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01-14-2009, 08:12 AM | #1 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member | 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!) |
Welcome Guest! | |
01-14-2009, 08:15 AM | #2 |
Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Alabama
Posts: 11,432
| 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. |
01-14-2009, 08:19 AM | #3 |
♥ Piccolo & Vivi ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Kentucky
Posts: 14,311
| 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!
__________________ Lisa, Dixie, and Jazzy (RIP Piccolo and Vivi) |
01-14-2009, 08:21 AM | #4 |
And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI
Posts: 17,928
| 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.
__________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶 |
01-14-2009, 08:23 AM | #5 | |
Donating YT 500 Club Member | Quote:
Thanks for your response and yours, too, Bama. | |
01-14-2009, 08:24 AM | #6 |
No Longer a Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Buckley, WA
Posts: 930
| 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 |
01-14-2009, 08:27 AM | #7 |
YT Addict | 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. |
01-14-2009, 08:34 AM | #8 | |
Donating YT 500 Club Member | Quote:
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01-14-2009, 08:39 AM | #9 |
Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: A little town south of Chicago
Posts: 4,525
| 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. |
01-14-2009, 08:49 AM | #10 |
Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lexington
Posts: 110
| 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". |
01-14-2009, 08:54 AM | #11 | |
Donating YT 500 Club Member | Quote:
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01-14-2009, 08:55 AM | #12 |
I ♥ Joey & Ralphie! Donating Member | 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
__________________ NancyJoey Proud members of the CrAzYcLuB and YAP! ** Just Say No to Puppymills – Join YAP! Yorkshire Terrier Club of America – Breeder Referrals Last edited by Nancy1999; 01-14-2009 at 08:56 AM. |
01-14-2009, 09:16 AM | #13 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member | 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. |
01-14-2009, 09:28 AM | #14 | |
I ♥ Joey & Ralphie! Donating Member | Quote:
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.
__________________ NancyJoey Proud members of the CrAzYcLuB and YAP! ** Just Say No to Puppymills – Join YAP! Yorkshire Terrier Club of America – Breeder Referrals | |
01-14-2009, 10:41 AM | #15 |
Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 418
| 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!
__________________ momma to ♥ lexi ♥ and the two best skinkids ever!! whoever said you can't buy happiness forgot about puppies |
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