No questions are dumb, right?
 

I'm sorry this is so long but it just had to be to say what I needed to say!

Some of you may have read my intro to the board a week or so ago. I joined you as soon as I found you because reading and learning is in my blood and noone is better equipped to teach you than someone who has had the experiences you seek.

That said...LOL...I hope you can overlook what may seem strange...my being on such a board without a Yorkie. Every day I read your posts and yearn for my own Yorkie. I am trying to make myself hold true to my original contract with myself and my husband but I think I've probably never wanted anything in my life as much as I want a Yorkie puppy right now.

My question some may classify as dumb is this... at what time should I start a serious inquiry into acquiring a female puppy if I want her near the end of October 2009? I don't know the protocol of whether you ask to get on a waiting list prior to the twinkle in the sire's eyes.

Both my husband and I are retired and home 24/7 with no children nor grandchildren to spoil. I was a teacher; he was an environmentalist with the state of TN. We both are in our 50's with some health problems but nothing that would prevent our love and care for a Yorkie.

We seldom travel but we are going to New England this fall for the leaf season which is one reason for the late October date. However, the primary reason is that I have made my Yorkie a reward for losing 100 pounds. Weight loss has always been difficult for me but this time I have a goal besides the weight! I have promised myself I can't have the puppy until I lose the weight and believe me, I want the puppy so badly!

We want a small female...not teacup as I understand they actually do not exist but have severe health problem potential. One projected under 5 pounds adult would be ideal. We also want one AKC registered. We have absolutely no interest in breeding and will have our pet neutered.

We already know our vet-to-be (attend church with him) and have begun purchasing everything we think we will need plus alot of toys. We've also picked a name but it has changed about 5 times already...LOL The cute little dog collar id tag with her name and our phone number is already just a trinket now.

We abhor puppy mills and pet stores that breed without compassion. We want our baby to have a great start in life and be treasured from birth because she will become a definite treasure to us.

I am learning so much from this board and the several books I have purchased. However, since our situation is rather unique, I can't find a suggestion as to when you actually start meeting the birth families, etc. I guess my anticipation gets the best of me when I see the photos, videos, and read of your puppies' antics.

I apologize for this being so long and thank you for reading this far. Thank you for any suggestions. (By the way, we live in TN but can travel within the southeast or the closer northern states to bring our little girl home. Plus, it might help to share that my favorite students were always the ones who had a bit of mischief up their sleeves. They were always so much more interesting...LOL!)

Yes, you can always ask to get on a waiting list and many breeders will do just that. It's actually a really good idea. It give you time to get to know the breeder and you can see their other litters and how they interact with them.

I agree with BamaFan about getting on a waiting list. Sounds like you are going to be a great Yorkie Mom. :) Also, wanted to send a big congratulations on you weight loss. Wow!

I would start by picking some breeders you are interested in and talking to them about their waiting lists because all breeders are different. Some have waiting lists and others will have twelve-week-olds that are ready to go now.

About the size, why are you set on one five pounds or under?
A pup with a low projected adultweight can be just as healthy as a larger Yorkie, however, if it stays too small the dangers of anesthesia are greater and it may require much more supervision. I can trust my six pounder to jump on and off the couch without hurting herself whereas if she was three or four pounds, things might be different. Also, the smaller the dog, the less likely that they will be able to climb stairs. My personal preference is probably in the five to seven pound range although all size Yorkies are perfect. :)

Lisa, I wish it was an accomplished fact but the truth is...so far I've only lost 5 pounds of the 100. I started January 2 this year and am projecting to reach 100 pounds lost by October...I hope...LOL

Thanks for your response and yours, too, Bama.

Good luck to you! I think you sound like you and your hubby will be awesome yorkie parents...isn't the anticipation exciting? Good for you for finding a place where you can gather knowledge. I did the same thing a few years ago.

I say start researching now so you can develop a rapport with your future breeder... hopefully you will be able to find one locally so you'll be able to meet both parents of the puppy and get to know the breeder well. Anyone can say anything on the internet, so you never know until you get to know them in person what they are really like.

Can't wait to hear about your new baby, once it happens!

deb

I agree with the above posters. When I started my search for a yorkie, I emailed every breeder in my area! There was a lot of scams, and some who wanted way to much $$. I was thinking I would get a yorkie in about a year, but wanted to contact and look at as many as I could so I could to know the breed better.

Be careful though, the first dog I went to look at was Lexi. I couldn't resist and knew she was the one. My search ended after 2 weeks. haha.

Ellie May, if my husband and I have any weakness when it comes to having a Yorkie, I'm afraid it will be to overfeed. We both grew up on farms and our childhood pets lived outside and ran off the food they ate. I know that the bone structure of a Yorkie is sometimes delicate and I do not want to jeopardize joints, etc. If ours was to be 6 or 7 pounds but not fat and stressing bones, it would be fine. I just speculate that we will be push-overs for treats, etc. and I don't want her to struggle with weight problems and the ensuing aches and pains. Having been overweight all my life, I am sensitive to the problem even in pets. I am too aware of how much being overweight zaps my energy, etc. (I suppose in my mind I was thinking I'd have some leeway if she was not projected to be as heavy. Theoretically though, I know the stats in the growth charts are mere projections and not certainties.)

Welcome to YT!

You do sound like an ideal owner! I was also wondering about the 5lb thing.
Adie (aka the little princess) weighs 5lb but can go up as much as 5.5 lbs. She is a very dainty little thing without being delicate. Skeeter on the other hand is 6lb 8oz and a chunky monkey. When I look at him by himself he looks like a tiny little dog but I can see that he is a tad bit taller and longer than Adie. Neither one qualify as big yorkies so I think you would be happy and have an easier time getting what you want if you raise your weight requirement to 7lbs.

Also have you considered adopting from a rescue? You could start the search for one of them as early as June and you would be able to see the weight and coloring right away.

Good luck and let us know how you are progressing with your weight loss and puppy search.

I'm right there with you. I don't have a yorkie yet either. I found this site while looking up breeders and it's been a God send. I'm learning so much and have met so many nice ladies. When the day comes, hopefully I'll be a great "mommy".

LOL, Jennifer...how I understand! I find myself wanting the puppies I see for sale in photos. I can only imagine if I saw them in person and even held one. I'm 56 and every time I've set a tangible goal in losing weight, I give in and buy it before I accomplish my goal. I've come close but have never made it. This time I am trying to hard to make my goal a reality and my husband agrees. I would not bring a Yorkie baby into our home without my husband being totally in agreement so since I proposed the "contract" myself, I believe my husband will hold me to it. I know it's the best choice but I sure do want a Yorkie NOW...LOL.

I always recommend the YTCA for referrals. Many people believe that because they aren't going to show or breed, that they don't need to look at show breeders' dogs. Breeders show their dogs so that others beside themselves will confirm that their dog is suitable for breeding. Most show breeders sell their offspring to pet only homes, not to other breeders. Show breeders are more likely to do the required health testing, because they are developing a "line" and that means that it in their best interest to only breed healthy dogs. In addition, most show breeders really breed for the love of the breed, it's not a money making proposition, and they truly believe that they can improve the breed, so some of the best values can also be obtained from show breeders because they are adopting their dogs, not selling them. The major problem with buying from a show breeder is that they are really fussy about which homes their puppies go. You know how some people say rescues are fussy? This is so true with good breeders as well, and they turn away many people. For example, Joey's breeder would not consider placing a dog to homes with young children, I know many people object to this, but that was her choice. She also didn't want to sell her dogs to people who were away all day, again, her choice. If you think you can meet some of the restrictions that many really good breeders place on their dogs, and it sounds like you can, I urge you to contact several breeders from the YTCA referral list. Another plus, is that during your interviewing, you will learn so much about Yorkies.

I think another advantage you have is that you are willing to be patient and wait for the right dog. You will be able to see the parents of the future pup, and this is a great indicator on the looks and size of the offspring. One more advantage is that show breeders breed to standard, and standard calls for dogs 7 pounds and under, so 7 pounds is the maximum weight not the minimum weight, and show breeders often breed healthy dogs in the 4 pound range. Good luck with your search, I found YorkieTalk before I found my Joey, and the information I got here really helped me choose a great breeder. Here's a link to the YTCA, which is the mother club of the AKC for yorkies. Yorkshire Terrier Club of America About The Club

Thank you all so much for your replies! I am overwhelmed by your kind responses and wish I could linger longer to read right now...LOL

Unfortunately, I have housework that is screaming my name.

Nancy, thank you for the link. I will definitely look into that route also. It does seem like a good match for us since there are no children and we are home 24/7...well, at least one of us is. Plus, in case of an emergency, we've already gotten a pet sitter lined up where there are no children but another retired, stay-at-home teacher friend. (I'm guessing she'll get a Yorkie after she plays with ours!)

I am definite on the girl Yorkie though since everything I've bought is pink...LOL. Also, our name choices are primarily female.

The weight of 7 pounds or under as an adult would work as long as her bone structure could handle it.

The actual bone structure is what determines the healthy weight. Just because a breeder says that a certain dog will be in the four pound range, it doesn't mean that you can't overfed it and cause it to become too heavy. For the first 8 months many breeders recommend free feeding, because a puppy will not over eat and get too fat. They have growth spurts, so the amount of food needed on any given day varies. Your vet at that point could give you a good idea of the best weight for your dog. Snacks or treats should be carefully chosen, and it's really not in the best interest of the dog to become overweight, and the best way to show our love for them, its to play fetch, or go for a walk, instead of giving food. This is really hard for many of us because we have been trained to associate food with love.

Well, you've gotten lots of great advice already! I would start looking around. It may be difficult, though, to see those cute puppies and not be able to take one home immediately! You will start to see, though, at what age the puppies start to be chosen, with deposits placed on them, and plan backwards from your projected date of bringing home the puppy to when you should really start to look seriously. In the meantime, seeing breeders, their parents, and puppies will get you off to a great start! And some breeders may tell you have they will be expecting a litter that will be ready to go home in the fall.

I commend you on being so thorough and so prepared. It sounds like you are doing lots of great things to be ready for a Yorkie. :)

Perhaps I shouldn't say this, but I did have a thought... What if you continued to lose weight...and what if you started looking around at different breeders...and what if you fell in love with a puppy that would be ready to go home before the fall? Would it be so horrible to get it early? I'm thinking that your puppy could be a great incentive to exercise! By setting up a walking schedule, you could walk your puppy two or three times a day - nice, long walks, which will help you reach your goal, and will be great for your dog's health and behavior! Just a thought... I don't want to make you break your deal, and I give you so much credit for being so disciplined!

i just want to wish you all the luck in the world,, your weight loss and
getting your yorkie... you sound like a great person and any baby would
be lucky to have you.. soo good luck sweetie:)

I also want to wish you luck. In both losing the weight and finding your Yorkie!

What a wonderful compliment but I must assure you that while I am disciplined at almost every other thing in my life (well, maybe not housekeeping so much), I cannot seem to conquer my weight problem. I do have thyroid problems but that's a handy excuse...I take 2 pills a day for that function so it should be normal synthetically. I primarily eat emotionally.

I have (in the back of my mind) thought about the benefits of walking the dog, etc. but in reality, I know I'd be happier and more energetic with my puppy if I stick to this goal. (I even think I could easily sway my husband to give up the conditions since he's researching Yorkies and printing off material for me to read, too.)

Losing that much weight still won't reach a "goal" weight but it will free my spirit for better things.

OK this is what I suggest......at 50# get a yorkie THEN when you hit 100# get ANOTHER one!!!!! Ya gotta have interium goals...yep that's what I say....:animal36
Who's with me on this one?????:animal36

LOL...I love the way you think...LOL

Actually, I just asked my husband how many and he said one. I think he may be calculating how much pink he's seen arriving in boxes. Don't be mislead though...he's already told me if the vacuum bothers our puppy when our housekeepers come, we'll take her for a ride...LOL He's a goner, too!

You are going to make a great Yorkie Mom!!! I did not do my research when I got my Cali and just went and looked at her and fell in love because I wanted a Yorkie again so badly. She is a love but had so many health issues. Then I found YT and learned so much. I decided I wanted another and looked for 6 months and was very determined to get the right one. A fellow YTer gave me the lead on a Breeder in my area that's name I was familiar with but didn't think I would be able to get one from. So I called her and she had a 13 month old she said I could come look at and within 2 hours I was at her house and in love. Pixie was every thing I had been looking for. She went home with me! My Roxie is also from her. So I would advise researching breeders and talking to them and once you find the right breeder you will know. Just be careful if you go looking at puppies before your target date, they are really hard to resist!!

I am so excited!

I followed Nancy's advice and went to the YTCA site and checked out the sites in my state. I fell in love with a breeder who shows Yorkies and now I am "almost" expecting...LOL

You all were so right about knowing when the fit is right. Having our very own Yorkie seems so much closer now that I know where I'll be getting her. Plus, I've already seen photos of her gorgeous dad...hmmm...sire? I'm afraid I haven't yet learned all the jargon.

It turns out that the time table for our girl's development and socialization will coincide almost perfectly with my projected time table of weight loss.

Thank you so much to all of you who responded and for your helpful suggestions. I am grateful that you didn't think I was jumping the gun too much because now I'm "almost" expecting. It will make the time between now and October/November so much more exciting...LOL

I'd like to respond to the dumb question thing. I too have thought at times I was asking a dumb question. Now that I hear it from someone else I realize there is no such thing as a dumb question. How would we all learn if we didn't ask what questions came to our mind. I've never gotten any responses here that make me feel like I'm asking a dumb question only good answers and positive ones. Don't hestitate to ask anything on here because there always seems to be someone who has experienced it or can guide to someone who has. I wish you the best of luck on your journy to weight loss and much success for I know how hard it is. I too have had to lose a big amount. You have a great goal and just try to keep that excitement in your mind. Welcome to YT, I hope you love it here as much as I do!

You might want to start by going to some local dog shows, and trying to talk to the yorkie people there. Also look into local breed clubs and talk to them (they are usually the same people who show dogs). You can then learn more about yorkies, and get a feel for the breeders you might want to work with.
If they don't have a puppy right away, you will usually get on a waiting list.

Please see my yorkie website, I have tons of good info there.

Crown Royal Yorkshire Terriers

Please see the left side menu bar for the specific yorkie information.

You are doing the smart thing by joining here first, and getting answers to your questions, which are not dumb at all.

Best of luck with your searching,
Sue

Toy,
Sue's website really is one of the best!

Sue, I can tell I'm going to love exploring your site. Unfortunately, I do not have the time tonight but I already see several topics I'm eager to delve into.

Thank you (and Lou) for guiding me to it.

Welcome to YorkieTalk...first and foremost!!! How exciting, you're almost expecting...so have you pretty much decided on the breeder? Hope there will be a sweet little girl yorkie in the litter, with your name on her. I too am impressed that you want to learn about the breed, read and read some more...I don't think you will be sorry. I love Yorkies and have for years. YT obviously wasn't around in 1992 when I just had to have a Yorkie...went, looked, loved and brought home my first...Spencer.When he passed away, in 2004...I could not be Yorkieless...so off I went again...looked, loved and brought home my second Yorkie...Winston. Not a lot of research went into it...but I was happy with both breeders and love both of my guys, guess I was just lucky.
Well, 9 months seems like a long time to wait, but the anticipation...will make the day all that much more memorable. So happy you decided to join us here...stick around for lots of fun...can't wait to meet your little girl to be!!!

What a fantastic goal gift for you! I lost 144 lbs 1.5 yrs ago. I have an online blog telling my store (with pics) if you'd like to check it out. :) Gettin' Shrunk

God Bless You and Good luck. Can't wait to meet your new Yorkie come October!! :):aimeeyork

It is wonderful that you are learning so much before getting your Yorkie. I assume much of what you are learning is by reading this forum or books, but I hope you are also finding a way to actually meet, see, hold and play with real live Yorkies too. That will give you a tremendous sense of what they are really like, and of size differences. Your weight limit of 5# and under is quite restrictive. My Yorkie Tiki is now 7#, and still a very small dog; and with her bone structure she is actually too skinny. Even seeing the parents won't guarantee the adult weight of pups, and many many people here have been surprised to end up with Yorkies that exceed their expectations, yet they love them just as much.

It would be great if you could go to a Yorkie meetup or club activity to get a hands on feel for them and see what a variety of colors, sizes, personalities, etc. exist in this wonderful breed.

Good luck with this and your own weight goals.