I don't think this is good at all..
 

I posted a couple of days ago that my baby boy was coming home on Friday. I'm pretty dog clueless and my aunt is a dog trainer so I had her help me with getting the dog, and I've spent the last couple of days roaming through the site and now I'm afraid that my puppy might be coming from a puppy mill! What are some of the ways you can tell? There is an entire website for this company, which now appears to be a "breeder broker" (CT - Connecticut Yorkshire Terrier Puppies for Sale by Teacup Yorkie Breeders - Bridgeport, New Haven, Hartford, Stamford, Waterbury, Norwalk, Danbury, and New Britain). Have I been taken for a ride? I can't back of the deal now and I know how horrible puppy mills are, what can I do? What can I look for? I have to bring the puppy for a mandatory vet visit per the contract, so he's going to be going in to the vet Monday - is there anything I should ask them to do?

This is my first dog. I definitely don't want to be supporting puppy mills. =(
I feel so horrible.

You are right. That website seems to be a broker. Since reputable breeders would never sell their puppies though a broker, you can assume their puppies come from backyard breeders and puppy mills.

Unfortunately, the future health of a puppy can't be determined by one vet visit. Yorkies, like all purebred dogs, have certain genetic conditions they are prone too. Liver shunts, luxating patellas, Legg-Perthes are just a few. Most genetic conditions aren't apparent early on and take months or years to show symptoms. The best way to get a healthy puppy who is free from "genetic time bombs" is to get one from a reputable breeder who tests and screens her adults before breeding. Puppy mills and backyard breeders don't do any genetic screening so the odds of getting a puppy with a genetic condition are pretty high.

Yorkies are 36 times more likely to have a liver shunt than all other breeds combined. A bile acids test will tell you if your puppy has a shunt or liver disease, but he will be too young for the test when you get him. Are you getting any sort of health guarantee? Surgery to correct a liver shunt costs thousands of dollars.

Unfortunately, I think your instincts are right. The situation you are in is not good at all, as you said.

They are giving me a ten year health guarantee.
But I'm also thinking pet insurance is going to be something I should carry on this little guy as well now. I feel horrible for this, but I'm just going to do all I can to make sure he is okay and that we are both protected and prepared if anything should happen in the future.

You've already fallen in love with your new baby, so enjoy him.
Ten year health guarantee??? Health is never guaranteed? Unfortunately, things happen, even when you do all of the right things.

Oh I definitely have. I was just curious, because if there is even a possibility that this is the case (which it seems it is) I'd like to start doing some research on it all, I've seen a couple posts on here with some information on rehabing a puppy mill pup, and while I know it's not always possible - I'd like to have as much information as possible so I can be prepared for anything, you know? I'm still just as excited for him, and can't wait for him to get here so I can spoil him. (I've already begun and he isn't even home yet!)

I think the pet insurence is a great idea!
It sounds like you are going to give him a great home!

Are you getting him shipped or do you get to go and see the breeder?

:thumbup::) You'll be a great mommy!!

He's being shipped =( Which I was not happy about from the get go, but now I'm more worried.
Thanks! And I'm without a doubt, already getting quotes on pet insurance.


Prince's Mom - Thanks! I really appreciate it.

Have you read the guarantee? If the puppy dies within one year from a genetic condition, they will give you a "replacement" puppy. If your puppy dies from a genetic condition after that, they will reimburse you 45% of the purchase price.

They will not reimburse you for any vet bills so if your puppy has a treatable genetic condition like a liver shunt, you will have to cover the cost of the surgery yourself. Ditto with Legg-Perthes, etc. Since most pet insurance won't cover genetic conditions, you can't count on that to cover treatment, either.

You also have to keep your Yorkie on NuVet supplements for life (and save all the receipts as proof) or the guarantee is void. :thumbdown

Thanks for the information, I read the guarantee but I'm going to go back and re-read it, and definitely look for an insurance company that covers genetic conditions, and get the best package I can. What the heck is NuVet supplements? Should I give them to my little man or just stick with the pet insurance?

You are going to be such a good mommy to your new little furbaby!
Please keep us posted and post pictures when you can!!:)

Just take a deep breath and calm down! ;) You made a mistake, there are plenty of people on this forum that have made mistakes just like you. :( It does not mean that you are getting a puppy that is going to have a genetic defect. You will fall in love with him, you are not going to have to rehad a puppy like an adult and you will just need to take one step at a time. :) When does he come home to you? I do suggest that you have the testing done that Ladymom suggested but please relax. You have already made your decision that you are not going to back out of the sale so you will just need to take it as it comes. If you need any help just ask and there are plenty of people who have all types of information that is very helpful with raising a happy and health puppy :):)

Thanks, I'm trying to relax - with the help of all of you wonderful, information filled people I'm sure it'll be just fine. I'm just over-thinking it, I think. He comes home friday. I am definitely going to talk to the vet about those tests absolutely. This is all still new to me, like I said I'm a first time dog owner (well, this is MY first dog - I had a dog when I was younger). Thank you so much everyone for all your help.

First, congratulations on your new baby! :)

You sound like you're going to be a wonderful, responsible yorkie parent. You're doing your research & you've already learned some very important lessons.

The only pet insurance I know of that covers genetic conditions is Embrace. I signed up with them about 6 weeks ago after doing tons of research. Here's the link to their website, and another thread from yesterday about pet insurance. Good luck!

Embrace - Veterinary Pet Health Insurance for Your Dog or Cat

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...insurance.html

Duplicate post.