Total newbie. Seeing Yorkie puppies tomorrow & would really appreciate some advice!
 

Hi, I am new here, my name is Sarah & hoping to get a Yorkie puppy real soon :)

Tomorrow I am going to a home to view the prospective puppies & would appreciate some advice on what questions to ask & what to look out for!

For example, what to look for in a puppy?

The owner has no papers for the puppies making them a quite 'cheap' £250. She says they are full pedigree though & that I can see the mother (who has papers). Is that a concern?

Sorry for all the questions but I really want to make sure I get a happy, healthy Yorkie & do things the right way. Thanks for reading & hope to speak to you guys much more :)

(I forgot to add the puppies are 3 weeks old at the moment & available to buy at 6 weeks. Ok going now for real haha)

If she is letting you take it home at 6 weeks - that is way too young. Reputable breeders do not let their pups leave till much older. Here in USA - recommended age preferred is 12 weeks of age.

Ask for references and do a search on her name and kennel name when searching for a breeder. Do your homework. Be sure they have a contract to have everything in writing. Be sure she guarantees her pups and backs it up. Ask if she has her dogs health tested. See if she have the pups health chekced and tested right before you take the pup home.

Hello and welcome to YT! I wish you all the luck in the world in finding your new baby. I did want to make mention that a breeder letting a pup go at 6 weeks of age would throw up a red flag for me. Most reputable Yorkie breeders will not allow their pups to go to new homes until at least 12 weeks of age as it much better for the pups to be with mom for proper nutrition and socialization. I hope this helps.

:aimeeyorkYorkieProud:aimeeyork

6 weeks!?! That is a really young age to let the puppies go to a new home! The golden standard (if you want to call it that) for letting pups go to a new home is 12 weeks old, maybe even older than 12 weeks for tinier ones.

Great advice. I think we sent our posts at about the same time because I did not realize you had already posted about the age issue. Anyway great post as usual.

:aimeeyorkYorkieProud:aimeeyork

Start here:
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...uy-yorkie.html




Oops- I read your post and thought you were in Cardiff by the Sea in Cali. When I re-read I saw the pound sign. D'uh!

Hi guys & thanks for so much for the messages :)

I did think that was quite young to let the pups go to a new home. I will ask her about this tomorrow. I'm suspecting the seller does not have much experience in selling puppies but I could be wrong. What are the implications of taking home a 6 week old?

The puppies are wormed, she did say that. I'll for sure ask about vaccinations too.

Thanks! I'll look at these now.

Haha, no worries! I am reading through the links now. It's interesting that it's against the law in Cali, I don't want the Yorkie to have future problems due to being given it too early.

(My posts are not showing up it seems, at some point this probably will & I will look silly haha)

Ok, this one did!

@ Rhetts_Mama, thanks for the message & links. I've read through the links now. And don't worry about the Cardiff thing haha. It's interesting that its against the law to sell at 6 weeks in Cali, I don't want the dog to have future implications & negative side effects due to been given the pup too early, for the dog's sake mostly. It's something I will ask the seller.

The biggest problems a puppy will have being separated that early is that they lose out on essential social skills that only their mom and littermates can teach. The younger a dog is removed, the more likely it is to have problems with mouthing/biting.

I think we have something like this on this site, but I can't find it right now. It gives an overview of what puppies learn at different stages.

http://www.ddfl.org/behavior/pup-dev.pdf

I know it's quite common in Europe to let the pups go at the age of 8 weeks; however 6 weeks is way too early.

Sarah
Run, don't walk, away from that breeder. She is in violation of the UK Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act, by selling a puppy under 8 weeks of age. Look for a responsible breeder in Wales. (BTW I am half Welsh - Monmouthshire, have many happy memories of visiting my grandparents) I was raised in England.

.
Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 1999
Breeders who breed four or more litters per year must be licensed by their local authority. Breeders with fewer litters must also be licensed if they are carrying out a business of breeding dogs for sale.
Licensed breeders must:
a) Not mate a bitch less than 12 months old.
b) Not whelp more than six litters from a bitch.
c) Not whelp two litters within a 12 month period from the same bitch.
d) Keep accurate records.
e) Not sell a puppy until it is at least eight weeks of age, other than to a keeper of a licensed pet shop
or Scottish rearing establishment.

Don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions! I would make a list and make sure to ask every breeder you find every question on that list. The lady we got our sweet Maddie from answered every crazy question I had and because she was so responsive and helpful I knew she was the perfect person to get our little one from, and we were soo right! During our search we found a lot of breeders that didn't want to answer our questions or just said "it's on our website" and that really set off some red flags. I really think a good responsible breeder will want to answer all your questions and even ask some of their own because they want to help and educate you and make sure your a good home for their babies.

@Beamers Mom Oh dear, I did not know that. I am due to go her house with my Dad tomorrow, speak to her & see the pups. Two people have already reserved a Yorkie from this litter, they may not know about the release age being so early though. My Dad is really hopeful to buy the pup from this seller (due to the price being less than the breeders we have spoken with I believe & she is so close) I am in two minds now though.

I could ask her if she is able to keep the puppy for a longer time, I really don't want the puppy's welfare & development upset. I am not exactly sure what she would say though!

(Also awesome about your Welsh heritage, I haven't been to Monmouthshire but have heard nice things about it)

And thanks for the message NCJM, the list is a great idea! This would be the first breeder I would be meeting (I have talked to quite alot) so will be sure to take something along.

Sarah
Try and find a reputable breeder - the price may be a little more, but you would know for sure the lineage of the pups - you said these puppies had no papers but their mother has papers. What about the father?? Do you know for sure the puppies are pure bred? Buying from a reputable breeder will get you papers and a health guarantee (probably insurance free for 6 weeks or so).
People who sell puppies too young always bother me. Don't aid her in breaking the law by buying the puppy at 6 weeks.

hummmm - I'd beware
 

I raise Yorkie puppies and I will tell you for SURE that NO REPUTABLE breeder will let a Yorkie baby go before 10 weeks old and if that puppy is expected to be in the 5 lb or less range, then the puppy should not be let go until 12 weeks old. This is due to stress that can cause hypoglycemia and the death of your puppy in less then 24 hours.
The number one thing I tell people to ask is for the veterinarian's phone number. You SHOULD call her vet first and ask questions about the care of her dogs and puppies. If she gives you excuses as to why you cannot call her vet - he's too busy, doesn't like interruptions, etc, then DO NOT buy from this person. Also if the puppies are only 3 weeks old and they are letting them go for so low - that is another red flag. Also why aren't the puppies registered. Are the parent's registered? I am assuming you will be able to see both parents? Why is she letting anyone close to the puppies at that age. I will not let my puppies be seen (except by pictures) until they have had 1st shots at around 6 weeks old. Otherwise she is risking their health and the health of the other dogs. This is something you really need to be careful about. But DO ask for her vet's number and really consider waiting until you can talk to her vet and even ask for references of others that have bought puppies from her. As tempting as it will be - don't buy on the spot. And DON'T take a puppy home at 6 weeks old. I don't even start weaning until the puppy is around 6 weeks old and then have them weaned around 8 weeks old, ready to leave at 10 to 12 weeks old. Best to you!

If the seller doesn't have much experience in selling puppies, then you can be assured she doesn't have any experience with breeding, either. You are playing Russian Roulette with the future health of your puppy if you buy from an inexperienced breeder who knows nothing about genetics and doesn't health test the parents to screen for genetic illnesses.

A bargain puppy will most likely cost you a fortune in vet bills over its lifetime (which may not be long) and break your heart.

Amen!!

Vaccinations
 

As far as vaccinations - they shouldn't even be started until 6 weeks old, so unless she were to vaccinate the day you took the puppy, your puppy would start out with no vaccines. And it's extremely important the puppy be vaccinated iwth booster shots every 2 to 3 weeks until the puppy is 16 weeks old, then he or she will get her adult vaccine and Rabies vaccine. The money you save on vet bills by using a good reputable breeder in your area besides possible heartbreak having a sick or possibly dying puppy is worth the extra money buying from a reputable breeder. Vet bills are probably VERY expensive in Europe! I'm from farm country in mid-America - so it's not too bad here - but the average vet bill in other parts of the U.S. can be close to a hundred dollars a visit or more. By the time you get a 12 week old puppy from someone who gives the vaccines properly, you can save several hundred dollars or more.

@ButterflyKisses, the mother (who I have been told I can see) is registered but not the puppies. I will ask about the father.

Thanks for all your messages everyone, they have been real eye-openers. I am certainly not gonna buy a 6 week old puppy now, I will discuss this with the breeders I speak to.

I will honour my planned meet with the breeder I first mentioned, that'll be tomorrow & will be asking lots of questions. Though at this moment I very very much doubt I will buy from her after your comments.

I'll come back on here tomorrow after my Dad & I have met with her with the details I have got.

I have to go to bed now though as it's very late here, thanks a lot again for all your comments & the information you have given me!

No, no, no - if you go to the breeders, you will not be able to resist the puppies!!!

Stay home, have a cup of tea and a slice of bara brith!!!:)

as the owner of a bargin puppy. a whopping 400 US dollars, i can attest that not only is buying a cheaper puppy from an irresponsible breeder a bad idea, but taking a dog home before 12 weeks will bring you a long life of annoyance. Sadie though i love her dearly has had so much trouble learning not to bite/mouth me. it wasn't until she had a brother in the house that she kinda started to learn it, but now she bites on him and not me and is learning to be more gentle. as far as health issues...learning your little one has LP at 10 months old and might need a 1400 surgery to correct it...not something i'd recommend to anyone in order to save a few bucks off the purchase price. you may have this baby for 12-16 years or more even. it's worth paying a little more in order to have a long life of good health and no genetic defects stacked against you.

good luck in deciding where to get your puppy. personally i wouldn't even bother looking at this breeders puppies because to me it already has enough red flags to make me back out. if you should go visit just ask as many questions as you possibly can and whatever you do, don't let the breeder talk you into something your heart is telling you is wrong. if you see the puppies you will want one, it's human nature, but don't get so attached to their beautiful faces that you rush the purchase and don't use your head and follow instinct. i let my breeder talk me into the puppy when everything and everyone was telling me he was a liar and a bad breeder. i wish i would have listened. i love my dog, and i'm lucky she's in fairly decent health so far in her first year. but as the years go by, who knows what we're in for from her. it could be fine, but why take the risk in purchasing a cheaper dog when they might come with lots of issues.

hope you follow that gut instinct...good luck and please when you get a new baby come on here with LOTS of pictures. :D

I wholeheartedly agree!!! DO NOT go to see the pups until you have already made the decision after researching the breeder. Visiting the pups should only be to get insight to their personality and pick one out (or he/she picks you ;)). It will be impossible to resist after you've seen them. Call that breeder and say you're not feeling well, and cancel the viewing.

Hi guys!

After reading all your comments, I decided I would not be going to that breeder! And boy am I glad...

Instead found another advert...
Male Yorkshire Terrier Puppy for sale in Cardiff on Freeads Classifieds - Yorkshire Terrier classifieds

Today I went & met the family (the EIGHT puppy litter was an accident) who were very nice & I placed down a £20 deposit. I should be picking him up Sunday! The family told me that I could take him back at any time as they have grown very attached & its important for him to go to a great home.

Any opinions would be appreciated!

Amy Barnes, who placed the ad, does not appear to be an accredited breeder with the Kennel Club. But you said the litter was an accident, so she may not have intended to breed, but was irresponsible.

It is good that she will let you return the pup if necessary - see if you can get a signed contract,even if you have to draw it up yourself.

Sounds like you went to the home to see the puppy, that is good, so you can see what kind of home puppy is from.


For some reason when I click on the ad, it takes me to the right page, then tries to switch to an unavailable MySpace page:confused::confused::confused:

Yeah, the litter was an accident & they are taking the measures so it doesn't happen again.

Is it usual for the dog to be insured/not-insured? I will have to ask about this.

Yeah I went they invited me to the family home, the surroundings for the pup seemed great. Has been well socialised with their child & of course with being with it's siblings. They decided to keep the baby of the litter, the one heading to me is very much bigger.

(The myspace thing is odd, that doesn't happen to me :S)

Congratulations on your little boy. have you thought of any names? He is very cute.

Thank you. I fell in love with him when I saw him :)

Well I am a big James Dean fan, so we were thinking of naming him Jimmy. It seems to fit his personality aswell.