Thank you for everyone's help. I am departing now:D

Well, you have gotten some great advice. Let see if you will be mature enough to listen to it. I will look for you 10 years down the road.

I do see it as a maturity issue and when you are older and maturer you will see it also. I thought I knew everthing at 15 also.:)

No offence..but i would only buy from a breeder that had been breeding & showing for a number of years..Pixie's breeder has been breeding & showing for 45+ years and knows her stuff and is always readily available with good advice...all her dogs have come from long lines of show winning stock and she knows her dogs inside out.;)

I wouldnt buy a pup from a 17 year old.. UNLESS you have been involved in the breed since you were like 5 (exaggerating a bit here to make my point) and showing actively for years and really know the ins and outs of the breed. Reading on the internet and reading books dont mean crap considering the internet is loaded with alot of information that can be false at times.
Hell Im 30 have been showing actively for years and I still am not ready to take on such a big responsibility, I even worked for a breeder helping whelp pups (both big and small dogs). Its alot different when you are holding that dead puppy that you have done everything possible to save and it still didnt work, its devastating.

I DID know everything at 15 and I STILL do know everything lol
God I remember that feeling except it hit me at 13, I knew everything then lol. If I only knew that what I know now about life

I don't believe that maturity is something you can put an age on. I know plenty of "grown ups" who have a long way to go.

I never once have implied - or pretended - that I know everything. But I do know SOME things, and they shouldn't be overlooked because I'm younger than some people here.

amour yorkies, if your mentor is who I think it is, you didnt do your research well enough. Dont just look at the $$$$. You need to know what the yorkie standard is and try to be as close as you can to that standard. Please do some more research.

Who do you guys recommend as good breeders??? With good champion sired males??

Just because someone has champion sired males doesnt mean they are reputable. I see many people (not just yorkie people) who show and I would never dream of buying a dog from them, heck I would run like hell from them if they offered me a pup

I am aware of this.

Megan, you are very mature for your age, and I know a few teens who are like you...Maturity and age are not one in the same...There are many immature adults who are close-minded.

The only thing I can add to the thread is to try going to some shows near you to learn and talk to some of the breeders/exhibitors. You will enjoy it and hopefully learn what it takes.

totally great advise. You'll see what the yorkshire terrier is supposed to look like, and also see how serious the show breeders are about keeping the standards high.

just my 2 cents
 

Ok...hopefully I can word this in the right way.

I do think it is easy for us as adults to fall into looking at all teens as the stereotypical teen...you know...lazy, selfish, irresponsible, flighty, immature...need I go on? However, I do think that in any case of a teenager/child having a dream, goal or passion, it is our responsibility as adults to nourish and aid in that child/teenagers dream, goal or passion.

I think that you are on the right path. You are researching and learning. How many of the breeders on this forum and outside the forum can honestly say that they did all the researching that they needed to start out? I'm sure there are a few, but then how many got too ansy and jumped the gun at buying their first yorkie only to look back years later thinking I thought I knew what I was doing. Why didn't I wait until I knew just a bit more?

We all have to start somewhere, as others have stated. I think its great that a 17 year old would have such a drive to pursue breeding. Surely you cant blame her for picking this breed...right? Now I'm not saying that all of her info is the best, nor am I saying its not...but from reading the posts she is openly accepting your advice on the breeder mentor and such.

It is easy to become (over) protective of our beloved breed as many of us are but I would much rather see a 17 year old that has come here to seek guidance and advice than someone who has decided to buy a yorkie then decide to get the opposite sex so they can have just one litter before they get them fixed or so they can make some extra money or because they are so cute.

In the end I say good luck to you! Take the advice of our breeders on this forum..some will be more harsh than others but just chalk it up to the love and dedication they have for the breed that you want to become a part of...try to respect that harshness...in the end become the one that is bettering the Yorkie breed. Set the example for the next 17 year old that comes on Yorkie Talk and asks, Would you buy a puppy from a 17 year old.

Your writing makes you seem older than you are...At 17, I was interested in my friends and just getting my driver's license and boys...You are very sure of yourself in your writings and seem to know alot about yorkies...With all that you researched and studied, you should continue studying and become a vet !!! That's my opinion...! Why bring more dogs into the world when so many are in shelters or rescues that need homes...Breeding takes alot of dedication, money and time and I'm sure they get mentally and physically exhausted...All this has to be taken into consideration...It's a huge commitment and no turning back ...I could never do it ...(even raising 4 skinkids) Good luck...

I agree with you Megan. Even though i am 21 and no longer a teenager but i've been there before and no one likes to be judged. To the O.P. I would buy a Yorkie from a 17 year old as long as they meet the requirements, done the research, know a lot about Yorkies and breeding and have them all tested. You learn as you go, one can be 80 yrs old but you never stop learning. Age is not an issue to me, you can be a certain age and be very mature and know a lot more than a much older person does, it's called studying and experiencing it(in this case Yorkies). But to your question yes i would buy from a 17 yr old:)

Friend to Friend
 

Everyone who has experience......started with none, and not everyone has the opportunity to be mentored by "one of the greats". My first mentor wowed me with her knowledge, but it was a mile wide and six inches deep. I acted on her advice and wound up spending lots of time and money doing everything wrong. I was a faithful student with an unqualified mentor.

The advice I would give you is to start with one female, the best female that you can find. Research her lines and find the ancestors that you are most impressed with as representatives of the breed. Search other pedigrees to find these same ancestors bred to different mates that resulted in champion offspring. You will begin to see patterns within pedigrees that when matched properly resulted in many champion offspring. This will take a year or longer but you are raising and training your female so there's no hurry. While training your girl to show you will be rubbing elbows with people you can learn from, it's a win win. If you have a great girl and she is worthy of breeding you will be competing with people who just happen to own the stud dogs of the next generation.The whole objective is to learn how to produce quality, once your girl is bred for the first time you can choose from that breeding to hold your next girl back. Now you have two girls to work with and plan for. After a few years you will know which lines and more importantly which breeders you really want to buy from.

Respectful attention is intoxicating to someone with the heart of a teacher. Pay attention when an experienced breeder/handler is speaking.....and they'll keep speaking.....even when you are the only one listening.

:clapsmile Well put! :clapsmile

I take exception to the belief that tinies have more health problems than any other Yorkie of any size. For the last 30 years I have had nothing but 2 ½ to 3 ½ pound yorkies and all have been healthy. I understand the concern we all have with Breeding these tiny ones as it could kill them, however they are no less healthy but only much more fragile and vulnerable.

I think many people would argue that point. Taken from the YTCA: Yorkshire Terrier Club of America (Awards)

"Special circumstances often come with extra tiny dogs. They are extremely susceptible to both hereditary and non-hereditary health problems, including birth defects that may go undetected for a long time. Other common problems may include, but are not limited to, diarrhea, vomiting, along with extra and expensive tests prior to routine teeth cleanings and surgeries. Small ones are more likely to have poor reactions to anesthesia and die from it. Tiny dogs are more easily injured by falls, being stepped on and being attacked by other dogs. These health problems nearly always result in large veterinary bills."

While it great that you have had good fortune with your tinies, we are speaking in probabilities, not individual cases. Some small yorkies are small because that's just the way nature intended them to be, many others are small because of some defect, or lack of proper nutrition during pregnancy.

Ok, I've read through this whole thread. It certainly is popular! Several times I really wanted to respond to certain peoples statements but I didnt want to give my response just yet.

There are several things... to the woman who said the OP should be a vet instead of a breeder, because being a breeder takes a lot of dedication and time: wow, that statement is so...off. I just have one thing to say to you. Don't you agree that being a vet also takes a lot of dedication and time? Think about what you are saying. I makes no sense. I think if the OP puts her mind to it, she can be a great breeder one day. She is willing to learn. People grow up, go to school/learn, get their degree/experience and are eventually successful at their job. it takes time. I would never tell a young kid that expresses to me that they want to be "something that takes a lot of time and dedication," that they can't do it. We all start somewhere! The best doctors and lawyers and politicians in the world were all teenagers once, weren't they? And maybe when they were teenagers, they knew what they wanted to be. I certainly did.

I think a lot of the responses have been condescending. Saying the OP "thinks she knows everything" because she is "only 17." Sometimes there are exceptions to the rule... and I know, because I was one. I'm a writer and I've given famous writers work I did when I was 14 and 15, and they could not believe that a person that young would be so insightful and intelligent. They thought I had written it in graduate school! I think we underestimate teenagers because of the bad apples... everyone is not a ditzy "paris hilton."

Oh, and I agree... why are breeders so hostile to other people who want to become breeders? I haven't seen it in any other field--perhaps maybe in the field of acting. I think it's because at the end of the day, you might be competition. (Queue people bringing up the issue of backyard breeders to justify their hostility...)

And please don't refer to this quickly typed message board response as an example of my writing :p

are you kidding? :thumbdown:thumbdown

I dont see any hostility on this thread at all. I see some good advice and the op just blows people off and becomes defensive if its not what she wants to hear. I know alot of very mature teens. Example: Kristen McGregor, one of the very top Yorkie handlers. She started very young and is a whopping 26 years old now and very in demand. She didnt get to where she is now by being defensive or jumping into the show world blindly. She studied, watched, and learned.

i am going to admit, i will never buy a puppy from a 17 y/o
and here are my reasonings (i'll get straight to the point)
1. ur still a child. i mean i'm 21 and i'm still a child. (no offence)
2. raisining a litter of puppies sounds like a lot of work. you're 17 so you're probably still in high school, so if ur in school who's looking after your pups?
3. from what i heard, i hear it cost a lot of money with regular vet checks and etc. how do you plan on paying for these? because you're going to need to put the money down up front and at 17, you can't even take out a loan
4. if you're mom's signing, it will be your mom who'll be the legal person so in worst case you were to get sued, your mom will be going to court, not yourself
5. it doesn't sound like you've done enough research.... 2lb male stud? thats toooooo tiny!

and lastly, if someone were to buy puppies from you, don't expect too much money out of them bceause you're very in-experience.

but if you do decide to breed, best of luck to you

Me too. (I am 16) plus many people seem to forget that they are not just typing a comment on the computer but actually talking to someone. Some of the stuff said on this site would never be said if these people were face to face. and to the OP I would appreciate talking to you through PM because of our similar age and I too am hoping to start breeding on a small scale of course. I would also like to ask you some questions about your pedigrees. thanks!

just think it is typical of teenagers to be narcisistic...do you know how much time and money and training skills you need? i think its great if you can be realistic...it will take 3-4 years to even make any money, if done right...can you devote yourself full time? do you have to go to work in the meantime?
making minimum wage... do you have a house? unless you are able to stay home full time, please do not breed... but if you can, then that would be great.. you need thousands of dollars, and thousands of hours, otherwise you will only be hurting your dogs for a little money.. leave the breeding to those with time and money..of course you can make a plan....but plan to
love and train the dogs you have first...its not your age so much as your lack of money and possibly common sense ..i am assuming...:aimeeyork

good writer
 

age has nothing to do with breeding...there are some very smart young people....im sure you are one.. but a breeding plan is a plan...well thought out..time and lots of money...am i wrong to assume that most teenagers do not have money????????????
i didnt have a rich daddy... but if i did, i would surely choose to stay home and raise puppies...




i reallI'm a writer and I've given famous writers work I did when I was 14 and 15, and they could not believe that a person that young would be so insightful and intelligent. They thought I had written it in graduate school! I think we underestimate teenagers because of the bad apples... everyone is not a ditzy "paris hilton."


y think the 17 year old was kidding anyways...:):)

There are a lot of yorkie savvy people here on this site.

I have to agree with the post about having a mentor that "okays" breeding a dog that small..

Also, who is footing the vet bills for all of this? Do you have a job to help offset the costs for all the pre breeding tests, pregnancy complications, vaccines for the pups, etc?

You also have to be prepared to be the life time owner of every puppy you breed. A good breeder will take back dogs they produced, if the new owner can not or will not care for it any longer.

Are you prepared for that? What will you do with pups you create that do not sell?

Also, if you are under 18 than any contract with you will not hold up. Because you are a minor, and the court will see this. That means that if someone buys a yorkie from you while you are underage, and something happens, they are screwed because the contract will not be a legally binding contract.

How old will the pups be before you let them go to their new homes?
What food do you/will you feed?
Where will the dogs live until placed in their new home?
What kind of purchase agreement will you have?
How are you going to have a vet on call 25/7?

I really suggest that you buy a show quality bitch, get in the ring, and title her. Get to know, breathe and live the breed standard.

I'm also concerned that your mentor may be a back yard breeder.

This is not an endeavor to be taken lightly...and I see that you know that, and you are trying to get the education, opinions, and insight that you need to get on the right track.

The important thing is, if someone criticizes you in regards to a comment or question, don't take it personally! They want what's best for the dogs...not someone's wallet!\


Also, places like Petland offer "champion bloodline" dogs, who are puppy mill dogs. So the "champion" title at this point doesn't mean anything unless you get in the ring and learn who the champions NOW are. The pups from petstores with champion lines are not breed standard because of inbreeding as well as breeding to other dogs who do not meet the standard.

i thought you had a mentor... ask her...:p