Pet Stores? puppy mills?

[JolieJean]

first of all i want to thank everyone for commenting and giving really great advice.. ever single one of these comments are an eye opener. I would have never imagined it was this difficult to get a healthy puppy!!! about two years ago i want on a search for a siamese cat.. and was soooo lucky to find the breeder i did.. thats how i got my baby "blue" some might not think but siamese also have alot of breeding issues that causes birth defects.. i thought i might just get as lucky with my search for a yorkie. but i do not want to go threw the heartbreak of bringing home a sick pup and seeing it suffer. It's just soo fustrating waiting.. but i do think i should just continue saving and get a little patience..

witch brings me to my next question..

i know a girl who lives in my town who has been telling me that she is going to breed her yorkie.. (dont know how serious she is) but she told me i could have first pick... supposingly.. her pup is going into heat in a few weels.. but is this a good idea?? i mean.. she has no breeding experience.. but if mom and dad are healthy.. should everything be fine...

again i dont know if she really is going to end up breeding her pup.. but i thought i should ask just in case she goes threw with it

[Rubylicious]

Please don't give up on the rescue route. I got my Annie (Maltese) at the age of about six months from a small breed rescue and she was a total diamond in the rough and I mean rough. lol She's just beautiful and perfect now - at least to me anyways.

Also, the last time I was at our local SPCA to pull a little Maltese there were many fullbred small breed puppies waiting on a furever home with not much time left to find one. Our local shelter used to have nothing but pitbulls, but so many are turning in their dogs now due to the economy - all breeds and sizes. So sad.

Or, take your time and save the money to purchase from a reputable breeder. If there are shows in your area you can go to those and meet the breeders who are showing and you might find the perfect breeder with the perfect pup and the price might not be as high as you think it might be for a pet quality pup. I was looking into purchasing my next Malt from a particular show breeder when Ruby, my new rescue Yorkie, came into my life. I was sure my next would be a puppy from a reputable show breeder or a retiree from same. Same thing happened when I got my Annie from rescue. Seems to be a running theme around here. LOL Now, I know for sure where my heart lies.

Just, please make sure whatever route you take that you aren't supporting a back yard breeder, puppy mill, or broker. Don't believe the "we only purchase from local mom and pop breeders" line. That's what all the pet stores around here say. Good luck in your search.

[JolieJean]

[QUOTE=Rubylicious;3482186]Please don't give up on the rescue route. I got my Annie (Maltese) at the age of about six months from a small breed rescue and she was a total diamond in the rough and I mean rough. lol She's just beautiful and perfect now - at least to me anyways.QUOTE]

Hi Rubylicious.. adopting from a shelter is really my first choice.. i volunteer at a local shelter in my area and my eyes are always wide open.. im on petfinder constantly too.. and with all honasty.. i dont even care if its a full bred yorkie.. im definitly open to a yorkie with maltese or chiuaua mix too. of course i would lovvveee a fullbred yorkie.. but if i come across the right pup for me.. it is what it is.. but im still new to yorkie talk and have been browsing some of the classifieds on here as well.. thanks for your comment )

[yorkiedallas]

I got my Dallas last year at my local pound with the intention of re-homing him. A year later I could not imagine living without him. I did not know tons about the breed before I got him, but when I went to see him he was so tiny and scared and I could not leave him.

I paid $125 that included the dog, a microchip, his neuter, rabies shot, licence and a free trip to a local vet. I know he is not "show quality", but neither am I, so it's all good. Knock on wood, other than one stomach bug, he has been very healthy.

I don't know where he came from, but he has been a great and loyal pet. I like to think he knows I saved his life and he likes me more because of it. When I was looking to re-home him I spoke to some great people from a Yorkie rescue. They were so knowledgeable and genuinely love the breed, and want only what is best for the dogs. When I am ready for my next york, I will 100% get him from a breed rescue.

Don't give the people who perpetuate animal cruelty and torture a cash reward, there are better ways.

Best of luck to you!

Here is a pic of my little devil
http://i51.tinypic.com/246w3yo.jpg

[JolieJean]

Originally Posted by yorkiedallas

Here is a pic of my little devil
http://i51.tinypic.com/246w3yo.jpg

Hi Yorkiedallas... he is absolutley ADORABLE!!! you are very lucky to have found him! )

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by JolieJean

she has no breeding experience

I think you answered your own question. You're picking up on it quick! You can ask this girl if she has done any health tests on her little girl, and if she expects the same from the stud. A quick physical from the vet is not enough health testing, there is more to it than that in order to increase the chances at a healthy litter and that mom will survive the whelp.

[Loving Furgie]

Originally Posted by dexterandalana

I have shared this link before and i will continue to share it... this is what goes on on a DAILY basis to thousands of abandoned pets a day. There is a "SAM" waiting for you... MY NAME IS SAM

Please read this link! Have some tissues with you!!!

[LDMomma]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

LP surgery is more than $1500 a leg, Liver shunt surgery $2000 and up, to say nothing about the emotional investment. Your are lucky you have had good health with your dog, but some of us haven't been so lucky, and my dog's problem was a direct result for poor breeding. When this happens to you, you will learn why it's important to find the best breeder you can find, and one who breeds for health. Prices for dogs may be dropping, but vet prices aren't. Not that you can judge a dog's health on his price, some of the costliness dogs aren't healthy either, but a good breeder stands behinds her dogs.

I've got 2 dogs with LP from making the bad breeder mistake.

My point was that there's a good medium between bad breeder and a breeder that's asking for 1500.

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by JolieJean

witch brings me to my next question..

i know a girl who lives in my town who has been telling me that she is going to breed her yorkie.. (dont know how serious she is) but she told me i could have first pick... supposingly.. her pup is going into heat in a few weels.. but is this a good idea?? i mean.. she has no breeding experience.. but if mom and dad are healthy.. should everything be fine...

again i dont know if she really is going to end up breeding her pup.. but i thought i should ask just in case she goes threw with it

This is the definition of backyard breeder! The person who thinks they are just going to do it once, or the person who does it for the money as a side job, BYB! NO!!! I feel so sorry for her baby. Please ask her why she is thinking about breeding her baby. I am going to guess her answers:

-Bc I want to have puppies
-So I can keep one of them
-To make a little extra money
-Bc I think my yorkie is so cute
-my [family member] wants one just like mine
-My family calls dibs on all the pups
-they will all have good homes
-I want my kids to see the miracle of birth

These are all WRONG ANSWERS!

The only reason one should breed their dog, any dog, is bc it is a very good representation of said breed. How does one determine if one has a good representation of said breed? Have it judged by an AKC judge at a dog show.

[capt_noonie]

btw, I got Uni from a questionable breeder. could have been a broker for all I know. Paper work did not line up. I paid $1200 for her (she was asking $1650!) and she has LP gr 2-3. topline is way off, color is too light, ears are too big, hair won't grow past her knees. She's a great dog, and I love her, but what I know now, I could have gotten a dog from a Ch yorkie breeder for the same price or less.

Just bc you pay more, doesn't mean you are getting a superior dog. Just watch countless youtube vids of "teacups" and "micros" going for $5000+, those dogs are so sad looking, hydrocephalus, liver shunts, etc.

[concretegurl]

1. Think the OP got pretty complete answers to this:
No, they do not all come from pup mill, just 90%+ do the other 10% or less come from BYB unethical breeders...don't believe the pet stores hype if they name a breeder ask about them here...
2. How old is your daughter Yorkies aren't generally speaking great with younger children
3. Yorkies are expensive, price you pay to get a healthy dog from a reputable breeder will save you thousands in vet bills later-trust me I know personally.
4. Yorkies are expensive in grooming, food, health care, all the stuff you'll need and what about an emergency expense like a broken leg?
5. Please read these:
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...e-breeder.html

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...wning-dog.html

[concretegurl]

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

btw, I got Uni from a questionable breeder. could have been a broker for all I know. Paper work did not line up. I paid $1200 for her (she was asking $1650!) and she has LP gr 2-3. topline is way off, color is too light, ears are too big, hair won't grow past her knees. She's a great dog, and I love her, but what I know now, I could have gotten a dog from a Ch yorkie breeder for the same price or less.

Just bc you pay more, doesn't mean you are getting a superior dog. Just watch countless youtube vids of "teacups" and "micros" going for $5000+, those dogs are so sad looking, hydrocephalus, liver shunts, etc.

Same here-I should have researched and found an actual reputable breeder and not taken the word of the breeder...couple thousand (just under) for Elvis, couple thousand (over and still counting) in medical bills for Elvis...

[lillymae]

Originally Posted by concretegurl

1. Think the OP got pretty complete answers to this:
No, they do not all come from pup mill, just 90%+ do the other 10% or less come from BYB unethical breeders...don't believe the pet stores hype if they name a breeder ask about them here...
2. How old is your daughter Yorkies aren't generally speaking great with younger children
3. Yorkies are expensive, price you pay to get a healthy dog from a reputable breeder will save you thousands in vet bills later-trust me I know personally.
4. Yorkies are expensive in grooming, food, health care, all the stuff you'll need and what about an emergency expense like a broken leg?
5. Please read these:
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...e-breeder.html

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...wning-dog.html

Good Post !

[Lizzie07]

Originally Posted by JolieJean

p.s. adopting was my first choice.. but i would like a dog under a year old because i have a daughter and i would like one young enough to train to be good with kids..

Don't think because you get a puppy it will be good with kids. It might be good with your child but you could have problems with other kids that come over. Getting an older rescue that is known to be good with kids is one SURE way to know that the yorkie will be good with kids. There are numerous posts on YT about puppies and yorkies not being good with visitors or other children. It is a real problem and one that is very, very hard to fix. I have one of those yorkies.

Also, the best way to get a puppy with a good temperament is to buy from a reputable breeder for whom temperament is as important as health and looks, and who can best judge which of their puppies would be best for your family, not one who is just selling puppies for profit. Considering a yorkie that you buy this year for $1,500 or so could live 15 yrs, that works out to only $100 a year.

Good luck in your search.

[JolieJean]

Originally Posted by Lizzie07

Don't think because you get a puppy it will be good with kids. It might be good with your child but you could have problems with other kids that come over. Getting an older rescue that is known to be good with kids is one SURE way to know that the yorkie will be good with kids. .

Lizz07.. Very good point! i never thought of it like that. althou i still would like a younger dog. this is my first time as an adult buying a dog on my own. and i really want it to be around for awhile. i was almost tempted to apply to adopt a 7 yr old yorkie.. but when i thought about it.. thats a difficult thing to take on.. taking the chance you might only have this dog around for 5 years.. but maybe i should consider keeping my eyes open to a little older.. maybe 3 and under.. you made a good point.. thanks!