First two days of my Yorkie breeder search....OMG
 

After researching in the YTCA and AKC websites and every other source I could find, I finally feel knowledgeable enough to start my breeder search/screening in my quest for a new puppy. I’m getting a lot of very useful info and support from the Michigan YTCA breeders. Questioning “breeders” has become an uphill battle that I find discouraging and sad. This morning, I spoke with a “breeder” who has a beautiful website, credentialed to the hilt, who returned my phone call promptly. I thought it was interesting that I found a glowing review of her business written by someone with her same first initial and last name and mentioned this coincidence to her. She proceeded to admit she’d written a 5 star review of her Yorkies as if she was her own customer. I was appalled. When I told her I’m asking questions suggested by the YTCA and AKC to screen breeders, she hung up. This is typical of my breeder screening so far. Another “breeder” I now presume to be a thinly veiled puppy mill operation told me that instead of incurring the added expense of ADC registering my puppy, all I really need to do is have my vet complete a $60 DNA test which, after verifying the pup is 100% Yorkie, can be submitted to the AKC to prove thoroughbred status. This, I know, is garbage but was stated so matter of factly that, if I didn’t know better, I’d think the woman really knew her stuff. These poor puppies…I truly hope their “breeders” care at least a little bit about them.

I am smiling. Yes, it will take time to find the breeder and puppy that is right for you. Most of us didn't have a clue about what to look for or ask about, before getting our first Yorkie. The first concern is good health, and remember all puppies are cute so don't let that be such an important factor. I think it is exciting to go puppy hunting but, you can make some decisions before you ever see a puppy. Like what sex, show or pet potential, what kind of personality will work best, who will be your Vet, What can you afford to spend and so on. READ, READ, READ learn all you can. Adopting a Yorkie will be one of the best choices you ever make.

Good for you for knowing enough to bypass these people.

Make your mind up that the search is going to take as long as it takes. I spent a couple of years looking at Yorkies off and on until I found the one. My patience paid off.

Best wishes in your search.

Best advice I've ever read! Good luck on your search. Please be patient and know it will pay off in the end.

I applaud you on doing your research before jumping in and just buying a puppy. :) Not much choices here in Hawaii except at pet stores or the rare breeder. I see that you already are on the right track to getting your wonderful furbaby. :)

I am having that same battle. The battle of the Breeder Hunt! LOL:) Just as I may want to give up, I think if those two beautiful puppies that will be mine when I find my breeder. I saw that it was posted earlier, that if you are patient, it will be totally worth it and I agree 100%:D
:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Psst......Breny just had new puppies, and she's in Michigan....I'm getting one of her boys in a few weeks, and I am so excited! She's been great, and I can't say enough good things about her.

I have heard of Breny's babies. Nothing but great things!!:)

The one on her site right now is so little-and so stinkin cute!!! They're brand new!http://www.greenstreasuredyorkies.co...iesforsale.htm

I went and looked!!! Absolutely adorable!!
OP you should definitely go look!!!:D

I have had an eye on that breeder. I will be interested to see how all of you get on with her. And McheleM, I am just PEA GREEN with envy!

Mee too!! :)

You are learning a great lesson. But the breeder first, then the pup. Any Mofo can design a website. Forget the website, focus on the breeder. If they can answer, you just walk away.

I got my girl in March from a wonderful breeder in Ohio. She still has one boy left if you want to make the drive. She cares so much for the puppies. We have gone to visit her and still keep in touch. Here is her website if your interested. AKC Yorkies HD Yorkie Bears. Texas is the one that is left. You can check out pics of him on her facebook page. And here is my little girl!

I emailed Heather. Thanks for forwarding her link. Her website is clear and straightforward. Her commitment and dedication to Yorkies come through loud and clear. I'll let you know what happens.

Debbie

If most people only knew that a dog being AKC registered means very little pertaining to quality.
One suggestion is to contact your nearest kennel club. These clubs conduct shows and matches in your area and they are good places to make contact with people who know who is who in the show world. Remember that even this does not guarantee anything but it is a starting point. Take everything with a grain of salt. Keep your ears open and don't take everything that is said as total truth. There will probably be several breeders of Yorkies in your district. If not I'm sure the people in the club can give you names of breeders in other districts.

Interesting comment. AKC registration of both parents/litter is one of many questions I've been asking as I do my initial screening of each Yorkie "breeder" I contact. Most respond by saying the price goes up by $350 if I want an AKC registered puppy. They must compare notes. That seems to be the going rate.
One lady told me all I need to do to register my Yorkie is to obtain the results from a $60 DNA test at a vet's office. Once established as 100% Yorkie, my pup can then be AKC registered. Two Michigan YTCA breeders I called said this claim is ludicrous.
The AKC documentation at minimum at least tells me my future puppy is purebred Yorkie, right? I know it doesn't say my dog is genetically perfect and healthy, well cared for since birth and so on. This info I get by carefully research and observation of each breeder I consider. Am I on the right wavelength?
As it is, I'm learning as I go. I ask a load of questions. One lady got mad when I mentioned the YTCA and AKC guidelines I'm using to screen breeders. She hung up. Now I understand why some posters say their puppy searches took a year or longer.
Thanks for feedback...my new little guy is out there somewhere.:aimeeyork:aimeeyork:aimeeyork:aimeeyork

posted twice.....sorry

The AKC documentation at minimum at least tells me my future puppy is purebred Yorkie, right?

It actually only proves that the parents and others of that lineage were registered with the AKC.. A pup is supposed to be purebred and a DNA would guarantee that. Many puppy millers mixed sires and did not register some with AKC....so AKC documentation does not prove the doggie is purebred...we can only hope and DNA test.

I like my puppies AKC registered. While it may not mean quality, it does mean that the breeder has been inspected. I have found that alot of the notorious .com sellers stay away from AKC because they don't want to be inspected.

Good for you for doing your homework! Finding a good breeder is not an easy task. I always recommend that someone support the best breeder they can find, as they are supporting the breed as a whole, when they are support great breeders. I always recommend the YTCA website, of course, this doesn't guarantee a great breeder, but you can learn so much from talking to breeders who are breeding for the right reason. Forget recommendations on websites, breeder give free puppies to people who send them so many customers or as you have found, write their own reviews. Good luck and be careful!

The AKC papers from a trustworthy breeder would mean your dog is purebred. People who run puppy mills or other shady breeders will use the registration papers to register litters under other dogs names and they also sell the reg slips to other dishonest breeders. You know how awful these people are and there is nothing they won't do to make a buck. Some of them also forge health slips in order to ship sick puppies and dogs. At least meeting the people of your nearest kennel club will give you contact with some of the right people. As I said there are all kinds out there in the dog world, even with those that show, so you need to always use your best judgement and don't leap into anything until you are confident you know who you are dealing with. Once you do find some breeders to check out ask them for references. If they are honest people they will give you several REAL references Of course what the people in the club are saying is something to weigh also.

Good luck with your search for a quality breeder in Michigan. Unfortunately, the combination of yorkies usually having small litters, many good breeder's having waiting lists of people wanting puppies and infrequent breeding of Dams, can make it difficult to find a good pup.

Don't forget to ask your Vet if he/she knows of a local yorkie breeder. I'd never thought of that before, but once I had ZoE and took her in for her first checkup, our vet asked where I got her and when I told him about driving across to the other side of the state to get her, he asked if I had looked at a local breeder's dogs...and I didn't even know about that local breeder.

I just wanted to tell you , the OP how great you are doing by researching a good Yorkie breeder . You are very wise to do so. Although I love my yorkie dearly I did not do my homework. I had not found YT yet either . my Yorkie Suzi is wonderful , yet she is a darker colored yorkie , and is not AKC . I do think I got lucky to have a healthy dog, it is just that she is not papered so I do not know any of her background or even got a contract. I use her as a service dog so she is more then a pet. But, next time I am definately finding a reputable breeder. I am impressed by what you are doing because this is the only RIGHT way. I feel lucky that Suzi is healthy and full of energy. But will not ever take the risk again.
I did get a beautiful little AKC Shih Tzu a year after bringing home Suzi. So now I know next time.

Oh great! I hope it works out. She is a great breeder and I'm sure you would love that little boy. She usually has a long wait-list but everyone wants a girl and she had 5 boys and 1 girl out of the last two litters. Keep me posted :)

Thanks!!

im lad your taking your ime in finding a good breeder. it took me literally 2 days, but i got SUPER lucky that she was actually a good breeder.. Good luck on your search