Please Be Careful When Buying a Yorkie
 

I have been debating off and on if I should post my situation or not, but I feel that this may help someone else out there in search of a buying a yorkie. I would hate for this to happen to someone else and I feel that unfortunately there are some dishonest breeders out there who will tell you anything to sell you a yorkie.

I recently lost my yorkie because my neighbor's dog mauled her and she died. It was the worst thing I had ever been through. I contacted Toni off her website, not knowing who she was, I had just been searching trying to find another yorkie. She told me that she had a 6 month old that she had bought to breed and she wasn't big enough so she would sell her to us for $1200.00. I asked her if she was playful because I have 2 young girls who adored our other dog and she was full of spunk and energy. I told her this is what I was looking for. She said oh yeah she is very playful. We drove all the way to Arkansas to her house and when we got there the puppy was just sleeping. I said are you sure she's playful, she seems so quiet. Oh yeah she said it must be her dress making her act weird, so she took it off. Then she took us out to see her dog kennel. Oh my gosh me and my girls almost threw up the smell was so horribly strong and nauseating and there was feces and urine all over the floor and the dogs were just running all in it. She says that her pregnant dogs stay inside, but she had a pregnant dog out there because she picked her up and showed me her belly and said she has 2 in there. Her puppies that are for sale are out there in that mess too. Not inside being socialized. I ignored my gut instinct and bought the dog anyway. I guess that I was desperate to replace my puppy that I had recently lost. I am not even sure how she acquired this puppy because she said she never met the breeder or seen it's parents and that she got her through someone else. I asked her if the puppy had lost all her baby teeth and she said yeah all but two. We got the puppy home and I took her to my vet because her ears smelled horrible. The vet said she had severe yeast infections in both ears. Would this not be considered neglect? He also said that she had about 8 teeth that would have to be pulled. I started to wonder if she had ever even picked up this puppy.

The puppy just wanted to sleep all day every day, she wouldn't come when you called her and when you approached her to pick her up, she would squat down and pee. I contacted the breeder the following day after I brought her home and she said I was just not giving the puppy time. I called her a couple of days later and told her I wanted to bring the dog back and she said "no I don't do that and I would just have to try and sell her myself." How does she even know what kind of home the puppy would end up in if let up to a total stranger to rehome her? I explained to her that I didn't think the dog had been inside with humans and socialized and she said I was wrong. I told her that I had specifically wanted a hyper playful dog and she told me this one was. I told her about the yeast infections in the ears and that I did not feel like she had sold us a healthy puppy. Why did I not see the signs? I am beside myself and feel sick that there are breeders out there like her who are only breeding yorkies for money and don't have any concern for what happens to their puppies once they have their money. I have found the puppy a home with an older couple with no children. I feel confident she will be cared for very well. I do not think that it should have been my responsibilty. I lost money through this and I feel that isn't fair, but more than that please, please don't ever buy a puppy if something in your heart is telling you no this isn't right.

I know that most reputable breeders would have gladly taken the puppy back because their only concern is for their puppies, not the money they have already made.

i am sorry that you have to go through this...and there were so many red flags when you got there and i know that it is hard to tell yourself no especially with the heartache that you are dealing with since the loss of your yorkie....it's a lesson learn for sure...and i hope that other potential yorkie owners will see this thread before the make the impulse buy....i am glad you were able to find her another home....maybe you can report her to the animal control in her area....since you said they were all running around in their own feces and urine....she does not need to be breeding nor in my opinion deserves to even have a pet!

What is this so called breeders website?? So we can all be made aware of it.

I am sorry you had to go through this and am glad to hear the little dog found a lovely new home,I am in the uk and we also have breeder's that do the same,Yes alarm bell's were ringing when you got there and your heart ruled your head,It is sickening to go to a place like this but this is where you also have to walk away in these situation's,We have authorities called tradeing standards over here that would of acted on this as i think it is just awful that breeder's can get away with this,If these poor dog's are in the condition's you say you witnessed maybe it will be worth ringing your local rspca and enviramental health whom issue these breeder's with a breeding license animals in this situation have no voice and so we the public when witnessing these situation's need to be the voice for these poor dog's.

I am sorry that you went through this. It is hard to turn down a cute lil puppy. I hope that you are able to help others not to do this same thing. I am glad that she is in a loving home and I hope she becomes more playful for you and yoru family.

I am so sorry this has happened to you.This is just another example of why you should see the dogs and their living enviroment .Its disgusting that a breeder would treat their dogs in such a way.I would call aspca ,media and news paper maybe if they apply some pressure she will clean up her act.

I am so sorry you have had to go through this! This "greeter" needs to be stopped! I so wish you would have followed your gut, I can't imagine walking into such horror and leaving with a puppy, I understand why you did though the lose of losing a pet weighed on your heart. Please contact your local news, you would be surprised how much they will listen to your story!

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

The website is www.tjsyorkies.com.
Her name is Toni Ledbetter.

I guess her website sounded and looked very good and I talked with her several times on the phone and she was very sweet and seemed to be very concerned with her dogs. I realize now you can't make judgments based on people's websites or the way they try and appear to you on the phone. I feel terrible that I bought into this con.

Someone asked me what her website was and it is www.tjsyorkies.com.
Her name is Toni Ledbetter.

What is her website?!

If the conditions you speak of are true I would definitely contact the AKC and report her. Even animal control.

You are not alone
 

I too have issues with this breeder. I have a posted a review and my experience with her in the Breeder Review section.
I am sorry to see nothing has changed and that she is still hurting people emotionally and treating her dogs poorly.
I commend you for coming out and telling of your experience, I know it is not easy.
I hope you find your perfect Baby!!

Thank you for the website info. You can post on her "guestbook" on her website. I'm sure she'll delete our posts but if you keep up AT LEAST A FEW potential buyers will be warned. Also, like someone mentioned above, please post a review on her in the breeders section so no one else has to go through this. Thanks for giving out the website info.

If any of you missed it the lady's name is: Toni Ledbetter and her website is TJ's Yorkies - Yorkie Breeder

This kind of thing truly pisses me off because these types of people take advantage of those of us that love these little babies. Working together we had two local places shut down recently. Little by little, everyone working together is what makes the difference!

:heart toKandi

You would think by the website you are dealing with someone reputable. The site is very well organized and set up, i guess someone out of state would not know what they were really getting. What a shame people breed for greed and not for the love of the the animal and the well being of the breed.

Yea, con artists know just what to do :)

I'm sorry this happened to you and her name is very familar here on YT you can find several threads on this breeder & she is on rip-off reports i have never had any dealings with her

I am very sorry that you had a bad experience. You need to trust your gut. The problem with purchasing a puppy is that it is an emotional buy and you acted on impulse. You have to take your time and make sure EVERYTHING checks out okay! I have been looking for a yorkie off again and on again for a few years now. I have talked to some great breeders but Knew that timing was not always great. You have to be patient. It is a 15 yr. commitment and you have to make sure that you are buying for health as well as temperament. I hope everything works out for both you and the puppy!
God bless!! P.s I totally believe in Karma, so the so called breeder will get what is coming to her!

I have heard terrible things about her. I personally know someone that got a dog from her horribly unsocialized and scared out of her mind. She has now come a long way but still has a few issues. I am also aware that this breeder breeds all her females on their first heat, even if that is at 6 months of age. :thumbdown:thumbdown:thumbdown:mad::(

Tj's Yorkies- Toni Ledbetter
 

If anyone knows how to link this thread and post in the breeder section to warn people about her could they let me know? I am new here and not sure how. Thanks so much!

Check your private messages. :)

Here you go :) I took care of it for you darlin'!

:heart toKandi

I know mrs. Ledbetter and she is a very good breeder. I have personally bought 2 dogs from her and drove to her home to pick them up .. When i got there her yorkie kennel was very clean and all the dogs were well groomed. I just thought it was the right thing to do to speak up and tell my story. I feel that she is a caring person and loves her yorkies dearly. I can honestly say she is a good breeder with awesome dogs and they are well taken care of. I saw no signs of any animal abuse or neglect. I did see puppies running around playing on her kitchen floor. It amazes me how people will jump to a fast judgement about someone they don"t even know.

Thanks, sue.

So the dogs are in kennels? If so, I don't care how clean they are, that's not for me! :thumbdown

You do realize that being a brand new member and this being your first and only post (at this point), that there is basically NO CREDIBILITY to what you are saying, right? Pretty frequent thing here... It's kind of a running joke when people post up about a breeder..."how long will it take for a new member, or the breeder themselves, to join up and post in defense."

The people who have posted have shared their personal experiences with this "breeder"...not exactly "fast judgement." Being that they have been members here longer, naturally, they come across as a bit more credible.

To the OP--thanks for coming forth and sharing what you observed. If it keeps even one person from getting sucked in to this person's scam, then it was well worth it.

Sounds like it might be TOni trying to redeem her credibility.

I had a similar situation with my first yorkie which we got at a BYB. My spider senses were tingling but I was so excited and I was looking forward to getting him, and I ignored the ignorant and abusive people and ALL the dogs throwing up around me. Needless to say Bandit still has some issues. We got a second dog from a reputable breeder and have had none of the issues.

No Jumping
 

I too know Ms. Ledbetter, also purchased 2 dogs, been to her kennel, met her husband who does not allow her dogs in the house. I posted my experience here on YT, reviewed her on puppyfind and Ripoff Report, had to contact the AKC, filed a report with the BBB, Attorney General in the state of Arkansas and Common Pleas Court in the state of Arkansas. She gave me the wrong dog not, the girl I contracted to purchase and, sold me a puppy with a heart murmur and LP for my breeding program. I have numerous expenses because of this. There are other people who have had bad experiences with her and have chosen not to state publicly because they are afraid of retaliation and I totally understand this due to harassment I have endured. Maybe you should not pass judgement.

Exactly!!!!!!!!!!! :angry: