How to Pick a Yorkie
 

Hi everyone!

I am going to be purchasing my very first yorkie soon! Let me be more specific, this yorkie will not be the first yorkie I've had experience with. It will just be the first that I've owned all to myself. When I was in high school, my parents bought a tiny girl yorkie (they still have her and she's awesome), and I fell in love with yorkeis at that point! Anyway, I will be going to see the yorkie litter next Saturday (Feb 9). They will have just turned 4 weeks old. I want to pick one out at that time, and place a deposit on the puppy, so that no one else can claim him. :)

Anyway, my question is: does anyone have any tips on how to pick a puppy when it's that young? I know that personalities don't really start developing seriously until the 6 week mark... so how will I know which puppy is the one for me? Or will I just have to be surprised when I finally come to take him home in a month? This breeder lives about 2 hours away from me, so I can't just visit whenever I want to. That is why when I go on Saturday, I need to decide at that time whether or not to put the deposit down.

Are there any specific characteristics to look for at 4 weeks old that could hint towards the perfect puppy for my taste? Or is it just hit and miss at this point?

By perfect puppy I mean... outgoing, loving, very affectionate, and brave. Not shy, timid. and stand-offish/independent. I want my puppy to want to be with me always, and I want it to love to cuddle with people.

Some people may say that any and all yorkies will be a good choice, but I just want to be sure. I've also heard that it depends on how the breeders treat the yorkies. But still, is there ANY certain things to look for?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

P.S. I will get to meet the parents of these yorkies. Anything I should look for in the parents' behaviors??

-Mae

It is very difficult to pick a puppy at 4 weeks. What do you know about the parents? What size are the parents and what type of coats do they have? Have you seen pictures of the parents? Ask the breeder if the parents have produced puppies before and what did they look like. Puppies at 4 weeks are barely walking and are not exhibiting much personality so about all you can go on at that age is size and which one has the cutest face. You can look at the ears and tell if they will be big or small. The ears may not be up at that age. Make sure the parents look sound and healthy. If you like the parents and the puppies maybe you could convince the seller to let you make a deposit but wait and pick your pup when they are older.

I know you must be so excited about getting a new baby. I hope you find what you want. We will be looking forward to seeing pictures of your new baby.

We saw our pup at 8 weeks...She was very shy and slept a lot. But I loved the parents and I decided to go for her... We picked her up two weeks later at 10 weeks old.
When we got her, she was VERY quiet and shy and I worried she was going to be like that all the time. After about 24 hours she started running and barking all over the living room...Loud, scampering and loving life!!! She even bossed my year and half old Chewy!!! :eek:
She is so lovable, fun, and playful... loves to snuggle loves EVERY BODY!!! Life is wonderful!:D
Look at the parents and see how you like them... You really wont know the pups true personality in one visit but when you get him home just wait!!!;)

when possible, it's best to let the puppy pick you..good luck

i think you should make the deposit and then pick the puppy when it is a little older... i just picked mine out on friday at 5 weeks.. i just watched how they all played together... who was the most outgoing/dominant... who was shy and who was in the middle... i also picked them up and saw how they reacted to people holding them etc... some started shaking and others were just chilling out. I did spend like 40 minutes with them though. Im glad my breeder didnt rush me! good luck picking yours.. ims ure you are as excited as i was

I'll be watching this thread for info since I'm going to be going to see a litter that I'm buying a puppy from. I won't get to see them for at least a couple more weeks, maybe even longer. I receive pictures periodically. As a matter of fact, I got some new ones this morning :) Good Luck!