Buying from a pet shop?
 

Hello, I am new here! I am based in Vancouver, Canada. I have been considering getting a yorkie for well over a year now.. I have 2 big mutt dogs and 4 cats, so I'm not sure if getting a yorkie will stir things up or what, but I'm prepared for whatever is thrown at me.
I was in Metrotown the other day looking at the poor puppies behind the glass walls and it broke my heart. I got my first dog from a pet store in 1999, and she's had a few medical problems over the past 2 years.. a condition that apprently few dogs recover from, but other than that I haven't had any problems with her. I grew up with her, I love her to bits! I'm considering these overpriced puppies, but not too sure if I should go for it. I'm 16 and looking for my own pet, not a family pet. As I've heard on here, these animals take a lot of time. I do homeschooling online whenever I can, and work 4-5 days a week fulltime. Other than that, I'm not out and about for any reason really.. I'm hoping I will get good reviews about this. I know it is better to buy from an experienced breeder but I'm not prepared for that. Some might critisize me for this, but that's alright.
Afterall, somebody has to resue these pups from behind the glass, right?

I know it is tempting to "rescue" the pet shop puppies, but it's not a good idea, mostly because the vast majority of them come from puppy mills. Aside from the fact that you will be "supporting" the mills with your money, you will also likely get an unsocialized dog with health problems.
The only pet shop dog we ever had growing up was a bichon frise, and she had chronic kennel cough, not to mention she was poorly socialized and rather snappy. This is not to say this will be the case 100% of the time, but probably more often than not. If you really don't want to go through a breeder then I would suggest looking through petfinder.com, there are many dogs on there and yorkies, too. Good luck.

It's hard not to want to 'save' them.

BUT - when you buy a puppy at a PET STORE - there is a mom somewhere in a puppy mill that will be bred to replace that puppy. It's contributing to the profit of puppy mills

IF people stopped purchasing in pet stores - the mills wouldn't have the demand. It's never going to change until the public sees what a horrible cycle it is ...the ones that suffer are the parents of those pet store puppies. :(

but I totally understand what you're saying. It's just a sad situation all around. (I really wish pet stores were banned from selling puppies)

It's hard to look at those poor, sad pups in pet stores and not feel the urge to 'save them.' (Which is why I don't go in any.) However, if you buy one, they will only seek to replace it, which will continue to feed the business of those producing and supplying them with pups. :(:thumbdown In the long run, it would be doing more harm than good for the puppies in the grand scheme of things. Not to mention, you'd have a pup with questionable health and background on your hands which could lead to heartbreak for you.

My thoughts precisely

Never really thought about how they would need to replace the puppy! Well I guess I'll start looking for breeders in my area!
Thank you =]

This is GREAT news!!! There are soooooo many wonderful people and breeders on YT.....everyone will be happy to help you!! Best of luck in your search for your furbaby with a breeder!!
Welcome to YT!!!!

I'm so glad you changed your mind! Good for you!

It is a very sad situation indeed because in our quest to have puppy mills shut down, what happens to the puppies that are in the stores right now and NOT being bought? Where do they go?

Actually I know for a fact some are placed in rescues when not sold at pet stores so it is a good thing.

Yes, in some cases, but not always. According to a website I found about puppy mills "no one knows, for sure, what happens to the puppies at the puppy stores, but the options are limited and bleak: they may be shipped back to the mill to be used for breeding; they may be sold to laboratories as test subjects; they may appear in classified ads; they may be abandoned at the side of the road; and, they may be killed".

Londonfog- I just want to commend you for doing research before buying a puppy from the pet store! Honestly, the fact that you're trying to gather some opinions before buying a pet store pup is so awesome. It starts with education and being educated before getting any pet so good for you, girl!

There are many people out there who fail to do research before committing to owning a pet so again, I think its great that you posted this thread.

Also- Welcome to Yorkie Talk!!!! :D

oh yeah- and I want to add that the pet store pups are very overpriced... if you do enough research you will probably find a reputable breeder in your area and end up paying about the same or even less than what you'd pay for a pet store pup that could potentially have serious health issues. Good luck- let us know when you find your little one!