been told they are friendlier. But...I don't know. I just really want a girl. I'm not going to breed it - in fact I want to fix it as soon as possible. Dressing it up might be part of it, or maybe I just want another girl in this house! LOL I really don't know, I just know that I already have my heart set on a girl. I do hope that this does not offend anyone.

Ok, about shelters. I do check Petfinder pretty regularly, and sometimes there will be yorkies. I get a *little* irritated, because I have seen shelters setting their "adoption fee" at over FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS!!! That is insane, they are doing it because they can, and shelter pups are a toss up in my past experience. In fact, every dog I have had up until now has come from a shelter. Some were good, healthy dogs, some turned out not so good and healthy. You just never know, and although I know you never really know with a breeder either, at least most breeders give you a one year guarantee on the health as well as they can tell you what the puppy was like from the time it was born until now. Shelters often know nothing of the dogs past. Case and point, we rescued a BEAUTIFUL collie. Purebred and just gorgeous. I went with my Mom to get her from the lady. She seemed great - until we got home and found out she was TERRIFIED of men. ALL men. Turns out her previous owner was a man and beat her to no end until she was taken away when a neighbor called the cops. Took us weeks to get that information out of the lady and by then, heck, I already loved her so we did our best.

There was one little girl 'Lily' on Petfinder...she was pretty cute, but I have sent 2 or 3 emails and get no response. =(

And lastly, in regards to the size. Yes, I would prefer 3-4 pounds. I had the (un)fortunate experience of holding a FIVE month old yorkie at a pet store who weighed .87 pounds. !!! One of the reasons I want a smaller one is because even though I work from home, I have to run a couple of errands every day. (Post Office, Bank) I would really love to just pop her in my bag and take her along.

Please, somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but with the research I have done, 3 pounds, although small, is an 'ok' size. The majority of the big health dangers I have read about seem to occur in really small "teacup" (I know, no such thing) puppies who are often way under 3 pounds.

I also want to say that I appreciate everyone's advice/opinions/etc. Sometimes you just need someone (or a bunch of someones) to tell you what you already know in the back of your mind. I need to wait for a little girl to come my way.

I don't blame you at all for wanting a little girl. I am not sure exactly why, but I only have girls as well (1 F yorkie and 2 F cats) and I will probably only own females. I have been dogsitting my parents yorkie, Rylie, and I do have to agree that he's more of a lovebug than Lacy..he's actually kindof clingy..he wants to be laying on me and needs attention constantly. Whereas Lacy wants to always be in the same room as me and usually lays beside me but is also independent. I guess I just like having little girls...naming them girly names, buying girly outfits, dressing them in pink, and not dealing with the leg-lifting. Someone also suggested I might have "penis phobia" :p If you want a little girl, get a girl. There is nothing wrong with having a preference.

3lbs is very small. Most reputable breeders prefer to have puppies that grow to be between 4 and 7lbs full grown, but some will occasionally have one that is 2-3lbs. I don't think I'd ever want on that is going to be under 3.5lbs full grown...maybe 4lbs. I think 4-6lbs is a great size to stay within. Lacy is 7lbs and I don't worry about her getting hurt...Rylie is 6lbs..same with him. You do have to be extra cautious with the tiny ones...they can easily break a leg jumping off of something, can't go long without eating, and are just overall more fragile. It takes a special, cautious owner to have a smaller yorkie. I wouldn't be too stuck on size...I think you'd be surprised at how small most yorkies are, even those bigger than 3lbs. Plus, it's hard to guess how large a puppy will grow to be...you can only estimate...sometimes they can really surprise you.

You can put a 6 pound dog in a bag just as easily as a 3 pound dog...also you might find a 3 pound dog that hates being put in a purse anyhow...its a toss up lol..keep your eyes peeled here on YT..there is always something new and exciting..last week I resuced a shih tuz/yorkie girl...omg she is the best dog ever!! I am not realizing how much I have spoiled my little furkids and how appreciated I am by this new little member..she is 10 months old 4 1/2 pounds of pure love..her looks are beyond cute and all she wants to do is please me..imagine that!! Now back to yorkies lol..my male is my bestest friend ever..he would jump in front of a train to save his mommy..my little girl Soleil isnt a cuddle bug like Reece and is much more independant..Reece is like a baby..he wants to be cuddled and loved 24/7...but I know when you have your heart set on something its set...BUT..let me say this..when I went looking for a my female yorkie I found Reece and it was love at first site..and he was a male...shortly there after I NEEDED a little girl..so almost a year later I bought his sister hehe..good luck on your adventure..it might take awhile but its well worth the wait to find the perfect puppy for you!!

Dawn

Totally agree with everything you said.

Would also like to add that I think you will have a very difficult time finding a 3 pound yorkie for $500.
I love the little ones too though, they have a special place in my heart!

MyFairLacy - I will broaden my horizons and adjust my size up to 5, maybe 6 pounds. Also, thanks for understanding my female preference. =)

Sweetr72 - I'm not talking about a carrier, I am referring to my actual purse. The bank I go to does not let pets in, but a few ladies sneak their small puppies in their purses. (hee hee) The Post Office is the same way. Can't bring them in on a leash, but sneakily in your purse is another story! =P

Mojo - I had originally set my budget at $500, but then decided to go up to $1,000. (which, oddly enough, didn't open many more doors) However, after calling around to vets today to see how much an office visit would be when we first get her, rabies shot, parasite check, etc. and the spay, I am looking at another $400 - $500! Vets in the city are expensive!

I really want to cover all of my bases - I don't want to spend every last available penny on the dog and then not be able to buy the necessary supplies or medical care! (and yes, I find spaying the dog necessary) I think there are a lot of people out there (not on YT of course) that only think of the cost of the puppy and not what it is going to cost once you get it home.

And that, of course, is assuming the puppy doesn't have any major health problems. And you know what happens when you assume things! LOL

Heya mojo - yeah city vets are kinda a rip off. Um....$325 dollars for a spay, $30 for a rabies shot, $40 just for the visit?!?! But, it has to be done.

I'm sorry to hear that your little girl fell ill. But this is one of the reasons that I do not want to dip into savings or take cash off of a credit card - things like this could come up and then what would I do? I must try to be as prepared as possible. =) I will keep your lil gal in my thoughts and prayers!

:thumbup: Very responsible to consider the costs of owning the dog (and not just the purchase price). You'll be a great yorkie mommy :) Just be patient and you'll find your perfect baby one day. I know waiting stinks though. I've wanted another yorkie for two years now and will probably have to wait another 3 1/2 years until I'm completely done with school...seems so far away right now but it's probably for the best and will be worth it in the end.

I know you said something about sneaking in with a purse. I just wanted to let you know that there are a lot of actual carriers out there that look just like purses but are actually for dogs ;) I actually have one that looks just like a large leather purse and no one has ever known Lacy was in there (and she's 7lbs :p ). I've seen a lot of small carriers that most people would have no clue that a dog's in there...hehe..makes for great sneaking

Hey Pickles I sent you an PM...I think I might have a perfect girl for you!

I understand you wanting a girl. I so wanted a girl, but I fell in love with my two boys! I too had a money constraint, and ended up getting Chip for $750, which I did post about earlier. He was the last puppy and was very, very sick. Now he has extremely severe vaccine reactions. The only one we can give him is rabies and maybe not even that depending on how he does with it this time around. Smokey was free and I haven't had to rush him to the vet for anything. He came from a puppy mill and has been placed from home to home to home in his short 9 months of life, but since Oct he's found his forever home. Also, I just wanted to add that the weight standard is 4-7 lbs. Both my dogs are over that and I like it because they don't seem so breakable and it's easier to see them when walking and harder to step on them. Chip is 8 lbs and really doesn't look 8 lbs. Smokey is probably about 10-11 lbs but still has a couple lbs to go before he's at his max weight. ANYWAYS, I just wanted to say that it's refreshing to see a future dog owner considering the cost of all that stuff. Like you said, a lot of people forget about the cost of care and just thinks about the puppy.

I waited for about 17 years before getting my yorkie :) so I know all about waiting. Honestly, wait until you have $2000 saved. I know, it's alot but get EXACTLY what you're looking for and you won't be disappointed.

Don't get another type of dog, save your pennies and get a yorkie. Half the fun is looking(all those cute faces). I'm in Michigan too and I actually had a horrible experience with a local breeder. I ended up having both my girls shipped. Shipping is CAKE if you are dealing with a reputable breeder who knows what they're doing and it's a safe age and weight for the puppy. I had to wait till my last one was 5 months old.

Keep in mind, people who need to rehome a puppy don't always know what hard work keeping a puppy(especially with a kid) can be. So, don't let that steer you away from buying a puppy that someone thought they could handle but can't. I also live in Michigan and I saw yorkies at a kalamazoo pet shop that were HUGE for puppies and were $900+ EGADS. Keep looking and keep saving!!!

There really aren't that many "necessary supplies" and I've always had pretty healthy dogs and my vet bills are ridiculously low. I do live in a small town though.

I have two poms and as long as they are educated they will not yap for no reason, you have to train them and they are intelligent, BUT get a good breed of pom as with all dogs if you buy badly bred dogs with bad temperments you get what you pay for.

STAY away from pet store puppies as your budget will be busted before you can say boo, they come with all sorts of health issues and then you are only helping keep those horrible unethical people in business who run appalling and deplorable puppy mills

my two cents worth

First, good luck in your search. :) I know it is hard to walk past those "pet store" dogs. It sounds to me like your baby is out there, $1000 really isn't an impossible budget.

I know this seems obvious, but haven't seen anyone ask, have you gone to ytca's website for their list of breeders? Also, if you have any training organizations in your area, they often have lists of breeders. Check with your vet too...they may know of someone who is not on the web.(Our big training place here keeps a list).

I do want to comment on one thing you said about rescues. Many of the pets on petfinder are not in shelters but are in rescues. Rescues often spend much more than the adoption fee on their dogs before they ever turn them over to their furever home. They get them medical attention, take care of neutering (if not already done), often have their teeth cleaned, etc. They do not simply charge $500
"because they can. " I have found rescue people to be some of the most caring, selfless people (when it comes to these little lost souls). Also, rescue pups live in foster homes and their foster families get to know them pretty well. While they may be "hit or miss" these families try hard to find the BEST MATCH for the dog by taking into consideration personality, size, and any known health issues. Any rescue I have dealt with believes in full-disclosure. Their goal is a happy forever home, not a quick buck. I know you aren't likely to find a 3 lbs yorkie at a rescue, but in my opinion, there is no better way to enter into a relationship with a new furkid than by giving them something they need more than you know...a loving forever home.

Sorry to go so far ot, and to be so loooooong winded:rolleyes: but I sometimes feel like the "voice of rescue" and just want to let you (and anyone reading this) that this really is a viable option.

Anyway, I really do hope that you find your pup soon!:D

I hope you didn't think I was Offended when I asked my ? I wasn't I was Just wondering why the Girl Preference.

Also About the size issue. Daisy is 5 Pounds. I worry about her she is (tiny) to me Kodi is 6 pound give or Take and Pixie is Larger around 7
I Personally Like the 5 to 6 pound range the best.

Im Excited To See The Girl That Was Offered To You And If You Like And Fall In Love With Her Keep Us Posted!!!

Yeah I have 2 boys, one is 5.5lbs (give or take 1/2 a lb) and the other is 8.5lbs. My little guy is soooooooo TINY! You may not think so hearing that hes 5.5lbs, but his little bones are sooo fragile, his stature is sooo small and I worry that hes going to end up hurt! Sometimes when hes curled up in a ball sleeping I look at him and can't believe just how small he truely is. My other guy at 8.5lbs is sturdy and strong! I feel more comfortable with him when people come over and not so nervous when he jumps off things like the bed or couch (although 8lbs is still small and it does make me nervous)

I think you'll feel more calm and secure with a 5 - 6lber than a 3lber. I highly recommend the 8lbers! HAHA (kidding)

Good Luck in your search! I got my boys from a breeder in NH (I live in NH) and they were $700/each. The girls were $750! I wanted boys (thank goodness cuz the girls in her next like 5 future liters were already pre-sold). When I got my boys I knew nothing about yorkies or any potential health problems. The woman was not a byb by any means but I wouldn't say she was a top notch one either. She had about 15 adult yorkies... they ran free in her home. I saw mom & dad. Her yorkies were messy looking but all looked healthy and well fed. They were all friendly and social, greeting me at the door and housebroken!

I got health certs from her and reg papers (I never registered them though, I have no need for that). I took them to MY vet 2 months later for their next round of shots and they were both healthy for the most part. They have no tracchea, liver or knee problems, thank goodness. However my little guy had a slight heart murmur. He went to the vet every 3 months until he was a year old and the murmur finally closed!

The only weird thing I noticed with my boys is, they both had MASSIVE growth spurts at well over a year old. I believe b/t 15 months & 18 months, one went from 6.2lbs to 8.5lbs and the other went from 4.2lbs to 5.5lbs. I had thought they stopped growing! So you never can tell just how big your puppy is going to end up! :) :)

In the first 6 months with my boys, I spent roughly $3,000 b/t buying them and basic vet care, one neuter and all the stuff that comes with owning dogs like gates, beds, food, etc...

First i wish you luck on your search...
2nd, my Belle was $850... and she is 8lbs now, and very very healthy... we were told that she was gonna be 3-5 lbs... but i love her size, she's not too big not too small...but still small (if that makes any sense)

and don't lose patience... your little girl is out there!

I believe you will find your yorkie, and possibly right here. We have lots of great breeders.

:hands: :goodluck: :goodluck:

No, you don't give up and run to a pet store. people don't realize it but when they are looking for a puppy, the first place they ought to look is YT. But, it might be hard to find the dark ones like you are wanting. i have a small dark one that is so pretty but NOT FOR SALE. i am showing her and won't even be breeding her for quite some time. Myabe never due to her size. The point being, there are dark ones out there. Just hard to find.

Even if the breeder gave her a guarantee on this puppy, it would not carry over to who Sara sells it to. Must be original owner to validate guarantee. At least that is the way most are wrote up.

Wow! So many responses since last night. I really do appreciate all of your kind and encouraging words. =)

Parker - I got your PM and have PM'd you back!

Makemepretty - Yikes, I don't think I will ever get to the point where I have $2,000 to spend on a dog. Well...maybe but it would be so far down the road I get sad thinking that I would have to wait that long for a dog! I took this job working at home at a $700 a month pay cut. We're not stuggling, but that $700 could have gone to other things....like a dog LOL Anyway, you said you had a bad experience with a Michigan breeder...I have been talking to one outside of Jackson, would you mind PMing me and letting me know who it was? I sure hope it's not the lady I'm talking to!

Soccbydo - The pom is super cute. Has champion bloodlines and is on the smaller side. I'm still thinking about going to see the pup - I do like poms and I also believe a lot of the way the adult dog behaves is the way (if at all) it was trained. Luckily for me, I have a Dad/Boss who is a professional dog trainer. Not for poms, but a lot of the basic principles still apply.

Gingergirlsmom - Yup, I have checked out the YTCA's website. Also, on the shelter/rescue issue. Not once, but two times I have come across dogs on Petfinder that say that are living with fosters only to see them at the shelter in a cage when we go on the weekend!!! Argh! Drives me nuts. Also, I do see if they are trying to at least get back out of a dog what the put into it (fixing it, shots, etc.) BUT they can't say, "She came to us really healthy, her adoption fee is $600, $150 of which is refundable after you fix her". Because then they really haven't put any money into the dog (or very little) and that is when I get super irritated. I do live by 4 shelters though and try and visit them all at least once a month.

DaisyMae06 - Not offended at all! I was actually hoping I did not offend you! LOL

Bleu Boy Barber - I have already contacted that breeder and will definitely update!

celstu1 - Exactly. I know there are costs over and above the purchase price of the dog and want to be sure I can afford the proper medical care the dog needs as well as spoiling the crap out of it. LOL Hey, by the time I get the dog, it's going to have been over a year since I wanted one. It is going to be one spoiled lil pup!

I just wanted to tell you to keep looking. It will happen. I was looking for almost a year for my baby. I had just given up hope and figured I wasnt supposed to have her yet. Well my husband suprised me with lyla 3 weeks ago. He is always asking people where they got theres and finally found the one. Just dont give up your baby is out there.:)

I got my small girl from a reputable hobby show breeder, the mother had 2 pups, a boy and a girl. The boy came out alot larger than the girl so she kept the boy for breeding & showing, Pixie (my girl) is 8 months and only about 3lbs, she was too small to show & breed from so she wanted a loving pet home only for her. Sometimes good breeders will occasionally get a tiny one, you may get lucky! My breeder sold her to me for £600 which is what she normally sells all her bitches for.
Best of luck in your search!
I have added a little pic of Pixie!:p

Just wanted to post an update - we might be getting Emma after all! The owner has agreed to take her to the vet and get a health guarantee. She is also offering to give us all of Emma's supplies, which will cut down on some of the cost for us.

Please keep your fingers crossed that this is not some crazy scam! I have asked her a lot of questions and she seems ok. She's in MI too so I could go pick her up!

Ps Pixie is super cute!

If you've got your heart set on a Yorkie I would suggest you hold out for that. When I was ready to get my Bella and saw the prices I also considered getting another breed but my best friend who knows me so well knew that I would still be yearning for a Yorkie. So we got our Bella and I'm so glad we did. I know it may be hard but I would suggest setting the $1000.00 aside and save up the rest over the next year and then money won't be a problem and you'll be in a position to get that Yorkie pup when you find him/her. I would also strongly suggest getting from a breeder in your area so that you can see the mom and the environment that they live in. I will never buy a dog unless I can see the mom, you can learn a lot from the momma. Good luck in your search! Don't worry, when you find the right one it will all work out:)

female yorkie pup in Michigan
 

HI!
Just finished reading about your dilemma and most of the replies... I am delighted to say I have one female named PRECIOUS WHINTER'S EVE. (born on a winters eve at 6:20)

She will be AKC registered has her first 5 way puppy vaccine by Durammune , wormed according to her age.. included in the puppie take home doggie goodie bag is a written guarantee~ Receiving blanket with the mommys scent and other take home goodies... comes with a yorkie key chain with charms way too cute!! :thumbup:

I live in Central Mi between Mt Pleasant and Big Rapids... ask me any questions you may have as I have many of any potential new owner ..
I have occasional litters .. Precious is out of my Tootsie Roll and my dog groomer sister Lynn .. her male both are AKC registered ..

Won't be real tiny one however neither a heavy weight ;)

If very interested contact me in here or P M me .... :) Val

Congrats on the new girl pup it sounds like you are gettting

I just read this thread for the first time and I'm excited to see how it all turns out! Best of luck to you :)