Would you buy a puppy from a 17 year old?

[mizzwanned]

Originally Posted by MeganS

Sorry, I disagree with you. I don't see this as a maturity issue. I see a prejudiced, stereotypical issue of what people think of when they hear the word "teenager." I am a teenager - I'm 15 - and when I hear people saying things like that...talking to me like I'm an irresponsible, uneducated idiot who is only interested in boys, partying, and making money, I tend to get a little annoyed too.

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

[C C Kent]

Originally Posted by AmourYorkies

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

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.

[erickajm]

Originally Posted by C C Kent

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.

Well put!

[sshaw]

Originally Posted by ARCHIE

Personally it wouldn't be your age that would keep me from buying but the
size of the puppy! Standard size according to AKC is 7lbs and under and that
dosen't mean a 2 or 2 1/2 lb pup. I guess it would be up to the female
and her size as to what size pups there were. Tinies are sickly for the most
part. Why should puppies have to suffer because they are breed so small? Breed to the standard and produce healthy pups. Good luck with your
venture.

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.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by sshaw

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.

[lulababy]

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

[cesar49]

Originally Posted by AmourYorkies

I am 17 years old and have decided to start breeding dogs afters LOTS of research on the Yorkie and Biewer breed I am getting my first yorkie his name is Bruno he is going to be a tiny little thing 2lbs or maybe 2.5lbs max and he will be my stud All of my yorkies will be stunning as I am very pick about what I will produce as I want to be seen as someone with some of the most exquisite yorkies in the US. I will be offering a one year guarantee on all my pups which me and my mother will sign as contracts are void if the only person that signs is under 18. They will have their dewclaws removed and tails docked. I will be getting all the pups regular vet check ups as well as vaccinations and dewormed multiple times. I just want your honest opinion on if you would buy from me? I feel as though I have a lot to offer to this breed MUCH more then most.

Sorry for writing you guys to death

are you kidding?

[yorkiekist]

Originally Posted by lulababy

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

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.

[jennzy]

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

[YORKIE_mom_2008]

Originally Posted by MeganS

Sorry, I disagree with you. I don't see this as a maturity issue. I see a prejudiced, stereotypical issue of what people think of when they hear the word "teenager." I am a teenager - I'm 15 - and when I hear people saying things like that...talking to me like I'm an irresponsible, uneducated idiot who is only interested in boys, partying, and making money, I tend to get a little annoyed too.

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!

[cesar49]

Originally Posted by YORKIE_mom_2008

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...

[cesar49]

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...

[missj2007]

Hey I am 19 and breeding is far from my mind, but my advice to you is just wait okay? Wait until you have a place of your own, financially ready, and mentally ready to take on breeding and perhaps showing. A lot of work goes into it. I know you know this. Just keep reading and gaining knowledge, help a breeder raise a litter if they will let you. I just think there is much more for you to learn and also at 17 I wanted to have fun fun fun not breeding and raising puppies. If you have it set in your mind to do so please please rethink it, if not I wish you the best and I hope everything works out great.

[ScootieBootie]

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.

[cesar49]

Originally Posted by AmourYorkies

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

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