Concerns with yorkies health overall - YorkieTalk.com Forums

luvdorkyyorkies · 02-10-2005, 11:03 AM

Hi everyone,

I have been reading so many sad stories of yorkie owners who have brought a puppy home to find them get deathly sick, having outrageous vet bills, and breeders who dont return phone calls that it truly concerns me.
I cant imagine a breeder sending an 8 oz puppy home with someone or any puppy with any known serious problem. I sincerely think that if a puppy routinely needs boosts from nutrical/ or sugar after being in a familair surroundings/first home/breeder that it should never leave until further tests are done.
I dont sleep well anyway but I definitely wouldnt sleep well knowing I ,with full knowledge, sent a puppy out like this, pure animal cruelty and people cruelty too.
Breeders are not always responsible for the problems that arise after a puppy leaves their care. I stress a puppy should go into a quiet enviroment for the first few days, dont show off your puppy theres lots of time for that, make sure they eat eat eat...and drink.....very important!! One person should be their care giver for the first days..........yorkies are loyal, usually shown to one person and need that quiet security. Multiple people surrounding them causes high anxiety, even when meant with the best intentions.
This simple regiment can help keep the "bugs" away.............if a dog gets stressed cociddia can show up, because it lives in the majority of dogs intestines anyway, although in a healthy dog it lays dormant. Its not from filthy living conditions. Just one example.
Im a breeder and I dont give "the best" guarantee, 6 months for genetic defects, and I dont pay for vet bills for neglect to follow care instructions or hypoglycemia treatment. Hypoglycemia can be fatal, but is highly treatable if thats the true cause of the problem. I dont raise show dogs, my dogs have some imperfections and some of my females are above the standard size. My small stud has gorgeous hair, beautiful personality, high energy, a cute lil monkey face but also has a slight roach back, which is a fault, but considering everything else, he is a wonderful yorkie specimen. He is extremely healthy.
I am not advertising on here either because it is a conflict of interest, I use this forum for a learning experience.
I just wanted to say I feel very bad for anyone who has purchased a puppy from a breeder who tries to move their puppies when they are not ready and knows it.
My heart goes out to the owners who has recieved a puppy in such condition.
But I also want to stress as a breeder that purchasers are also responsible to give the care instructed and documented by the breeder.
Yorkshire terriers are expensive because they are hard to raise to adulthood. They are a peculair breed and spectaculair too(sp?).
Any comments to this thread are most welcome............you dont have to agree with me.........

TatumsMom · 02-10-2005, 11:31 AM

Kelly, Do you know of a link where I can read more information on "roach back"? I've heard that expression before but am curious to know what it is. Lucky for us - especially since it was our first ever Yorkie purchase and I only knew the basics about the breed - our Tatum is very healthy, petite-sized, nice coat and just an overall happy girl. I've learned a lot on this site but am always willing to learn more for when there may be another Yorkie purchase in the future.

I thought your post was a very informative one and speaks the truth. I think it's something a lot of people need to hear. Thanks for saying it.

lynnt34 · 02-10-2005, 11:41 AM

Hi Kelly.........I do agree with you! When we got our first Yorkie Abbey she was tiny as well...and 9 weeks old . I took a week off work (I work 3/4 time) to spend this time helping her adapt...we did keep a quiet & consistent environment for her, before we introduced her to my young adult children. All went fairly well...considering her age & size ( shy of a pound)! When we got Beamer this fall...from a different breeder she stated she doesn't let them go until they are 12 weeks and over the 1 pound marker....prevents alot of troubles....we were happy about this as I worried over Abbey the first few days until I knew she was eating & drinking ok! I am truly happy with both our Breeders as we have kept in touch & they were both a good source of information.... SO my heartfelt thanks

go out to the wonderful Breeders out there!!
Also keeping a good relationship with your Vet is also important! You are right though these little yorkies love to be around ppl.......I am lucky as I work 3/4 time and its days/evening rotations ,therefore our kidlets are rarely alone for long...with my husband home in evenings and my youngest(whose 16) home after school keeps the Beamer & Abbey out of mischief!!

luvdorkyyorkies · 02-10-2005, 12:19 PM

I am sure that here at this forum you will be supplied with a link to give you a picture and a definition of "roach bacK"
Roach back is a curving of the spine "upward" instead of the dogs carriage or back being straight all the way across the spine is curved up. In my studs case his front legs are slightly shorter then the back legs and creates that look, if his head is down and sniffing. It is cosmetic problem.......His father is from champion bloodlines but has the same problem......he is 7 and has no health probs from it.....
My Main concern is that others are breeding for internal soundness of the animals not just physical outside soundness.

bettyeanne · 02-10-2005, 05:12 PM

Kelly, I for one agree with you! Toto was the first Yorkie we had ever had any contact with. We were fortunate that we were both able to be with her 24/7. We were absolutely in awe of her ... followed our breeder and vet's instructions to the letter. We didn't take her out, especially where there were "strangers" ... we briefly "showed her off" to family & close friends but they were not allowed to hold her. We did this until she had all her shots and even now do it to a certain extent!

Fortunately, she has been unbelievably healthy! I know there are breeders who only raise them for the money and there are those that breed over and over trying to get smaller and smaller dogs. These are the ones who need to be put out of business! To me that is as much animal cruelty and hitting one! I know we were lucky ... and it breaks my heart to hear about those who encounter problems like a lot who have joined this forum. I believe a good breeder is one who tries to breed healthy dogs!!

schatzie · 02-10-2005, 05:39 PM

Good information Kelly!

YorkieRose · 02-10-2005, 06:17 PM

I feel so bad for many unknowing and trusting pet buyers...the dog world is full of money hungry people.
I perfer a one year genetic guarantee..I bought a beautiful champion-sired girl a few years ago and at 10 months she developed Legg Perthes. My breeder returned the cost and allowed me to give her to a vet tech in my vets clinic..good solution since you should not breed from a Yorkie with this genetic problem...it is repaired by surgery and the dog is fine. LP can show up as late as 2 yrs..
When I read these forums I can stunned how many sick pups are sold and the breeder couldn't care less...it is not hard to rid a kennel of these diseases...(worms/parasites/fleas/kennel cough/etc..sick dogs stress me out, I sure do not to sell my problems to a pet owner.

lickthestar · 02-10-2005, 06:21 PM

i'll second and third everything you guys said. Archie is not a show dog, although for me, he is the best in show! I am just glad that he is a healthy yorkie. He's 10 lbs, but to me, it shows that he's a truer yorkie since they were really bred to be 15 lbs. back in the early days. He's got a full yorkie personality and is just the most devoted friend I have. No matter what happens to me, I just walk in that door, and Archie's little licks take away any problems in the world.

I'll be honest, I get a little upset when people sell/buy tiny tiny yorkies or get upset that their yorkies are not tiny tiny. Or people who don't spend time with their dogs. At this point, someone is always home with Archie and if he's ever alone, it's not more than 3 hours or so. He's got the run of the house, and is a well adjusted, socialized dog with a great personality. We take him out very often, and he even goes into the woods without a leash on and just follows along.

I'm just happy that Archie is Archie and there's nothing about him (size, personality, eating habits, etc.) that I'd change about him. I, too, am saddened at reading the posts where people have been deceived, or have to go through hospitalizations, etc...I hope their yorkies get better and they can share in the joy of living with such a wonderful dog.

02-10-2005, 11:03 AM	#1
luvdorkyyorkies BANNED! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,681	Concerns with yorkies health overall Hi everyone, I have been reading so many sad stories of yorkie owners who have brought a puppy home to find them get deathly sick, having outrageous vet bills, and breeders who dont return phone calls that it truly concerns me. I cant imagine a breeder sending an 8 oz puppy home with someone or any puppy with any known serious problem. I sincerely think that if a puppy routinely needs boosts from nutrical/ or sugar after being in a familair surroundings/first home/breeder that it should never leave until further tests are done. I dont sleep well anyway but I definitely wouldnt sleep well knowing I ,with full knowledge, sent a puppy out like this, pure animal cruelty and people cruelty too. Breeders are not always responsible for the problems that arise after a puppy leaves their care. I stress a puppy should go into a quiet enviroment for the first few days, dont show off your puppy theres lots of time for that, make sure they eat eat eat...and drink.....very important!! One person should be their care giver for the first days..........yorkies are loyal, usually shown to one person and need that quiet security. Multiple people surrounding them causes high anxiety, even when meant with the best intentions. This simple regiment can help keep the "bugs" away.............if a dog gets stressed cociddia can show up, because it lives in the majority of dogs intestines anyway, although in a healthy dog it lays dormant. Its not from filthy living conditions. Just one example. Im a breeder and I dont give "the best" guarantee, 6 months for genetic defects, and I dont pay for vet bills for neglect to follow care instructions or hypoglycemia treatment. Hypoglycemia can be fatal, but is highly treatable if thats the true cause of the problem. I dont raise show dogs, my dogs have some imperfections and some of my females are above the standard size. My small stud has gorgeous hair, beautiful personality, high energy, a cute lil monkey face but also has a slight roach back, which is a fault, but considering everything else, he is a wonderful yorkie specimen. He is extremely healthy. I am not advertising on here either because it is a conflict of interest, I use this forum for a learning experience. I just wanted to say I feel very bad for anyone who has purchased a puppy from a breeder who tries to move their puppies when they are not ready and knows it. My heart goes out to the owners who has recieved a puppy in such condition. But I also want to stress as a breeder that purchasers are also responsible to give the care instructed and documented by the breeder. Yorkshire terriers are expensive because they are hard to raise to adulthood. They are a peculair breed and spectaculair too(sp?). Any comments to this thread are most welcome............you dont have to agree with me.........

02-10-2005, 11:31 AM	#2
TatumsMom Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: TX Posts: 2,799	Kelly, Do you know of a link where I can read more information on "roach back"? I've heard that expression before but am curious to know what it is. Lucky for us - especially since it was our first ever Yorkie purchase and I only knew the basics about the breed - our Tatum is very healthy, petite-sized, nice coat and just an overall happy girl. I've learned a lot on this site but am always willing to learn more for when there may be another Yorkie purchase in the future. I thought your post was a very informative one and speaks the truth. I think it's something a lot of people need to hear. Thanks for saying it. __________________ ~ Angie

02-10-2005, 11:41 AM	#3
lynnt34 Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Manitoba, Canada Posts: 205	Hi Kelly.........I do agree with you! When we got our first Yorkie Abbey she was tiny as well...and 9 weeks old . I took a week off work (I work 3/4 time) to spend this time helping her adapt...we did keep a quiet & consistent environment for her, before we introduced her to my young adult children. All went fairly well...considering her age & size ( shy of a pound)! When we got Beamer this fall...from a different breeder she stated she doesn't let them go until they are 12 weeks and over the 1 pound marker....prevents alot of troubles....we were happy about this as I worried over Abbey the first few days until I knew she was eating & drinking ok! I am truly happy with both our Breeders as we have kept in touch & they were both a good source of information.... SO my heartfelt thanks go out to the wonderful Breeders out there!! Also keeping a good relationship with your Vet is also important! You are right though these little yorkies love to be around ppl.......I am lucky as I work 3/4 time and its days/evening rotations ,therefore our kidlets are rarely alone for long...with my husband home in evenings and my youngest(whose 16) home after school keeps the Beamer & Abbey out of mischief!! __________________ Terrilyn

02-10-2005, 05:12 PM	#5
bettyeanne Donating YT 7000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alabama, etc. Posts: 9,031	Kelly, I for one agree with you! Toto was the first Yorkie we had ever had any contact with. We were fortunate that we were both able to be with her 24/7. We were absolutely in awe of her ... followed our breeder and vet's instructions to the letter. We didn't take her out, especially where there were "strangers" ... we briefly "showed her off" to family & close friends but they were not allowed to hold her. We did this until she had all her shots and even now do it to a certain extent! Fortunately, she has been unbelievably healthy! I know there are breeders who only raise them for the money and there are those that breed over and over trying to get smaller and smaller dogs. These are the ones who need to be put out of business! To me that is as much animal cruelty and hitting one! I know we were lucky ... and it breaks my heart to hear about those who encounter problems like a lot who have joined this forum. I believe a good breeder is one who tries to breed healthy dogs!! __________________ Toto's Mom - http://www.dogster.com/?206581 Yorkie Rescue Colorado - http://www.yorkierescuecolorado.com/ "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has limits." -- Albert Einstein

02-10-2005, 05:39 PM	#6
schatzie *Moderator Emeritus* Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Tontitown Arkansas Posts: 4,909	Good information Kelly! __________________ ~~~~ Schatzie and Ransom ~~~~

02-10-2005, 12:19 PM	#4
luvdorkyyorkies BANNED! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,681	I am sure that here at this forum you will be supplied with a link to give you a picture and a definition of "roach bacK" Roach back is a curving of the spine "upward" instead of the dogs carriage or back being straight all the way across the spine is curved up. In my studs case his front legs are slightly shorter then the back legs and creates that look, if his head is down and sniffing. It is cosmetic problem.......His father is from champion bloodlines but has the same problem......he is 7 and has no health probs from it..... My Main concern is that others are breeding for internal soundness of the animals not just physical outside soundness.

02-10-2005, 06:17 PM	#7
YorkieRose No Longer a Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 8,577	pups I feel so bad for many unknowing and trusting pet buyers...the dog world is full of money hungry people. I perfer a one year genetic guarantee..I bought a beautiful champion-sired girl a few years ago and at 10 months she developed Legg Perthes. My breeder returned the cost and allowed me to give her to a vet tech in my vets clinic..good solution since you should not breed from a Yorkie with this genetic problem...it is repaired by surgery and the dog is fine. LP can show up as late as 2 yrs.. When I read these forums I can stunned how many sick pups are sold and the breeder couldn't care less...it is not hard to rid a kennel of these diseases...(worms/parasites/fleas/kennel cough/etc..sick dogs stress me out, I sure do not to sell my problems to a pet owner.

02-10-2005, 06:21 PM	#8
lickthestar YT Addict Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NY Posts: 360	i'll second and third everything you guys said. Archie is not a show dog, although for me, he is the best in show! I am just glad that he is a healthy yorkie. He's 10 lbs, but to me, it shows that he's a truer yorkie since they were really bred to be 15 lbs. back in the early days. He's got a full yorkie personality and is just the most devoted friend I have. No matter what happens to me, I just walk in that door, and Archie's little licks take away any problems in the world. I'll be honest, I get a little upset when people sell/buy tiny tiny yorkies or get upset that their yorkies are not tiny tiny. Or people who don't spend time with their dogs. At this point, someone is always home with Archie and if he's ever alone, it's not more than 3 hours or so. He's got the run of the house, and is a well adjusted, socialized dog with a great personality. We take him out very often, and he even goes into the woods without a leash on and just follows along. I'm just happy that Archie is Archie and there's nothing about him (size, personality, eating habits, etc.) that I'd change about him. I, too, am saddened at reading the posts where people have been deceived, or have to go through hospitalizations, etc...I hope their yorkies get better and they can share in the joy of living with such a wonderful dog.