Introduction
 

Hello everyone. My name is Tina and I am new to the forum. I was recently given a male yorkie. I've owned poodles but never a yorkie. I've also always owned females but I am in love with this little guy. The biggest problem I have now is determining his age and what to call him.

I was asked to take him by a woman I know but am not close friends. She told me he was one year old and his name was Chewy. After she brought him to me, the last week of July, 2010 I asked his birthdate and was told May. I questioned the year and found out it was 2010. That made him 2 to 3 months old! After searching the internet for information I discovered he's not a puppy as he has the silver blue hair, brown and tan around the face and feet with white on his crown and down the front and his hair parts down the middle of his back. She says he is registered but she has not been able to get his papers from the breeder. I'm not too concerned about the registration since he was gifted to me except I'd like to know his birthdate. I had changed his name to Casper then last week she tells me his name is Shadow/Chewy. When called Shadow his ears perk up and he immediately responds but then he was responding to Casper as I'd had him a month by the time I found out his name. I checked his teeth and he has teeth all the way to the back, the front teeth are sharp. My husband thinks he is still a puppy due to the sharp teeth but I'm unsure about that. I'd read they usually reach adulthood around 6 months. He weighs about 5 pounds. This is very frustrating.:( I've never owned a dog and not known their age. I've asked for the breeders name and phone number but have not gotten that from her. Would it be best to take him to a vet and have him estimate his age and how accurate can they get?

I will post a picture next time I visit, he's a cutie.

Welcome to YT first off.

Second off, wow. This seems to be very interesting. I'm glad you got Casper/Shadow and you're doing alright with him. I'd take him to a vet and have him checked out, reguardless.

I hope everything works out with you and Casper/Shadow!!

What the lady from Va. Said. Chewy? Are his adult teeth in?

Welcome to YT. Please do post pictures as your little boy sounds absolutely adorable. A vet will be able to tell you his age. Besides, you should get him checked out anyway. Did the lady give you his shot records?

Welcome to YT!! Can't wait to see pic's of your little one.

Greetings!
 

:congrats:and :welcome4: as you get to know the site better you will see for yourself that :yorkietal!

Welcome to YT! Wow...that's some story. I sure hope you can get it all sorted, but it does sound as if someone is withholding information. Either way, take him to the Vet. They should be able to give a good idea of his age. I'm glad you welcomed him into your home. I believe he'll be happy with you know matter what name you decide on.

Welcome! yes definitely take him to the vet and get him checked out! Can't wait to see pics!

Welcome to YT!

Such an interesting situation to be in!

Certainly your vet can give an approximation on age based on teeth. And, a full check-up is a good idea. With Yorkies, coloring is not a reliable way to tell age. They all change coloring at different times, and certainly they aren't all the same coloring (some darker, some lighter, etc).

Good luck, and please post some pics! We'd love to meet your little man!

Sounds like a little doll. When you go to the vet you might also request that they scan him for a microchip, if they don't automatically do that. Just in case the lady you got him from originally got him in a way that was not so...on the up and up. Maybe you'll be able to get breeder or original owner information that way and contact someone for actual birthdate/name info.

I know everyone says that Poodles are one of the smartest dogs, I just think that it's because Yorkies don't have to prove it, that have the cuteness factor!

Welcome to YT :D Pic's please hehe!! :D xxxx

Welcome to YT.

I agree with all the others who say that the vet will be able to give you the best age estimation. The presence/absence of permanent teeth will help them give a very good estimation. These little guys aren't always fully grown at 6 months. Some continue to grow well in to their second year.

His coloring could be due to him still being a puppy, or it could be just a reflection of his genetics.

The name thing is strange. One would think that if a person had a dog they would know it's name...Hopefully he hasn't been rehomed multiple times in his young life and he's now got a forever home with you.

congrats
 

Wow! its ahrd to believe that someone can give their baby away, but works for the one on the recieving end. as everyone has said just take him to the vet and have him checked. if he is not micro chiped you can look on akc or ckc for his name. with akc the name cannot be changed so it would be easy to find him there.